book cover

INTRODUCING

ORDER NOW

Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

This post may contain Affiliate Links. Please read our privacy policy here.

Kids and adults canโ€™t resist this warm, doughy, sweet, pull-apart monkey bread! With just five ingredients, this easy monkey bread recipe uses biscuit dough rolled into bite-sized balls and dipped in butter, cinnamon, and sugar. Simple to make, itโ€™s a delicious addition to any brunch or dessert spread.

Easy monkey bread in a loaf pan made with biscuit dough, butter and cinnamon and sugar.
Recipe rating for Sugar and Charm's monkey bread recipe.

A Family Favorite Tradition

Iโ€™ve been making this easy monkey bread recipe for years! I needed fun ways to entertain the kids in my nanny days, especially on a Friday night. Monkey bread was always a hit; weโ€™d have a blast making it together.

Fast forward 20 years, and I still make this recipe for my family on Saturday mornings. We even turned them into monkey bread muffins! Itโ€™s a nostalgic treat that brings everyone to the kitchen with its warm cinnamon aroma.

Here are a few more of my favorite brunch recipes:ย Super moist banana bread, the easiestย pumpkin bread, the bestย blueberry muffinsย ever, and my very popularย coconut loaf.

Gooey monkey bread drizzled with buttery glaze and cinnamon and sugar.

Why This Monkey Bread Recipe Works

Perfect for Sharing: Great for brunches, family breakfasts, and even desserts with its pull-apart design.

Simple Ingredients: Only five easy-to-find ingredients, so itโ€™s quick to assemble with minimal prep.

Kid-Friendly: Rolling the dough in butter and cinnamon sugar is fun for kids!

Versatile: Use a bundt pan for a traditional look or a loaf pan for easy serving. Itโ€™s also perfect for customizing with different flavors (see our variations below).

Flaky biscuit dough, bowl of cinnamon and sugar and a stick of butter.

Monkey Bread Ingredients

Butter adds richness and moisture, keeping the bread soft and gooey. Use it to dip the dough balls and drizzle on top..

Canned Biscuits: Two cans of biscuit dough (like Immaculate Organic Flaky Biscuits or Pillsbury Biscuits) make for a gooey, delicious monkey bread.

Dark Brown Sugar: Adds deep, caramelized sweetness and a golden-brown color.

Cinnamon: Brings that warm, spiced flavor and signature brown hue.

Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness when mixed with cinnamon for the coating.

balls of dough rolled in cinnamon and sugar  to make an easy monkey bread recipe.

How to Make Monkey Bread

  1. Prep the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease a bundt or loaf pan generously with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Cut and Roll: Cut each biscuit into quarters and roll each piece into a small ball.
  3. Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon. Dip each dough ball into melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
  4. Layer in Pan: Place the coated dough balls in the greased pan, layering them evenly.
  5. Pour the Brown Sugar Mixture: Combine the remaining melted butter with the dark brown sugar and pour it over the dough balls for extra caramelization.
  6. Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool for about 5 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.

Easy Glaze Recipe

For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle a simple glaze over the monkey bread:

  • Ingredients: Mix ยผ cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk until smooth.
  • Alternative: Try drizzling our easy caramel sauce over the top for a sticky, buttery finish!

Another option is to drizzle my easy caramel sauce over the top as a glaze. It becomes like sticky bread and is full of buttery caramel flavor!

Golden brown monkey bread with gooey butter and cinnamon and sugar.

Helpful Tips

Prevent Sticking: Ensure your pan is thoroughly greased, and let the monkey bread cool slightly before inverting. This helps release the bread without sticking.

Storage: Cover leftover monkey bread and store it at room temperature for 2 days. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months for more extended storage. To reheat, thaw and warm it in the oven.

Make-Ahead Option: Assemble the monkey bread the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, bake as usual, adding a few extra minutes if needed.

Adding a glaze over golden baked cinnamon and sugar bread.

Monkey Bread Flavor Variations

Try these delicious twists on the classic monkey bread:

Orange Cardamom: For a fragrant, unique twist, add fresh orange zest and a pinch of cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Caramel Apple: Add small diced apple pieces between the dough layers and drizzle caramel sauce on top.

Chocolate Peanut Butter: For a rich, indulgent version, add dollops of peanut butter and sprinkle with chocolate chips between layers.

Savory Garlic Parmesan: Swap cinnamon sugar for grated Parmesan and garlic powder for savory monkey bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade biscuit dough?

If you prefer homemade, simply roll out your dough and cut it into small pieces before coating.

How do I prevent the monkey bread from sticking?

Ensure your pan is well-greased with butter, and let the bread cool briefly before inverting to release quickly.

Can I prepare monkey bread ahead of time?

Yes, assemble it in the pan, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bake as directed with a few extra minutes if needed.

Is monkey bread served hot or cold?

Itโ€™s best served warm when soft and gooey, but itโ€™s still delicious at room temperature.

