Name: Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup milk; ¼ cup salted butter; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast; ½ cup brown sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ cup apple cider or water; 1 large egg lightly beaten; 3-4 apples peeled & diced; 1 cup brown sugar; 2 Tablespoons salted butter; 1 Tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 2 Tablespoons cornstarch; ¾ cup powdered sugar; 1 Tablespoon salted butter melted; 3 teaspoons apple cider or milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla

There's something irresistibly cozy and comforting about biting into a freshly baked, sweetly spiced loaf. That's exactly what you get with this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe — tender bread chunks filled with cinnamon apples and topped with a luscious glaze. It’s like apple fritters transformed into a loaf you can slice and share.

This image shows a single loaf of apple bread with a rough, uneven top layer that is golden brown with some darker brown spots, giving it a baked, crispy texture. The loaf is placed horizontally on a metal cooling rack with a shiny, grid pattern, resting on a white marbled surface. To the left and right of the bread, there are two whole green apples. At the back on the right side, there is a white colander with small round holes, and a white and black checkered cloth is partially visible in the background. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Apple Fritter Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

When I first made this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe, I couldn't believe how much it captured the essence of my favorite apple fritters without the hassle of frying. It's sweet, cinnamon-spiced, and perfectly moist — plus, it bakes into a bread loaf that feels just right for breakfast or afternoon tea.

Bursting with apple goodness: The apples are cooked with cinnamon and sugar, giving you those classic apple fritter flavors inside every bite.
Unique texture: The dough is sliced and folded in a way that creates tender, pull-apart pieces rather than a dense loaf.
Easy to customize: Whether you want extra cinnamon, nuts, or a drizzle of glaze, this recipe leaves room for your personal touch.
Great for gatherings: It makes two beautiful loaves that are perfect for sharing with family and friends.

A thick slice of apple bread sits on a metal cooling rack, showing three layers: a dense light brown bread base, a middle layer with soft cooked apple chunks blending into the bread, and a top crust that is golden brown with some darker toasted stains and visible baked apple pieces inside. The bread texture is soft and airy with some small holes. Two green apples and a white colander are blurred in the background on a white marbled surface. The lighting is soft and natural, highlighting the bread’s texture and warm colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe plays a crucial role in creating that balance of soft bread and sweet, spicy apple filling. Here’s why each works so well and some shopping pointers to make your bake a breeze.

Flat lay of three cups of all-purpose flour in a mound, a small white bowl of active dry yeast granules, a small white bowl of golden brown sugar, a small white bowl of fine salt, a small white bowl of pale apple cider, a whole large egg with clean, uncracked shell, a small white bowl of warm milk with melted salted butter swirled in, peeled and diced fresh apples in a neat pile, a small white bowl of melted salted butter, a small white bowl of bright lemon juice, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl of white cornstarch powder, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, all placed symmetrically on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, arranged with perfect balance and proportion, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Milk: Warm milk enriches the dough and helps activate the yeast, giving the bread a tender crumb.
Salted butter: Adds richness and moisture, while the salted aspect brings out the sweetness beautifully.
All-purpose flour: This provides the perfect structure—not too heavy, not too light.
Active dry yeast: The magic behind your dough rise, delivering that soft, airy texture.
Brown sugar: Used in both dough and filling for that deep, caramel-like sweetness.
Salt: Balances flavors and enhances sweetness in the dough.
Apple cider or water: Apple cider infuses extra fruity flavor, but water works fine too if you don’t have cider on hand.
Large egg: Provides structure and richness to the dough.
Apples: Peel and dice fresh apples that will soften and meld perfectly with spices.
Lemon juice: A splash of acidity brightens the apple filling and balances sweetness.
Vanilla and cinnamon: Classic warm spices that bring the filling to life.
Cornstarch: Thickens the apple juices into a luscious syrup so they don’t make the bread soggy.
Powdered sugar glaze ingredients: Powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and a splash of cider or milk create that sweet, shiny finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe based on what I have on hand or the season. Sometimes I add chopped pecans for crunch or swap out cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice in the fall. It’s such a forgiving recipe that invites your creativity.

Nutty Variation: Once, I stirred in toasted walnuts for an extra nutty twist that paired beautifully with the cinnamon apples.
Gluten-Free Option: Using a gluten-free flour blend can work here but watch the rising time as it might be slightly different.
Extra Cinnamon: If you love spice, sprinkle extra cinnamon on top of the glaze before it sets—it adds a nice touch of warmth.
More Apple Flavor: For a juicier bread, add a handful of grated apple along with the diced apples to the filling.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Fritter Bread Recipe

Step 1: Warm the milk and melt the butter

Start by heating your milk gently in a small saucepan until you see bubbles forming at the edges—don’t let it boil! Stir in the butter until fully melted, then let it cool until it’s just warm to the touch. This step is key because pouring boiling hot liquid over the yeast can kill it, ruining the rise.

