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 extract; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 2 Tablespoons cornstarch; ¾ cup powdered sugar; 1 Tablespoon salted butter, melted; 3 teaspoons apple cider or milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Imagine biting into a soft, cinnamon-spiced bread filled with tender, sweet apple chunks and a luscious glaze drizzled on top—this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe brings that magical combination right to your kitchen. It’s like your favorite apple fritter but baked into a loaf, perfect for breakfast or a cozy afternoon treat.

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

There’s something incredibly rewarding about whipping up this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe from scratch. Each step is a mini celebration of cozy flavors, and I promise, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again for your friends and family.

Comfort in Every Bite: The bread’s tender dough mixed with spiced apple filling feels like a warm hug on a cool morning.
Perfect Balance: The combination of cinnamon, vanilla, and lemon juice gives the apple filling bright, rich layers of flavor that aren’t overwhelming.
Fun Assembly: The unique way you cut and scoop the dough with filling creates delightful pockets of apples throughout the loaf.
Delicious Glaze Finish: The final drizzle adds a sweet, buttery shine that brings this bread together perfectly without being too sugary.

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

This Apple Fritter Bread Recipe uses simple pantry staples that come together beautifully for a bread that’s moist, flavorful, and full of texture. Each ingredient plays a role in creating the perfect balance of sweet and spice.

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 helps activate the yeast and adds tenderness to the dough.
Salted Butter: Adds richness and depth, especially nice in the filling and glaze to balance sweetness.
All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base for the bread that makes it soft yet structured.
Active Dry Yeast: The magic ingredient that helps your dough rise and get that lovely airy texture.
Brown Sugar: Used in both dough and filling, it adds moistness and a subtle caramel flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors just right.
Apple Cider or Water: I prefer apple cider here because it adds a gentle fruitiness to the dough.
Egg: Adds richness and helps with the structure of the bread.
Apples: The heart of the recipe—firm, peeled apples soften just enough without turning into mush.
Lemon Juice: Brightens the filling and balances the sweetness.
Vanilla and Cinnamon: Essential warming spices that elevate the apple flavor.
Cornstarch: Thickens the juices in the filling so it doesn't make the bread soggy but stays syrupy and delicious.
Powdered Sugar (for glaze): For a smooth, sweet finish that melts just right over warm bread.

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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 like to keep this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe pretty classic, but you have plenty of room to tweak according to your tastes or what you have on hand. Plus, it’s super forgiving if you want to try different fillings or swap out ingredients for dietary needs.

Add Nuts or Raisins: I’ve tossed in chopped pecans or walnuts before and loved the extra crunch it adds. Raisins also bring a chewy sweetness if you want a little texture.
Use Different Apples: Granny Smith apples add tartness, while Fuji or Honeycrisp will bring out naturally sweeter notes—either is great depending on your mood!
Gluten-Free Variation: I haven’t tried this myself yet, but swapping in a gluten-free flour blend and adjusting the liquid could work well here since the dough is soft and forgiving.
Make Mini Loaves or Muffins: Divide the dough into smaller pans for individualized treats that bake faster and are perfect for sharing.

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

Step 1: Warm the Milk and Melt the Butter

Start by gently warming your milk in a small saucepan until you see bubbles around the edge—but don’t let it boil. This is important because boiling can kill the yeast. Stir in the butter until it’s fully melted, then let the mixture cool just enough so it’s warm to the touch. I’ve learned that if the liquid is too hot, it’ll kill your yeast, and you won’t get the nice rise.

Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, brown sugar, and salt. Add the apple cider (or water), beaten egg, and your warm milk/butter mix. Stir it all up until the dough starts to come together, then knead it for about five minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. You can do this by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook to save time.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Pop the dough into a clean, oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Now’s the time to be patient—let it rise until doubled, which usually takes about an hour in a warm spot. I like to preheat my oven to the lowest setting for a few minutes, then turn it off and place the covered bowl inside to create a cozy environment for rising.