Does monkey bread require a bundt pan?ย 

Though you’ve probably seen many store-bought versions come in the traditional Bundt shape, it’s unnecessary. Monkey bread cooks in a bread pan, a cookie sheet, ramekins, or a loaf pan.
If you prefer to use a tube pan, that is fine. If you release it from the bundt pan, ensure the sides are greased.
You want to be careful to balance the thickness to avoid uneven cooking.ย 

What is monkey bread?

It’s a gooey, sweet pull-apart bread made with dough, butter, cinnamon, and sugar. It can be baked in a bundt or loaf pan until the dough is golden and perfect. Once the bread is done, a glaze is drizzled over the top. It’s one of the easiest desserts to make and SO incredibly tasty.

Bread with butter and cinnamon and sugar made with biscuit dough.

More Brunch Recipes You’ll Love

There are a lot of benefits to making easy monkey bread, and it works for any season. If you’re looking for more breakfast recipes, check out these: 

If you try this recipe, let me know by leaving a comment and review below. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more delicious recipes and entertaining ideas!

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious recipes, cocktails, desserts, and parties!

pouring glaze over baked monkey bread

Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

Kids and adults can't resist this doughy, sweet, pull-apart dessert. This easy monkey bread recipe is one you'll want to make over and over!
4.69 from 76 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 292kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

Monkey Bread Recipe

  • 2 cans biscuit dough
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/8 cup ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter

Simple Glaze

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk

Instructions

  • Break the biscuits into small balls of dough.
    monkey bread ingredients
  • Roll the dough into small balls, about 3 tablespoons per ball.
    monkey bread pillsbury
  • Grease an entire deep-dish loaf pan with butter. You can also use a bundt pan for this recipe. Cooking spray is another option for greasing the bottom and sides of the pan.
  • Combine cinnamon and sugar in a medium bowl and stir.
  • Roll each dough piece in the cinnamon mixture.
    rolling dough in cinnamon and sugar.
  • Add a single layer of dough balls to the bottom of the pan. Then sprinkle 1/8 cup of the brown sugar over the layer, leaving the other 1/8 cup for the next layer.
    monkey bread from biscuits
  • Continue creating another layer of dough over the first layer, and sprinkle brown sugar over the top.
  • Depending on the size of the pan, you should have two layers of dough balls in the pan. You might have extra dough, but you donโ€™t need it.ย 
  • Melt the butter and pour it over the top of the dough before baking.ย 
  • Sprinkle on some of the leftover cinnamon and sugar mixture.ย 
  • Then, bake the bread in a 350-degree oven for about 45 minutes. Check the directions for how long to cook depending on what biscuits youโ€™re using.ย 
  • The monkey bread will be golden brown on the top and thatโ€™s what you want. Itโ€™s important to cook all the way through so you donโ€™t have a doughy inside.ย 
    Gooey brown monkey bread in a loaf pan.
  • To make the glaze, add 1/4 cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon milk and mix until smooth.ย 
    glaze for monkey bread
  • Pour over the monkey bread before serving.
    pouring glaze over baked monkey bread

Notes

Depending on the size of the pan, you should have two layers of dough balls in the pan. You might have extra dough, but you don’t need it.
Make sure to pour the extra butter over the top of the dough before baking.ย 
Sprinkle on some of the leftover cinnamon and sugar mixtures.ย 
The monkey bread will be golden brown on the top, and that’s what you want. It’s essential to cook through so the inside is not doughy.ย 
You can bake this in a bundt pan or a loaf pan. We used a clay loaf pan, which absorbs, distributes, and retains heat evenly, baking the bread to perfection.
Only fit as many dough balls as you can. There is no need to use them all if they don’t fit into the pan you’re baking the bread in. This is an easy recipe to alter as you go.
If the bread isn’t fully cooked, give it more time in the oven. Accurate oven temperature varies and can alter the baking time.
This is monkey bread with biscuits; however, you can also try making monkey bread with pizza dough.
Check the directions on the biscuits to see how long they should cook. It can take longer. You will know when they’re done when the tops are a deep golden brown and have doubled in size.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 206mg | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 709IU | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @sugarandcharm or tag us #sugarandcharm!

18 thoughts on “Easy Monkey Bread Recipe”

  1. 2 stars
    Calls for way too much butter, I used less and it still boiled over and burned on the bottom of my oven. It also just doesnโ€™t taste right to use canned biscuits for this recipe, too salty.

    Reply
  2. These are good but the recipe is confusing –
    4. combine cinnamon and sugars or just the cinnamon and white sugar – since later you are supposed to sprinkle with brown sugar – or the brown sugar mix?
    6. Coat the bottom (with the cinnamon covered balls?)

    It would help to have the ingredients listed as they are used. This is why #4 is confusing to start.

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    In the “how long will is last” section, it should say not long once your family gets their hands on it, haha! I’m making it again this afternoon because it’s already gone.

    Reply
  4. 5 stars
    This was SO delicious! What a fun breakfast bread. Easier than cinnamon rolls and JUST as yummy! We’ll definitely make this one again!

    Reply
  5. 5 stars
    This is actually something really fun to prep with my son and it’s nice that it doesn’t have to turn out “pretty”. Definitely kid friendly and approved!

    Reply
4.69 from 76 votes (66 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




AS SEEN ON: