Pizza Monkey Bread is a tasty twist on regular pizza. It’s made by mixing pizza dough with sauce, cheese, and toppings, then baking it all together in a pan. The result is a soft, pull-apart bread full of classic pizza flavors. This recipe is easy to make and great for sharing with family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Pizza Monkey Bread
There’s something special about pizza monkey bread that goes beyond the usual pizza experience. For starters, it’s incredibly shareable, which means everyone at the table can dig in and enjoy. Its pull-apart style makes it perfect for parties or casual family dinners where you want a laid-back vibe but don’t want to sacrifice flavor.
The homemade dough adds a freshness and softness that store-bought doughs simply can’t match, and mixing it with pizza sauce and toppings before baking ensures each bite bursts with flavor. The mix of melted mozzarella, pepperoni, garlic, and basil creates an irresistible aroma and taste, reminiscent of a traditional pizza but with an exciting twist.
You’ll also love how flexible this recipe is. You can customize the fillings with your favorite pizza toppings or keep it classic with just cheese and sauce. It’s a clever way to enjoy pizza in a new form, saving you time on plating and slicing because everything is combined in one delicious pull-apart loaf.
Ingredients for Pizza Monkey Bread
To make your pizza monkey bread, you’ll need a few simple but flavorful ingredients:
- 3 ¼ cups (about 461 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (6 grams) active dried yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 ¼ cups (280 milliliters) milk
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter, cubed
- 2 cups (450 grams) pizza sauce or tomato sauce
- 20 slices pepperoni, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 ½ cups (225 grams) mozzarella cheese, grated
- A handful of fresh basil, chopped
How to Make Pizza Monkey Bread
Start by preparing the dough. Mix the flour, yeast, and salt in a mixing bowl fitted with a dough hook or by hand if you don’t have a mixer. Heat the milk and butter gently until the butter melts and the mixture is warm but not hot. Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture while stirring to combine. Knead the dough for about 6 to 8 minutes until it’s smooth, shiny, and elastic.
Once kneaded, lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough inside, coating it with oil to prevent drying out. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave it to rise at room temperature until it doubles in size — this usually takes about 1½ to 2 hours.
While the dough rises, prepare your pizza filling. In a large bowl, mix the pizza sauce, chopped pepperoni, crushed garlic, grated mozzarella, and chopped basil. Keep this mixture chilled in the fridge until ready to use.
When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently to release the air. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the dough into medium and small-sized pieces — not too large to avoid a doughy texture. Toss these pieces gently in the pizza filling until each bit is well coated.
Next, grease a 10-inch Bundt pan or a similar baking tin with butter. Transfer the coated dough pieces into the pan, spreading them evenly. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rise again for about 45 minutes or until puffy and near the top of the pan. If you prefer, you can refrigerate the dough overnight at this stage and bake fresh the next day.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the monkey bread for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and cooked through. Let it cool in the pan for five minutes before carefully turning it out onto a serving plate. Allow it to cool slightly for about 10 minutes before serving so it’s easier to handle and enjoy.
How to Serve Pizza Monkey Bread
Serving pizza monkey bread is as simple as pulling apart the soft, cheesy pieces. It’s best enjoyed warm, so your guests can savor the gooey melted cheese and flavorful filling with every bite. Arrange the monkey bread on a large platter for easy sharing at the table.
This dish pairs wonderfully with fresh salads to balance its richness — a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette or a simple Caesar salad works well. You could also serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a bowl of soup to make it a complete meal.
For a fun twist, set out some extra dipping sauces like ranch dressing, garlic butter, or more pizza sauce so everyone can customize their bites. Pizza monkey bread makes an excellent appetizer or snack for gatherings but also serves as a filling main course for a casual meal.
Expert Tips for Perfect Pizza Monkey Bread
- Use room temperature milk and butter when mixing the dough to activate the yeast properly. If the mixture is too hot, it can kill the yeast, preventing the dough from rising.
- When cutting the dough pieces, keep them on the smaller side so the bread cooks evenly and doesn’t turn out dense or doughy in the middle.
- Don’t skip the second rise after placing the dough in the pan. This step is crucial for the bread to get light and fluffy.
- If you want to prepare in advance, letting the dough rise in the pan overnight in the fridge is a great option. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before baking.
- Feel free to experiment with toppings! Add veggies like bell peppers, olives, or mushrooms to suit your taste. Just be mindful of adding too much moisture, which can affect the bread’s texture.
- Greasing the pan well helps prevent sticking and makes it easier to turn out the bread once baked. Butter adds a nice flavor, but a neutral oil will also work.
How to Store Pizza Monkey Bread
If you have leftovers, pizza monkey bread keeps well when stored properly. Let the bread cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm individual portions in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave slices but reheating in the oven helps keep the bread’s texture better.
For longer storage, you can freeze the bread. Wrap it securely in plastic wrap and then in foil or a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating to enjoy the best taste and texture.
Variations of Pizza Monkey Bread
This recipe is very adaptable and you can make several variations depending on what you like or have on hand. Try swapping the pepperoni for cooked sausage or shredded cooked chicken for a different protein boost. You could also go vegetarian by adding a mix of sautéed vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers instead of meat.
For cheese lovers, try mixing mozzarella with cheddar, provolone, or even a sprinkle of parmesan for a richer flavor. If you prefer a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes or use a spicy sausage as a topping.
Another fun idea is to change the sauce. Swap the classic tomato sauce for pesto, Alfredo, or a spicy marinara to create new flavor profiles. You can also experiment with herbs and garlic to customize the taste further.
Because this bread is made from pull-apart dough pieces, you can make it bite-sized for appetizers or larger chunks for a main meal. The possibilities are endless, and the recipe is forgiving enough to handle your creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pizza Monkey Bread
What is pizza monkey bread?
Pizza monkey bread is a pull-apart bread made with pizza dough pieces coated in sauce, cheese, and toppings, baked together in a Bundt pan to create a shareable, cheesy bread.
Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute homemade dough with store-bought pizza dough to save time. Just make sure to cut the dough into smaller pieces and mix well with the sauce and toppings.
How long does it take to prepare and bake?
Prep takes about 20 minutes, with the dough rising around 1½ to 2 hours, plus baking time of 35 to 40 minutes. Total time is approximately one hour or more, depending on dough rising.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely! After placing the dough in the Bundt pan for the second rise, you can refrigerate it overnight and bake fresh the next day.
What toppings can I use?
You can use any pizza toppings you enjoy such as pepperoni, sausage, cooked chicken, various cheeses, olives, bell peppers, mushrooms, and fresh herbs.
How should I store leftovers?
Wrap cooled bread tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, it’s a great option for kids since it’s fun to pull apart and packed with familiar pizza flavors.
Pizza Monkey Bread
Equipment
- 10-Inch Bundt Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Dough Hook (optional)
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 461 grams)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dried yeast (6 grams)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/4 cups milk (280 milliliters)
- 2 tablespoons butter cubed (28 grams)
- 2 cups pizza sauce (450 grams)
- 20 slices pepperoni chopped
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese grated (225 grams)
- fresh basil a handful, chopped
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, and salt. Heat milk and butter gently until warm. Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture, stirring to combine.
- Knead the dough for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1½ to 2 hours.
- Mix pizza sauce, chopped pepperoni, crushed garlic, grated mozzarella, and chopped basil in a bowl. Keep chilled until ready to use.
- Punch down the risen dough and cut it into small pieces. Toss the pieces in the pizza filling until well coated.
- Grease a 10-inch Bundt pan and fill it with the coated dough pieces. Cover and let rise again for about 45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto a serving plate.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, pulling apart the soft, cheesy pieces.
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