If you are looking for a show-stopping treat with all the warm, cozy vibes of fall baking, this Apple Fritter Monkey Bread Recipe is going to steal your heart. Imagine tender, cinnamon-sugar coated biscuit pieces layered with sweet, spiced apples, all baked together into a golden, pull-apart bread that’s perfect for sharing with friends or family. This mouthwatering dessert combines the nostalgic feel of homemade apple fritters with the fun, communal style of monkey bread that everyone loves. Whether it’s a holiday centerpiece or a weekend indulgence, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for comfort and delight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Apple Fritter Monkey Bread Recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that come together beautifully to create a dessert bursting with flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays a vital role in balancing sweetness, spice, and that irresistible gooeyness that makes monkey bread so special.
- 2 cups apples (peeled and diced): Fresh apples add natural sweetness and a tender bite that pairs perfectly with cinnamon.
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed): Adds rich caramel notes that complement the apples perfectly in the filling.
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon (divided): Brings warm spice to both the apple mixture and the sugar coating for the biscuits.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Coats the biscuit pieces in classic sweetness before baking.
- 32 ounces refrigerator biscuits (2 packages): The base of the monkey bread, these cut-up biscuits turn wonderfully fluffy and soft.
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter (melted): Creates a luscious, buttery sauce that seeps through the layers as the bread bakes.
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Used in the caramel-like sauce poured over the layered bread.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds depth and a subtle aroma that elevates the whole dessert.
How to Make Apple Fritter Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 12-cup bundt pan with non-stick spray. This ensures your monkey bread will release easily after baking and helps create those perfect golden edges.
Step 2: Mix the Apple Filling
In a small bowl, combine peeled and diced apples with ¼ cup of packed brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. This mixture will infuse each layer with juicy, spiced fruit that’s mouthwateringly tender after baking.
Step 3: Coat Biscuit Pieces in Cinnamon Sugar
Open your biscuit packages and cut each biscuit into four pieces. Then, toss these pieces in a mixture of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon until every piece is well coated. This step gives the monkey bread its signature crunchy cinnamon-sugar crust once baked.
Step 4: Layer Apples and Biscuits
Start layering your bundt pan by adding one-third of the apple mixture, followed by one-third of the cinnamon-sugar biscuit pieces. Repeat this layering until all apples and biscuit pieces are used up, creating a beautiful, textured build-up inside the pan.
Step 5: Prepare and Pour the Sauce
Whisk together melted butter, 1 cup packed brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Pour this delicious sauce evenly over the layered apples and biscuit pieces in the pan. As it bakes, it will caramelize around the bread for that unbeatable gooeyness.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place your bundt pan in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. At around 45 minutes, check your bread—if the top looks like it’s browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil to prevent burning while allowing the bread to finish baking through.
Step 7: Cool Before Serving
Let the monkey bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes after baking. This short rest allows the caramel sauce to set slightly and makes it easier to remove all the gooey goodness in one beautiful pull-apart loaf.
Step 8: Serve Warm and Enjoy!
Turn your Apple Fritter Monkey Bread out onto a plate and serve it warm. The pull-apart pieces practically melt in your mouth, delivering layers of cinnamon, spiced apples, and buttery sweetness in every bite.
How to Serve Apple Fritter Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra fun and sophistication, sprinkle the monkey bread with a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle a simple vanilla glaze over the top just before serving. These touches add a lovely sweetness and visual appeal, making it even more tempting to dig in.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to balance the warm spices. For breakfast or brunch, serve alongside crispy bacon or a hot cup of coffee to complement the hearty flavors of the bread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try dividing the monkey bread into mini bundt or muffin pans for individual servings—perfect for parties or special occasions. You can also add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts between the layers for texture, or even a handful of raisins for extra fruity bursts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The bread’s texture holds up well, and you can always rewarm pieces to bring back that just-baked warmth.
Freezing
This Apple Fritter Monkey Bread Recipe freezes nicely. Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, placing it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to one month and gently thawed overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To enjoy your monkey bread warm again, reheat slices in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or warm the whole bundt in a 300°F oven covered with foil for 10-15 minutes. This brings back the gooeyness and soft texture that makes it so delicious.
FAQs
Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of refrigerator biscuits?
Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough can add a lovely freshness and you can control the thickness and flavor. Just cut the dough into similar-sized pieces so they bake evenly alongside the apples.
What type of apples work best in this recipe?
Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji hold their shape well and provide a nice tartness that balances the sweetness. Avoid overly soft apples as they can turn mushy during baking.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?
Yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil, and check that your biscuit dough is dairy-free or vegan-friendly. The flavor might differ slightly but will still be delicious.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
You can try using gluten-free biscuit dough available in stores or make your own. Just be mindful that gluten-free dough may have a different texture, but the apple fritter flavors will shine through regardless.
How do I know when the monkey bread is fully baked?
The bread should be golden brown on top and cooked through in the center. You can insert a toothpick into the thickest part—if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, it’s ready. Avoid overbaking to keep it soft and gooey.
Final Thoughts
Making this Apple Fritter Monkey Bread Recipe is like inviting a little sunshine and sweetness into your kitchen. It’s simple enough for a cozy weekend bake but impressive enough to wow any crowd. Once you try it, you’ll understand why this warm, cinnamon-spiced bread pulls people together around the table. So don’t wait—grab your ingredients, and get ready to fill your home with the irresistible aroma of homemade apple fritters that everyone can pull apart and enjoy.
Print
Apple Fritter Monkey Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Apple Fritter Monkey Bread is a delightful, pull-apart treat combining tender biscuit dough, cinnamon-spiced apples, and a rich buttery brown sugar glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, this sweet, gooey bread is baked in a bundt pan and served warm for an irresistible indulgence.
Ingredients
Fruit Mixture
- 2 cups apples (peeled and diced)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dough Coating
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 32 ounces refrigerator biscuits (2 packages)
Sauce
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter (melted)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Bundt Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-cup bundt pan thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the bread releases easily after baking.
- Mix the Apple Filling: In a small bowl, combine the peeled and diced apples with ¼ cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Set this mixture aside to let the flavors meld.
- Coat the Biscuit Pieces: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and the remaining 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Open the biscuit dough packages and cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. Toss these biscuit pieces in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they are fully coated.
- Layer the Ingredients: Place one-third of the apple mixture at the bottom of the prepared bundt pan. Add one-third of the coated biscuit pieces on top. Repeat layering two more times, finishing with the biscuit pieces on top.
- Prepare and Pour the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well and then pour this sauce evenly over the layered apples and biscuits in the bundt pan.
- Bake the Monkey Bread: Place the bundt pan in the oven and bake at 350°F for 50 to 60 minutes. Starting at 45 minutes, check if the top is browning too quickly; if so, cover loosely with foil for the remaining baking time to prevent burning.
- Cool and Remove: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully invert the pan onto a serving plate to release the bread.
- Serve Warm: Serve the apple fritter monkey bread warm to enjoy its gooey, soft texture and cinnamon-apple flavors at their best.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced tartness and sweetness.
- You can substitute refrigerator biscuits with homemade biscuit dough if preferred.
- If the monkey bread is browning too quickly, tent with foil during baking to avoid burning.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before removing from the pan to help it hold its shape.
- This monkey bread is best served the same day but can be reheated gently in the microwave or oven.
