There’s something magical about pulling warm, cinnamon-spiced bread from the oven – especially when it’s packed with juicy apples and drizzled with sweet glaze. My kids go absolutely wild for this vegan apple fritter bread, and honestly? So do I. It’s become our Sunday morning tradition ever since I first tweaked my grandma’s recipe to make it plant-based. The secret’s in that perfect balance – tart apples, cozy cinnamon, and just enough sweetness from the apple cider glaze. After years of vegan baking experiments (and plenty of flops!), I can confidently say this loaf hits all the right notes. One bite and you’ll swear it’s straight from a bakery – but with that special homemade love baked right in.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Apple Fritter Bread
Listen, I know vegan baking can sound intimidating, but trust me – this vegan apple fritter bread is one of those recipes that’ll make you do a happy dance in your kitchen. Here’s why:
- It smells like autumn magic – That cinnamon-apple combo filling your kitchen? Absolute perfection.
- Surprisingly easy – No fancy techniques here! Just simple, wholesome ingredients mixed with love.
- Allergy-friendly – No eggs, no dairy, but ALL the flavor and fluffiness you crave.
- Breakfast or dessert? Why choose! It’s delicious both ways (I may or may not eat it straight from the pan).
- Crowd-pleaser – My meat-and-potatoes dad couldn’t believe it was vegan. That’s saying something!
The best part? That sticky-sweet apple cider glaze makes every slice feel like a special treat. Your house will smell amazing, your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll feel like a baking rockstar – promise!
Ingredients for Vegan Apple Fritter Bread
Okay, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s everything you’ll need for this heavenly vegan apple fritter bread – I’ve learned through trial and error that quality ingredients make all the difference. Pro tip: measure everything before you start (my grandma called this “mise en place” and it saves SO much stress):
- ¾ cup warm water – Not hot! Think baby bathwater temperature (about 110°F) to wake up our yeast properly
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dried yeast – That’s one standard packet. Check the expiration date – stale yeast equals sad, flat bread
- ¼ cup melted vegan butter – My favorite is Miyoko’s, but any good plant-based butter works
- ¼ cup sugar – For the dough. I use organic cane sugar, but regular white works too
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste – Or extract if that’s what you’ve got, but the paste gives amazing flecks
- 2 ½-2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour – Start with 2½ and add more as needed. The dough should be tacky but not sticky
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – Or apple pie spice if you’re feeling fancy
- ½ teaspoon salt – Just enough to balance the sweetness
- 2 small red apples – Peeled and diced (about 1½ cups). I love Honeycrisp or Fuji for their sweetness
- ⅓ cup sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon – For coating our apple pieces
- ⅓ cup apple butter – The secret weapon! Adds moisture and intense apple flavor
- ½ cup powdered sugar + ½ Tablespoon apple cider – For that dreamy glaze that makes everything better
See? Nothing too crazy! Just real ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Now let’s get baking!
How to Make Vegan Apple Fritter Bread
Alright, let’s dive into making this glorious vegan apple fritter bread! Don’t let the multiple steps fool you – it’s easier than it looks, and I’ll walk you through every part. Just follow along, and soon you’ll have a kitchen smelling like cinnamon heaven.
Activating the yeast (the most important step!)
First things first – grab that warm water (remember, baby bath temp!) and sprinkle in your yeast. Give it a gentle stir and walk away for 5-10 minutes. This is your yeast’s morning coffee – it needs to wake up! You’ll know it’s ready when it gets foamy on top like a little cappuccino. No foam? Your yeast might be old – better start fresh.
Making the dough (get ready to knead!)
Now stir in the melted vegan butter, sugar, and vanilla into your yeasty water. Next comes the flour, cinnamon, and salt – add 2½ cups first. Mix until it forms a shaggy dough that cleans the bowl sides. Here’s where you’ll need to knead – either with a mixer’s dough hook for 5-6 minutes or by hand for 8-10. You want it smooth and elastic – poke it gently, and it should bounce back slightly.
Letting it rise (patience is key)
Form your dough into a ball and plop it into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour. No peeking! It should double in size. While you wait, toss those diced apples with sugar and cinnamon – this will be our sweet, spiced filling.
Assembling the layers (the fun part!)
After the rise, punch down the dough (so satisfying!) and divide into 8-9 pieces. Flatten each piece like a little pancake, spread with apple butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon apples. Fold them up like little presents and layer snugly in your parchment-lined loaf pan. Cover again and let rise 30 minutes while your oven preheats to 350°F.
Baking to golden perfection
Bake your vegan apple fritter bread for 45-50 minutes. If it’s browning too fast, tent with foil. The loaf is done when it sounds hollow when tapped and reaches about 190°F inside. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes – I know it’s hard to wait! Then transfer to a rack.
The finishing touch (glaze time!)
Whisk together powdered sugar and apple cider until smooth. Drizzle this luscious glaze over your slightly warm bread – it’ll soak in just enough. Now try not to eat the whole loaf in one sitting! The layers of spiced apples and sweet dough make every bite irresistible.
