Fall is apple season, and this gluten-free apple fritter bread is one of my favorite ways to use those crisp, tart apples from the farmers’ market. Each slice has soft chunks of apple and a ribbon of cinnamon brown sugar running through the middle. The bread bakes up tender with just the right amount of sweetness, and the light glaze on top brings it all together. It is simple, easy to make, and a great recipe to share with family or friends.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.
❤️ Sandi’s Recipe Summary
This new gluten-free apple fritter bread recipe was created to be a showcase for the incredible heirloom apples I find at our farmers’ market. My favorite apple vendor often has 10 varieties of apples, and they have a wide range from sweet to tart.
Fall is the perfect time to make this homemade gluten-free apple quick bread. Fall is apple season and they have the best flavor.
If you are an apple fan, you will also want to try these Gluten-Free Apple Fritters, Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts, or choose a recipe to try from all of my gluten-free apple recipes.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend – King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Blend. Learn more about Why Gluten-Free Flour Blends Vary.
- Binder – If your blend doesn’t contain a binder, add 3/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum. Read Why Binders are Important in Gluten-Free Baking to learn more.
- Baking Powder – I recommend using aluminum-free baking powder to avoid any metallic aftertaste.
- Brown Sugar – Use light or dark brown sugar.
- Sugar – I used cane sugar.
- Apples – I prefer to use tart apples in this fritter bread because they offset the sweetness. I tested this recipe with Granny Smith apples.
- Eggs – Use size large.
- Butter – I tested this recipe using unsalted butter. Use plant-based butter if you are dairy-free.
- Milk – I did my recipe testing using Oatly Super Basic oat milk. Any dairy-free or regular milk type will work. Do not use canned coconut milk because it is too thick.
Testing Notes From My Kitchen
This gluten-free apple cinnamon bread recipe became a labor of love for me, probably more on the labor side. I had two huge fails before this recipe became perfect for the blog. My first test included sour cream to ensure the bread had the right amount of moisture to keep it soft. This didn’t work out well, and the first test loaf turned out too dense. If you’ve had gluten-free quick breads turn out too dense before, this one will surprise you because it bakes up moist and fluffy every time
The second try, I messed up. I forgot to add the layer of apples in the middle of the dough. This loaf tasted really good, but without the signature cinnamon apple layer, it still wasn’t perfect. The third try was the one. I’ve got the flavor and moisture just right, and I’m excited to hear your thoughts!
How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Fritter Bread (Step-By-Step):
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and move the oven rack to the middle of the oven. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Use a whisk to thoroughly blend. I like to whisk the dry ingredients so everything is incorporated.
Step 2: In a microwave-safe dish, heat the butter for 25 seconds. Add the eggs and milk. Whisk until it is blended.
Step 3: Peel your apples and cut them into small pieces. Place them in a bowl with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Toss to coat all of the apples. Set the bowl aside.
Email This Recipe To Me!
I will email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just barely mixed. I don’t like using a stand mixer because it always overmixes the batter, resulting in dense bread.
Step 5: Place half of the batter in a parchment paper-lined one-pound loaf pan. Add half of the apple mixture over the batter.
Step 6: Cover with the remaining batter. Top with the last half of apples and press them gently into the batter.
Step 7: Bake the loaf for 40-45 minutes until done. The top should be golden, and if you insert a toothpick into the middle, it should come out clean with no crumbs or batter.
Step 8: Remove the loaf and let it sit in the pan for 5 minutes. After this, lift the apple fritter bread out of the loaf pan onto a cooling rack.
Step 9: Mix the icing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk. You can vary the amount of powdered sugar to achieve a thicker or runnier consistency by adding more or less water, respectively. Drizzle over the bread while it is warm.
You may also love this Gluten-Free Apple Bundt Cake recipe.
Tips For Success
1. Do not use a mixer because they tend to overmix your batter.
2. If you prefer to use a baking spray instead of parchment paper, be sure to use a gluten-free baking spray. Note that PAM Baking Spray is not gluten-free.
3. If your loaf looks done on top but still feels soft in the center when lightly pressed, cover it with foil and bake an additional 5 minutes. Some gluten-free flour blends are starchier than others and need a little more baking time.
Frequently Asked Questions:
In sweet recipes like this, I prefer apples that are more tart, such as Granny Smith, Fuji, and Pink Lady. The tartness offsets some of the sweetness, creating deeper flavors.
Yes, this recipe works well with plant-based dairy-free butter.
Store leftover bread in an airtight container. Gluten-free bread doesn’t keep fresh for long, so I recommend slicing the bread and freezing it in slices. Freeze in a freezer-safe container or zipper bag. Read How to Store Gluten-Free Bread for more tips.
If your loaf is dense, it could have a few causes. First, do not overmix the batter. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until they are just mixed. Second, every flour blend is different; compare your batter to my photos above. Add more flour or milk, depending on how thick or thin your batter is. Lastly, make sure your baking powder is not expired.
Get more tips in my Gluten-Free Baking Tips post.
More Gluten-Free Quick Bread Recipes:
- Gluten-Free Banana Pineapple Bread
- Fluffy Gluten-Free No Yeast Sandwich Bread
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Banana Bread
- Easy Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Decadent Gluten-Free Apple Fritter Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
Apple Topping
- 1 ¼ cups apples peeled and chopped
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Bread
- 2 ¼ cups gluten free flour blend * see notes
- ⅔ cup cane sugar
- 2 tespoons baking powder aluminum-free
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ⅓ cups milk or non-dairy milk * see notes
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or water * see notes
Email This Recipe To Me!
I will email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and move the oven rack to the middle of the oven. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Use a whisk to thoroughly blend. I like to whisk the dry ingredients so everything is incorporated.
- In a microwave-safe dish, heat the butter for 20-25 seconds. Add the eggs and milk. Whisk until it is blended.
- Peel your apples and cut them into small pieces. Place them in a bowl with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Toss to coat all of the apples. Set the bowl aside.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just barely mixed. I don't like using a stand mixer because it always overmixes the batter, resulting in dense bread. The batter should be a little thick like muffin batter.
- Place half of the batter in a parchment paper-lined one-pound loaf pan. Add half of the apple mixture over the batter.
- Cover with the remaining batter. Top with the last half of apples and press them gently into the batter.
- Bake the loaf for 45-50 minutes until done. The top should be golden, and if you insert a toothpick into the middle, it should come out clean with no crumbs or batter.
- Remove the loaf and let it sit in the pan for 5 minutes. After this, lift the apple fritter bread out of the loaf pan onto a cooling rack.
- Mix the icing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk. You can vary the amount of powdered sugar to achieve a thicker or runnier consistency by adding more or less water, respectively. Drizzle over the bread while it is warm.
Notes
- I tested this recipe with Bob’s Red Mill 1:1. Other blends will work, but you may need to adjust the moisture of the batter with more flour or milk. Make any adjustments 1 TBSP at a time. Making these adjustments is normal because every flour blend has a different starch-to-grain ratio.
- If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain a binder, add 3/4 tsp of xanthan gum.
- I tested this recipe using Oatly Super Basic; other dairy-free milk types and regular milk also work.
- Check the expiration date of your baking powder. If it is expired, don’t use it because it will affect the rise.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container. Freeze slices in a freezer-safe container or zipper bag. Thaw in the microwave for 20 seconds.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
We always buy apple fritters when we go to a doughnut shop, so this Apple Fritter bread really appeals. It looks absolutely delicious!
I miss the days when I could get apple cider donuts at the local donut shop. I hope you enjoy this fritter bread recipe.