Easy & Budget-Friendly Monkey Bread Recipe the Whole Family Will Love

Looking for a simple, delicious, and affordable treat your whole family will love? Look no further than this classic Monkey Bread recipe! Perfect for busy mornings, weekend brunch, or a fun family dessert, Monkey Bread is made from soft, gooey, pull-apart pieces of sweet cinnamon dough baked together to perfection.

At Nanny to Mommy, we love sharing recipes that are easy on your budget and a hit with both kids and adults, and this frugal Monkey Bread recipe definitely checks both boxes!

Whether you’re feeding your little ones a special breakfast, making a holiday morning extra magical, or whipping up a crowd-pleasing dessert, Monkey Bread is always a good idea.

What is Monkey Bread?

Monkey Bread is a classic pull-apart bread made from soft dough pieces coated in cinnamon sugar, drenched in a buttery brown sugar glaze, and baked until golden and sticky. It’s called "Monkey Bread" because you pull apart and eat it with your fingers, just like monkeys do!

This recipe is:
✅ Budget-friendly
✅ Kid-approved
✅ Great for holidays or everyday treats
✅ Minimal prep time
✅ Easily made with store-bought ingredients

Why You’ll Love This Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

✅ Frugal ingredients: Using store-bought canned biscuits keeps this recipe affordable and accessible for every family.

✅ Quick prep: No need to wait for dough to rise or proof, just cut, coat, and bake!

✅ Family fun: Kids love helping roll the dough balls in cinnamon sugar and layering them in the pan.

✅ Versatile: You can serve Monkey Bread for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or special occasions like Christmas morning or birthday brunches.

✅ Minimal cleanup: Just one pan, simple ingredients, and easy cleanup.

Simple Ingredients for Budget-Friendly Monkey Bread

One of the best parts about this Monkey Bread recipe is how simple and inexpensive it is! Here’s everything you’ll need:

2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted

Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Optional: 1/2 cup raisins or mini chocolate chips

Optional: Powdered sugar glaze for drizzling

Most of these ingredients are pantry staples, making this a go-to frugal recipe when you need something quick and tasty.

How to Make Easy Monkey Bread

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan or tube pan with non-stick spray or butter.

Step 2: Prep the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a large zip-top bag or mixing bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.

Step 3: Cut and Coat the Biscuits

Open the canned biscuits and cut each biscuit into 4 equal pieces. Toss the dough pieces in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they’re fully coated.

Optional: If using nuts, chocolate chips, or raisins, sprinkle half in the bottom of the bundt pan and reserve half for the middle layer.

Step 4: Layer the Dough

Place the coated dough pieces into the prepared bundt pan, layering them evenly. Sprinkle any remaining cinnamon sugar mixture over the top.

Step 5: Make the Gooey Glaze

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then stir in the brown sugar until dissolved and bubbling (about 1-2 minutes). Pour the warm buttery glaze evenly over the dough in the pan.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly. The house will smell absolutely heavenly!

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow the Monkey Bread to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a serving plate. Serve warm and enjoy pulling apart the sticky, gooey deliciousness!

Budget-Friendly Tips for Making Monkey Bread

🛒 Buy biscuits in bulk when they’re on sale and freeze for later use.

🍽️ Serve with scrambled eggs and fruit for a budget-friendly brunch spread.

🎁 Package leftovers in holiday-themed tins or containers to gift to friends or neighbors.

🍫 Customize it with whatever extras you have on hand—raisins, mini chocolate chips, or even leftover Halloween candy bits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Monkey Bread

❓ Can I make Monkey Bread ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble everything the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake.

❓ Do I need a bundt pan?
A bundt pan gives it the classic shape, but you can also use a 9x13 baking dish or loaf pans in a pinch.

❓ How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds for warm, gooey goodness.

Final Thoughts: The Perfect Frugal Family Treat

At Nanny to Mommy, we know how important it is to have go-to recipes that don’t break the bank, don’t take hours to make, and can bring the family together. This easy Monkey Bread recipe does just that; it’s quick, budget-friendly, and fun for the whole family to enjoy.

Whether you make it for a lazy Saturday morning, a holiday breakfast, or just because your sweet tooth is calling, this pull-apart cinnamon bread is guaranteed to be a hit.

👉 Do you love Monkey Bread as much as we do? Have you tried fun twists like chocolate chips or nuts? Let us know in the comments!

📌 Don’t forget to PIN this recipe for later and follow Nanny to Mommy for more frugal family recipes, parenting hacks, and budget-friendly fun!

Written by Diana Chastain from Nanny to Mommy

Nanny to Mommy