My family loves this Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe, and it’s perfect for warm days or when you need something quick and delicious. This article covers everything you need to know about making this savory pull-apart treat, from preparing the dough to baking it to golden perfection. You’ll learn how to combine classic pizza flavors into a fun, interactive dish that’s ideal for any gathering.
Contents
- 0.1 The Story & Intro: A Family Favorite with a Fun Twist
- 0.2 The Irresistible Charm of Pizza Monkey Bread
- 0.3 Building the Flavor Foundation: Preparing Your Dough and Mix-ins
- 0.4 The Savory Coating: Infusing Garlic Butter Goodness
- 0.5 Baking to Golden Perfection: From Pan to Plate
- 0.6 The Grand Reveal: Serving Your Pizza Monkey Bread
- 0.7 Conclusion: Your New Go-To Fun Food
- 1 Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
The Story & Intro: A Family Favorite with a Fun Twist
In our cozy home just outside Asheville, North Carolina, food has always been how we show love and bring everyone together. My kitchen, often bustling with my three children and now my four energetic grandchildren, is a place for creating memories. We have a lot of go-to recipes, but sometimes, you just need something a little different, something that sparks joy and gets everyone excited.
That’s exactly how I felt when I first stumbled upon the idea of a Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe. It felt like a stroke of genius, taking the comforting flavors of pizza—a universal favorite—and transforming them into a fun, pull-apart dish. It was an instant hit at our game nights and family dinners, a truly interactive meal that brings smiles to every face.
The Irresistible Charm of Pizza Monkey Bread
There’s something uniquely satisfying about a dish that encourages everyone to dig in and share, and this Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe does just that. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience. Imagine golden-brown, bite-sized pieces of biscuit dough, each loaded with gooey mozzarella, savory mini pepperoni, and a rich garlic-herb coating, all ready to be pulled apart and dipped into warm marinara sauce
It’s the ultimate comfort food with a playful twist, perfect for those evenings when you want something easy to make but incredibly impressive. This recipe quickly became a staple, proving that delicious food doesn’t have to be complicated to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s a versatile dish that works just as well as a hearty snack as it does a fun dinner, and it pairs wonderfully with other appetizers from my kitchen.
Building the Flavor Foundation: Preparing Your Dough and Mix-ins
Creating this delightful Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe begins with preparing the core ingredients that give it that unmistakable pizza flavor. You’ll start with two cans of refrigerated biscuit dough. These handy tubes of dough are your secret weapon for quick assembly! Take the biscuits out of their packaging and cut each one into quarters. This creates the perfect bite-sized pieces for your pull-apart bread. Place all the cut dough quarters into a large mixing bowl.
Next, it’s time to load up the flavor. To the bowl with the biscuit dough, add two cups of shredded mozzarella cheese. This is crucial for that gooey, cheesy stretch that everyone loves. Follow that with a half cup of grated Parmesan cheese, which adds a salty, nutty depth of flavor. Then, toss in one cup of mini pepperoni.
The mini size is ideal because it ensures you get pepperoni in almost every bite! If you like a little kick, add a quarter teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes here too. Gently toss all these ingredients together until the dough pieces are relatively separated and the cheeses and pepperoni are somewhat evenly distributed amongst them. This step ensures every piece of your Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe is packed with cheesy, savory goodness.
The Savory Coating: Infusing Garlic Butter Goodness
Now that your dough and mix-ins are ready, it’s time to coat everything in a mouthwatering savory butter mixture for your Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe. In a separate small bowl, melt a quarter cup of butter. Once melted, stir in one tablespoon of Italian seasoning. This classic blend of herbs is essential for giving your monkey bread that familiar pizza aroma and taste. Add two teaspoons of garlic powder, which provides a rich, aromatic garlic flavor without any chopping. If you decided to add the crushed red pepper flakes to the dough mixture, you can skip adding more here, or add a tiny pinch if you want an extra layer of spice.
Once your seasoned butter is ready, pour it evenly over the dough, cheese, and pepperoni mixture in the large bowl. Now comes the important part: toss everything thoroughly! Use a spoon or your hands (wearing gloves might be a good idea here) to ensure every single piece of biscuit dough, every bit of cheese, and every mini pepperoni is coated with that luscious garlic butter mixture. This step is critical for a uniformly delicious Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe, making sure every pull-apart bite is savory and flavorful. This buttery coating makes all the difference, much like a good dressing can elevate a salad.
