Name: Apple Fritter Monkey Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough; 2 apples, peeled, cored, and diced; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1–2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)

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Short description

Apple Fritter Monkey Bread is a pull-apart pastry made of soft, buttery dough balls layered with caramelized spiced apples and coated in a sticky cinnamon-brown sugar glaze. This ring-style bread brings all the comforting flavor of an apple fritter into a fun, shared format.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll adore Apple Fritter Monkey Bread for its irresistible texture and flavor combination—tender dough pieces cloaked in cinnamon sugar, nestled among juicy caramelized apples. It’s perfect for festive brunches, family gatherings, or cozy weekends when a warm, sweet treat is called for.

Ingredients

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

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

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Generously grease a bundt pan.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and stir in diced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Cook until apples soften and caramelize. Remove from heat and mix in vanilla.
Cut biscuit dough into quarters and toss them in granulated sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated.
Layer half of the sugared dough balls in the bundt pan, then spoon over half the apple mixture. Repeat with the remaining dough balls and apples.
Pour any remaining glaze from the skillet over the top.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then invert the ring onto a large plate.
If desired, whisk powdered sugar and milk to a drizzleable consistency and pour over the top.

Servings and timing

Servings: 10–12 people
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Variations

Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts between layers for added crunch.
Mix in raisins or dried cranberries with the apples.
Use homemade sweet roll or yeast dough instead of biscuit dough.
Replace the powdered sugar drizzle with a cream cheese glaze for tanginess.

Storage/Reheating

Store the monkey bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat slices gently in the oven at 300 °F (150 °C) or heat a portion in the microwave for 15–20 seconds until warmed and gooey.

FAQs

Can I use my own dough instead of biscuits?

Yes — sweet roll or yeast dough works beautifully for this recipe.

What types of apples are best?

Firm varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith provide a nice texture and balance between sweet and tart.

Is the glaze mandatory?

No — the bread is delicious on its own, but the glaze adds sweetness and visual appeal.

Can I make this the night before?

Absolutely — assemble it ahead, refrigerate overnight, and bake in the morning for fresh pull-apart goodness.

Is it safe to freeze?

Yes — freeze fully baked (unglazed) monkey bread for up to one month. Thaw and reheat before serving.

Should it be eaten warm?

It’s best served warm while soft and gooey, though it’s still enjoyable at room temperature.

Can I add extra spices?

Yes — consider adding nutmeg or a pinch of ground cloves to the apple filling.

Can I use canned cinnamon rolls?

Yes, slice them into pieces and layer them with the apple mixture for extra cinnamon flavor.

How will I know it’s baked through?

The outer dough should puff and turn golden; you can insert a toothpick into the center to ensure it’s fully cooked.

Can I bake this in a different pan?

Yes — use a loaf pan or heatproof bundt-style pan if needed; adjust bake time as necessary.

Conclusion

Apple Fritter Monkey Bread brings together cozy flavors of cinnamon, caramelized apples, and soft dough in a shareable, pull-apart format. It’s indulgent, simple to make, and always a crowd-pleaser for breakfast or dessert. Perfect served warm with buttery sweetness in every bite.

Apple Fritter Monkey Bread

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Apple Fritter Monkey Bread is a pull-apart treat combining soft biscuit dough, caramelized cinnamon-sugar apples, and a sweet glaze—like a mashup of monkey bread and apple fritters.

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

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan well.
In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a skillet, cook diced apples over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until slightly softened. Set aside.
Cut biscuit dough into quarters. Toss dough pieces and cooked apples in the sugar mixture until coated.
Layer the apple and dough mixture into the prepared bundt pan.
Combine melted butter and vanilla extract, then pour evenly over the dough in the pan.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and cooked through. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate.
Whisk powdered sugar with milk to form a glaze. Drizzle over the monkey bread before serving.