Name: Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 medium baking apples, peeled and chopped; 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 2 tsp ground cinnamon (heaping spoonfuls); 1 tsp ground ginger; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1/3 cup white granulated sugar; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 1/4 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 3 tbsp milk

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The Heart of Apple Fritter Bread Recipe

Whenever I pull a warm loaf of this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe from the oven, the kitchen fills with that cozy, inviting aroma of cinnamon and baked apples. It’s like an instant hug on a plate—think soft, tender crumb with pockets of silky-spiced apples that burst with every bite. This recipe is a little treasure that brings comfort and a touch of something special to your breakfast or afternoon coffee moments. You’ll notice that this bread has just the right balance of sweet and spice, with that buttery steam rising as you slice. It’s easy enough for an everyday treat, but special enough to share when friends come over. I love how it’s approachable for all skill levels, and you’ll get that satisfying “I made this!” feeling the moment you slice into its crisp-edged top. What makes this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe stand out is how it captures the charm of apple fritters in an easy loaf form—no frying involved. It’s all about the caramelized apple filling mingling with a moist batter and finished off with a smooth vanilla glaze that sets it apart. Ready to dive into why this recipe really shines?

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Why This Recipe Shines

Flavor balance: Cozy, bright, and layered — never flat.
Beginner tested: Clear steps with real-life timing cues.
Customize-friendly: Works with pantry swaps and add-ins.
Make ahead approved: Holds texture and flavor beautifully.

Ingredient Breakdown

Flat lay of peeled and chopped medium baking apples in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of light brown sugar, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl of ground ginger powder, one large whole uncracked egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl of white granulated sugar, a small white bowl of vegetable oil, a small white bowl of full-fat sour cream, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of baking soda, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl of sifted powdered sugar, a small white bowl of milk placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354639359234015250 — Apple Fritter Bread, cinnamon apple bread, soft apple dessert, easy apple quick bread, homemade apple loaf

Baking Apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great to give you that perfect balance of tart and sweet. If you don’t have apples, pears can be an interesting swap for a softer, subtler sweetness.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle molasses warmth that complements the cinnamon and ginger. You can substitute with coconut sugar for a less processed alternative.
Cinnamon & Ginger: These warm spices lift the flavor beautifully. Don’t skip them — they mimic that classic apple fritter vibe. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg for extra depth.
Egg: Creates richness and a tender crumb. If you need an egg substitute, try a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water), but texture may vary slightly.
Vegetable Oil: Keeps the bread moist and tender with a neutral flavor. Mild olive oil is a great healthy swap if you want more depth.
Full-Fat Sour Cream: Key for that tender crumb and subtle tang. Plain Greek yogurt is a perfect substitute without losing moisture.
Vanilla Extract: Adds sweet floral notes and rounds out the flavors.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure. For a gluten-free version, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
Baking Soda: Reacts with the sour cream for a nice rise and lightness.
Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances all the sweetness.
Powdered Sugar Glaze: Simple and sweet finish that adds a delicious, glossy layer and mellows the spices.

Before You Begin

This Apple Fritter Bread Recipe loves a little prep work. First, get your apples peeled, cored, and chopped — this helps the flavors soak in evenly and your bread bake uniformly. Always start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C); that way, it’s ready when your batter is. Set out ingredients like your egg and sour cream beforehand so they come to room temperature, which improves texture and helps everything blend smoothly.

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What You’ll Need

Essential tools to make Apple Fritter Bread Recipe easy and enjoyable — plus optional upgrades if you love efficiency.

How to Make Apple Fritter Bread Recipe

A rectangular two-layer brown cake sits on a wooden board over a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a smooth, rich brown cake base. The top layer is a thick, sticky mixture of chopped walnuts and syrup, glistening and uneven with nut pieces. A pale cream-colored glaze is generously drizzled over the walnuts, dripping down the sides of the cake and pooling slightly on the board. In the blurred background, there is an orange pumpkin and red apples adding warm autumn colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 — Apple Fritter Bread, cinnamon apple bread, soft apple dessert, easy apple quick bread, homemade apple loaf

1. Preheat and Prep: Start by heating your oven to a steady 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan well with nonstick spray or use a parchment lining — this helps the loaf come out with crisp edges and avoids any sticking drama. 2. Mix the Apple Filling: In a medium bowl, toss the peeled, chopped apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and ground ginger until every piece is silky-coated. This mixture will caramelize slightly inside the bread, giving you those juicy, spiced pockets you’ll savor. 3. Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a larger bowl, combine the room-temp egg, white sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the batter is smooth and glistening — no lumps here! You’ll notice the airiness start to build, setting the stage for a tender crumb. 4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together your flour, baking soda, and kosher salt in a separate bowl. Getting this blend nice and even means you won’t have any uneven rising or salty surprises. 5. Form Your Batter: Gradually fold the dry into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Mix gently, stopping as soon as everything is combined — overmixing can make your bread tough instead of tender, so take it slow. 6. Add Apple Mixture: Fold in about three-quarters of your luscious apple-cinnamon filling, saving the rest for a textured, eye-catching topping. 7. Fill and Top the Pan: Pour the batter evenly into your prepared loaf pan. Spread it with a spatula so it’s smooth on top, then scatter the remaining apple chunks across the surface to add a caramelized, crisp-touched finish. 8. Bake to Perfection: Slide the pan into your oven and bake for about 50 to 55 minutes. A good way to check is with a kitchen thermometer—when the internal temperature hits 200°F, your bread is perfectly done. If you don’t have one, test with a skewer; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.

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Pro-Level Pointers

Texture cues, timing tricks, and flavor boosters — the tiny details that make your Apple Fritter Bread Recipe taste restaurant-worthy.

9. Cool With Care: Let the bread cool inside the pan for about 30 minutes. This gives it structure to set without drying out. When it’s just warm or at room temp, it’s ready for the final touch. 10. Whip Up the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until silky smooth. You want it pourable but not too runny — add more powdered sugar if needed. 11. Glaze and Enjoy: Pour the glossy vanilla glaze generously over your cooled loaf. This adds a sweet, glossy finish that beautifully complements the warm spices and tender apples.

Creative Variations for Apple Fritter Bread Recipe

Apple Fritter Bread Recipe - Article Image 2 — Apple Fritter Bread, cinnamon apple bread, soft apple dessert, easy apple quick bread, homemade apple loaf

Nutty Upgrade: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for a delightful crunch that pairs with the cinnamon.
Caramel Drizzle: Instead of a glaze, drizzle warm caramel sauce for an indulgent twist that echoes classic apple dessert flavors.
Spiced Up: Mix in a pinch of ground cloves or cardamom for extra warm spice notes that surprise and delight.
Vegan Version: Swap the egg with a flax egg, and use coconut yogurt instead of sour cream for a plant-based delight.
Mini Loaves: Divide batter into muffin tins or mini loaf pans for perfect portion-sized treats, baked about 25-30 minutes.
Apple & Cranberry: Toss fresh or dried cranberries with the apple filling for a tart, colorful burst perfect for fall and winter.

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

Store at Room Temperature: Wrapped tightly in plastic or foil, your bread keeps fresh for about 2 days.
Refrigerate for Longevity: Keeps for up to 5 days, but bring to room temp or warm slightly before serving to refresh that tender, moist texture.
Freezing Tips: Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm slices gently in the microwave or oven.
Reheat with Care: Toast thick slices lightly or warm at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to bring back the crisp edges and soft insides.