So here’s the thing – I went to the farmers’ market last weekend with the best intentions of buying just a few apples for snacking. But you know how it goes when you see those gorgeous, crisp fall apples piled high in those rustic wooden crates? Before I knew it, I was walking away with five pounds of apples. But honestly, no regrets because it led me to create this incredible cinnamon apple bread that’s been on repeat in my kitchen ever since!
This healthy cinnamon apple bread is everything I love about fall baking – it’s naturally sweetened with monk fruit and applesauce, packed with tender apple chunks. It has the most amazing apple butter swirl running through the middle. It’s moist, flavorful, and makes your whole house smell like a cozy autumn day. Plus, it’s way healthier than traditional apple bread recipes without sacrificing any of that comforting, homemade taste we all crave.
Making Healthy Cinnamon Apple Bread
What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is to make, but the results taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. The secret is in the apple butter swirl – it adds this incredible depth of flavor and keeps the bread super moist.
First, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F and prep your 9×5 loaf pan with some grease and parchment paper. I always line my pans because there’s nothing worse than having your beautiful bread stick! Then you’ll mix all your dry ingredients in one bowl – flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and just a touch of nutmeg (or use a pre-mixed apple pie spice blend) for that warm spice flavor.
In a separate bowl, whisk together your wet ingredients: eggs, applesauce, avocado oil (or melted, cooled coconut oil if you prefer), monk fruit sweetener, milk, and vanilla. I love using monk fruit sweetener because it gives you that sweetness without the sugar crash, but you can totally swap in regular sugar or maple syrup if that’s what you have on hand.
Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients – and this is important – mix just until combined. Overmixing leads to tough bread, and we want this to be tender and fluffy. Fold in about a cup of your chopped apples, then pour three-quarters of the batter into your prepared pan.
Here’s where the magic happens: dollop that apple butter right on top and use a knife to create beautiful swirls throughout the batter. Top with the remaining batter and finish with the rest of your chopped apples for a gorgeous presentation and extra apple flavor in every bite.
Bake for 55-65 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean, then let it cool completely before slicing. I know it’s tempting to cut into it right away, but trust me – letting it cool gives you those perfect, clean slices that look bakery-worthy!
More fall baking inspo
Looking for more healthy fall-forward recipes? Try my Apple Crumb Muffins that taste bakery worthy, or try making your own easy Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter (which you can totally use in this recipe). Healthy Pumpkin Donuts are another favorite of mine this time of year, as well as my Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread.
Healthy Cinnamon Apple Bread
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- 9×5 Loaf Pan
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ⅓ cup avocado oil can sub melted cooled coconut oil
- ½ cup monk fruit sweetener can sub maple syrup
- ¼ cup milk can sub any plant milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups chopped apple approx 2 apples, divided into 1 cup and ½ cup
- 6 tbsp unsweetened apple butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, applesauce, avocado oil, monk fruit sweetener, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Don’t overmix.
- Fold in 1 cup of chopped apples. Pour ¾ of the batter into the prepared pan.
- Dollop apple butter over the batter and use a knife to swirl it throughout.
- Top with remaining batter, then sprinkle the remaining ½ cup chopped apples on top.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely in pan before removing and slicing. Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
