Name: Apple Fritter Monkey Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cans (16 oz total) refrigerated biscuit dough; 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tbsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp apple pie spice (optional); For glaze:; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2–3 tbsp milk or cream; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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Apple Fritter Monkey Bread is a warm, gooey, pull-apart treat that brings together the flavors of apple pie and classic doughnuts. Loaded with cinnamon-spiced apples, soft biscuit dough, and a sweet glaze, this recipe is a show-stopping breakfast or brunch dish perfect for special occasions or a cozy morning indulgence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish combines the best parts of apple fritters and monkey bread: soft, caramelized dough pieces and tender cinnamon apples coated in a sticky, sweet glaze. It’s easy to assemble with store-bought biscuit dough and delivers bakery-style flavor with minimal effort. Whether served fresh out of the oven or reheated the next day, this bread is irresistibly comforting.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Refrigerated biscuit dough
Apples (peeled and diced)
Ground cinnamon
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar
Butter
Vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (for glaze)
Milk or cream (for glaze)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan well with non-stick spray or butter.
In a skillet over medium heat, sauté diced apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until soft and caramelized (about 5–7 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
Cut each biscuit into quarters.
In a large bowl, toss biscuit pieces with granulated sugar and a bit of cinnamon to coat.
Layer half of the biscuit pieces into the prepared bundt pan, followed by half of the apple mixture. Repeat with the remaining biscuits and apples.
Pour any remaining cinnamon sugar and butter from the skillet over the top.
Bake for 35–40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze. Drizzle over the warm monkey bread before serving.

Servings and timing

Servings: Serves 10–12
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Variations

Add Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch and richness.
Caramel Drizzle: Swap the glaze for caramel sauce for a richer dessert-style finish.
Use Crescent Dough: Crescent roll dough can be substituted for biscuits if preferred.
Spice it Up: Add nutmeg or apple pie spice for more depth of flavor.

storage/reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm the entire dish in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10–15 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use fresh or canned apples?

Fresh apples are preferred for texture, but canned pie filling can be used in a pinch—just reduce the added sugar.

Do I need a bundt pan?

A bundt pan works best, but a loaf or tube pan may be used with adjusted baking times.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes, assemble the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake fresh in the morning.

What apples work best?

Firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are ideal for baking.

Is biscuit dough the only option?

You can use homemade dough or crescent roll dough as an alternative.

How do I know when it’s done?

The top should be golden and a skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.

Can I freeze monkey bread?

It’s best fresh, but can be frozen tightly wrapped and reheated in the oven.

How do I make the glaze thicker?

Use less milk or add more powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached.

What’s the best way to serve it?

Serve warm and gooey, straight from the oven, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Can I skip the glaze?

Yes, but it adds sweetness and a beautiful finish. Try caramel sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar instead.

Conclusion

Apple Fritter Monkey Bread is a decadent, pull-apart treat that blends the comfort of warm cinnamon apples with pillowy dough and a sugary glaze. It’s the perfect centerpiece for brunch gatherings, holiday mornings, or any time you crave a bakery-style indulgence. Simple to make and impossible to resist, this recipe will become a household favorite.

Apple Fritter Monkey Bread

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Apple Fritter Monkey Bread combines the gooey pull-apart texture of monkey bread with the sweet, spiced flavor of apple fritters. Loaded with cinnamon-sugar coated biscuit dough and tender apples, then topped with a luscious glaze, it’s the ultimate indulgent brunch or dessert treat.

Author: Emma Harper
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins
Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan well with non-stick spray or butter.
In a bowl, mix granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice if using.
Cut biscuit dough into quarters. Toss biscuit pieces in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated.
In a saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar and vanilla extract; stir until smooth.
Layer half of the sugared biscuit pieces into the bundt pan, followed by half of the diced apples. Repeat with remaining dough and apples.
Pour the butter-sugar mixture evenly over the layered dough and apples.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and cooked through. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Invert the monkey bread onto a serving plate and cool slightly.
Whisk together glaze ingredients until smooth, then drizzle over warm monkey bread before serving.