Step 2: Mix and knead the dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, brown sugar, and salt. Add the apple cider (or water), beaten egg, and your warm milk-butter mix. Stir until it comes together, then knead for about 5 minutes until the dough feels smooth and springy. If you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, this makes it even easier!

Step 3: Let the dough rise

Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size—usually about an hour. This step builds flavor and texture, so don’t rush it.

Step 4: Cook the apple filling

While the dough is rising, toss the diced apples with brown sugar, butter, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, and cornstarch into a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally as the apples soften and the juices thicken to a syrup. This filling is the star, so take your time here. Once done, set aside to cool.

Step 5: Shape the loaves

Prepare two large bread pans with parchment paper slings for easy removal. Divide dough in two, roll out one into a rectangle on a floured surface, and spread half the apple filling over it. Roll it up like a giant cinnamon roll, then slice diagonally in a crisscross pattern to create chunks. Scoop the pieces into the pan, including any syrup, then repeat with the other dough portion.

Step 6: Final rise and bake

Cover the pans lightly with plastic wrap again and let rise for about 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake for 35–45 minutes until the bread is golden and cooked through. Remove from pans immediately to cool on wire racks.

Step 7: Glaze and enjoy

Whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and apple cider or milk to make a shiny glaze. Drizzle this over the warm loaves and let it set before slicing. That glaze adds the perfect sweet finish that ties everything together.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few secrets that really help this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe shine. These simple tips make the difference between good and truly memorable.

Don’t skip the cornstarch in the filling: It’s the key to thickening the juices so the bread stays tender, not soggy.
Use parchment sling in the pan: It makes removing the sticky bread a breeze and keeps your loaf shape perfect.
Slice the rolled dough carefully: The diagonal “X” cuts create those beautiful bite-sized chunks that give it that apple fritter vibe.
Glaze while the bread is warm: This helps the glaze soak in just right and develop that shiny, sticky finish.

How to Serve Apple Fritter Bread Recipe

Apple Fritter Bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with this bread—just a light drizzle of the glaze is enough. But sometimes I sprinkle a bit of cinnamon sugar on top before glazing, or even add chopped toasted pecans for a bit of crunch that pairs wonderfully with the tender apple pieces.

Side Dishes

This bread is a star for brunch on its own, but I also love pairing it with creamy yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. A hot cup of coffee or chai tea complements it perfectly, enhancing those warm spices and sweet apples.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served slices of apple fritter bread alongside small bowls of apple butter or honey for dipping. Another fun idea is to toast the slices and top with a smear of cream cheese for a little tangy contrast. It really impresses guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap your leftover apple fritter bread tightly in plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh for about 2–3 days, though honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to make this ahead, it's best to skip the glaze before freezing. Wrap the bread tightly in foil, then place in a freezer bag. It keeps wonderfully for up to 3 months. I usually thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To bring leftover or thawed bread back to life, I pop slices in the toaster for a few minutes or warm a whole loaf in the oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes. This keeps the bread soft but gives a slight crispness on the outside—delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different kind of apple for the filling?

Absolutely! I usually go for Granny Smith or Honeycrisp because they hold their shape nicely and provide a great balance of tartness and sweetness. Avoid very soft apples that’ll turn mushy.

Can I prepare this dough the night before?

Yes! You can assemble and shape the loaves, then cover and refrigerate overnight for a slow rise. Just bring the dough to room temperature before baking. This makes for a stress-free morning bake.

What if I don’t have apple cider, can I substitute something else?

You can use water or apple juice as alternatives. Apple cider adds a richer flavor, but water works just fine if that’s what you have. Just aim for liquid at warm—not hot—temperature when mixing the dough.

How do I know when the bread is fully baked?

Look for a golden-brown top, and when you tap the loaf, it should sound hollow. You can also insert a toothpick into the thickest part—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Fritter Bread Recipe has become one of those go-to treats in my kitchen when I want something a little special that isn’t too fussy. It delivers all the warm, cozy flavors of apple fritters but in a sliceable, shareable loaf that feels perfect any time of day. I hope you’ll give it a try and discover how wonderfully comforting it is to bake—and savor—this apple-studded delight.