Easy Homemade Monkey Bread

Recipe Ingredients

Just a few monkey bread ingredients are needed to make this sweet treat.

Biscuits: After years of testing various biscuit options, we've found that Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Layers Original Biscuits are the perfect choice for our monkey bread recipe. These refrigerated biscuits serve as a convenient shortcut to perfectly fill your pan.

Sugar: We call for both granulated sugar and brown sugar. Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps create a crisp coating, while brown sugar forms the sticky glaze. We use light brown sugar, but dark can be substituted for a richer molasses taste.

Butter: Salted butter is our go-to since it’s more commonly available, but either salted or unsalted butter—or margarine—will work. Melted butter helps the sugar and cinnamon form a caramelized glaze over the biscuit pieces.

Cinnamon: Sugar and cinnamon are the classic taste combination for this monkey bread.

Raisins and Walnuts: We like to add these for extra flavor and crunch, but this is entirely optional. Feel free to leave them out if you prefer.

Cookware You’ll Need

12-Cup Fluted Tube Pan: This pan style comes in many designs, with the Bundt® pan being the most classic—it's our personal pick! The rounded sides and fluted design of this nonstick metal pan are just right for shaping this easy monkey bread, while the hollow center ensures even baking by allowing heat to circulate. Since this pan comes in different cup sizes, be sure to use one with a 12-cup capacity.

Large 1-Gallon Plastic Food Storage Bag: This size bag provides plenty of space to shake the biscuit pieces up and down to thoroughly coat them with granulated sugar and cinnamon. It makes cleanup easier, too.

Other Cookware You'll Need: Dry measuring cups, measuring spoons, a sharp knife, small bowl, and a small nonstick metal spatula.

How to Make Monkey Bread

1. Cut and Coat the Biscuits

Cut all 16 biscuits into quarters. It’s helpful to cut them all at once so you're ready to coat the pieces in the sugar-cinnamon mixture.

2. Place the Biscuits and Toppings in the Pan

Arrange the biscuit pieces loosely in the pan, leaving room for the dough to rise as it bakes. Sprinkle walnuts and raisins throughout as you place the pieces. These are optional—the monkey bread will bake just fine without them.

3. Make the Brown Sugar and Butter Mixture

Mix the brown sugar and melted butter, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Pour the mixture slowly and evenly over the biscuit pieces in the pan to cover.

4. Bake, Flip, and Enjoy

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until done. To flip, place a serving plate upside down over the pan. In one smooth motion, carefully turn the plate and pan over, then remove the pan.

Possible Variations

We’ve heard from you that you love switching up the flavors of this monkey bread recipe. Try any of these tasty variations.

Vary Spices: While the classic cinnamon-sugar coating is a favorite, you can mix it up by using a pumpkin spice blend (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves) or a combination of ground cardamom and freshly grated nutmeg.

One reviewer, Vaneska, had a great suggestion: “Made this today with the recommendation of melting the sugar with the butter in a sauce pan before pouring it in the bundt pan. So very good! I added some chocolate caramels and small handful of raisins, it only lasted about 5 minutes before it was all gone.”

Vary Dried Fruit and Nuts: Switch things up with different dried fruits and nuts—golden raisins, dried cherries, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, or cashews all work wonderfully. Some of our users even add chocolate chips instead of fruits and nuts—Yum!

Go Savory: Monkey bread doesn’t always have to be sweet—Savory Monkey Bread recipes can include cheese, herbs, and even bacon for a flavorful twist.

If you’re as crazy for monkey bread as we are, check out our entire collection of amazing Monkey Bread Recipes.

Serving Monkey Bread

Monkey bread is our go-to for breakfast, brunch, dessert, and snack time—it’s one of our all-time favorite recipes. For breakfast or brunch, serve this monkey bread recipe alongside Overnight Sausage Hashbrown Casserole or Easy Quiche, and add crispy bacon, hash browns, and fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, bananas, and citrus to round out the spread.

For an indulgent twist, drizzle cream cheese frosting over the monkey bread, or serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Storing and Reheating

Here are the best options we've tested for storing leftover monkey bread.

Room Temperature

Store in a tightly covered food storage container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Refrigerator

Cover with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If using plastic wrap, insert toothpicks into the bread to keep the wrap from touching the sticky top.

Freezer

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then seal in a 2-gallon freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Reheating

• From Refrigerator: Place an individual portion on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on 50% power for 20 to 30 seconds, adding more time as needed.

• From Freezer: Loosen wrap on the bread and let it sit at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours. Then, heat as directed for refrigerated monkey bread.

Why Pillsbury Users Love This Recipe

With over 1,100 reviews and counting, we know fans rave about this monkey bread recipe for its ease of preparation, delicious flavor, and versatility. “Quick, easy, and very tasty!!!” says Shelleype. “My grands love this recipe!”

Many appreciate how quick and simple it is to make, with minimal effort. The combination of buttery, sugary goodness is a favorite, and the option to customize the recipe with ingredients like nuts, raisins, pineapple, bacon, chocolate chips, or different types of biscuits and toppings makes it a hit for all tastes.

It’s also a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or just sharing with friends and neighbors. Plus, for many, this recipe brings a sense of nostalgia, evoking fond memories of childhood or family traditions. The fun of pulling apart the gooey, sweet pieces only adds to its appeal, making it a favorite for both kids and adults alike.