Apple fritter bread is the kind of comfort food that brings bakery vibes straight into your home kitchen. It’s sweet, cinnamony, and swirled with soft chunks of apples that bake down into tender pockets of flavor. A rich glaze drizzled on top adds that final touch, giving it the same glossy finish you see on your favorite apple fritters—but with the bonus of being sliceable.
This recipe takes all the elements people love about apple fritters and bakes them into a simple loaf that you can enjoy any time of day. It’s perfect with coffee in the morning or warmed slightly for dessert. You don’t need a deep fryer or any complicated steps. Just one bowl, a handful of ingredients, and an hour in the oven.
What sets this bread apart is the balance of textures and flavors. The cinnamon-sugar swirl creates a cozy contrast with the soft apple filling, and the bread itself bakes up moist and tender without being overly dense. The glaze adds just enough sweetness and shine to make it feel bakery-level special.
You can use any kind of apple, but firmer, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape best during baking. It’s also flexible: add nuts for crunch, swap the glaze for a streusel topping, or double the cinnamon swirl if you’re really in the mood for spice.
If you love homemade breads that feel like a treat but are easy enough to pull off on a weeknight, this one’s for you. It’s got that just-sweet-enough flavor that works for a broad range of occasions, from family breakfasts to holiday gift baskets.
Servings: 8-10 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Cooling + Glaze Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Apple Filling:
- 2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
For the Bread Batter:
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a small bowl, mix chopped apples with 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Set aside.
- In another bowl, stir together 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon for the swirl.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and 2/3 cup sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Mix in flour and baking powder, then add milk and stir until combined.
- Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan. Add half the apple mixture and sprinkle with half the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat with remaining batter, apples, and cinnamon-sugar.
- Lightly swirl with a knife, then bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Mix powdered sugar and milk to make glaze. Drizzle over cooled bread.
Tips:
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
- Store covered at room temp for up to 2 days or refrigerate for 4-5 days.
- For extra decadence, double the glaze or serve with whipped cream.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Bakery taste at home, no frying required.
- Sweet, soft apples in every bite.
- Perfect blend of cinnamon and sugar.
- Great for breakfast, dessert, or snacking.
This Apple Fritter Bread brings together spiced apples, a cinnamon-sugar swirl, and a sweet glaze for a bakery-style loaf that’s comforting, delicious, and easy to make at home.
