First, let me say—thank you. Thank you for making time to bake something homemade, something heartfelt. Whether you’re baking for your family, sharing with a friend, or just treating yourself to a cozy weekend breakfast, this Apple Fritter Pull-Apart Bread is a celebration of fall in every soft, sticky, cinnamon-laced bite. 🍂
And the best part? You don’t need to fuss with homemade dough or a fryer! With a few shortcuts and some simple assembly, you’ll have a warm, shareable loaf that tastes like a bakery treat—no yeast, no deep fryer, just easy magic.
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What Is Apple Fritter Pull-Apart Bread?
Think of this recipe as the best parts of an apple fritter—sweet, soft dough, spiced apples, and sugary glaze—transformed into a beautiful, sliceable loaf you can pull apart layer by layer. It’s made from store-bought cinnamon rolls that are flattened, filled with grated apples, butter, cinnamon sugar, and then baked until gooey and golden.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🍏 Shortcut-friendly: No dough-making or proofing required
- 🥄 Easy to assemble with a fun pull-apart twist
- 🍎 Full of fall flavor: apples, cinnamon, vanilla, and glaze
- 👩👧 Kid-approved and perfect for helping hands
- 🎁 Perfect for brunch or gifting during the holidays
What Does It Taste Like?
Warm, buttery, and bursting with tender apples in every layer. The cinnamon rolls bake into fluffy golden bread with soft caramelized edges, and the glaze drizzled over the top brings that classic fritter sweetness full circle. Every pull-apart section reveals a perfect bite of apple-cinnamon goodness.
Ingredients List
For the Bread:
- 2 (8-count) cans cinnamon rolls
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and grated
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
Optional: Use the glaze packet from the cinnamon rolls if you’re in a hurry, or make your own for a fresher finish.
For the Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–3 tablespoons milk or cream
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Loaf pan (9×5 inch)
- Box grater
- Mixing bowls
- Parchment paper
- Foil
- Whisk or spoon
- Wire rack
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Cinnamon Rolls: Use refrigerated dough with icing included (like Pillsbury Grands). Discard or save the icing packet for another use if making your own glaze.
- Apples: Granny Smiths add the perfect tartness, but Honeycrisp or Braeburn also work well.
- Butter: Unsalted is best, but salted works—just reduce added salt elsewhere.
Step-by-Step Instructions
🔥 Step 1: Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease a loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray
🍏 Step 2: Flatten the Rolls
- Open the cinnamon roll cans and set aside the icing packets (or discard)
- Flatten each cinnamon roll into a pancake-sized disc using your hands or a rolling pin
- Lay them out on parchment or a clean surface
🧈 Step 3: Make the Apple Filling
- Mix softened butter + vanilla in a small bowl
- Spread the mixture over each flattened cinnamon roll
- Top each with grated apples
🍂 Step 4: Add Cinnamon Sugar
- In another bowl, mix sugar + cinnamon
- Sprinkle generously over the apples
🍞 Step 5: Stack & Layer in Pan
- Stack flattened rolls in groups of 3–4
- Transfer stacks to the loaf pan, standing them on their side like a row of cards
- Be sure no apple filling touches the ends of the pan to prevent burning
⏲️ Step 6: Bake
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes
- Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until golden and set
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack
Making the Glaze
In a small bowl:
- Whisk ½ cup powdered sugar with 1–3 tbsp cream or milk
- Adjust to your desired consistency
- Microwave for 10 seconds for an extra pourable glaze
- Drizzle generously over the cooled loaf
What to Serve with Apple Fritter Bread
- 🍁 Hot cider or spiced tea
- ☕ A strong cup of coffee or latte
- 🍳 A savory egg bake for balance
- 🧊 Vanilla ice cream for dessert vibes
Storage & Reheating
To Store:
- Keep tightly covered at room temp for up to 2 days
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days
To Reheat:
- Warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds
- Or reheat in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the loaf, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake the next day as directed.
Can I use homemade cinnamon roll dough?
Absolutely. If you have a favorite dough, go for it! The method is the same.
Can I freeze the baked bread?
Yes—wrap well in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Fritter Pull-Apart Bread is the kind of bake that feels like a warm hug on a crisp morning. It’s perfect for slow weekends, cozy gatherings, or anytime you want to share a sweet, homemade treat without a mountain of effort.
No yeast. No frying. No stress. Just buttery, cinnamon-spiced, apple-filled goodness in every slice. 🍎
More Fall Favorites You’ll Love:
- 🍂 [Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins]
- 🥧 [Cinnamon Sugar Apple Galette]
- 🍏 [Easy Apple Butter Biscuit Bake]
- ☕ [Caramel Apple Bread Pudding with Warm Sauce]
Show Off Your Bake!
Did you make this Apple Fritter Bread?
📸 Tag your loaf on Pinterest or Instagram—we’d love to see how you’re enjoying it!
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Approximate Nutrition (Per Slice – 1 of 8):
- Calories: ~320
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 39g
- Sugar: 22g
- Protein: 3g
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