If you’re looking for a simple, budget-friendly apple bread recipe, this one is hard to beat. Made with self-raising flour and basic pantry staples, this easy apple bread comes together in one bowl and bakes into a soft, lightly spiced loaf that’s perfect for morning tea, lunchboxes, or freezing for later.
It’s also incredibly flexible — you can make it gluten-free, use whatever cooking oil you have on hand, and even swap the spices depending on what’s in your cupboard. If you enjoy no-fuss baking that doesn’t require fancy ingredients or equipment, this apple bread recipe is for you.
Watch: Making Apple Bread with Self-Raising Flour
Follow along with me below as I make an Apple Bread loaf. 👇
Easy Apple Bread with Self-Raising Flour
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses basic pantry ingredients
- Made with self-raising flour (no extra leavening needed)
- One-bowl recipe with minimal cleanup
- Budget-friendly and great for using up apples
- Freezer-friendly and perfect for batch baking
Ingredients You’ll Need
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups self-raising flour
(Use gluten-free self-raising flour if needed) - 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
(or substitute with allspice)
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup cooking oil (vegetable or any neutral oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
Equipment
- Greased loaf pan
- Mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or whisk
How to Make Easy Apple Bread
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) on bake.
Grease a loaf pan and set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
Peel the apples and dice them into small pieces. Smaller pieces help the apple distribute evenly through the loaf and keep the texture soft.
Add the diced apple to a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Crack the eggs into a separate bowl and lightly whisk them.
Add the eggs to the apples, followed by:
- Cooking oil
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Sugar
Stir until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Add the Flour
Add the self-raising flour to the bowl and mix thoroughly.
Tip:
Make sure there are no dry pockets of flour — this helps avoid dense or floury spots in the finished loaf.
Step 5: Add the Spices
Add:
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (or allspice)
Mix well so the spices are evenly distributed through the batter.
Step 6: Bake the Apple Bread
Spoon the batter into your greased loaf pan, smoothing the top if needed.
Bake for 1 hour.
How to Check If It’s Done
Insert a knife or skewer into the centre:
- If it comes out clean, it’s ready
- If there’s wet batter, return to the oven for another 5–10 minutes
Cooling & Slicing
Once baked:
- Leave the loaf in the pan for 5 minutes
- Turn it out onto a cooling rack
- Let cool for another 15 minutes before slicing
This helps the loaf set and slice cleanly.
Storage & Freezing Tips
Short-Term Storage
- Store in an airtight container on the bench for 2–3 days
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week
Freezing Options
- Freeze the whole loaf wrapped in foil
- Or pre-slice, freeze individual slices, and take out as needed
Reheating Tip
Pop a frozen slice in the air fryer for about 10 minutes for a warm, lightly toasted apple bread — perfect with a cup of tea.
| 🌿 READ: Save Money By Freezing Food → |
Budget-Friendly Baking Tips
✔ Use What You Have
- Any neutral oil works
- Swap nutmeg for allspice if that’s what’s in your pantry
✔ Reduce Waste
- Freeze leftover slices instead of letting them go stale
- Reuse freezer bags where possible
Serving Suggestions
This apple bread is perfect:
- Warm with butter
- Toasted with a cup of tea
- As a simple homemade snack or lunchbox slice
It’s the kind of recipe that feels comforting, familiar, and easy — exactly what good home baking should be.
| 🌿 READ NEXT: How to Make Your Own Butter → |
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