Healthy Cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe

This Apple Cinnamon Bread is cozy, moist, and packed with shredded apples and warm spice — perfect for breakfast with coffee, an after-school snack, or a sweet bite after dinner. It’s wholesome enough to fuel a busy weekday morning, yet special enough to share at a fall brunch or holiday table. One loaf and your kitchen will smell like pure autumn comfort.

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This post was originally published on September 14, 2021. It was updated with new photos, pro-tips, and a refreshed outline on August 30, 2025.

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Fall is my favorite excuse to turn on the oven and bake a cinnamon apple bread that fills the house with warm spice. While I don’t love shorter days (or endless football 🙃), I do love crisp morning runs, fresh apples at the store, and cozy baking sessions with the toddler.

This apple cinnamon bread recipe came out of a simple “runner’s bread” from my coach — I gave it a fall makeover with shredded apples, Greek yogurt, and plenty of cinnamon. The result? A moist loaf with tender texture, just the right sweetness, and all the comfort of autumn in a slice.

Whether you’re fueling for marathon training, packing lunchbox snacks, or adding something special to a holiday brunch table, this apple quick bread fits the bill.

For more easy quick bread recipes, check out Banana Zucchini Bread, Brown Butter Banana Bread, Blueberry Lemon Bread, and Pumpkin Banana Bread.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Cinnamon Bread Recipe

• Moist and Flavorful. Warm spices make the bread cozy, and fresh, shredded apples add juicy apple flavor to every bite
• Wholesome. Made with a blend of all-purpose flour and white whole wheat flour for balance. Greek yogurt adds moisture and protein, avocado healthy fats, and the whole loaf is sweetened with a modest amount of brown sugar. 
• Versatile. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert (especially warmed with apple butter).
• Kid- and Runner-Approved. A healthy treat that fuels busy mornings, after-school snacks, and training runs.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Apples – Use crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Gala, or Pink Lady. Shred with the skin on or peel if you prefer.

Ground Cinnamon – For the best flavor, use cinnamon with a good expiration date. I prefer Saigon cinnamon for its bold sweetness, but any ground cinnamon does the job.

Nutmeg & Cloves – Deepen the spice profile.

Lemon Juice – Brightens the batter and enhances apple flavor. Use fresh lemon juice whenever possible.

Light Brown Sugar – Just ½ cup adds moisture and caramel notes. For deeper caramel notes, use brown sugar. 

Granulated Sugar – To sweeten the loaf. 

Large Eggs – Bring them to room temperature first for smooth mixing.

Greek Yogurt – Makes the bread tender without extra fat. Use plain Greek yogurt whenever possible, though you can swap vanilla yogurt when needed.

Avocado Oil – For healthy fats and flavor! If needed, substitute melted coconut, canola, or vegetable oil.

All-Purpose Flour + White Whole Wheat Flour – For structure and nutrition. Whole wheat pastry flour works as a swap.

Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt – The baking powder and soda help the loaf rise and keep the texture light, while salt balances the sweetness.

Vanilla Extract – For nutty warmth. Use pure vanilla extract whenever possible.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Bread

For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1. Prep apples.
In a large bowl, stir shredded apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 5 minutes until juicy.

Step 2. Mix wet ingredients.
In another large bowl, whisk the eggs, Greek yogurt, granulated sugar, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 3. Add dry ingredients.
Add all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk until a thick batter forms. Don’t worry if this looks much thicker than most bread batters; we’ll add the apples next, which will balance it.

Step 4. Fold in apples.
Fold the shredded apple mixture into the batter with a spatula until evenly combined.

Step 5. Bake.
Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 60–75 minutes, tenting with aluminum foil if the top browns too quickly, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Recipe Pro-Tips

• Peeling the apples. Save on prep time by not peeling the apples. Though you can peel if preferred, the small bits of skin melt into the batter making it a step I usually skip.
• Weigh or spoon your flour. Too much flour = dense bread. For the best texture, use a scale or lightly spoon into the measuring cup.
• Let the apples rest. A short maceration with sugar and spices draws out juices, keeping the bread moist and flavorful. This is especially important given how dry the batter is before adding the apple mixture. 
• Stir firmly. Mixing apples into the batter vigorously ensures they and their juices are fully incorporated.
• Check doneness with a toothpick. Insert it into the center — it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Recipe Variations

• Cinnamon Swirl Apple Bread – Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan, sprinkle with a few tablespoons of an even mixture of cinnamon and sugar, then pour the remaining batter on top and bake.
• Apple Cinnamon Muffins – Divide the batter between 12 prepared muffin cups and bake at 350°F for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Nutty Apple Loaf – Stir in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for texture and crunch.
• Apple Cake – For healthier apple cake vibes, mix drizzle the cooled cake with a maple cinnamon glaze. Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and enough milk to thin it until easily drizzled.
• Gluten-Free – Swap the mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour, let the batter rest for 30 minutes before baking, and cool the loaf completely before enjoying.

Serving Suggestions

This apple quick bread recipe is as versatile as it is delicious. Enjoy warm with butter (or apple butter!) for breakfast, spread with peanut butter before a run, or toast and top with ice cream for a dessert-like apple cake feel.

It also makes a thoughtful hostess gift during the holidays, a cozy bake to bring to fall potlucks, and a back-to-school snack that both kids and adults love. For more cozy bakes, try my Pumpkin Zucchini Muffins or Banana Oatmeal Muffins.

Storage Directions

• Storing: Store slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
• Reheating: Toast individual slices lightly in the toaster or heat them in the microwave for 15 seconds until warm.

FAQs

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More Apple Recipes

• Air Fryer Baked Apples
• Instant Pot Applesauce
• Cinnamon Apple Overnight Oats
• Apple Pancakes
• Healthy Apple Crisp
• Spiced Apple Cake

If you liked and made this Apple Cinnamon Bread Recipe, don't forget to rate it and let me know how you liked it in the comments. I always love hearing from you!

Recipe Card