Healthy Apple Bread Recipe

This Healthy Apple Bread Recipe makes a rich and moist loaf that is impossible to resist. Made with wholegrain flour and maple syrup, this apple bread is perfect for healthy breakfasts, desserts and snacks for the whole family.

Apple bread, healthy!

Apple bread, a warm and cozy treat in the form of a loaf. Full of warm spices and flavors, this bread is soft and moist with plenty of tender apple bits. Whether it’s served for breakfast, as a dessert or for a satisfying snack, apple bread is always a good idea! And with this recipe you should not worry, because my homemade apple bread is healthy and nutritious. Here are some reasons why!

• No refined flour: Instead of white flour, my recipe uses whole grain alternatives such as whole-wheat flour, oat flour or spelt flours. This will allow you to put together a healthy loaf that is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. 
• No refined sugars: As for the flour, you won’t need any refined sugar. We will use maple syrup, which is a great source of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients. What is more, it also has a lower glycemic index compared to white sugar.
• Lower in fats: Including unsweetened applesauce allows you to bake a moist dessert bread with significantly less oil and sweetener. Further, this recipe uses no butter but vegetable oil, which is poor in saturated fats.
• Diet-friendly: Whether vegan or gluten-free, this healthy apple bread recipe can easily be adjusted to suit the needs of your diet or lifestyle preferences. It’s already dairy-free and making it eggless is a pice of cake!
• High protein option: If you are looking for a satisfying post-workout snack or macro-friendly treat, consider using a scoop of protein powder. Just replace part of the flour with protein powder and you’re read to bake!

Ingredients and substitutes

Here is everything you need to make healthy apple bread at home. Besides a description of all ingredients, in the following lines you’ll find plenty of replacement options. 

• Apples: The best apple varieties are Honeycrips, Granny Smith, Fuji, and gala. The choice of apple will give you a slightly different result in terms of both flavor and texture. Keep on reading for more details!
• Applesauce: I recommend unsweetened applesauce to whip up a sweet and moist apple bread with less sugar and less fat. If you prefer, use regular sweetened applesauce. 
• Eggs: Include two large, fresh eggs to enhance moisture, flavor and texture. The eggs are also necessary to bind the batter, ensuring your breakfast bread won’t fall apart when slicing it.
• Whole-grain flour: I like using white whole wheat flour because it’s very similar to all-purpose flour but with the benefit of being less processed and more nutritious. Other options are whole-wheat flour, spelt flour and all purpose flour. While oat flour still works, be aware that it may give your loaf less moisture.
• Leavening agent: Baking soda is a key ingredient in helping the bread raise and giving it a fluffy texture. You can substitute 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of baking powder, the result will be very similar.
• Maple syrup: Maple syrup not only sweetens the breakfast bread naturally, but it also provides additional health benefits. Good alternatives include honey, agave syrup, date syrup and coconut syrup. Bear in mind that granular sweeteners are not suitable for this recipe as they can alter the batter consistency.
• Oil of choice: For an optimal result, use neutral vegetable oil. My suggestions are canola oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. If you wish, replace it with melted butter; also dairy-free butter works.
• Cinnamon: A teaspoon cinnamon is an essential spice for crafting a delicious homemade apple bread. While ground cinnamon is highly convenient, you can also grate cinnamon sticks for a more distinct flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Combining vanilla with cinnamon enriches every slice of this healthy dessert bread with warm and spicy flavors.
• Salt: A pinch of salt will enhance both taste and aroma while balancing the sweetness level.

Which are the best apples for bread?

The best apple varieties for bread-making are Honeycrisps, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Gala. Although they are all great, your choice will change the result in terms on both taste and texture. I personally prefer sweeter options such as Honeycrisp. But ultimately the final choice hinges on your individual taste preferences. 

• Honeycrisps: My favorite variety, Honeycrisp apples boast a delightful blend of sweetness, juiciness, and a satisfying crunch, making them an excellent pair with cinnamon.
• Granny Smith: Another recommended apple variety is Granny Smith. Many people like them because they have a tangy, crisp flavor and keep their texture when baked. 
• Fuji: Just like Honeycrisp, Fuji apples offer a sweet and juicy profile that perfectly matches cinnamon.
• Gala: If you desire tender apple bits, Gala apples are the way to go. They tend to soften more during baking and feature a sweet fragrance.

Recipe variations

Here are some creative twists you can give to this recipe to add your own touch and whip up the best apple bread ever. Feel free to experiment and use my ideas to create your own version.

• Nutty apple bread: Mix in the batter chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a delightful crunch and extra nutrients.
• Apple zucchini bread: Include grated zucchini along with the apples to increase moisture and fiber content. Zucchini will add extra nutrients and volume without altering the flavor.
• Spiced apple bread: Enhance the taste profile by including warm spices like nutmeg, cloves, or allspice. Together with cinnamon, they will allow you to make the most delicious dessert bread ever.
• Apple carrot bread: Add some grated carrots for more nutrients, texture and taste.
• Apple banana bread: Replace applesauce with mashed ripe bananas and give the classic banana bread recipe a twist . Bananas will add a great aroma and natural sweetness without excessive amounts of sugar.
• Apple chocolate chip bread: If you have the sweet tooth, stir in a handful of your favorite chocolate chips. I recommend dark chocolate chips, they are healthier and so indulgent!

How to make apple bread healthy

1. Prepare for baking. Heat oven to 180°C (350°F) and fold a 20 cm (7.9 inches) loaf pan with parchment paper or grease with oil. In the meantime, peel and with the help of a knife cut the apples into small pieces.
2. Mix wet ingredients. In a large bowl, combine applesauce with eggs, maple syrup, oil and vanilla extract. Once combined, whisk in the cinnamon and mix until smooth.
3. Add dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula or fork, stir in the flour, the baking soda and the salt. Mix wet and dry ingredients together until you get a smooth batter. Finally, incorporate the apples that you just cut into small bits.
4. Bake and let cool. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake in hot oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of your loaf comes out clean. Let cool over a baking rack or dish before slicing.

Storage instructions

Homemade apple bread is a versatile dish, whether you plan to eat it right away or prepare it for the week. To preserve freshness and taste, follow these simple storage directions.

• At room temperature. Let cool completely and then transfer to an airtight food container. At room temperature, this healthy breakfast bread maintains its freshness for up to 3 days.
• In the fridge. For a longer preservation, let cool, place it in a food container and refrigerate for a maximum of 4 days.
• In the freezer. This apple cinnamon bread freezes well. Slice and wrap in zipper bags; in the freezer, it will last for as long as 3 months. When you want to serve it, thaw and reheat in hot oven until soft and fluffy.

Tips for the best apple bread

• Use the apple variety that most matches your preferences. My recommendations are Honeycrisps, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Gala.
• Stick to natural, unsweetened applesauce without added spices or preservatives. Besides ensuring a healthier outcome, this will also enhance flavors and textures.
• Never overmix the batter, as excessive mixing can result in a dry and tough texture. Stir all ingredients just until they’re combined with no lumps.
• Pay attention to the baking time. Your apple breakfast bread is done when a toothpick inserted into its center comes out clean. Overbaking tends to make it dry and dense.
• Allow your cinnamon apple bread to cool before eating. Right after baking, the dessert is going to be too hot for you to experience all the good flavors.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

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