Gluten Free Apple Granola Bread

If you’ve got some granola on hand and you’re in the mood for a simply delicious apple bread, you’re going to flip over this recipe! It’s simple and over-the-top delicious!

Granola Bread is a Quick Bread

You might recall in an earlier post we talked about the difference between quick breads and yeasted breads. 

A yeasted bread requires rising time. A quick bread does not. A quick bread goes straight from the bowl into the pan, and then straight into the oven. 

Most quick breads have some sort of rising agent, (either baking powder or baking soda). These agents are completely different from yeast, which has to bloom and grow. 

I love making quick breads. I’ve made literally dozens of them over the past year or two. My Cranberry Banana Bread, for instance. And my Easy Banana Bread Maui. I also created a luscious Chocolate Chip Loaf. 

You get the idea. I love quick breads. And I’m especially fond of this one. It’s my second-ever gluten-free version of a quick bread, (the first being my gluten-free banana bread, which is delicious, as well). 

Can You Bake Granola into Bread? 

This was the question on my mind as I stared at a large container of granola I’d made from scratch. Other than sprinkling it on yogurt and nibbling on it as a snack, I wasn’t really sure what to do with all of it. I hated to see it go to waste. 

That’s when it hit me: If you can put oats in quick bread, why not granola? It’s basically just crunchy sweet oats. Right? 

I did some browsing on the web and found a few recipes but I knew that I wanted something gluten-free. I was particularly interested in trying to work some almond flour into the mix because I thought the nutty flavor would be great with the granola. 

So, I cemented the idea in my head and decided to go for it. Adding granola to the bread recipe might be unusual, but I’m known for my unusual moves. 🙂 

Granola Bread Ingredients

These are simple ingredients you might have in your pantry or your refrigerator. If you’re looking for the full list of ingredients with measurements, you’ll find it in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need: 

• gluten free all purpose flour
• almond flour
• granola (homemade or store bought)
• ground cinnamon
• ground pumpkin pie spice
• baking powder
• salt
• temperature coconut palm sugar
• coconut oil (or butter)
• large eggs
• vanilla extract
• almond milk
• apple, finely diced

How to Make this Delicious Granola Bread

This is a simple process that doesn’t require a mixer or blender. I mixed mine up in a bowl with a blending fork. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grease a loaf pan or bundt pan. 

In a large bowl combine the coconut oil and palm sugar, as well as the vanilla, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix well. 

Stir in both flours, baking powder, and almond milk. Mix well. 

Add diced apples. 

Now add the trail mix. 

Mix until fully combined.

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. 

Place in preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the bread springs back to the touch and a toothpick comes out clean. 

You’ll need to keep a close eye on this one. The moisture from the apples could require longer baking time. 

Remove from oven and place on wire rack to cool. After about 10 – 15 minutes flip the bread out to continue cooling directly on the rack.

Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Store in

What to Expect from this Granola Bread with Apples

Oh my goodness, what a treasure! This new quick bread really hits the spot! 

The soft sweetness of the warm apples, the lovely hint of cinnamon, the “bite” of the granola. . .it all merged together into what has truly become one of my new favorites. 

I deliberately added the almond flour, hoping to add more texture to the bread. It worked! This was just the texture I was going for–dense (in a good way) but still light enough to be enjoyable.

I’m on a healthy eating plan and I’m always looking for treats that are healthy, too. This one certainly fits that need, granting an easy treat that doesn’t break the calorie bank.

Like I said before, the apples require a longer baking time, but it’s totally worth it. You’re going to love this recipe. 

Variations on this Recipe

Walnuts: I wish I’d thought to add chopped walnuts to this recipe. They would have paired beautifully with the apples. 

Maple extract in place of vanilla. (Or along with vanilla, your choice.) If you’re using a sweetened granola, the sweetness of the maple syrup will help the overall flavor profile of this bread. 

Chopped almonds: I think almonds would be a good fit in this recipe, as well. 

Craisins: My granola had craisins in it, so a few of them landed in my batter. They were a lovely addition. 

Coconut: You can add half a cup of coconut to this recipe, if you like. I think it will pair beautifully with the other ingredients. In fact, you could skip the apples and just make this a coconut-themed quick bread. 

Other Apple Favorites from Out of the Box Baking

Apple Pie Monkey Bread Casserole:

Apple Pie Bread Pudding:

Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake:

Luscious Apple Banana Bread:

Old-Fashioned Apple Fritters:

Apple Pie Coffee Cake:

Easy Apple Pie with Homemade Crust:

That’s it for this post, friends!

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe. 

If you make this recipe and love it, don’t forget to leave a review and a comment below. And while you’re at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!

See this recipe at: 

Full Plate Thursday 

Weekend Potluck

The Lazy Gastronome

Busy Monday