If any recipe could instantly transport your kitchen to a cozy fall morning, it’s this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe. Imagine plush, cinnamon-swirled bread bursting with tart apple chunks, crowned with a sweet vanilla glaze—each bite tastes just like your favorite apple fritter from the bakery, but fresher and more personal. This loaf offers the perfect balance of rustic apple flavor and home-baked comfort, making it ideal for breakfast, a snack, or as a decadent dessert. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just diving in, you’ll be amazed at how simple and rewarding this recipe is!

Apple Fritter Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll love how this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe uses honest, straightforward ingredients—nothing fancy, just wholesome basics that blend into something extraordinary. Every component brings its own unique flavor or texture, from the tart apples to the luscious glaze, ensuring each layer plays a role in the delicious final loaf.

All-purpose flour: The classic choice for structure and just the right crumb in your bread.
Baking powder: Gives the loaf its soft rise and delicate texture.
Salt: A pinch goes a long way to balance sweetness and intensify flavors.
Unsalted butter, softened: Creates a rich, tender base and adds that irresistible bakery taste.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps cream the batter for a fluffier result.
Large eggs, room temperature: Binds and enriches the bread, adding stability and a tender bite.
Pure vanilla extract: Deepens overall flavor with warm, fragrant undertones.
Milk (whole or 2%): Moistens the batter for a perfectly soft crumb—use whole for added richness.
Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped: Their tartness perfectly balances the sweet, adding pops of juiciness in every slice.
Brown sugar: Brings a subtle molasses depth to both the apple mixture and cinnamon sugar swirl.
Ground cinnamon: Classic spice that gives this bread its warmth and cozy aroma.
Powdered sugar: Essential for that dreamy, drizzly glaze on top.

How to Make Apple Fritter Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Giving your loaf pan (9×5-inch) a generous coating of butter or cooking spray will keep your finished Apple Fritter Bread Recipe from sticking—and make sure every slice comes out beautifully.

Step 2: Make the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This simple step ensures the leavening is evenly distributed throughout the loaf, so you get a uniform, tender crumb in every bite.

Step 3: Prepare the Apple Mixture

Take your peeled and chopped Granny Smith apples and mix them with brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Coating the apples like this gives them a caramelized kick as they bake and infuses them with that signature fritter essence.

Step 4: Make the Bread Batter

Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—think pale and pillowy. Add your eggs, one at a time, giving each a good mix-in before adding the next, then stir in the vanilla for a fragrant lift.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Always start and end with the dry mixture—you’ll notice how this gentle step keeps the batter smooth and prevents overmixing for the softest result.

Step 6: Assemble the Bread

Spread half the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Layer it up with half of the apple mixture and half the cinnamon sugar swirl. Repeat with the remaining batter, apple mixture, and cinnamon sugar for those irresistible ripples of flavor inside.

Step 7: Bake the Bread

Bake your assembled loaf for 60 to 70 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top browns too fast, simply tent loosely with foil and continue baking until cooked through.

Step 8: Cool and Glaze

Let the bread cool for about 15 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack. Once fully cooled, whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon into a smooth glaze. Drizzle it all over for that classic apple fritter finish—irresistible!

How to Serve Apple Fritter Bread Recipe

Garnishes

For a little extra magic, sprinkle a touch of powdered sugar on top just before serving or add a pinch of ground cinnamon for extra warmth. A few thin apple slices or even a cinnamon stick on the side add a lovely rustic touch for guests.

Side Dishes

This bread is truly a star on its own, but it pairs perfectly with a mug of strong coffee or spiced chai. For a brunch spread, serve thin slices alongside Greek yogurt, fresh berries, or a platter of mild cheeses for a beautiful balance of flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeling fancy, cube the Apple Fritter Bread Recipe to make sweet finger-food bites for a party tray. For breakfast gatherings, try serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of whipped cream for pure dessert bliss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container on the counter for up to two days. If you need to keep it fresh longer, pop it in the fridge—this helps keep the apples juicy and the crumb moist.

Freezing

The Apple Fritter Bread Recipe freezes beautifully! Wrap the loaf (or individual slices) in two layers of plastic, then foil. It’ll stay fresh for up to three months. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature and it’s as delicious as day one.

Reheating

To bring back that bakery-fresh feel, reheat slices in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds or warm them in a low oven (300°F) for 5–8 minutes. If you’ve glazed your bread already, just go with a quick microwave zap to avoid melting the icing too much.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple in this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe?

Absolutely! Granny Smith apples are popular for their tartness, but Honeycrisp or Fuji apples work beautifully too, giving you a slightly sweeter loaf with just as much flavor.

Why is it important to alternate adding dry ingredients and milk?

Alternating helps prevent overmixing, which can make your bread tough. This process keeps the batter smooth and gives the finished loaf its light, fluffy crumb.

What do I do if the top browns before the center is done?

If you notice the bread darkening on top but the middle isn’t set, loosely tent a piece of aluminum foil over the loaf and continue baking until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.

How do I know when the Apple Fritter Bread Recipe is fully baked?

Check with a toothpick inserted into the center. When it emerges with no wet batter—just a few moist crumbs—your bread is ready to come out!

Can I make this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe gluten free?

Yes, simply substitute a good 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The texture will be slightly different, but you’ll still get those delicious apple-cinnamon swirls and that irresistible glaze.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe enough—it’s the kind of comforting bake that’s destined to become a family favorite. Whether you’re making it to share or to savor all by yourself, every slice is a cozy embrace of apples, cinnamon, and sweet glaze. Trust me: once you try it, it’ll become your go-to treat whenever apples and a little joy are in season!