Step 4: Prepare the Apple Filling

While your dough is rising, cook the apples, brown sugar, butter, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, and cornstarch in a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the apples soften and the juices thicken into a syrupy glaze. The cornstarch is key here—it keeps the juices from making the bread soggy while still delivering that lovely sweet sauce throughout the loaf. Let the filling cool while the dough does its thing.

Step 5: Roll, Slice, and Assemble

Prepare two large bread pans by lining them with parchment paper slings—trust me, this makes getting the bread out so much easier. Divide the dough into two portions. On a floured surface, roll one into a rectangle and spread half the apple filling evenly, juices and all. Roll it up lengthwise like a cinnamon roll. Then, here’s the trick: cut the rolled dough diagonally into 1-inch slices, then rotate and cut diagonally the other way, creating chunks that look like an “X” pattern. Scoop those chunks into your prepared pan along with any escaped syrup. Repeat with the second dough portion.

Step 6: Final Rise and Bake

Cover the pans lightly with plastic wrap and let the loaves rise again for about 30 minutes. This second rise gives you an airy, tender crumb. Then bake at 350°F for 35 to 45 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. The smell will fill your kitchen with pure comfort—don’t rush it!

Step 7: Glaze It Up

While the bread is still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and apple cider (or milk) to make the glaze. Drizzle it over the loaves and let it set for a few minutes—this shiny finish makes the bread irresistibly good.

Top Tip

From making this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe many times, I’ve picked up these little hacks that really up your success rate and flavor results.

Perfectly Warm Milk: Use a kitchen thermometer if you can—aim for around 110°F. Too hot, and your yeast won’t work; too cool, and it’ll take forever to rise.
Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: It might seem minor, but it keeps your apple filling from turning the bread into a soggy mess. Trust me on this after one too many runny attempts.
Use a Parchment Sling: Line your pans with parchment paper that overhangs the sides. It lifts the bread out easily and keeps the shape intact.
Second Rise Matters: Giving the dough 30 minutes rise after shaping makes the crumb lighter and the apples taste more integrated.

How to Serve Apple Fritter Bread Recipe

apple fritter bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually let the glaze do all the talking on this bread—it shines with just a simple dusting of powdered sugar if I’m feeling fancy. Sometimes, I toast slices lightly and add a pat of butter for an indulgent finish that melts perfectly into the warm bread.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or chai tea. For a breakfast spread, I love serving it alongside scrambled eggs or crispy bacon to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday mornings or special brunches, I’ve arranged slices on a wooden board with fresh apple slices and a small bowl of caramel sauce nearby for dipping. It turns a humble loaf into a festive centerpiece that people can’t stop reaching for.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap your bread tightly in plastic wrap or pop it into an airtight container at room temperature, where it stays fresh for 2-3 days. I usually slice off what I want right away; that way, each slice feels fresh.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this bread multiple times. Just skip glazing before freezing—wrap it in foil and place it in a freezer bag. It lasts up to 3 months without losing much of its fresh-baked charm.

Reheating

To bring frozen bread back to life, thaw it at room temperature and warm slices in a toaster or heat the whole loaf in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes. Adding fresh glaze after reheating is a nice touch that keeps the flavor bright.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh apple cider instead of water?

Absolutely! Using apple cider instead of water enhances the dough with a lovely fruity aroma that complements the filling perfectly. Just be sure to use a fermented apple cider that isn’t too cold to avoid slowing the yeast’s activity.

What’s the best type of apple to use for the filling?

Firm apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith work best since they hold their shape and give you that nice bite in the filling without turning mushy after cooking.

Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes! You can assemble the filled dough loaves and let them rise overnight in the refrigerator. Then bring them to room temperature before baking the next day—it’s a fantastic way to prep ahead without compromising texture or flavor.

How long does the bread stay fresh?

When stored properly in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature, the Apple Fritter Bread stays fresh for about 2-3 days. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Fritter Bread Recipe has become one of my go-to comforts in the kitchen—a little project with a seriously gratifying payoff. It’s not just about the delicious bread but the joy of seeing the dough rise, smelling those apples softening, and finally enjoying a slice warm from the oven. I recommend you give it a try soon—it’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat you’ll want to share and savor.