Cinnamon Banana Bread is a lovely quick bread made extra soft with super ripe bananas and apples. This really easy to make quick bread is made with maple syrup, coconut oil and is dairy-free. Packed with delicious and cozy fall flavors from cinnamon apples layered in the middle and on top! Enjoy a slice for breakfast or an afternoon coffee or tea break!
It’s really easy to make this gluten-free and vegan! It is so hard to wait for it to cool down before taking that first slice.You’re going to be like me and buy extra bananas every week just to make more of this bread! No mixer, no problem!
Jump To
- What is apple banana bread?
- Why you will love this recipe?
- The best cinnamon apple banana bread:
- What ingredients are needed to make a cinnamon apple banana bread?
- Variations/Substitutions
- How to make apple banana quick bread?
- Can I make this cinnamon apple bread gluten-free?
- FAQ'S
- Some other delicious quick bread recipes to enjoy:
- Easy Banana Apple Bread Recipe
What is apple banana bread?
Maybe you're in the midst of holiday pie baking (if you need a pie idea, I have quite a few to try out!). And maybe you were searching for something easier and scrumptious to make for Thanksgiving. This is the dessert you need in your life! The whole quick bread is made by hand! Grab a slice for a great on-the-go breakfast or a treat in the lunchbox!
I thought I couldn't have another quick bread recipe, but my dairy-free assistant/daughter made this the other day and everyone fell in love with it! It's similar to my beloved apple banana bread, but slightly different. It’s got the addition of apple sauce and the lovely cinnamon apple layers in the middle and on top. Every slice is bursting with sweet apples!This would make a lovely loaf to wake up to on Christmas morning. The scent of it baking brings warm and cozy feelings all through the house.
Why you will love this recipe?
- Simplicity: This banana apple bread recipe does not require complex techniques or equipment. It's straightforward and accessible, making it perfect for beginners or those looking for a quick and easy bake.
- Versatility: With the option to make it gluten-free or vegan, this recipe caters to various dietary needs and preferences. This adaptability makes the bread an excellent choice for diverse gatherings.
- Combination of Flavors: The mix of banana, apple, and cinnamon offers a delightful fusion of tastes. The fruit adds natural sweetness, while the cinnamon contributes a warm, spicy note.
- Texture: The inclusion of ripe bananas and coconut oil results in a moist, soft loaf. Each slice is pleasant to eat, with the apple pieces adding a satisfying crunch.
- Healthy Ingredients: With ingredients like bananas, apples, maple syrup, and coconut oil, this bread is a healthier alternative to many store-bought or traditional recipes. It's a delicious way to incorporate more fruit into your diet.
- Dairy-Free: There is no dairy in this recipe, which is perfect for anyone with allergies to milk.
- Suitable for Various Occasions: Whether for an everyday breakfast, a holiday treat, or a snack to pack in a lunchbox, this cinnamon apple banana bread fits the bill.
The best cinnamon apple banana bread:
- Apples-Use whatever type of apples you like best. I like Golden Delicious or even Pink Lady.
- Apple sauce - Unsweetened apple sauce adds extra moisture to the bread.
- Bananas- I usually have 3-4 ripe bananas on hand at any given moment. They make this quick bread so sweet and super soft!
- Maple Syrup-The bread is sweetened with pure maple syrup.
- Vanilla Extract – The fragrant vanilla extract really stands out with the bananas and apples.
- Mix-ins – Cinnamon is my spice of choice, but feel free to also add in some ground ginger. A little crunch of chopped walnuts would also be really nice in the quick bread batter.
- NO mixer- The whole recipe is made by hand! Once you’ve combined the wet and dry ingredients together, layer the batter in between the cinnamon-apple mixture. Spoon it into your prepped loaf pan and bake away. It’s ready when it’s nice and golden on top (and smells heavenly!).
Try the chocolate version: Banana Pear Bread with Dark Chocolate Chips
Try the muffin version: Banana Mango Flaxseed Muffins
What ingredients are needed to make a cinnamon apple banana bread?
This is what you’ll need for the recipe: (full recipe is printable below).
- All-purpose flour: This forms the base of the bread, providing the structure.
- Baking soda and baking powder: These are leavening agents that cause the bread to rise and become fluffy.
- Vanilla extract: It adds a sweet, creamy aroma and enhances the flavor of other ingredients.
- Salt: It enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Applesauce: This adds extra moisture to the bread, ensuring it is not dry.
- Bananas: Not only do they provide sweetness, but they also contribute to the moist texture of the bread.
- Pure maple syrup: This is used to naturally sweeten the bread, providing a slight hint of maple flavor.
- Coconut oil: It adds moisture and richness to the bread and helps in browning.
- Eggs: They provide structure and stability to the bread, and help to bind the ingredients together.
For the middle layer and topping:
- Apples: They add a fresh, fruity flavor and a slight crunch to contrast with the soft bread.
- Sugar: It sweetens the apple layer and caramelizes when baked to provide a nice crunch.
- Coconut oil: It helps in softening the apples and aids the caramelization of the sugar.
- Cinnamon: It adds a warm, spicy note that pairs well with the apples and the sweetness of the bread.
Variations/Substitutions
This Apple Banana Cake recipe is quite flexible and allows for a variety of substitutions to cater to different dietary needs and preferences:
- Flour: You can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free 1-1 Baking flour.
- Cane sugar: Feel free to substitute the sugar with healthier alternatives like coconut sugar or honey.
