Irresistible Pizza Monkey Bread – The Ultimate Pull-Apart Pizza Experience
If you love pizza but want something fun, shareable, and just a little bit different, then Pizza Monkey Bread is about to become your new favorite recipe. Imagine all the cheesy, saucy, and savory flavors of pizza, but in the form of soft, buttery pull-apart bread that you can grab with your hands. No slices, no mess — just warm, gooey, cheesy bites that everyone can pull straight from the pan.
This recipe is incredibly easy because it starts with refrigerated canned biscuits, saving you the trouble of making dough from scratch. The biscuits are cut into bite-sized pieces, tossed with pepperoni, mozzarella, parmesan, Italian herbs, and melted butter, then baked until golden brown in a bundt pan. When it’s done, you simply flip it onto a plate, pull it apart, and dip each piece into marinara sauce.
Whether you’re hosting a game night, having friends over for a casual gathering, or just want to surprise your family with something special for dinner, this Pizza Monkey Bread is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun and Interactive: Everyone gets to pull apart cheesy, doughy bites with their hands.
- Quick to Prepare: Thanks to pre-made biscuit dough, you can have it in the oven in 10 minutes.
- Customizable: You can swap in your favorite pizza toppings.
- Perfect for Parties: A unique centerpiece that doubles as both an appetizer and conversation starter.
- Ingredients
- You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make the best Pizza Monkey Bread:
- 32 ounces refrigerated canned biscuits, cut into quarters
(Pillsbury Grands work great — they’re soft, fluffy, and bake beautifully.) - 6 ounces pepperoni, sliced
(You can use traditional, mini, or even turkey pepperoni.) - 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
(Freshly shredded melts better than pre-packaged.) - ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
(Adds a sharp, salty kick.) - ⅓ cup butter, melted
(Salted butter gives extra flavor.) - 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
(A blend of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.) - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- Red pepper flakes, optional for a little heat
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Marinara sauce, for dipping
- Step-by-Step Directions
1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a bundt pan generously with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a bundt pan, you can use a regular deep baking dish or loaf pan — just keep in mind that the bake time might vary.
2. Cut and Prep the Biscuits
Open the refrigerated biscuits and cut each one into four even pieces. This ensures that every bite is the perfect size for pulling apart later.
3. Slice the Pepperoni
Slice each pepperoni in half so it’s more evenly distributed throughout the bread. If you prefer, you can use mini pepperoni — no slicing required.
4. Mix Everything Together
In a large mixing bowl, add the biscuit pieces, sliced pepperoni, mozzarella, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and garlic salt. Drizzle in the melted butter. Toss everything until all the biscuit pieces are evenly coated and the cheese and pepperoni are distributed throughout.
Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for a little spice or a tablespoon of chopped sun-dried tomatoes for extra richness.
5. Load the Bundt Pan
Transfer the coated biscuit mixture into the prepared bundt pan. Spread it evenly, pressing lightly so there are no big air gaps, but don’t pack it down too tightly — you want the bread to pull apart easily.
6. Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes. If you notice the top browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
7. Flip and Serve
Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, place a large plate over the bundt pan and carefully invert it. The bread should slide out easily.
8. Garnish and Enjoy
Sprinkle with fresh parsley for color. Serve warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Serving Suggestions
- Party Platter: Place in the center of the table with small bowls of marinara, ranch, or garlic butter for dipping.
- Movie Night Snack: Pair with soda or iced tea for a fun, hands-on snack.
- Kid-Friendly Dinner: Serve alongside a fresh salad or roasted veggies for a balanced meal.
- Variations to Try
- Supreme Monkey Bread: Add chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, and black olives.
- BBQ Chicken Version: Swap pepperoni for shredded BBQ chicken and use BBQ sauce for dipping.
- Veggie Lover’s: Skip the meat and add roasted zucchini, spinach, or artichokes.
- Storage & Reheating
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes to bring back the soft texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8