This Apple Crisp Bread recipe is the ultimate fall treat, combining a moist, apple-cinnamon loaf with a crunchy, buttery streusel topping. It’s like your favorite apple crisp transformed into a delicious, sliceable bread that fills your home with the coziest aroma. If you’re looking for an easy yet impressive bake, you’ve found it. We’ve packed this guide with everything you need to know to achieve a perfect loaf every single time, from choosing the right apples to ensuring your topping is irresistibly crunchy. Get ready to bake a new family favorite!
Why This Apple Crisp Bread Recipe is a Must-Try
You are going to absolutely love this recipe, and here’s why. First, the texture is simply unmatched. The base is an incredibly moist apple bread, studded with tender chunks of apple and spiced with warm cinnamon. Then, it’s crowned with a generous layer of brown sugar and oat streusel that bakes into a delightful, crunchy topping. It’s the perfect textural contrast in every single bite!
Second, this recipe is remarkably easy to follow. We use simple, everyday ingredients and straightforward steps, making it accessible even for beginner bakers. It’s the ideal recipe for a relaxing weekend baking session. Plus, it makes your entire house smell like a fall paradise!
Finally, its versatility is a huge plus. Enjoy a slice warmed with butter for breakfast, pair it with coffee for an afternoon snack, or serve it as a simple dessert. For a more decadent treat, try it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a truly adaptable recipe that fits any occasion, much like a classic easy banana bread.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses pantry staples to create its incredible flavor and texture. Here’s a quick look at the most important components.
For the Bread Batter
- Apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are best. They hold their shape and provide a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for our loaf.
- Spices: A classic combination of cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg gives the bread its signature warm, cozy flavor.
- Leavening: Baking soda and baking powder ensure a beautiful rise and a tender crumb.
- Wet Ingredients: Eggs, vegetable oil, and buttermilk (or a substitute) make the bread exceptionally moist.
For the Streusel Topping
- Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats give the topping its classic crisp texture.
- Flour: A little all-purpose flour helps bind the streusel together.
- Sugars: A mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar creates a deep, caramelized flavor and perfect crunch.
- Butter: Cold, cubed butter is essential for creating a crumbly, crisp topping.
How to Make The Best Apple Crisp Bread
Making this Apple Crisp Bread is a simple, three-part process: mix the streusel, mix the batter, and bake! Follow these steps for a flawless loaf.
Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping
Start by making the topping so it’s ready to go. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to keep the butter cold while you prepare the batter.
Step 2: Mix the Bread Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until well combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix. A few lumps are perfectly fine. Gently fold in the peeled and diced apples.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Retrieve the streusel topping from the refrigerator and sprinkle it generously and evenly over the batter. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can tent the loaf with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
Let the Apple Crisp Bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15-20 minutes. Then, carefully run a knife around the edges and remove the loaf from the pan. Let it cool completely on the wire rack before slicing and serving. This is important, as slicing while it’s too warm can cause it to fall apart.
Tips for Recipe Success
To ensure your Apple Crisp Bread turns out perfectly every time, keep these simple tips in mind.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense bread. Mix only until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined.
- Use Cold Butter for the Streusel: Cold butter is the secret to a crunchy topping. It melts slower in the oven, creating a crisp, crumbly texture rather than a greasy one.
- Dice Apples Uniformly: Cut your apples into small, uniform ½-inch pieces. This ensures they cook through evenly and are well-distributed throughout the loaf.
- Check for Doneness Correctly: Ovens can vary. Start checking the bread around the 55-minute mark. The skewer test is the most reliable way to know it’s done.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this Apple Crisp Bread is fantastic as is, you can easily customize it. For a nutty crunch, add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping. If you love warm spices, consider adding a pinch of cardamom or allspice to the batter. For a treat that blends sweet and savory, you might also like these spinach and feta parcels. And for another fall-inspired dessert, check out these amazing pecan pie crescent rolls.
Storage Instructions
Proper storage is key to keeping your bread fresh and delicious.
- At Room Temperature: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Placing a paper towel in the container can help absorb excess moisture and keep the topping from getting soggy.
- In the Refrigerator: For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. The topping may soften slightly in the fridge.
- Freezing: This bread freezes wonderfully! Wrap the entire loaf (or individual slices) tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying. This is a great tip for meal prepping, just like with our favorite beef tortellini recipe.
Recipe
Apple Crisp Bread: The Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Loaf
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, combine the 1/2 cup flour, oats, 2/3 cup brown sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon for the streusel. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using your fingertips until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Refrigerate while you make the batter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the 2 cups flour, granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Gently fold in the diced apples.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the chilled streusel topping evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil for the last 15-20 minutes.
- Let cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Buttermilk Substitute: If you don't have buttermilk, add 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a measuring cup, then add regular milk to the 1/2 cup line. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! For extra crunch and flavor, you can add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel topping mixture before cutting in the butter. It’s a delicious addition.
Yes, this bread freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap the whole loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
The key to a crispy streusel is using very cold butter and not overmixing it. Keep the topping in the refrigerator while you prepare the batter. This ensures the butter melts slowly in the oven, creating a crunchy, not greasy, texture.
Store the Apple Crisp Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To prevent the topping from getting soggy, you can place a paper towel in the container to absorb any excess moisture.
The best apples are firm and crisp varieties that hold their shape during baking. Granny Smith is excellent for a tart flavor, while Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Gala are great for a sweeter taste. Avoid softer apples like Red Delicious, as they can become mushy.
Share Your Creations!
We are so excited for you to try this amazing Apple Crisp Bread! It’s the perfect way to celebrate the flavors of the season. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. We love hearing from you! Don’t forget to share your beautiful creations on Pinterest!
