No eggs, no dairy, no problem. As someone with a few dietary restrictions, finding an apple bread recipe that accommodates my needs and tastes great is like striking gold.
I checked out Chocolate Covered Katie’s fantastic apple bread recipe not too long ago and loved what I whipped up in my kitchen. I’ve also looked at similar recipes like Milk Allergy Mom’s easy apple bread. Over time, I’ve made my own version where I pump in some extra flavor and a thicker texture – I even learned some tricks on how to make this bread taste great if I’m short on ingredients!
With a mellow-and-fruity flavor and a low fat count, my apple bread variation is a fantastic treat for anyone who:
- Has a lactose intolerance
- Has an egg intolerance
- Wants to snip some fat out of their diet
- Needs a little meal prep for quick breakfasts
Its blend of sweet, fruity, and savory flavors pairs nicely with earthy or chocolate flavor notes, so it’s a must-have addition to a cup of coffee or black tea. Without further ado, let’s bake something delicious!
What You Need to Make a Cozy Apple Spice Loaf
Whether you’re new to baking or have some experience under your belt, this is one of the easiest recipes you can make. This loaf doesn’t require a hand mixer and is very forgiving if your measurements are a little off.
You’ll need only a handful of ingredients and cooking utensils to make your next go-to treat:
- Large mixing bowl
- Three spare small bowls
- 9×5 inch loaf pan
- Spoon
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Cutting board and knife
- Non-stick spray (optional)
Apple Spice Loaf Ingredients
- 2 cups flour – I use wheat flour, but all-purpose or oat works, too!
- 2 cups diced apple (or one medium-ish apple) – my go-to is golden delicious, but Granny Smith is another good pick
- 1 cup brown sugar (preferably dark)
- 1 cup vegan milk (I use oat)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 3/4ths tsp salt
- 3 ½ tbsp unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Directions
Got a spare fifteen or twenty minutes? You’ll have this mixed up and baking in no time.
Step #1: Measure and Chop Out Your Dry Ingredients
Your first step is to preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then measure out all your dry ingredients in separate smaller bowls – flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and your diced apple. While apples are technically moist, they’re not a liquid, so they go into the dry ingredients category.
There’s no need to go through the trouble of peeling your apple, either. I just chop mine up into little sections – no bigger than a fingernail – and dump them in. The baking process softens up the apples nicely, so you can’t tell the skin is on at all.
Tip: don’t pile up your flour or sugar when using a measuring cup. Lightly tap the cup against the table to even it out and get a more accurate measurement. If you need to make a fist and press down on the top, go for it – just wash your hands after touching raw flour!
Step #2: Mix Up Your Dry Ingredients First
I like to sift my flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together with a spoon in a smaller bowl, then pour it into the mixing bowl. The more evenly mixed everything is, the more consistently your loaf will bake.
Once everything’s looking good – no clumps! – pour in your sugar and diced apple.
Step #3: Pour in Your Wet Ingredients
The last few ingredients you need to toss in are your applesauce, vanilla extract, and milk. Do the first two to make sure everything’s mixed in evenly – I always save my oat milk for last.
Tip: Only got half the milk you need for the recipe? No problem! I’ve been in this situation before and learned a trick that still yields a soft, delicious loaf. Pour what little milk you have left into the measuring cup, then fill up the rest with a mixture of melted vegan butter and water.
The water ensures you still have the moisture needed to mix the ingredients thoroughly, while the butter mimics the fat content in the milk to create a fluffy loaf. Trust me: it works.
Step #4: Mix Everything Together Until It’s Chunky
Getting the right texture here will give you a strong idea of what the final loaf will look like. Your batter should be chunky and sticky like peanut butter – this appearance means you’ll have a fluffy loaf with a crispy top.
If your batter is too runny – think dribbly pancake mix – you probably added too much milk or not enough flour. That doesn’t mean you can’t still use it, though! You might just need to add a few extra minutes to your loaf since it’ll be extra wet and need more time to bake all the way through.
Step #5: Prepare Your Loaf Pan and Fill it Up
If your loaf pan is non-stick, you can skip this part. If it’s not – or you want to be extra careful – use a non-stick spray or fold in a sheet of parchment paper.
Step #6: Bake Some Apple Bread!
Now for the fun part – sitting back and basking in the heartwarming aroma of your loaf-to-be. 50 minutes works well for me, though I occasionally tack on another 4 or 5 minutes if I suspect it’s a touch undercooked.
