Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread
Moist and packed with flavor, this mouth-watering recipe for cinnamon apple banana bread is the perfect quick bread recipe. Loaded with flavor, cinnamon sugar apples top layers of dairy-free banana bread for a treat that can easily work as a breakfast, snack, or dessert.
I have a very strong opinion about this banana bread recipe, it’s going to ruin you for all other banana bread recipes. A simple banana bread base that has been elevated with the addition of cinnamon sugar apples in the middle as well as on top, this banana bread recipe is a show stopper.
My children lovingly refer to this recipe as “fruit cake”. Probably because they haven’t actually had a classic fruit cake (unless you are counting Pineapple Upside Down Cake) and because they have seen Olaf’s Frozen Adventure one too many times where the fruit cake survives in the end.
But I think they are on to something with the fruit cake label. This decadent quick bread recipe is sweet like cake and made with two different types of fruit. It pairs well with coffee and tea and can be served just about anytime of day.
No matter what you call this delicious banana bread, you are sure to love it.
Why We Love Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread
This is a quick and decadent recipe that I am certain everyone in your home will love. Some of the reasons we love making this banana bread include:
- Kid Friendly Recipe. My toddlers love to help make this apple banana bread. From the mashing to the mixing there are tons of ways to get them involved with the recipe.
- Simple Ingredients. Each of the ingredients in this recipe, with the exception of a green apple, is probably something you already have on hand in your kitchen.
- Perfect for every occasion. This easy banana bread recipe makes a delicious addition to breakfast, snack time, tea time, afternoon coffee, or even as a post-dinner dessert. You truly can’t go wrong.
Dairy-Free Changes to Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread
There are no substitutions or swaps to make this a dairy-free recipe. All of the ingredients used are naturally dairy-free.
The banana bread base uses bananas to act in place of butter or oil so be sure to use two ripe, brown bananas to keep this quick bread sweet and moist.
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bananas– We’re looking for those soft, brown bananas that you were thinking about throwing out but decide to make banana bread instead.
- Sugar– Granulated.
- Egg– At room temperature.
- Vanilla– For a little boost of flavor.
- Dry Ingredients– A blend of all purpose flour, baking soda, and salt give this banana bread recipe structure and help it rise.
- Apple– I like to use a Granny Smith apple for this recipe, peeled and diced into small bite-size chunks.
- Cinnamon Sugar– A blend of brown sugar and cinnamon coat the diced apples for a decadent cinnamon apple topping and layer in the middle of the banana bread.
Step-by-Step Directions for Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread
- Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray. Set the loaf pan to the side until later.
- Mash banana: In a large mixing bowl mash 2 bananas.
- Mix wet ingredients: Once well mashed, add sugar, egg, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Fold in dry ingredients: With a rubber spatula, fold in all purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set the banana bread batter to the side.
- Make cinnamon sugar: In a medium sized mixing bowl, stir brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Mix apples: Next add the peeled and diced apples into the cinnamon brown sugar mixture and toss to coat.
- Layer first two layers: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan and top with half of the cinnamon sugar apples mixture.
- Add second layers: Spread the cinnamon apple mixture out evenly over the batter and then top with the remaining batter and finish with the remaining cinnamon apples.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 65 minutes.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
When it comes to making this cinnamon sugar apple topped banana bread recipe, there are a few kitchen tools you might want to have on hand.
- Glass Mixing Bowls– Used for making the banana bread base as well as mixing together the cinnamon sugar apples.
- Peeler– Simple and perfect for removing the peel off the apple before dicing into small chunks.
- Loaf Pan– Used to bake the banana bread to a golden brown perfection.
Serving Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread
We have been indulging in this flavorful cinnamon sugar apple banana bread for weeks and some of the ways we love to dish it out include:
- Served at breakfast with a cup of your favorite non-dairy yogurt.
- Paired with a cup of coffee for an afternoon snack.
- Sliced up and served with a hot cup of basil tea.
- Served with a dollop of fresh whipped cream for an after dinner dessert.
How to Store Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread
This moist and flavorful apple banana bread recipe is one of those dishes that is consumed quickly in our home. Here are some tips for keeping it fresh day after day.
- Storing– Allow the banana bread to cool completely before moving the loaf to an air-tight container and keeping at room temperature for about 3-4 days.
- In the refrigerator, also stored in an air-tight container, this banana bread will last about a week.
- Freezing- There are two simple methods for freezing this banana bread recipe.
- Whole loaf. Wrap the cooled banana bread in plastic wrap then in a freezer-safe container to freeze up to 3 months.
- Slices. Place the slices in a freezer safe container to easily remove a few slices at a time to serve for up to 3 months.
Banana Bread Recipes to Make Next
- Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
- Chocolate Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips
- Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
If you tried this cinnamon apple banana bread recipe please let me know in the comments below!
You can also share a picture of it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can see all of your life after dairy adventures!
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Cinnamon Apple Banana Bread
Cinnamon apples meet banana bread in this moist and dairy-free cinnamon apple banana bread recipe. Made with layers of moist banana bread topped with decadent brown sugar cinnamon apples, this apple banana bread is sure to hit the spot.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 65
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 Bananas, ripe
- ½ cup Sugar, granulated
- 1 large Egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 ½ cups Flour, all purpose
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt, table
- 1 Granny Smith Apple, peeled and chopped
- ½ cup Brown Sugar, light
- 1 ½ teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray. Set the loaf pan to the side until later.
- In a large mixing bowl mash 2 bananas.
- Once well mashed, add ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- With a rubber spatula, fold in 1½ cups all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Set the banana bread batter to the side.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, stir ½ cup brown sugar and 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon.
- Next add the peeled and diced apples into the cinnamon brown sugar mixture and toss to coat.
- Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan and top with half of the cinnamon sugar apples mixture.
- Spread the cinnamon apple mixture out evenly over the batter and then top with the remaining batter and finish with the remaining cinnamon apples.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 65 minutes.
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