This Apple Bread Recipe is one of our all-time favorite quick breads! It’s sweet, tender, and moist with shredded apples in every bite. This loaf is warmly spiced with a hint of cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg.

What To Do With Excess Apples

If you’ve got leftover apples after making this bread, be sure to try some of our other favorite apple recipes! This homemade Applesauce utilizes loads of apples and can be turned into these thick and fluffy Applesauce Pancakes. For some delicious desserts, try our family favorite Apple Pie, Apple Crumble, or Apple Nachos!

It’s no secret that we’re obsessed with quick bread recipes; from this banana bread to this zucchini bread to our favorite pumpkin bread, and over a dozen recipes in between, quick breads are the best!

And now for the best apple bread recipe I’ve ever tasted!

A Really Moist Apple Bread Recipe

This bread is moist, cinnamon-spiced, packed with apples, and ridiculously tender. The “secret” to this bread is in the preparation of the apples. Most apple bread recipes require diced up apples which bake up just fine, but, personally, I always feel these little chunks of apples are incongruous with the bread. More like an add-in such as nuts or chocolate chips as opposed to being fully and totally integrated in the bread.

So the solution? Grating the apples. This way the apples integrate beautifully, appear in every single bite, and deliver a wonderful sweetness and moistness to the bread. Try grating the apples–you may never make apple bread any other way!

The Best Apples For Baking Bread

The best apple to use when making apple bread is one that is crisp, firm, and nicely balances sweet and tart flavors. We also want to make sure to use an apple that won’t break down (and turn to mush) during the baking process. The perfect apple for this? Granny Smith!

What Apples Are Similar To Granny Smith?

Crispin apples (also called Mutsu) are similar and a great alternative in this apple bread recipe.

Can Honeycrisp Apples Be Used For Baking?

We have also tested this Apple Cinnamon Bread with Honeycrisp apples! They are sweet, juicy, and crisp. They do yield a slightly more moist and sweeter bread compared to Granny Smith apples

Quick Tip

Make sure to peel the apples before grating and adding into the batter.

Apple Bread Recipe That’s Easy!

Not only is this apple cinnamon bread recipe so moist and tasty, it’s also very simple to make! In fact, we mix everything together in one bowl with a wooden spoon — score! Below are a few tips:

Avoid hand mixers or using a stand mixer as these instruments will introduce too much air into the batter. This can cause bread to rise and fall or sink during baking.
Don’t over mix. If you over-mix the batter after the flour is added in, the bread will end up overly dense with less of a rise. Stop mixing when no dry streaks of flour remain.
Measure carefully. Baking is a science. Even with a quick bread that is intended to be easy (this apple bread recipe!), we’re still relying on careful measuring. Measure every cup or spoon to be heaping/overfilled then level off the top with the back of a butter knife for the perfect measurements.

How To Make Apple Bread

Generously grease bread pan. There are few things as frustrating as trying to invert a loaf and having it fall apart or stick to the bottom. Grease with nonstick spray (or rub on shortening) and then lightly dust with flour. Alternatively, line it with parchment paper. If you line with parchment paper, leave an overhang for easy removal.
Wait 15 minutes after baking to remove the bread from the pan. Baking is still happening, even out of the oven! It’s best to let the loaf sit in the pan to finish solidifying before trying to invert the loaf.
Always cool baked goods on a wire rack. Run a table knife along the edge of the pan and invert the loaf onto the wire rack. Quick breads need to be elevated so air can circulate around all sides as it cools. Otherwise, moisture (from the heat of the bread) will condense on the bottom of the bread, making it damp and slightly sticky.

Why Is My Apple Bread Dry?

A few likely culprits to dry apple bread:

Too much flour packed into the measuring cup (which can happen if you’re pressing a measuring cup into a bag or box of flour and it gets compressed in the cup)
The bread is baked too long
The batter is over-mixed
Not enough apples! Be sure to get a full two cups of grated apples — this is about 2 large-sized apples.
Expired baking agents. Test the freshness of your baking soda and baking powder.

Variations

Variation Ideas

Add some frosting. Top with this cream cheese frosting to convert this apple bread to apple cake!
Want to make this apple bread recipe healthy? Use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil and use a white whole-wheat flour in place of all-purpose.
Make a loaded apple bread by adding in some finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter. Another option is to add in some dried cranberries or raisins.
For a more spiced apple bread recipe, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice to the bread batter.

Storage

Apple Bread Recipe Storage

How Long Does Apple Bread last?

We like to finish this bread within 1-2 days of being made. (It’s even more moist, spiced, and flavorful on day 2!) After day 2, it begins to lose texture (becoming overly moist). It can, however, last up to a week stored in an airtight container/tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. After the second day, I recommend storing it in the fridge.

How To Store Apple Bread

You can store this bread on the counter for a day or two, but after that, refrigerate it, each slice wrapped tightly and placed in an airtight container.

Can You Freeze Apple Bread?

Yes, here’s how: Let the bread cool completely. Slice and then wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap. Add the wrapped slices to a large freezer bag, remove any air, and place it in the freezer.

Now you’ve got a grab-and-go quick breakfast whenever you need it! Let stand on the counter for a few minutes or defrost in the microwave/pop in the toaster.