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Healthy Apple Bread (Gluten-Free & Low Sugar) - Moist, Cozy, and Easy

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Almond flour (super-fine works best)
  • Oat flour (certified gluten-free if needed) or rolled oats to blend
  • Baking powder (gluten-free) and baking soda
  • Cinnamon, plus a pinch of nutmeg or allspice (optional)
  • Fine sea salt
  • Eggs
  • Unsweetened applesauce
  • Maple syrup or honey (just a few tablespoons)
  • Vanilla extract
  • Neutral oil (avocado or light olive oil) or melted coconut oil
  • Fresh apples (crisp, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji)
  • Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • Raisins or currants (optional)
  • Lemon juice (optional, to keep apples from browning)

Method
 

  1. Prep the pan and oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lifting, and lightly grease the sides.
  2. Chop the apples: Peel if you like, then core and finely dice 1–1.5 cups of apples. Toss with a squeeze of lemon juice if you’re prepping ahead.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk 1 1/2 cups almond flour, 1 cup oat flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until no clumps remain.
  4. Whisk wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 3 tablespoons oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth and slightly frothy.
  5. Combine: Pour wet ingredients into the dry. Stir with a spatula just until combined. The batter will be thick but spreadable.
  6. Fold-ins: Gently fold in the diced apples and, if using, 1/3 cup chopped nuts and 1/4 cup raisins. Don’t overmix.
  7. Fill the pan: Scrape batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. For a pretty finish, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top.
  8. Bake: Bake 45–55 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top browns too fast, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  9. Cool properly: Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then use the parchment to lift it to a rack. Cool at least 45 minutes before slicing. This helps the crumb set.
  10. Slice and enjoy: Use a sharp serrated knife for clean slices. Serve warm or at room temperature.