Gluten-Free Dutch Apple Quick Bread

This Gluten-Free Dutch Apple Quick Bread is perfectly moist with cinnamon streusel topping. Easy recipe for busy families—no mixer needed!

There’s something magical about the smell of apples and cinnamon baking in your oven on a crisp morning. Last weekend, I had a bowl of apples sitting on my counter, practically begging to be turned into something cozy. That’s when this Gluten-Free Dutch Apple Quick Bread was born, and honestly? It disappeared faster than I could slice it.

If you’re new to gluten-free baking or just looking for an easy apple quick bread that doesn’t require fancy techniques, you’re in the right place. This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together in one bowl. The buttery streusel topping? That’s the showstopper that makes every slice feel like a warm hug.

Whether you’re managing celiac disease or simply exploring gluten free apple cinnamon bread options for your family, this Dutch apple loaf is forgiving, foolproof, and absolutely delicious. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, maintaining a strict gluten-free diet is essential for those with celiac disease, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or texture in your baked goods.

Why You’ll Love This Gluten-Free Dutch Apple Quick Bread

This easy apple quick bread checks all the boxes: it’s naturally sweet from fresh apples, has that irresistible cinnamon crunch on top, and stays moist for days (if it lasts that long!). I love that it uses olive oil instead of butter in the batter, which keeps it dairy-light and adds a subtle richness.

The best part? You don’t need a stand mixer or any complicated folding techniques. Just stir, pour, sprinkle that gorgeous streusel, and let your oven work its magic. Perfect for weekend breakfast, afternoon snacks with tea, or even tucking into lunchboxes.

This Dutch apple loaf gluten free version tastes just like the traditional one—maybe even better because it’s so tender and packed with apple chunks in every bite.

Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 cup sugar or coconut sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy works beautifully)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups (275 g) gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (one that includes xanthan gum; otherwise, add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum)
• 1 1/2 tsp gluten-free aluminum-free baking powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 cups peeled, diced apples (about 2 small apples—Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work great)
• 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional but adds lovely texture)

For the Streusel Topping:

• 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup (35 g) gluten-free flour blend
• 4 Tbsp sugar (coconut sugar or brown sugar both work)
• 1 1/2 tsp gluten-free ground cinnamon

For the Vanilla Glaze (Optional):

• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 Tbsp milk, room temperature
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Prep Your Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. This makes removing your gluten free apple cinnamon bread so much easier later—trust me on this one.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients
Using an electric mixer (or a whisk and some elbow grease), combine the olive oil and sugar until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Add in the eggs, milk, and vanilla, mixing until everything looks smooth and happy together.

3. Add the Dry Ingredients
Gently mix in the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until just combined—you don’t want to overmix or your bread will get tough. Fold in those beautiful diced apples and walnuts if you’re using them. The batter will be thick and chunky with apples, which is exactly what you want for this easy apple quick bread.

4. Make the Streusel Magic
In a small bowl, use a fork to combine the butter, flour, sugar, and cinnamon until the mixture looks crumbly. This streusel topping is what makes this Dutch apple loaf gluten free recipe truly special.

5. Assemble and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and scatter that gorgeous streusel mixture evenly over the top. Bake for 60-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

6. Cool and Glaze
Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes (I know, it’s torture to wait!), then transfer it to a cooling rack. If you’re adding the vanilla glaze, whisk together the butter, milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth, then drizzle it over the cooled loaf.

Helpful Tips & Substitutions

Flour Blend Matters

Not all gluten-free flours are created equal! For this gluten-free Dutch apple quick bread, I recommend using a quality all-purpose blend like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 or King Arthur Measure for Measure. These already contain xanthan gum, which helps bind everything together and prevents that crumbly texture some gluten-free baked goods get.

If your blend doesn’t include xanthan gum, definitely add that 1/2 teaspoon. It makes all the difference in achieving that soft, sliceable texture we’re after.

Apple Varieties

Honeycrisp apples give you sweetness with a bit of tartness, while Granny Smith adds a nice tang that balances the sugar beautifully. I sometimes mix both for complexity! Avoid super soft apples like Red Delicious—they get mushy when baked into this easy apple quick bread.

Dairy-Free Option

Swap regular milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk without changing a thing. For a completely dairy-free version of this gluten free apple cinnamon bread, use dairy-free butter in the streusel topping and glaze. It works perfectly!

Sugar Swaps

Coconut sugar adds a lovely caramel-like depth, but regular granulated sugar works just fine. You can also try maple sugar if you have it. For the streusel, brown sugar creates extra moisture and richness.

