If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser that’s the ultimate comfort treat, this Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine warm, gooey, cinnamon sugar-coated biscuit pieces baked to perfection in a slow cooker, topped off with a luscious vanilla glaze. This easy-to-make dessert—or even a sweet breakfast option—brings everyone to the table with its irresistible aroma and pull-apart goodness. It’s a perfect blend of buttery richness, sweet spice, and soft dough that melts in your mouth, making it a favorite for weekends, holidays, or any time you want something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward yet essential, each playing a key role in building the iconic flavor and texture of this Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe. From the soft biscuits to the blend of sugars and butter, every item contributes to that perfect balance of sweetness and gooey delight.
- Refrigerated biscuits (1 can, 16.3 ounces): The base of the monkey bread, giving it a light, fluffy texture that bakes beautifully in the crockpot.
- Granulated sugar (â…“ cup): For coating the biscuit pieces with a sugary cinnamon layer that adds crunch and sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon (3 tablespoons): This warm spice is the heart of the flavor, infusing the bread with that classic monkey bread taste.
- Brown sugar (½ cup, packed): Adds deep molasses notes and helps create that sticky, caramelized coating we’re all obsessed with.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup): Provides rich moisture and helps dissolve the brown sugar into a luscious sauce.
- Salt (1 large pinch): Balances out the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): The base of the glaze, which adds a smooth, creamy finish.
- Milk (3 tablespoons): Lightens the powdered sugar glaze and helps it drizzle beautifully.
- Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Offers a fragrant sweetness that completes the glaze perfectly.
How to Make Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crockpot
Start by giving your 4-quart slow cooker or CrockPot a good spray with non-stick pan spray. This is important because it prevents the monkey bread from sticking as it bakes slowly into golden perfection. Once coated, set the crockpot aside and get ready for the fun part—building your monkey bread.
Step 2: Cut the Biscuits
Open your can of refrigerated biscuits and cut each biscuit into quarters. Cutting the biscuits smaller helps each piece get coated evenly and bake through completely, giving you that signature pull-apart texture. It’s quick work, but crucial for the right bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Coat the Biscuits
Place the biscuit quarters into a large ziplock bag, then add the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Seal the bag, pressing out some air, and shake vigorously. This step ensures every piece is fully covered in that sweet, cinnamony goodness. Once coated, transfer the biscuits to the prepared crockpot and sprinkle a little of the leftover cinnamon sugar on top for an extra pop of flavor.
Step 4: Make the Brown Sugar Mixture
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the butter is fully melted and the sugar mostly dissolves. This hot syrup will soak into the biscuits as they cook, creating a sticky, melt-in-your-mouth coating, so don’t skip this essential step.
Step 5: Pour Over Biscuits and Cook
Evenly pour the warm brown sugar mixture over the cinnamon-coated biscuit pieces in the crockpot. Cover the crockpot and set it to LOW. Let it cook for 2 to 3 hours until the edges start browning, and the center reaches 190°F (88°C) internally. This slow cook time allows the monkey bread to develop its signature gooey, tender texture without burning.
Step 6: Make the Glaze
While the monkey bread is nearing completion, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. This glaze is simple yet transformative, giving the bread a sweet, silky finishing touch that complements the cinnamon and caramel perfectly.
Step 7: Glaze and Serve
Just before serving, drizzle the vanilla glaze over the top of the monkey bread. The contrast between warm, sticky bread and the cool, sweet drizzle makes this recipe such a delightful treat. Pull apart, dunk, and enjoy!
How to Serve Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
While the glaze is the star garnish, adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top right before serving offers a wonderful crunch and nutty depth. For a festive touch, a sprinkle of edible glitter or a dusting of cinnamon powder enhances the look and aroma dramatically.
Side Dishes
Because this monkey bread is so rich and sweet, it pairs wonderfully with light and fresh items like a simple fruit salad or mixed berries. If you’re enjoying it as a breakfast or brunch centerpiece, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a creamy yogurt parfait for balance.