Baking to Golden Perfection: From Pan to Plate
With your butter-coated, cheesy, and pepperoni-packed dough ready, it’s time to transform your Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe from a bowl of ingredients into a golden-brown masterpiece. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, generously grease a Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray. This is a crucial step to ensure your monkey bread releases easily after baking, preventing any delicious bits from sticking. Carefully press the coated dough mixture evenly into the prepared Bundt pan, spreading it out so it fills the pan relatively uniformly. This even distribution helps the monkey bread cook consistently and allows for easy pulling apart later.
The Grand Reveal: Serving Your Pizza Monkey Bread
Now, slide the Bundt pan into your preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe is beautifully golden brown on top and thoroughly cooked through. You’ll notice the dough pieces will have puffed up and the cheese will be gloriously melted and gooey. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for just 5 minutes. This brief cooling period allows the cheese to set slightly and makes inverting much easier. After 5 minutes, carefully place a large serving plate over the top of the Bundt pan and, using oven mitts, swiftly invert the pan onto the plate.
The monkey bread should slide out effortlessly, revealing its impressive pull-apart structure. Garnish with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese or fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Serve your Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe warm, with a side of marinara or your favorite pizza sauce for dipping. It’s perfect for game nights, parties, or a fun family dinner, a truly engaging way to enjoy a meal! You can find more warm and comforting ideas in our main dishes section.
Conclusion: Your New Go-To Fun Food
This Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an experience, a delightful pull-apart masterpiece that effortlessly combines comfort food with interactive fun. It embodies the joy of sharing and brings a playful twist to classic pizza flavors that everyone adores. From the ease of using refrigerated biscuit dough to the simple yet effective garlic butter coating, every step of this recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
Whether it’s a casual family dinner, a lively game night, or a celebratory gathering, this Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe promises to be a memorable addition to your table. It’s proof that some of the most delicious creations can also be the easiest to make. So, get ready to dive in, pull apart, and savor every cheesy, savory bite of this fantastic dish. Your kitchen will be filled with warmth, and your family and friends will thank you for this incredible, easy-to-make treat.
Ingredients
For the Pizza Monkey Bread:
- 2 cans of refrigerated biscuit dough (e.g., 8-count regular size)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mini pepperoni
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Non-stick cooking spray, for greasing the pan
For the Butter Coating:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
For Serving:
- 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce, warmed for dipping
- Extra Parmesan or fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 10-12 cup Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring all crevices are coated.
- Prepare Dough: Open the cans of refrigerated biscuit dough. On a cutting board, cut each biscuit into quarters. Place all the cut dough pieces into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: To the bowl with the biscuit dough, add the shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, mini pepperoni, and the optional crushed red pepper flakes. Toss gently to combine, ensuring the ingredients are somewhat evenly distributed among the dough pieces.
- Coat Dough: In a separate small bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the Italian seasoning and garlic powder until well combined. Pour this seasoned butter mixture over the dough mixture in the large bowl. Toss thoroughly, ensuring every piece of dough is evenly coated with the butter and seasonings.
- Layer in Pan: Carefully transfer the coated dough mixture into the prepared Bundt pan. Press it down lightly and spread it evenly to fill the pan.
- Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the Pizza Monkey Bread is golden brown on top and thoroughly cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool & Invert: Remove the Bundt pan from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. This cooling time helps the bread release cleanly. After 5 minutes, place a large serving plate over the top of the Bundt pan and, using oven mitts, carefully invert the pan onto the plate.
- Serve: Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese or fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve the Pizza Monkey Bread warm with warmed marinara or pizza sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy your pull-apart masterpiece!
Notes
Recipe Notes:
- Make it Spicy: For an extra spicy kick, finely chop some jalapeños (remove seeds for less heat) and add them to the dough mixture.
- Vegetarian Option: Easily make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the pepperoni. You can replace it with an equal amount of diced vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or black olives.
- Pro Tip for Coating: Ensure all dough pieces are thoroughly coated with the butter mixture. This is key for uniform flavor and a lovely golden crust on every piece.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