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Irresistible Vegan Apple Fritter Bread Recipe You Need Now
A delicious vegan apple fritter bread recipe that combines the flavors of cinnamon, apples, and a sweet apple cider glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert.
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Ingredients
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dried yeast
- ¼ cup melted vegan butter
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 2 ½– 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 small red apples peeled and diced
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or apple pie spice
- ⅓ cup apple butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ Tablespoon apple cider
Instructions
- Add the lukewarm water and yeast to a mixing bowl and let sit for 5-10 minutes to activate the yeast. Then, add in the melted vegan butter, sugar, vanilla, and mix together.
- Add the flour, cinnamon, and salt and mix together until a thick yet shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough until it is elastic and smooth, about 5-6 minutes with a mixer or 8-10 minutes by hand.
- Form the dough into a round ball, place it in a well-oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
- While the dough rises, prepare the cinnamon sugar apples by mixing diced apples with sugar and cinnamon.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, divide the dough into 8-9 pieces, flatten each piece, and add apple butter and cinnamon sugar apples. Fold and layer in the pan.
- Cover the pan and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 350F.
- Bake the bread for 45-50 minutes, covering with foil if needed to prevent burning.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whisk together powdered sugar and apple cider to make the glaze, drizzle over the bread, and serve.
Notes
- Use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements.
- Ensure the yeast is fresh for optimal rising.
- Adjust baking time based on your oven’s performance.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Tips for Perfect Vegan Apple Fritter Bread
After making this vegan apple fritter bread more times than I can count (and yes, burning a loaf or two along the way!), here are my hard-earned secrets for success:
- “Baby bath” water is KEY – Too hot kills yeast, too cold won’t wake it up. Stick your finger in – it should feel warm but not uncomfortable
- Flour gradually – Start with 2½ cups, adding more only if needed. Over-floured dough makes dense bread – yuck!
- No rushing the rise – If your kitchen’s chilly, let it rise longer near the oven (off!) with the light on
- Check doneness with a thermometer – 190°F in the center means perfectly baked without drying out
- Glaze when warm – Not piping hot, but slightly warm bread soaks up that sweet apple cider goodness
Remember – even imperfect vegan apple fritter bread still tastes amazing with a cup of coffee! The apples and cinnamon hide a multitude of baking sins.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Baking is all about flexibility, so here’s how you can tweak this vegan apple fritter bread if needed – I’ve tested these swaps myself with great results!
- All-purpose flour – For gluten-free, try a 1:1 blend (though texture may be denser)
- Vegan butter – Coconut oil works in a pinch, but the flavor will be more tropical
- Apple pie spice – Can replace cinnamon for extra complexity (½ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp nutmeg + ¼ tsp allspice)
- Apple butter – No jar? Simmer ½ cup applesauce with 1 tsp cinnamon until thickened
- Red apples – Pears make a fun seasonal twist when diced small
The only ingredient I don’t recommend changing? That active yeast – it’s the engine that makes this vegan apple fritter bread rise beautifully!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Your vegan apple fritter bread will stay fresh at room temperature for 2-3 days if wrapped tightly in plastic or stored in an airtight container. For longer storage, slice and freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop a slice in the toaster or microwave for 10-15 seconds – perfect with your morning coffee!
Nutritional Information
Each generous slice of this vegan apple fritter bread comes in at about 250 calories. You’re looking at 6g fat (mostly the good plant-based kind!), 4g protein, and 45g carbs with 2g fiber. That sweet glaze adds about 20g sugar per serving – totally worth it! Remember, these numbers can vary slightly depending on your specific ingredients and brands.
FAQs About Vegan Apple Fritter Bread
I get so many questions about this vegan apple fritter bread – here are the ones that pop up most often from readers just like you:
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes! I’ve had success with 1:1 gluten-free blends, though the texture will be slightly denser. Add an extra ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it. The apples keep everything nice and moist regardless.
How do I know if my yeast is active?
That initial foaming is your telltale sign – if your yeast-water mixture doesn’t get bubbly and frothy within 10 minutes, the yeast might be past its prime. I always keep an extra packet in the fridge just in case!
My dough isn’t rising – help!
First, check your yeast expiration date. If that’s good, find a warmer spot for rising – I sometimes put mine near (not on!) the oven with just the light on. A cold kitchen can slow things way down.
Can I make this without apple butter?
Absolutely! Just simmer ½ cup applesauce with 1 teaspoon cinnamon until it thickens slightly. It won’t have quite the same depth of flavor, but still makes a delicious vegan apple fritter bread.
Why did my bread brown too fast?
Every oven runs differently! If yours browns quickly, tent with foil after about 25 minutes. And always use an oven thermometer – what your dial says might not match reality.
Share Your Thoughts
Did your kitchen smell like cinnamon heaven while baking this? I’d love to hear how your vegan apple fritter bread turned out! Snap a photo and tag me on Instagram – nothing makes me happier than seeing your creations. Leave a comment below too – your tips might help fellow bakers perfect their loaf!