Creative Ways to Present
Poché the monkey bread in a beautiful serving dish right from the crockpot for a rustic feel that invites guests to dig straight in. Alternatively, try layering the biscuit pieces in a bundt pan, slow-cooked in the crockpot liner, then inverted onto a plate for a pulled-apart cake effect that looks impressive and makes serving a breeze.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover monkey bread keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to keep it soft and prevent drying out, consider wrapping it loosely with foil and storing it in the fridge overnight.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover monkey bread by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, then placing it in a freezer bag. It’s best consumed within one month for optimal flavor and texture. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or place the whole loaf in a 300°F oven, covered with foil, for 10 to 15 minutes. This gently revives the gooey centers and soft outer crumb without toughening the bread.
FAQs
Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?
Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough can give your monkey bread a personal touch and a different texture, but keep in mind it may need slightly different cook times depending on thickness and moisture content.
Is it possible to make this recipe in the oven instead of a crockpot?
Yes, you can bake the coated biscuit pieces in a bundt pan at 350°F for about 35-40 minutes, but the slow cooker method really enhances the softness and gooeyness that define this recipe.
Can I make this monkey bread gluten-free?
Definitely—just swap the biscuits for your favorite gluten-free biscuit brand. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it easy to enjoy this dessert if you have dietary restrictions.
How sticky is the monkey bread after cooking? Should I expect it to be messy?
The monkey bread is delightfully sticky but not overly so. The brown sugar and butter mixture caramelizes just enough to pull apart cleanly, making it perfect finger food for sharing without an overwhelming mess.
Can I add mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips?
Yes! Adding nuts or chocolate chips between the biscuit layers before cooking is a fantastic way to customize your monkey bread and add fun new layers of flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe is such a joyful treat to make and share. Its ease, comfort-food appeal, and heavenly aroma will quickly make it a beloved recipe in your repertoire. Whether for a weekend brunch or a cozy dessert, go ahead and try this recipe—you’ll be amazed how simple ingredients come together to create something so magically delicious.
Print
Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crockpot Monkey Bread recipe offers a deliciously sweet treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Tender biscuit pieces coated in cinnamon sugar are layered in a slow cooker, smothered with a buttery brown sugar sauce, then cooked until golden and gooey. Finished with a smooth vanilla glaze, this easy-to-make monkey bread is a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Biscuits and Coating
- 1 (16.3-ounce) can refrigerated biscuits
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Brown Sugar Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large pinch salt
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Crockpot: Spray the pot of a 4-quart slow cooker or CrockPot with pan spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Cut Biscuits: Cut the refrigerated biscuits into quarters evenly to create bite-sized pieces for cooking.
- Coat Biscuits: Place the biscuit pieces into a large ziplock bag. Add the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, seal the bag leaving some air inside, then shake vigorously until all pieces are thoroughly coated in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Transfer coated biscuits to the prepared CrockPot and sprinkle a small amount of leftover cinnamon sugar on top.
- Make Brown Sugar Mixture: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, heat the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and a large pinch of salt in 30-second increments. Stir between each heating until the butter is completely melted and the sugar has mostly dissolved to create a smooth sauce.
- Pour Over Biscuits: Evenly drizzle the warm brown sugar mixture over the coated biscuit pieces in the CrockPot.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours. The monkey bread is ready when the biscuit pieces around the edge begin to brown and the internal temperature in the center reaches 190°F (88°C).
- Make Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the vanilla glaze over the cooked monkey bread before serving to add a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- For best results, monitor the cooking time between 2 to 3 hours to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
- You can substitute the refrigerated biscuits with homemade biscuit dough if preferred.
- If you don’t have powdered sugar, granulated sugar can be blended to make a quick substitute.
- Serve monkey bread warm for the best gooey texture and flavor experience.
- Make sure your slow cooker has at least a 4-quart capacity to accommodate this recipe properly.
