Apple Pie Monkey Bread Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Transform apple pie into a delicious monkey bread that you can eat with your fingers! Apple Pie Monkey Bread is great for breakfast OR dessert!

Apple Pie Monkey Bread Recipe (1)

Original post: September 2017 | Updated: October 2020

Why I Love This Recipe

Did you know, did you know?! It’s FALL! It’s fall, you guys! My favorite weather and food season. There’s so much to enjoy during this season that I become frantic trying to take it all in.

The smells (outside and inside), the crispness in the air, the sweatshirts, the colorful leaves swirling around the streets, the apples. I am so freakishly in love with apple recipes that I’m considering seeking therapy.

I have a bushel of apples sitting directly in front of me and I’m having a hard time controlling myself. Tomorrow my apple peeler will be smokin’, but for now you are going to LOVE this Monkey Bread with fresh apples in it.

This isn’t the type of recipe that you just dump a can of apple pie filling into. Fresh, tender apples are baked into a sweet, soft bread. If you love Monkey Bread, this may become your new favorite version!

I let my boys dip into this bread after school on Friday and OHMYGOSH they immediately turned into feasting zombies.

Recipe Ingredients

Refrigerated flaky biscuits(Grands) – each biscuit cut into quarters for perfect bite sized pieces

Apples – Use mediumbaking apples such ashoneycrisp, gala, golden delicious, jonagold or granny smith, then peel and core them, then chop about 3 of them up.

Brown sugar – If you prefer, you can add more naturally sweet apples and reduce the amount of brown sugar you added. Other sugar substitutes that would be great are maple syrup, coconut sugar or stevia.

How To Make Apple Pie Monkey Bread With Biscuits

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup bundt pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a large resealable bag, combine the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.

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Add the biscuit pieces, seal the bag and shake until they are completely coated with the sugar mixture.

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Step 2

Place chopped apples in a large bowl, along with lemon juice. Toss to coat apples completely. Add the brown sugar and stir until it is absorbed by the apples.

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Layer the bottom part of the prepared pan with half of the apple mixture. Top with half of the biscuits and repeat with remaining apples and biscuits.

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Pour the melted butter evenly over the top.

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Step 3

Place pan onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until dough is cooked through in the centers (check at the 40-minute mark).

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Remove from the oven and cover with foil. Let sit for 10 minutes. Remove foil and invert onto a serving platter. Serve warm!

Recipe Notes

  • For a finishing touch on your plated dessert, sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar over the top.
  • Drizzle Salted Caramel Sauce over the top to spruce up this monkey bread!
  • This is the perfect recipe to make for brunch or for guests who are staying overnight. It is also just a great dessert or any-time snack. It’s like Apple Pie in your fingertips!

Best Apples For Baking

I recommend using a variety of apples and at the very least, use two kinds: one sweet and one tart. My favorite combination of apples is Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples.

Sweet/Softer Apple Brands

  • Fuji
  • Honeycrisp
  • Red Delicious
  • Golden Delicious
  • Cortland
  • Gala

Tart (or a little Sour) Apple Brands

  • Granny Smith
  • McIntosh
  • Ida Red
  • Braeburn
  • Empire
  • Jonathan
Apple Pie Monkey Bread Recipe (8)

FAQ About Monkey Bread

What is monkey bread?

Monkey bread is a bunch of balls of dough being baked together with sugars and butter. During baking, the dough balls adhere together making it possible to pull pieces away by using your fingers. The term “monkey bread” comes from being a finger food, the same way monkeys eat their food.

Does monkey bread have to be in a bundt pan?

Monkey bread is commonly baked in a bundt pan but it is not necessary to do so. The shape of the bundt pan allows for even baking and produces a fun shape. However, of if you don’t have a bundt pan or tube pan, you can easily bake monkey bread in a casserole dish, loaf pan or on a cookie sheet and place the dough as evenly as possible in a layer in the pan.

Where is monkey bread served?

It is common to serve monkey bread for breakfast, brunch and share as a dessert.

Is monkey bread good the next day?

Monkey bread can be enjoyed the next day. If there are any leftovers, place the monkey bread in an air-tight container for a day or two or in the fridge for a week.

Quick Bread Recipes

  • Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe – Pumpkin AND bananas join forces in this tasty bread! This is a great fall treat and your house has never smelled so good.
  • Reese’s Banana Bread – Add Reese’s peanut butter cups to Banana Bread to make it a delectable treat! You’ll never look at a loaf of banana bread the same ever again.
  • This is the easiest, most delicious Best Beer Bread recipe you will find! Only a handful of ingredients are required for this no-fail, flavorful loaf of bread.
  • Easily transform cinnamon rolls into a sweet and delicious monkey bread that is made right in your slow cooker and using canned dough. This is the perfect breakfast to make when guests are over. It won’t last long!
  • Monkey Bread with Cream Cheese Recipe
  • Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe
  • Best Apple Bundt Cake Recipe
  • Strawberry Bundt Cake Recipe
  • Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake Recipe

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If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

Apple Pie Monkey Bread Recipe (9)

Apple Pie Monkey Bread Recipe

Transform apple pie into a delicious monkey bread to eat with your fingers! Apple Pie Monkey Bread is great for breakfast OR dessert!