Nut-Free Version

Simply omit the walnuts! The bread is just as delicious without them, and it makes this Dutch apple loaf gluten free recipe safe for school lunches and nut-allergic friends.

Troubleshooting Your Gluten-Free Dutch Apple Quick Bread

My bread sank in the middle!
This usually happens if the batter is undermixed or the oven temperature is off. Make sure your oven is fully preheated to 350°F, and don’t open the door during the first 50 minutes of baking. Also, check that your baking powder is fresh—old leavening agents lose their oomph.

The top is browning too fast
Tent a piece of foil loosely over the top after 40 minutes of baking. The streusel on this gluten free apple cinnamon bread is buttery and can darken quickly, but the foil trick keeps it golden instead of burnt.

It’s too dense
Overmixing is the usual culprit in gluten-free baking. Once you add the flour, stir gently until just combined. Those little flour streaks are okay—they’ll disappear during baking. Also, measuring flour by weight (275g) is more accurate than cups.

The texture is gummy
Your easy apple quick bread might need a few more minutes in the oven. Every oven runs differently, so start checking at 60 minutes with a toothpick. If it comes out with wet batter (not just moist crumbs), give it another 5 minutes.

Storage & Meal Prep Magic

This Dutch apple loaf gluten free actually gets better the next day as the flavors meld together. Here’s how to keep it fresh:

Room Temperature: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The olive oil keeps it super moist even without refrigeration.

Refrigerator: If your kitchen is warm or humid, pop it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let slices come to room temperature or warm them for 10 seconds in the microwave before serving—it brings back that fresh-baked softness.

Freezer: This gluten-free Dutch apple quick bread freezes beautifully! Wrap the whole loaf (or individual slices) in plastic wrap, then again in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a couple hours.

I often make two loaves at once—one to enjoy now and one to freeze for those mornings when I need something special without the effort.

Serving Suggestions That’ll Make You Smile

A thick slice of this gluten free apple cinnamon bread is perfect on its own, but here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:

Breakfast Spread: Toast a slice and slather it with cream cheese or almond butter. Add a drizzle of honey if you’re feeling fancy. Pair it with scrambled eggs for a balanced breakfast that actually keeps you full.

Afternoon Tea Time: Serve thin slices alongside hot tea or coffee. The cinnamon streusel pairs beautifully with Earl Grey or chai. Add a small bowl of Greek yogurt on the side for dipping.

Dessert Mode: Warm a slice for 15 seconds, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and maybe a drizzle of caramel sauce. Suddenly this easy apple quick bread becomes an impressive dessert that took you basically no effort.

Kid-Friendly Lunchbox: Pack a slice in your child’s lunch with some cheese cubes and apple slices. It’s sweet enough to feel like a treat but has enough substance to actually fuel their afternoon.

Brunch Hero: Slice the entire loaf and arrange it on a pretty platter. It looks gorgeous next to Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Taquitos for a brunch spread that covers both sweet and savory cravings.

Fun Variations to Try

Cranberry Orange Twist

Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries to the batter along with the apples, and replace the vanilla extract with 1 tsp orange zest. This version of Dutch apple loaf gluten free is perfect for holiday mornings.

Maple Pecan Version

Swap the walnuts for pecans and replace 1/4 cup of the milk with pure maple syrup. Use maple sugar in the streusel instead of regular sugar. So cozy for fall!

Chocolate Chip Surprise

Fold in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips with the apples. Kids go absolutely wild for this version of gluten free apple cinnamon bread. It’s like having dessert for breakfast, but with fruit, so basically it counts as healthy, right?

Spice It Up

Add 1/2 tsp ground ginger and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg to the batter along with extra cinnamon. This gives your easy apple quick bread warm chai-like vibes that are incredible on chilly mornings.

Protein Boost

Speaking of nutrition, if you’re looking to add more protein to your gluten-free baking, check out this Easy Protein Gluten-Free Bread Recipe that’s perfect for sandwiches and toast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a gorgeous loaf of gluten-free Dutch apple quick bread out of your oven, knowing you made it yourself with simple, wholesome ingredients. The cinnamon-scented kitchen, the golden streusel topping, the way it slices cleanly without crumbling—it all feels like a little victory.

Whether you’re baking this gluten free apple cinnamon bread for Sunday brunch, meal prepping for busy weekday breakfasts, or just treating yourself to something cozy on a quiet afternoon, I hope every slice brings you joy. This easy apple quick bread has become a staple in my kitchen, and I have a feeling it’ll become one in yours too.

Remember, gluten-free baking doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. With the right ingredients and a little confidence, you can create bakery-worthy treats right at home. So grab those apples, preheat that oven, and let’s bake something beautiful together.

Happy baking, friend!