This is a shortcut recipe for classic Cinnamon Monkey Bread made with frozen bread dough rolls, sugar, cinnamon, pecans and a delicious homemade caramel sauce.
It’s a simple, no-fuss way to enjoy a warm, gooey pull-apart treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert. With its caramelized topping and beautiful presentation, it’s sure to impress—just set it on the table, and let everyone dig in!
Check out all my best cinnamon roll recipes for even more gooey options!
Cinnamon Monkey Bread is perfect for a birthday, holiday celebration, or a cozy Sunday brunch with friends.
The best part? The rich caramel pecan sauce poured over the risen rolls just before baking. It bakes into a warm, gooey topping that makes every bite irresistibly delicious!
Check out my Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread made with Pillsbury Grands Biscuits or my individual mason jar monkey bread.
Table of Contents
- Why is it called Monkey Bread?
- Wake Up to Amazing Cinnamon Rolls!
- How to Make Monkey Bread in the Air Fryer
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Recipe Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Allow Bread to Rise
- Prepare the Caramel Sauce
- Kitchen Tool Spotlight
- Baking Instructions
- Before You Begin!
- Recipe FAQ's
- How to Store, Freeze and Reheat
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Why is it called Monkey Bread?
Monkey bread, also known as pull-apart bread, can be made sweet or savory, though the classic version is a cinnamon-sugar delight.
Typically baked in a bundt pan, it's flipped onto a plate after baking, creating a beautiful, caramelized masterpiece. Just pull apart the warm, gooey pieces and enjoy!
Try these savory recipes next: Garlic Parmesan Monkey Bread and my Pepperoni Mozzarella Monkey Bread.
Wake Up to Amazing Cinnamon Rolls!
Check out my Deliciously Simple Cinnamon Roll Digital Cookbook for even more easy cinnamon roll recipes.
Whether it's for a holiday, weekend family brunch or a quick school morning breakfast, your family will love these easy-to-make recipes!
How to Make Monkey Bread in the Air Fryer
You can make any of these monkey bread recipes using an air fryer. Follow the directions and tips in my Air Fryer Pizza Monkey Bread recipe.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Recipe Variations
- Savory- make a savory monkey bread version using my Homemade Garlic Butter recipe.
- Deluxe - try adding mini chocolate chips with the pecans. You can even add cream cheese cut in small pieces with the rolls.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Grease a bundt pan with nonstick spray and sprinkle chopped pecans on the bottom. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and set aside. Melt the butter, then dip each frozen roll in it, coating thoroughly. Roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place in the bundt pan. Repeat until all rolls are layered in the pan.
Allow Bread to Rise
Step 2: Cover the bundt pan with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise until doubled in size, about 2 to 4 hours.
Prepare the Caramel Sauce
Step 3: Melt the remaining half stick of butter in the microwave, then mix in the brown sugar and vanilla extract. Evenly pour the mixture over the layered bread rolls.
Kitchen Tool Spotlight
- Place the bundt pan on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil to catch any drips and keep your oven clean.
- Baking it on a tray is essential to prevent spills and make cleanup effortless!
Baking Instructions
Step 4: Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Let the bread cool in the bundt pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool slightly before pulling apart and enjoying.
Before You Begin!
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Monkey bread is done when it's puffed up and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
If you don't have a bundt pan, you can use an 8 or 10 inch tube pan. You can also bake individual monkey breads using a cupcake pan.
How to Store, Freeze and Reheat
Refrigerator: Place the cooled monkey bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Store for 5 days.
Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, or place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw and Reheat: Allow the bread to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes, or microwave individual pieces.
📖 Recipe Card
Cinnamon Monkey Bread
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Spray the bundt generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Then sprinkle the chopped pecans on the bottom of the bundt pan.
- Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside while you melt the butter.
- Add a frozen roll in the melted butter and cover thoroughly, then coat evenly with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Put the coated bread roll in the bottom of the bundt pan as seen in the photo below.
- Repeat until all the rolls are layered in the bundt pan.
- Cover the bundt pan with plastic wrap and let rise until the rolls have doubled in size.
- This could take 2 to 4 hours.
- Melt the remaining half stick of butter in the microwave and combine with the brown sugar and vanilla extract.
- Pour the butter/sugar mixture evenly over the bread.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F for 35 minutes.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing the bread from the bundt pan.
- Allow to cool on a cooling rack before pulling apart to eat.
suzan white says
Thank you..I have to try looks so good and easy
Lois says
Thank you!