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Course: Bread

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 462kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Equipment

  • bundt pan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 32 oz refrigerated flaky biscuits (Grands), each biscuit cut into quarters
  • 3 cups apples peeled, cored, chopped (~3 medium)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup salted butter melted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup bundt pan with cooking spray; set aside. In a large resealable bag, combine the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the biscuit pieces, seal the bag and shake until they are completely coated with the sugar mixture.

  • Place chopped apples in a large bowl, along with lemon juice. Toss to coat apples completely. Add the brown sugar and stir until it is absorbed by the apples.

  • Layer the bottom part of the prepared pan with half of the apple mixture. Top with half of the biscuits and repeat with remaining apples and biscuits. Pour the melted butter evenly over the top.

  • Place pan onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until dough is cooked through in the centers (check at the 40-minute mark). Remove from the oven and cover with foil. Let sit for 10 minutes. Remove foil and invert onto a serving platter. Serve warm!

Notes

  • For a finishing touch on your plated dessert, sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar over the top.
  • Drizzle Salted Caramel Sauce over the top to spruce up this monkey bread!
  • This is the perfect recipe to make for brunch or for guests who are staying overnight. It is also just a great dessert or any-time snack. It’s like Apple Pie in your fingertips!

Nutrition

Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 783mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 253IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 3mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

Apple Pie Monkey Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is monkey bread and why is it called monkey bread? ›

The origin of the term "monkey bread" is unknown. Some food historians suggest that it comes from the pastry being a finger food, and that those eating it pick apart the bread with their hands as a monkey might. Others suggest that it comes from the pastry's resemblance to the monkey puzzle tree Araucaria araucana.

Why is my monkey bread doughy? ›

If the bottom of the pieces that haven't been exposed is still doughy, the bread needs to bake longer. If it's fully baked and no stretchy dough appears, it's ready.

How to thicken canned apple pie filling? ›

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners. Quick-cooking tapioca makes filling bright and clear, but also gives it a stippled and somewhat sticky texture.

Can you leave skin on apples for apple pie? ›

Peeled apples will give you a delicately soft pie with no tough surprises, but some people argue that you lose the apple's nutritional value once the peel is removed. Making sure you are using the correct apples – peeled or unpeeled – is a more important part of crafting the perfect apple pie.

How to know when monkey bread is done? ›

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Uncover the bundt pan and bake until the bread is golden brown and the bread is baked through, 30 to 35 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the bread should read 190 to 200 degrees F.

How to keep monkey bread fresh? ›

Wrap completely cooled monkey bread (either the whole thing or individual portions) in plastic wrap and then place in a ziptop freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or, for smaller portions, at room temperature for an hour or so.

Is it better to use flour or cornstarch in pie filling? ›

Which one you use is a matter of personal preference. Cornstarch makes for a shiny, glossy filling. A little goes a long way because it has twice the gelling power of flour. Flour thickens nicely but leaves more of a matte finish.

What can I use instead of cornstarch to thicken apple pie filling? ›

All-purpose flour is an easy substitute for cornstarch; in fact you may see recipes for thickening pie fillings or soups with either. You'll need 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a recipe.

What is a substitute for pie filling enhancer? ›

To summarize: We recommend using Instant ClearJel or Pie Filling Enhancer, but cornstarch, flour, and quick-cooking tapioca will also work well if you don't have other options available.

What apples should not be used for apple pie? ›

There are a few apples that don't make the cut. While great for snacking, Gala, Fuji and Red Delicious are the most common apples that won't hold up in the oven and will give you a watery-mushy pie, tart or cake.

Which apples are best for apple pie? ›

The best apples for making apple pie
  • Braeburn. This apple is a descendant of Granny Smith, but slightly sweeter. ...
  • Cortland. ...
  • Crispin (Mutsu). ...
  • Golden Delicious. ...
  • Granny Smith. ...
  • Honeycrisp. ...
  • Jonagold or Jonathan. ...
  • Northern Spy.
Oct 8, 2021

Which tree fruit is monkey bread? ›

Baobab is a fruit grown in Africa. Pronounced as “bau-bab,” this fruit grows on trees that can be over 1,000 years old. A baobab tree may also be called a monkey bread tree, Ethiopian sour gourd, cream of tartar tree and even upside-down tree.

Why is it called a monkey dish? ›

Used to test for poison: Hundreds of years ago, kings and queens would have monkeys test their food to see if it was poisoned. A piece of each food would be given to the monkey in a small bowl to taste test, hence the name.

What animals eat monkey biscuits? ›

- Healthy & Crunchy Biscuit Treat for Prairie Dogs, Parrots, Squirrels, Sugar Gliders, Hamsters, Rats, Rodents, Amazons, Macaws, Cockatoos, Birds & Other Small Pets.

What are the benefits of monkey bread? ›

Nutritional benefits

It also has 6 times more antioxidants than goji berries, 5 times more fiber than oatmeal. The fiber, both soluble and insoluble, found in monkey bread helps to take care of the intestinal flora and keep it healthy.

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