This post was created in partnership with Patient First. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fall is in the air, and this weather has me craving apples! From apple cinnamon bread to apple muffins, I can’t seem to get enough. Honeycrisps are my favorite, but Fujis would be a close second!

apple cinnamon bread
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It’s the perfect time of year to head to an orchard, pick your favorites, and get creative in the kitchen! I worked with my friends at Patient First to put together some tips to help you get started.

Tips for a Day of Apple Picking

Apple picking can be a perfect family activity because you can enjoy the outdoors and use it as a learning opportunity for kids. Dr. Beth Jenkins, who practices at Patient First’s Midlothian center, pointed out that apple picking is a great family activity! “It’s fun for children, provides exercise time outdoors, breathing fresh air and vitamin D from sunshine as well as teaching kids about nature.”

A close up of a fruit hanging from a tree

With a little preparation, you can make the most of your apple picking adventure! Once you’ve selected a nearby orchard, pack a few essentials to help things go smoothly:

  • Bring a water bottle so you can stay hydrated. While you might not work up a sweat picking apples, you’ll be moving around a lot, and you may find yourself getting thirsty!
  • Don’t forget a reusable bag or basket! While most orchards will provide a paper bag for picking and weighing, you may want to transfer them to a sturdier container for the drive home. (This helps to avoid apples rolling around in your trunk!)
  • Watch out for poison ivy! It’s common around apple orchards, and little ones might not know to avoid it! If you do have a run-in with poison ivy, check out these tips from Patient First. 
  • Bring a pack of baby wipes for a quick way to clean dirty hands! After picking lots of apples, you’ll want to be able to wash your hands, and if a sink isn’t available, baby wipes make this easy!
  • Make sure you wear sunscreen! Even in cooler temperatures you should still stay protected from the sun, particularly on your face and hands. Bring a travel-sized bottle for touch-ups if you plan to stay outdoors for most of the day!
  • Remember to check for ticks. As soon as you come home, do a quick check to make sure there are none on your body. Patient First has some great tips to avoid ticks.
A bowl of apples

You’ve heard an apple a day keeps the doctor away and there might be some truth to that! Dr. Jenkins says, “Apples are healthy and should be included frequently in your diet. They are a good source of fiber to improve digestive health. Apples are great snacks for kids as they are easy to eat, tasty and can replace other less healthy snack foods. I recommend an apple a day to many of my patients.”

Once your kitchen is stocked with fresh apples, it’s time to get baking!

baking in the kitchen

Healthy Apple Cinnamon Bread Ingredients

  • Light brown sugar- A little brown sugar adds sweetness to this recipe.
  • Coconut oil– This adds a little fat to make the bread soft and tender.
  • Vanilla extract- This helps enhance the sweetness of the bread.
  • Eggs– These help bind the bread together so it’s nice and soft.
  • All-purpose flour– You could substitute up to 1/2 cup of all purpose flour with whole wheat flour, if you like.
  • Baking powder- This gives the bread lift.
  • Salt- This helps enhance the sweetness.
  • Almond milk or soy milk– You can also use dairy milk, if you prefer.
  • Apple– I like to use a Honeycrisp or Fuji apple for this recipe.
  • Cinnamon– This is such a lovely spice to pair with apples!

I’ve been so excited to share this Apple Cinnamon Bread recipe with you. It’s one of my favorites! If you love apples as much as I do, this is a must-make.

apple cinnamon bread

Tips for Perfect Apple Cinnamon Bread

  • Be sure the coconut oil is melted, so it’s easy to combine.
  • Spray the baking pan with non-stick spray so the bread releases easily.
  • Use the back of a spoon to gently press the apple chunks unto the top of the bread.
apple cinnamon bread

The Best Apples for Apple Cinnamon Bread

I like to use a sweet red apple like a Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji apple. You could use a Granny Smith or Golden Delicious but it won’t be as sweet.

Apple Cinnamon Bread Substitution Ideas

  • For a lower sugar option, Dr. Jenkins recommends substituting ½ cup of baking stevia for ½ cup of brown sugar.
  • To make this vegan, use two tablespoons of chia seeds mixed with six tablespoons of water, in place of the eggs. Simply whisk together the chia seeds and water and let sit for 5 minutes. Once it thickens, mix it into the bread and skip the eggs! 
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apple cinnamon bread

Apple Cinnamon Bread

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 13 reviews
  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 slices 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Bread
Print Recipe

Description

This apple cinnamon bread is a delicious fall treat! It’s perfect with a cup of coffee for breakfast or add a scoop of ice cream to turn this into dessert!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar (divided)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup almond or dairy milk
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large apple, peeled and finely chopped (about 2/3 cup)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Spray a 8×4 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
  3. In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup brown sugar with the cinnamon and set aside.
  4. Combine remaining brown sugar and coconut oil until smooth.
  5. Add vanilla, eggs, and milk, and mix until combined
  6. Add flour, baking powder, and salt.
  7. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan.
  8. Cover with half of the apples.
  9. Pat apples into the batter with the back of a spoon.
  10. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
  11. Pour the remaining batter over the apple layer; top with remaining apples and add more brown sugar-cinnamon mixture.
  12. Pat topping into the batter with the back of a large spoon.
  13. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  14. Let cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

apple cinnamon bread

More Apple Recipe Ideas

What’s your favorite kind of apple?