Treat yourself to the BEST Apple Banana Bread! This scrumptious fall quick bread is an easy twist on the classic recipe that's perfect for apple fans. You can make it with, or without, the yummy maple glaze. Either way, you won't be able to resist the warm fall flavors!
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Ginnie's Take
Okay, calling all apple lovers: this recipe is for you! Now that fall is here, I'm excited to share some of my favorite apple treats, starting with this decadent Apple Banana Bread! This yummy loaf is perfectly moist, loaded with tender apples and crunchy nuts, and glazed with the tastiest maple drizzle. If you're anything like me, you'll find it impossible to stop at just one slice!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Mouthwatering Flavor - This recipe is a must make for apple aficionados! Each bite of this unique quick bread is packed with tender apple chunks and tasty nuts. The tasty maple glaze puts it totally over the top!
- Easy to Make - Just like your favorite banana bread, this recipe is simple to prepare. You'll be snacking on a slice before you know it.
- Favorite Fall Treat - This recipe is a fun, fall twist on your go-to quick bread. You won't be able to resist the warm, autumnal flavors!
- Customizable - Not a nut fan? Skip them. Prefer to keep things simple? Make the glaze next time. You can easily customize this recipe, and you'll find more tips below!
Jump to:
Ingredients
The ingredients for this Apple and Banana Loaf can be found at any grocery store! Here's what you'll need:
- Apples - For the best texture and flavor, I recommend using crisp, tart (or sweet-tart) apples for baking. I used Cosmic Crisp apples, but Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady would also work great.
- Bananas - You will also need some bananas, of course! Make sure to buy your bananas ahead of time, then let them sit on your counter until they have lots of brown spots. This is a great recipe for using up overripe bananas!
- Nuts - Chopped walnuts add a tasty flavor and texture to the quick bread. If you're not a nut fan, you can leave them out.
- Vanilla + Cinnamon - The bread is flavored with vanilla extract and cinnamon, which gives it a warm, cozy taste.
- Other Baking Ingredients - You'll also need some standard baking ingredients, including all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, baking soda and baking powder, kosher salt, unsalted butter, and large eggs.
- Glaze - The loaf is topped with an easy Maple Glaze. The glaze is optional, but it makes the bread even more delicious, and it's so easy to make. You'll need powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt for the glaze, plus some extra nuts to sprinkle over the top.
You'll Also Need
Grab a sharp knife to chop the apples (and a peeler if you'd like to peel them). You'll also need some measuring cups and spoons, a whisk for combining the dry ingredients, a stand mixer (or hand mixer), a spatula, and a loaf pan for baking the bread. This Circulon bread pan is my fave!
How to Make Banana Apple Bread
Banana Bread with Apples is easy to make, and bonus: your house will smell amazing as it bakes! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's a quick overview of the steps:
- Mix wet ingredients. Using your stand mixer, blend the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, then mix in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the bananas by hand.
- Combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Blend wet + dry ingredients. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a spatula.
- Stir in apples + nuts. When the dry and wet ingredients are about halfway combined, add the apples and nuts. Continue folding together with a spatula, stopping when just combined.
- Bake. Spread the batter evenly in a buttered loaf pan, then bake.
- Add toppings. Let the bread cool completely, then drizzle with glaze and sprinkle with nuts.
Okay, doesn't this Apple Banana Bread look absolutely mouthwatering? Just try to stop at one slice!
Variations
This cozy fall bread recipe is easy to customize! Here are a few ideas to try:
- Apples - Experiment with different apple varieties to find your favorite!
- Nuts - Replace the walnuts with pecans or pistachios, or leave out the nuts, if you prefer.
- Spices - Swap out the cinnamon for an apple pie or pumpkin spice blend.
- Glaze - Skip the glaze to simplify the recipe. You could also do a simple powder sugar glaze, and replace the maple syrup with milk (you'll need less).
Serving Suggestions
This homemade Banana and Apple Bread makes a wonderful snack, dessert, or breakfast, and I love serving it for fall brunches, too. For an extra cozy treat, pair it with a cup of coffee, Mulled Cider, or Hot Cocoa!
Storage
Store leftover Banana Apple Loaf in an airtight container, such as a zip top bag. It can be stored at room temperature for a couple days, though refrigerating the bread with help it last longer (up to a week). You can also freeze the bread for a couple months to enjoy later.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, try my mouthwatering Cranberry Banana Bread next! And you'll love these other banana bread ideas, too:
- This Double Chocolate Banana Bread is a chocolate lovers dream!
- More chocolate, you say? You won't be able to resist this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread either.
- For a tropical twist on the classic recipe, make this tasty Banana Coconut Bread!
- If you're a berry lover, treat yourself to this yummy Blueberry Banana Bread and this delish Strawberry Banana Bread.
Banana Apple Bread
Ingredients
For Bread:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (plus more for buttering pan)
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed banana (about 2 medium bananas)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups diced apple (about 1 large apple)
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts
For Glaze + Topping:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
Equipment
Instructions
Make Bread:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan (or spray with nonstick cooking spray), then set aside.
- Mix 6 tablespoons butter and ⅔ cup brown sugar until light and fluffy, using a stand mixer (or hand mixer).
- Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, then mix until fully incorporated.
- Stir in 1 cup mashed banana by hand. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon baking powder.
- Using a spatula, gently fold flour mixture into butter mixture, stopping when it's about halfway mixed in. (There should still be flour visible when you are done.)
- Add 2 cups diced apple and ¾ cup chopped walnuts. Using spatula to fold them into the batter, stopping when everything is just combined (do not over-mix).
- Transfer batter to loaf pan, then bake for about 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Let bread cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before adding glaze.
Prepare Glaze + Topping:
- Add 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, ½ teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch salt to a small bowl. Stir until totally smooth.
- Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the cooled banana bread. (You may have a little left over.)
- Sprinkle the finely chopped walnuts over the glazed loaf.
- Serve bread immediately, or store in an airtight container until ready to eat.
Notes
Nutrition