When it’s good to go, let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. I’ll be honest, I don’t follow my own advice here sometimes – I love dicing up a little chunk and eating it hot.
Tip: don’t have a toothpick to check if it’s done? I have a food thermometer with a thin, metal rod that works as a makeshift toothpick.
Make sure you don’t have a bunch of streaks on the side. If you have a little streaky food at the bottom of the toothpick or rod, it’s likely because you punctured an apple chunk, so you’re good.
How to Serve
There are so many ways to serve this delicious loaf, it’s hard to keep track of them all. Below are my go-to servings:
- Eat as is! This bread is absolutely mouthwatering fresh out of the oven, fluffy with a delicate, crispy crust and juicy apple chunks.
- Smear on your butter of choice. I love a smudge of Country Crock’s unsalted plant butter to add a savory note to the fruity sweetness.
- Create a homemade glaze and drizzle it on top of the already baked loaf. If you’re short on time, check out this easy and quick glaze recipe.
How to Store
You can leave your apple bread out on the counter for twenty-four hours – just make sure it’s covered with a towel or loose plastic wrapping so it doesn’t dry out. It’ll be soft and fluffy when you’re ready to eat again.
If you want to eat it throughout the week, wrap it up and keep in the fridge for up to four days. Since a little moisture will be trapped inside, your loaf will become slightly more dense and cake-like.
Last but not least, you can slice and store these in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to three months.
3 Food and Drink Pairings for Your Apple Spice Loaf
One of my absolute favorite parts about this recipe is not just stuffing my face, but saving it for future meals. Try these food and drink pairings on for size.
Pair With a Coffee That Has Nutty or Chocolate Notes
You can’t go wrong with pairing a slice of this apple spice loaf with hot coffee. I recommend a medium or dark roast that leans toward the chocolatey, toasty, and nutty end of the flavor spectrum.
I love brewing pour over coffee with a splash of oat milk and a heated slice of apple loaf smeared with vegan butter. Zen in fifteen minutes. However, I also recommend eating this spice loaf with an espresso-based drink to contrast the sweetness even more.
Need recommendations on roasters to buy from? Check out my Decaf, Decaf Everywhere review series where I share first-hand reviews on phenomenal coffee brands like PT’s Coffee Roasting Co., Counter Culture Coffee, and Ruby Coffee Roasters.
Pair With a Black Tea That Has Earthy or Savory Notes
If you prefer tea, you’ll be thrilled to know this apple spice loaf pairs brilliantly with classics like English breakfast and Earl Grey. Any black tea that leans toward the earthy and savory end of the spectrum will bring out this bread’s gentle apple flavor and molasses sweetness.
Pair With a Salty and Savory Lunch
There’s nothing quite like a hot, salty lunch to make the day go down easy – a slice of apple loaf on the side makes it even easier. My go-to lunch pairings in this flavor spectrum are:
- A pan-fried potato, cabbage, and chicken scramble
- A ham, vegan cheese, onion, tomato, and avocado sandwich on pan-fried sourdough
- A quick vegetable and soy sauce stir fry with brown rice
Recipe Variations:
Just how customizable is this recipe? Take a look at these easy variations.
Add a Sprinkle of Nutmeg and Ginger for a Zesty Kick
Nutmeg and ginger are must-haves when you’re craving a burst of flavor. The nutmeg will make your loaf extra aromatic, while ginger will give you a light kick on the finish.
Since they’re both strong baking spices, I recommend 1/4 tsp of each.
Use Light Brown Sugar or White Sugar for a Stronger Apple Flavor
Want your apple bread to bring out the apple flavors even more? Use light brown sugar or white sugar to reduce the molasses flavor and get a fruitier (and slightly tart) apple spice loaf.
Drizzle on Some Caramel for a Fall-Like Variation
Apples and caramel go together as well as…well, apples and caramel! You can make a homemade caramel or – if you want a faster route – just melt some caramel cubes in a greased pan and drizzle it on top.
I recommend eating a caramel-drizzled version of this recipe hot since the caramel gets very sticky when dry.
Craving some coffee? Check out a few of my coffee reviews below:
Decaf, Decaf Everywhere: Ruby Coffee Roasters’ Flume Seasonal Blend
Decaf, Decaf Everywhere: Deadstock Coffee’s Slow Jamz
Decaf, Decaf Everywhere: Kuma Coffee’s Peru San Ignacio Decaf
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