This warming Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Bread is a delicious way to use apples this fall season. Dairy free and refined sugar free, this loaf is just the right amount of sweetness and spice!
If you are looking for the perfect, easy apple bread recipe, then look no further! This delicious gluten free quick bread recipe isn't too sweet and has just the right amount of cinnamon flavor. It's the perfect fall treat that is healthy enough to enjoy with breakfast, snack, or for dessert.
Healthy Apple Cinnamon Bread
This gluten free apple bread is sweetened with maple syrup and applesauce to keep it refined sugar free and amp up the apple flavor. It contains only ⅓ cup of maple syrup, while most sweet breads contain up to a cup or more of added sugar! You don't need all of that added sugar and I promise you won't miss it in this recipe, as the apples provide plenty of natural sweetness.
Have your "cake" and eat it too
Apples are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants which can help with digestive health, heart health, brain health, and the immune system. I love baking with fresh fruit for their health benefits along with adding plenty of flavor and sweetness to recipes without the need for too much added sugar or other flavors! This apple loaf recipe is made with basic ingredients for an easy and healthy treat.
Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Bread Ingredients
- Apples: you'll need one large apple of choice. The variety really depends on your taste preferences. Go green apples for a more tart bread or pin/red for a sweeter variety.
- Gluten free flour: be sure to use a 1:1 all purpose gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for best results.
- Tigernut flour or almond flour: tigernut flour is a nut free flour alternative to almond flour for those with nut allergies. You can use almond flour if you tolerate it!
- Olive oil: this heart healthy oil keeps the bread light and moist!
- Maple syrup: be sure to use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup.
- Applesauce: this helps amp up the apple flavor in every bite, keeps the bread moist, and allows us to cut back on the added sugar. Be sure to use unsweetened applesauce.
- Milk of choice: stick to a plant based milk to keep this recipe dairy free. I've used both oat milk and coconut milk, but almond milk also works!
- Eggs: 2 large eggs
- Baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt
How to Make Gluten Free Apple Bread
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Sift all the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl or in a stand mixer, beat together all the wet ingredients on medium speed until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix on low until just combined.
- Toss the chopped apple with cinnamon and flour then fold into the batter so there are even chunks of apple throughout.
- Pour batter into a lined loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and the top of the loaf is golden brown.
Substitutions and variations
- Olive oil: I have not tested this recipe with melted coconut oil or vegan butter. Olive oil provides a light and airy texture, but melted butter should work in a pinch.
- Applesauce: if you love cinnamon, opt for a cinnamon applesauce.
- Maple syrup: this recipe is designed for a liquid sweetener, not something like coconut sugar. If you need to sub it, try agave syrup.
- Cinnamon: switch out the cinnamon for an apple pie spice mix for even more flavor!
- Want extra apple flavor? Try swirling in 1-2 tablespoon of apple butter to the batter before baking.
How to Serve and Store This Cinnamon Apple Bread
Slice and enjoy this bread with a cup of coffee or tea, as a snack, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. I highly suggest warming a slice up (either in the oven for 15-30 seconds in the microwave). Warming it up really brings out the flavor and if you add ice cream, it melts perfectly on top.
Slice and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5. You can wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag then freeze slices for up to 3 months. Just thaw and warm up before eating.
FAQ
The best apples to use really depends on your preference. I prefer a sweeter variety, so some sort of red or pink apple like Honeycrisp apples, Fuji, or Pink Lady. If you love more of a tart flavor, go for Granny Smith apples!
I have not tested a vegan version of this recipe and I'm unsure what egg substitutes might work.
More Fall Apple Recipes
Gluten Free Cinnamon Apple Muffins
Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake
If you try this recipe, please leave a rating and review below!
Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup 1:1 gluten free flour
- 1 cup tigernut flour or almond flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup milk of choice
- ½ cup applesauce
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple filling
- 1 cup diced apple ~1 medium apple
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon 1:1 gluten free flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Sift all the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl (flours, cinnamon, powder, soda, salt) and set aside.
- In a large bowl or in a stand mixer, beat together all the wet ingredients until combined (oil, syrup, milk, applesauce, eggs, vanilla).
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix on low until just combined.
- Mix your chopped apple with cinnamon and flour then fold into the batter.
- Let the batter sit while you line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Pour batter into your lined loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before removing to finish cooling on a wire rack.
- Cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!
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