If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleasing treat that’s ridiculously simple yet utterly addictive, this Easy Monkey Bread Recipe is your new best friend. Soft, pull-apart pieces of cinnamon-sugared biscuits baked together and drenched in a buttery brown sugar glaze create a sweet, gooey masterpiece that’ll warm your kitchen and heart alike. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, monkey bread has that magical combination of nostalgia and comfort that makes everyone come running to the table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows three triangular dough pieces sitting on a white decorative plate filled with a light brown cinnamon sugar mixture. To the left, there are small, yellow, soft dough shapes resting on a white marbled surface, and to the right, a white pie dish is filled with similar dough pieces, all with a golden-yellow color and a slightly rough texture. The background includes a wooden cutting board under the plate, creating a warm contrast. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering your ingredients for this Easy Monkey Bread Recipe is a breeze, and each one plays a starring role in delivering the rich, sweet, and tender texture this dish is famous for. From the buttery brown sugar sauce to the perfectly spiced cinnamon sugar coating, every element is essential to making your monkey bread irresistibly delicious.

3 cans refrigerated biscuits: These form the soft, fluffy base of your monkey bread and are the quickest shortcut for homemade dough.
1 cup sugar: Mixed with cinnamon, this sugar adds that classic sweet and spicy bite to each bite.
1 tablespoon cinnamon: This warm spice perfectly complements the sweetness and fills your kitchen with irresistible aroma.
1/2 cup butter: Melted and mixed with brown sugar to create the gooey sauce that locks in every bit of flavor.
1 cup brown sugar: Brings a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the glaze, making the monkey bread delectably sticky and rich.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Biscuit Pieces

Start by opening your canned biscuits and cutting each biscuit into four equal pieces. This bite-sized portion is the perfect pull-apart size. Next, mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, then roll each biscuit piece in this fragrant mixture until it’s thoroughly coated. This step is crucial because it ensures every single piece is bursting with that warm cinnamon sugar flavor.

Step 2: Layer in the Bundt Pan

Generously grease a bundt pan — this helps with easy release later. Place the coated biscuit pieces evenly throughout the pan, stacking gently to fill all the nooks and crannies. This layering is what creates the classic monkey bread “pull-apart” texture that everyone loves.

Step 3: Make the Brown Sugar Glaze

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt together the butter and brown sugar until it just begins to boil. This creates a rich, caramel-like sauce that will seep down into the biscuit layers while baking, giving the bread that irresistible gooeyness. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.

Step 4: Pour and Bake

Carefully pour the butter and brown sugar mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces in the bundt pan. Try to cover as many as possible for maximum sticky flavor. Bake the monkey bread at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes until it’s golden brown, bubbly, and cooked through. Let it cool slightly before turning out to ensure it holds its shape but is still heavenly warm.

How to Serve Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

A grey bundt pan holds a baked monkey bread made of rounded dough pieces that are golden brown with a sugar and cinnamon coating, arranged closely inside the pan. A thick caramel-colored sauce is being poured over the bread from above, slowly covering the dough clusters and pooling in the crevices, creating a shiny and smooth texture contrast. The pan sits on a white cloth with blue stripes over a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Once your Easy Monkey Bread Recipe is baked and ready to share, consider adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of vanilla icing on top for a little extra flair. Toasted chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, can add a wonderful crunch and a deeper nutty aroma that complements the sweetness brilliantly.

Side Dishes

This gooey treat pairs beautifully with fresh fruit like berries or sliced apples, which add a fresh contrast that balances the sugar perfectly. For brunch, serve it alongside scrambled eggs or crispy bacon to bring savory elements into the mix, elevating the entire meal experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Present your monkey bread as a centerpiece on a beautiful cake stand, letting everyone pull apart a piece as they please — this sharing experience makes it even more special. For parties, try baking smaller individual monkey bread muffins using a muffin tin. These bite-sized treats are perfect for on-the-go snacking or individual servings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover monkey bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days without losing its tender texture. If you want to keep it fresh longer, refrigeration is the way to go but expect a slight change in softness.

Freezing

If you want to make the Easy Monkey Bread Recipe ahead of time, it freezes beautifully. After baking and cooling completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. It’ll keep fresh for up to three months — perfect for planning ahead for special occasions.

Reheating

To enjoy your monkey bread fresh again, gently reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm the whole loaf in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes covered loosely with foil. Reheating revives the warm, gooey magic and makes it taste just like freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?

Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough can add a nice personal touch. Just be sure it’s not too wet, and cut the dough into similar-sized pieces to ensure even baking and consistent texture.

What size bundt pan should I use?

A standard 10-inch bundt pan works perfectly for this recipe. It holds the right amount of dough pieces and allows for even caramelization. Using smaller or larger pans will affect baking time and thickness.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Yes, nuts like walnuts or pecans are a fantastic addition for crunch. You can also toss in raisins or mini chocolate chips for an extra layer of flavor. Just mix them with the biscuit pieces before layering.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

You can swap the butter for a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil and ensure your biscuits are dairy-free as well. The texture will remain soft and the flavor just as delightful with these substitutions.

How do I prevent the monkey bread from sticking to the pan?

Use plenty of butter or a non-stick spray to grease your bundt pan thoroughly. Some also like to dust the pan with flour after greasing. Letting the bread cool before removing helps it come out in one beautiful piece.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Monkey Bread Recipe is a total game-changer for breakfast and dessert lovers alike — it’s warm, sticky, sweet, and just begging to be shared with friends and family. Once you make it, you’ll discover why it’s a beloved classic that shows up time and again on menus and holiday tables. Don’t hesitate to try it today and add a little extra joy to your kitchen!

Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

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3.9 from 8 reviews

This easy monkey bread recipe is a delightful, sweet pull-apart treat made with cinnamon-sugar coated biscuit pieces baked in a rich brown sugar and butter glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, it offers a gooey, caramelized flavor and a soft, tender texture that’s simple to prepare in under an hour.

Author: Paula
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 45-50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Biscuit Pieces

3 cans refrigerated biscuits (each can typically contains 8 biscuits)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Sauce

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed

Instructions

Prepare biscuit pieces: Open the cans of refrigerated biscuits and cut each individual biscuit into quarters. In a mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Roll each biscuit piece in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully and evenly coated. Place the coated pieces evenly into a well-greased bundt pan to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
Make the brown sugar glaze: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and mix in the brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring continuously to dissolve the sugar completely. Once boiling, remove the sauce from the heat.
Pour glaze over biscuits: Carefully pour the hot brown sugar and butter mixture evenly over the cinnamon-coated biscuit pieces in the bundt pan, coating them thoroughly.
Bake the monkey bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bundt pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
Cool and serve: Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a serving plate. This helps the caramel sauce to set slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature, pulling apart pieces to enjoy.

Notes

Make sure the bundt pan is well greased with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
For an extra indulgent touch, consider adding chopped nuts or raisins between biscuit layers before pouring the glaze.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or reheat gently before serving.
If you prefer, you can use gluten-free biscuits to make this recipe gluten-free.
Use unsalted butter to control salt levels in the recipe.

Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need