This amazing Carrot Apple Bread Recipe is a delicious and moist quick bread that combines the sweetness of apples with the earthiness of carrots. It has the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness! It’s great as a breakfast treat, an afternoon snack, or even a cozy dessert. With its light texture and subtle spices, this bread is sure to be a new favorite in your kitchen.

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Close up of baked and sliced carrot apple bread on a wooden cutting board.

There is just something so lovely about a delicious slice of carrot cake bread and a cup of coffee in the afternoon. This apple carrot loaf combines the sweetness of apple with the earthiness of carrots to create a moist bread your taste buds will enjoy any time of day. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those extra carrots and apples you have lying around!

With the fiber from the carrots and apples, this moist carrot bread provides a little extra nutritional value compared to your average quick bread. We love healthy recipes around here, and this bread is the best way to sneak some veggies and fruit into your day! Serve for breakfast with crispy bacon and eggs, fresh fruit, and a cup of chai. Pair with a high-protein breakfast casserole, delicious sausage balls, and a cup of orange juice.

We also love to mix in some ancient grain flour in this recipe. Simply replace 1/4-1/2 of the flour with Kamut or Einkorn the next time you bake! It’s the perfect way to add in extra fiber and nutrients. You could even substitute up to 1/3 of the flour with oat flour and replace the rest with a gluten-free mix.

If you enjoy delicious bread recipes with a twist, try this Cinnamon Roll Pull Apart Bread, Chai Spice Pumpkin Bread, High Protein Banana Bread, or our favorite Banana Bread with Crumble Topping.

Close up of baked and sliced carrot apple bread on a wooden cutting board beside whole apples.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Moist texture. Thanks to the moisture content of carrots and apples, this carrot apple bread recipe is incredibly moist. The natural sweetness of the fruits and vegetables means you don’t need a ton of added sugar to make it irresistible.

Easy to make. This is a quick bread recipe, meaning no yeast or kneading required. It’s simple to throw together and bakes up beautifully with minimal effort, perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers. Plus, this bread actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to develop. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Versatile flavor. The combination of spices, grated apple, and shredded carrots creates a flavor profile that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea. You can even add nuts or raisins for an extra bite!

What is Carrot Apple Bread?

Carrot Apple Bread is a sweet and spiced quick bread made by combining fresh carrots and apples with basic baking ingredients. It’s similar to other quick breads like zucchini or banana bread, but with the added flavor complexity of both fruits and vegetables. Unlike yeasted breads, quick breads use baking soda or baking powder to rise, so they are much quicker to prepare. This Carrot Apple Bread is tender, fragrant, and perfect for a snack or breakfast on the go.

We make this loaf as a carrot apple zucchini bread recipe in the summer to use up garden zucchini. We also make this apple carrot bread in the fall during apple season! I love that the recipe is versatile and customizable. Add chocolate chips, mix in greek yogurt for extra protein, add cream cheese frosting for more of a dessert recipe.

Carrot Apple Bread Ingredients

Carrots: Shredded carrots add moisture and sweetness, making this bread extra tender.
Apples: I recommend using a sweet-tart variety like Granny Smith or Fuji, as they hold up well when baked and offer the right balance of sweetness and acidity. Shred or chop them into small pieces.
All-purpose flour: You can substitute some of this with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture or gluten free flour if you like.
Baking soda: Helps the bread rise and gives it the perfect crumb texture.
Eggs: Use a large egg, ideally fresh and pasture raised.
Brown sugar: Adds a touch of caramel flavor, complementing the natural sweetness of the carrots and apples. You can make your own by mixing molasses and white sugar. You can also substitute coconut sugar.
Cinnamon and nutmeg: These spices bring warmth and depth of flavor to the bread. You can also substitute the total amount of spices with pumpkin pie spice for a slight variation.
Coconut oil: You can also use avocado oil or melted butter for a richer flavor.

A full list of ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make Carrot Apple Bread

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9 x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper. Shred carrots and apples into a medium bowl.
Make the Streusel Topping. In a small bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix the butter into the dry ingredients until it forms a crumbly texture. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer, if desired.
Add the melted coconut oil oil to the wet ingredients and stir until combined.
Stir in the shredded carrots and chopped apples.
Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle topping on evenly.
Bake for 50-60 minutes until golden brown and until the center cooks fully. Insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the bread is done.
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe Tips

Shred the carrots finely – Shredding the carrots finely helps them blend seamlessly into the bread and creates a smoother texture.
Don’t overmix the batter – Overmixing can cause the bread to become dense and heavy. For best results, mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Use a toothpick to check for doneness – The bread is done when a toothpick comes out clean, or with just a few crumbs attached.
Browning tip – Tent the bread with a sheet of foil if the middle is uncooked, and the top is browning too much.
Let it cool – Let the bread cool before slicing for the best texture and flavor.
Freeze for later – Once the bread has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Carrot Apple Bread Variations

There are so many ways to customize this recipe! Here are a few ideas:

Add nuts: Toss in some walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch.
Add raisins or dried cranberries: Add about a 1/2 cup of raisins or dried cranberries to the batter for an extra burst of sweetness.
Top with a cream cheese glaze: Mix 4 oz of cream cheese with 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar to make a glaze for a sweeter finish. Thin with milk or water, and add powderd sugar 1 Tablespoon at a time to sweeten more, as desired.
Switch veggies & add sweetness: Switch the carrots for zucchini and add chocolate chips for a chocolate chip zucchini bread!

Recipe FAQs

This happens when there is too much moisture in the bread. Next time, try squeezing some moisture out of the carrots before adding them to the mixture.

Bread will become dense if it is over-mixed or if is not completely cooled before slicing.

While you can really use any variety, firm, tart-to-sweet apples work best. I recommend using Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp apples that will hold shape during baking.

Yes, you can substitute the apples with pears or other fruits. You can also swap out the carrots for zucchini or sweet potato for a different take on this recipe.

To store leftover bread, keep it in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator.

I hope you enjoy this Carrot Apple Bread recipe!

Carrot Apple Coffee Cake Bread

Ingredients

For the Streusel Topping

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Carrot Apple Bread

1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 & 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup chopped or shredded apples (peeled, if desired)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Make the Streusel Topping. In a small bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix the butter into the dry ingredients until it forms a crumbly texture. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients -- flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients. Beat the eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Add the coconut oil to the wet ingredients and stir until fully combined.
Stir the shredded carrots and chopped apples into the wet ingredients.
Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly across the top of the batter.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (If the top begins to brown too much, tent the bread with aluminum foil.)
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Don’t overmix the batter - Overmixing can cause the bread to become dense and heavy. For best results, mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Tent the bread with a sheet of foil if the middle is uncooked, and the top is browning too much.
Let the bread cool before slicing for the best texture and flavor.
Once the bread has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

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Moist & Easy Carrot Apple Bread Coffee Cake Recipe