Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
If you love the idea of sharing a scrumptious, pull-apart bread packed with all the flavors of a classic pizza, then you are going to adore this Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe. It combines soft, cheesy dough pieces, spicy pepperoni, and aromatic herbs into one irresistible, gooey delight that’s perfect for parties, family dinners, or any time you want a fun twist on pizza night. The beauty of this dish lies in its shareable nature and the way each bite bursts with savory goodness, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, easy-to-find ingredients is key to making this delicious Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe shine. Each component plays a vital role, whether it’s the tender biscuit dough providing the soft base, or the blend of cheeses and seasonings that layer on mouthwatering flavor.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough (2 cans, 16 oz each): This is your dough base, wonderfully soft and perfect for pull-apart bread texture.
- Mini pepperoni (1 cup): Classic pizza topping that adds a spicy, meaty bite; feel free to swap for sausage, olives, or mushrooms.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 1/2 cups): Melts beautifully to give that gooey, stretchy pizza feel.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup): Adds a nutty, salty kick to complement the mozzarella.
- Dried oregano (1/2 teaspoon): A quintessential pizza herb that brings an earthy aroma.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Gives a subtle garlicky warmth without overpowering the dish.
- Red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional): For a little heat that wakes up your taste buds.
- Marinara sauce (1 cup): Perfect for dipping and amplifying the pizza flavors.
- Melted butter (1/4 cup): Adds moisture and richness to the dough, making it beautifully golden.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Enhances the buttery flavor and aids in browning.
- Fresh basil, chopped (1/4 cup, optional): For a fresh and vibrant garnish that brightens each bite.
How to Make Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). It’s important to start with a well-greased bundt pan or a 9×9-inch baking dish to ensure the bread doesn’t stick and comes out beautifully intact after baking. Non-stick spray or butter works perfectly here, so pick whichever you have on hand.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Next, open your cans of refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. If you opted for pizza dough instead, just slice it into bite-sized pieces. The smaller dough bits are what will make that famously fun, pull-apart monkey bread texture.
Step 3: Combine All the Flavorful Ingredients
Now for the fun part—toss your little dough pieces with mini pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Give everything a good toss, so each dough piece is coated evenly with cheese and flavorful seasonings. This step ensures every bit of bread will be bursting with those savory pizza flavors.
Step 4: Layer the Dough in the Pan
Carefully transfer your cheesy, pepperoni-studded dough mixture into the prepared pan. Try to distribute it evenly, creating layers so that when it bakes, each pull-apart chunk is packed with a tasty balance of cheese and toppings.
Step 5: Add Butter and Olive Oil
Pour the melted butter and olive oil over the dough in the pan. This important finishing touch adds a glossy richness to the surface and helps the bread brown beautifully during baking.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Gooey
Bake your Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe for 25 to 30 minutes until it’s golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean but the bread will still be soft and inviting. This is when your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible!
Step 7: Cool and Flip Out
Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This prevents any burns and helps it set slightly. Then carefully flip it out onto a serving plate. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping and sprinkle chopped fresh basil on top for a pop of color and freshness, if you like.
How to Serve Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes like chopped basil, a sprinkle of more Parmesan, or even a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can elevate your Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe. These touches bring brightness and an extra layer of flavor that balance perfectly with the cheesy richness.
Side Dishes
This dish is a star on its own but pairs wonderfully with simple sides like a crisp green salad, roasted veggies, or even a bowl of soup. The freshness of the sides complements the indulgent, cheesy monkey bread, rounding out your meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, serve your Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of various dipping sauces like garlic butter, spicy marinara, or ranch dressing. You can also add some colorful veggies or olives around it for a party platter that looks as amazing as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Pizza Monkey Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep it from drying out, cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, wrap the cooled monkey bread tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before placing in the freezer. It can be frozen for up to one month. When you want to enjoy it again, just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, unwrap the monkey bread and place it on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. This method restores the crispy outside while keeping the inside soft and cheesy, just like fresh out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use pizza dough instead of biscuit dough for the Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe?
Absolutely! Pizza dough works wonderfully and gives a chewier texture. Just cut it into bite-sized pieces before mixing with the other ingredients.
What other toppings can I add besides pepperoni?
Feel free to get creative with your favorite pizza toppings—sliced mushrooms, olives, cooked sausage, or even diced bell peppers all make great additions.
Is it necessary to use a bundt pan for this recipe?
A bundt pan is ideal because of its shape, which evenly distributes heat and creates a gorgeous ring of pull-apart bread. However, a 9×9-inch baking dish works well if you don’t have one.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free biscuit or pizza dough options available at many stores. Keep in mind it might affect the texture slightly, but the flavors will still shine.
How spicy is the Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe with red pepper flakes?
The red pepper flakes add just a subtle kick, but you can always adjust the amount or omit it if you’re sensitive to heat. The recipe remains delicious either way!
Final Thoughts
This Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe is one of those joyful dishes that brings people together, filled with the nostalgic flavors of pizza in such a fun, shareable format. Whether it’s for game day, a casual dinner, or an easy party snack, don’t hesitate to give it a try—you might just find yourself making it again and again!
Print
Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Pizza Monkey Bread is a fun and delicious pull-apart bread perfect for sharing. Made with bite-sized pieces of biscuit or pizza dough mixed with mini pepperoni and a blend of cheeses, seasoned with oregano, garlic powder, and optional red pepper flakes, then baked until golden and melty. Served with marinara sauce for dipping, it’s a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack that combines the flavors of pizza with the fun of monkey bread.
Ingredients
Pizza Monkey Bread
- 2 cans (16 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough (or pizza dough)
- 1 cup mini pepperoni (or any toppings of choice like sausage, olives, or mushrooms)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For Serving
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for dipping)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a bundt pan or a 9×9-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the dough: Open the biscuit dough cans and cut each biscuit into quarters. If you’re using pizza dough, cut it into bite-sized pieces suitable for easy layering and baking.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the dough pieces, mini pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss gently but thoroughly until all dough pieces are evenly coated with the cheese and seasonings.
- Layer the dough: Arrange the dough mixture evenly into the prepared bundt pan, distributing all ingredients in layers to ensure consistent flavor and cooking.
- Add butter and oil: Pour the melted butter and olive oil evenly over the dough in the pan. This adds moisture and richness, ensuring a tender and flavorful bread.
- Bake the monkey bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has fully melted. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow the monkey bread to cool for about 5 minutes before carefully flipping it out of the bundt pan. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping and garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute or add other pizza toppings like cooked sausage, sliced olives, or mushrooms to customize your monkey bread.
- Using a bundt pan helps create the classic monkey bread form, but a 9×9-inch baking dish can be used as an alternative.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes quantity or omit them based on your heat preference.
- Letting the bread cool slightly before removing helps it hold its shape better when flipped out of the pan.
- This can be served as an appetizer, party snack, or a fun meal accompaniment.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
