Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe: A Fun and Delicious Twist on Classic Pizza

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing, fun-to-eat, and utterly delicious snack, then Pizza Monkey Bread is the recipe you need to try! A twist on the classic monkey bread, this savory version is loaded with gooey cheese, savory pepperoni (or your favorite toppings), and all the flavors of a pizza. Perfect for parties, game days, or even a fun family dinner, Pizza Monkey Bread brings a new way to enjoy pizza without the usual crust. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make, with minimal prep and no fuss.

What makes this recipe even better? The pull-apart nature of monkey bread makes each bite a cheesy, savory, and satisfying experience. Best of all, this dish is customizable, so you can add your favorite pizza toppings or even make it vegetarian-friendly. Whether you serve it as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, Pizza Monkey Bread is guaranteed to be a hit.

pizza monkey recipe

The Origin of Monkey Bread

Monkey bread, originally known as “bubble bread” or “pull-apart bread,” is a type of sweet, sticky pastry that is traditionally made with dough balls coated in cinnamon sugar and baked in a bundt pan. It gained popularity in the United States in the 1950s and was often enjoyed at family gatherings or holiday breakfasts.

The savory version, like Pizza Monkey Bread, is a modern variation of the original, where the dough balls are filled with savory ingredients like cheese, meats, and pizza sauce, instead of sweet cinnamon sugar. This savory twist has become a popular party food because of its easy-to-share nature and ability to be customized to fit various flavor preferences.

Why People Love This Dish

Pizza Monkey Bread is loved for several reasons:

Fun to Eat: The pull-apart nature of this bread is not only interactive but also fun for both kids and adults. It’s a great dish for gatherings where people can pick off their own pieces.
Customizable: Whether you’re a fan of pepperoni, mushrooms, or even pineapple, you can customize the fillings to match your favorite pizza toppings. This means it’s versatile enough to suit any taste or dietary restriction.
Easy to Make: With only a few simple ingredients, this dish is quick and simple to put together. No pizza dough to knead—just grab a can of biscuit dough, assemble your ingredients, and bake.
Perfect for Sharing: Pizza Monkey Bread is great for sharing. The bread can be served in a bundt pan or baked in individual portions, making it ideal for parties, game nights, or even casual family dinners.

Ingredients and Their Health Benefits

Ingredients for Pizza Monkey Bread:

2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough (16.3 oz each): This is the base of the monkey bread, providing the soft, fluffy dough that gets filled with all the savory ingredients. While not exactly a health food, biscuit dough is a quick and convenient option for this recipe.
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella provides the signature gooey, stretchy cheese that gives the monkey bread its pizza-like texture. It’s a good source of calcium and protein, which helps support bone and muscle health.
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled pepperoni or sausage (optional): This adds savory, rich flavor. Pepperoni is high in protein, though it’s also high in fat, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation. Alternatively, you can use turkey pepperoni for a leaner option or skip the meat altogether for a vegetarian version.
1/2 cup pizza sauce: Pizza sauce is the key to giving this bread its classic pizza flavor. It’s a source of lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, which has heart-health benefits.
1/2 cup melted butter: Butter adds richness and moisture to the dish. While high in fat, it’s needed for flavor and texture in this recipe.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that gives the bread its signature pizza seasoning. Italian seasoning is packed with antioxidants and can have anti-inflammatory properties.
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder: Garlic adds a savory kick and is known for its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.
Salt and pepper: These enhance the overall flavor of the dish.

Health Benefits:

Mozzarella Cheese: Rich in calcium and protein, it helps in maintaining strong bones and muscles. It also provides vitamin A for eye health.
Garlic: Known for its numerous health benefits, including lowering cholesterol, boosting the immune system, and improving heart health.
Tomato Sauce: Provides a dose of lycopene, which is an antioxidant that may reduce the risk of certain cancers and improve heart health.
Herbs and Spices: The Italian seasoning used in this dish contains oregano, basil, and thyme, which are rich in antioxidants and offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

Method of Preparation

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a bundt pan with non-stick spray or butter to prevent the bread from sticking.
Prepare the Biscuit Dough: Open the biscuit dough cans and separate the biscuits. Cut each biscuit into quarters. This will give the dough the small pieces needed for the pull-apart effect.
Mix the Fillings: In a large bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella cheese, cooked and crumbled pepperoni (or sausage), and Italian seasoning. Set aside.
Assemble the Monkey Bread: Toss the quartered biscuit dough pieces in the bowl with the cheese mixture until the pieces are evenly coated. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
Layer the Dough in the Pan: Layer the coated biscuit dough pieces in the prepared bundt pan, making sure to evenly distribute the cheese and meat mixture throughout the layers.
Prepare the Butter Mixture: In a separate bowl, melt the butter and add the garlic powder. Pour this garlic butter mixture evenly over the biscuit dough layers in the bundt pan.
Bake the Monkey Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread is fully cooked through. You can test by inserting a toothpick into the center of the bread—if it comes out clean, the bread is done.
Serve with Pizza Sauce: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before flipping it out onto a serving plate. Serve with a side of pizza sauce for dipping.

Cooking Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Make sure to layer the biscuit dough evenly and loosely. If you pack it in too tightly, the dough will not bake evenly, and you may end up with doughy spots.
Keep an Eye on the Baking Time: Ovens can vary, so be sure to check the monkey bread at the 25-minute mark. If it’s browning too quickly, cover it with foil to prevent burning.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: When mixing the butter with garlic powder, make sure it’s melted but not boiling hot. This prevents it from cooking the dough before it’s fully baked.
Customizing: Feel free to experiment with other pizza toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives. Just be sure to chop them finely so they don’t overwhelm the bread.

Serving Tips

With a Side of Pizza Sauce: Serve with extra pizza sauce or marinara for dipping. You can even make a spicy version by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
As a Party Dish: Pizza Monkey Bread is perfect for serving at parties or casual gatherings. It’s easy to serve, and everyone can pull apart the dough with their hands, making it a fun and interactive snack.
Add a Salad: For a more balanced meal, pair the monkey bread with a side salad. A simple Caesar salad or Italian antipasto would complement the dish perfectly.

Interesting Facts About the Dish

Monkey Bread Is Versatile: While this savory version is a hit for pizza lovers, monkey bread is incredibly versatile and can be made sweet (with cinnamon sugar) or savory (with cheese, herbs, and even bacon).
Popular Party Food: Because of its pull-apart nature and ability to be shared, Pizza Monkey Bread is a popular choice for social gatherings, from birthday parties to tailgates and holiday celebrations.
A Modern Twist on a Classic: The idea of turning classic pizza into a “pull-apart” snack has grown in popularity in recent years. It’s an easy-to-make version of pizza that doesn’t require any pizza dough or complicated ingredients.

Summarized Recipe

Preheat Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) and grease a bundt pan.
Prepare the Dough: Cut biscuits into quarters and coat with cheese, pepperoni, and seasoning.
Layer in Pan: Layer the dough pieces in the bundt pan.
Make Butter Mixture: Melt butter and garlic powder, then pour over the dough.
Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
Serve: Flip onto a plate and serve with pizza sauce.