It's apple season, so that means I'm eating all the apples. After going apple picking, the first thing I'm making is this delicious gluten free apple bread! This is an easy quickbread recipe is filled with chunks of apple, brown sugar and cinnamon and tastes like apple pie without the fuss of making pie crust.
I live in apple country, with dozens of apple orchards, an apple festival and a parade that happens every labor day weekend so we get a lot of apples. And as much as I love summer vacation, the fall season is my most favorite time of year. Not only do the temperatures drop (to a reasonable level), but it's totally acceptable to add fall spices to everything and I'm here for it!
If you still have more apples left after this quick bread recipe (I know I do!), you must make my gluten free apple crumble or these easy apple crisp bars, which combines apple butter and fresh apples for a flavor explosion. Both are great recipes for fall!
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Ingredient Notes
- Dark Brown Sugar - Brown sugar gives a lovely caramel tone to the apples. You can use dark or light brown sugar here.
- Ground Cinnamon - Use for the apple coating, cinnamon really brings out the apple pie flavor.
- Apples - You will need about 2 medium apples for this recipe. I used one Granny Smith and one Golden apple. I like the combination of sweet and tart by mixing apples. You can use your favorite variety.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend - As with most of my recipes, I've used Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten free flour blend. You can use the blend of your choice, but ensure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder. I've only tested this recipe with Bob's RM flour, so using another brand may alter the results.
- Sugar - Granulated sugar not only sweetens the bread, it also aids in browning during baking. I have not tested this recipe with any sugar substitutes.
- Apple Pie Spice - This spice mix is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. If you don't have this in your spice drawer, use ¾ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon nutmeg + ⅛ teaspoon allspice.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda - Combining these two leavening agents helps the bread rise, brown beautifully and maintain a nice soft texture inside.
- Salt - All of my dessert recipes call for a little salt, it helps to balance the sweet flavors.
- Eggs - You'll need two large eggs for this recipe. I haven't tested this with any egg replacements, but I think a baking soda egg would be the best bet. Let me know in the comments if you try it!
- Vegan Butter - I used Country Crock plant butter for this recipe. Any vegan butter should work fine, but avoid margarine. You could also use liquid coconut oil, but you will lose some of the buttery flavor. If you're not dairy free, use regular unsalted butter in the same measure.
- Non-Dairy Milk - Any plant based milk will work fine in this recipe. I make mine with unsweetened coconut milk usually. If you're not dairy free, use regular milk (whatever type you like) in the same measure.
- Unsweetened Applesauce - Make sure to use apple sauce that is just apples with no added sugar or your bread will end up too sweet.
- Vanilla Extract - Adds a little depth and sweet flavor.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Not Dairy Free - use dairy butter and milk in the same measure.
- No Apple Pie Spice - replace it with ¾ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon nutmeg + ⅛ teaspoon allspice.
- Fruit Mix-up - This bread would be delicious with pears or peaches in place of the apples.
- Get Nutty - Add ⅔ Cup of chopped pecans of walnuts into the cake batter.
- Add icing - This loaf cake would be delicious with a drizzle of icing over the top. Combine: 1 Cup Powdered Sugar, 2 Tablespoons Non-Dairy Cream or milk and ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon. Drizzle over the cooled loaf.
How to Make Gluten Free Apple Bread
This cinnamon apple bread uses the muffin method, which is my preferred way for mixing muffins and quick breads. It's easy because it doesn't require a mixer.
Prepare a 9x5 inch loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper or spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
STEP 1: Combine the chunks of apple, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
STEP 2: Combine the gluten free flour, sugar, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together to mix well.
STEP 3: Crack the eggs into a separate bowl. Whisk them well until they are frothy, like soap bubbles.
STEP 5: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Fold together with a spatula until all of the dry ingredients are incorporated, about 15 strokes.
STEP 6: Spread half of the batter into your prepared pan.
STEP 7: Spread half of the apple mixture over the cake batter. Top with the remaining batter and spread the remaining apples on top. Now you're ready to bake!
Baking Tip
To check for done, gently poke the top of the loaf in the center. If it's done, it should spring back right away. If it leaves an indent, then bake for another 5 minutes and check again.
You can also measure the internal temperature with an instant thermometer. It should be about 200F when checked at the center of the loaf. Be careful not to over-bake or it will be a bit dry.
Storage
Store leftover apple bread in an airtight container. If you store at room temperature it will last about 2 days. You can store up to 4 days in the refrigerator. I recommend reheating for about 20 seconds in the microwave before serving.
Other gluten free quickbread recipes to consider:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Gluten Free Apple Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ Cup Dark Brown Sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons Cinnamon
- 1 ¼ Cup Apple peeled and cut into cubes
- 1 ¾ Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend I use Bob's Red Mill
- ⅔ Cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 2 Large Eggs
- ½ Cup Vegan Butter melted and cooled slightly
- ⅓ Cup Non-Dairy Milk
- ⅓ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 ½ teaspoon Vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine the dark brown sugar and cinnamon, stir well. Add the apple chunks and stir to coat them with the cinnamon sugar. Set aside.⅓ Cup Dark Brown Sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons Cinnamon, 1 ¼ Cup Apple
- In a large bowl, combine the gluten free flour, sugar, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk together to mix well.1 ¾ Cup Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour Blend, ⅔ Cup Sugar, 1 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice, 1 teaspoon Baking Powder, ½ teaspoon Baking Soda, ½ teaspoon Salt
- In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and beat them until they are frothy like soap bubbles.2 Large Eggs
- Add the melted butter, milk, applesauce and vanilla to the beaten eggs. Whisk until smooth.½ Cup Vegan Butter, ⅓ Cup Non-Dairy Milk, ⅓ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce, 1 ½ teaspoon Vanilla
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold together with a spatula until combined, about 15 strokes.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Top with half of the cinnamon apples. Gently press the apples into the batter.
- Repeat with the remaining batter and top with the remaining apples.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, until the top springs back when gently poked in the center. Tent with aluminum foil to prevent it from getting too brown if needed.
- Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 15 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Do not slice until completely cooled or it will fall apart.
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
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