- Coconut Oil: Butter can be used instead of coconut oil, if preferred. For a vegan alternative, use a plant-based butter substitute.
- Apples: If you don't have apples on hand, you can use pears or peaches.
How to make apple banana quick bread?
The first step is to whisk the dry ingredients together.
Mash the bananas together. Mix in the eggs and the sugar.
Mix the apple layer ingredients.
Spoon half the batter into the prepped pan and layer half the cinnamon apples. Pour the rest of batter on top and the rest of the cinnamon apples.
Can I make this cinnamon apple bread gluten-free?
Yes, you sure can! Simply sub the flour with your favorite gluten-free 1-1 baking flour (King Arthur’s works very well for me).
FAQ'S
I’ve only tried this recipe as it’s written below. But you could try to add in flax eggs to replace the eggs! It’s dairy-free, so that’s only adjustment that would be needed!
This cinnamon apple bread will stay fresh (covered) on the counter for up to 2 days. Best way to store it and keep it fresh is in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Yes, it is simple to freeze. Best way is to slice the entire loaf and wrap each slice in plastic wrap. Once it’s wrapped tightly, wrap with some foil paper. Best way is to store the slices in zipped lock freezer bags.
Or wrap the whole loaf in plastic wrap and then wrap again in foil paper. Should keep very fresh wrapped well in freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight on the counter when ready to enjoy. You could always warm up individual slices in a toaster oven on low heat (or the oven).
Yes, this recipe can be easily converted into muffins. Just adjust the baking time accordingly, as muffins will bake faster than a full loaf of bread.
You can substitute maple syrup with honey or agave syrup. If you prefer a less sweet bread, you can reduce the amount of syrup used.
If your banana bread isn't cooking in the middle, it could be due to a few reasons. The oven might not be properly preheated before baking, the loaf could be too large for heat to penetrate the center effectively, or there could be too much liquid in your batter. Ensure correct measurements, oven temperature, and baking time for best results.
While banana bread does contain healthy ingredients like bananas and can contain whole grains if made with whole wheat flour, it's often higher in sugar and fats compared to regular bread. Moderation is key when including banana bread in a healthy diet.
Sogginess in banana bread can be due to an excess of wet ingredients, such as bananas or other fluids in the recipe. Ensure to measure ingredients properly. Also, fully cooling the bread before slicing can help reduce sogginess.
Bananas should be very ripe, ideally with brown spots on the peel, for banana bread. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be.
Wrapping banana bread in plastic wrap or aluminum foil after it has fully cooled can help retain its moisture. If you have any leftover slices, store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Banana bread can last on the counter for about 1-2 days. If you need to store it for longer, consider refrigerating it (which will extend its life to about a week) or freezing it.
Some other delicious quick bread recipes to enjoy:
Caramelized Banana Bread with Brown Sugar Glaze
Sourdough Banana Bread
Vegan Strawberry Banana Bread
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Easy Banana Apple Bread Recipe
Equipment
- 1 loaf pan
Ingredients
For the bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour you could use ½ whole wheat or sub in gluten-free 1-1 flour to make GF
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup mashed bananas (3-4 very ripe)
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup pure maple syrup or you could use organic cane, or coconut sugar, if you like
- ½ cup applesauce
- ½ cup coconut oil melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon-apple mixture:
- 2 medium sized apples peeled, cored and chopped
- ½ cup sugar I used organic cane, but use coconut sugar, if you like
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil melted
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Place a rack in the center of the oven. Prep a 9 x 5 loaf pan by greasing with coconut oil (or whatever oil you like) or line with parchment paper and spray with baking spray (or you could use stay dairy-free, use margarine, and flour the parchment paper) and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mash the bananas. Mix the egg with the maple syrup, apple sauce, coconut oil and vanilla extract, and stir into the mashed bananas.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, sea salt, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the chopped apples, sugar, coconut oil and cinnamon.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet, stirring until completely combined, scraping side and bottom of bowl as you stir. Spoon out half of the batter into your prepped loaf pan.
- Spoon on half of the cinnamon-apple mixture onto the batter in loaf pan, trying to not touch sides of the pan.
- Spoon on the rest of the batter on top.
- Spoon on the rest of the apple mixture on top of the batter, trying to keep away from edges of the pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 55-60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. I usually lower my oven temp to 325°F for the second 30 minutes of baking (every oven is different, so maybe check yours 1/2 way through baking and if it’s browning too fast, lower temp to 325).
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Notes
- Full size loaf pan - about 55-60 minutes (mine is usually ready at 55 minutes...every oven is different. So check your loaf at about 55 mins).
- 3 mini loaf pans - about 25 to 35 minutes
- Muffins - about 20 minutes (may be 15 -25 depending on the size of your tins)
Gayle Wocoski says
Your recipes are crazy good! My all-time favorite food is Italian, so I was thrilled to find your site!
My next attempt is the Cinnamon Banana Bread with apples. our neighbor gave us Gala and Camon (?) apples freshly picked in Georgia on their way home to southern Florida.
Being originally from New England, I SO MISS that fall tradition of picking apples!
I will leave a review after I've added this recipe to my "Savoring Italy" repertoire! Ciao! ❤️
Lora says
Hi Gayle-How nice to receive such a sweet message. Really happy you are enjoying my recipes...wonder what you made first? Oh, how your neighbor brought you freshly pickled apples. You will love this cinnamon apple banana bread! Ciao!! XX