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There’s something absolutely magical about a dish that combines gooey cheese, savory pepperoni, and soft, pull-apart bread all baked into one irresistible creation. This Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe takes all the best elements of a classic pizza and transforms them into a fun, shareable feast that’s perfect for family dinners, game days, or casual gatherings. The crusty, golden exterior gives way to flavorful layers packed with melted mozzarella, Parmesan, and zesty seasonings, making each bite a perfect harmony of taste and texture. Trust me, once you try this pizza-inspired treat, it’s going to become a fast favorite in your recipe rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, wholesome ingredients is the first step to making this Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe shine. Each component plays an essential role in creating that mouthwatering combination of flavors and a texture that’s delightfully soft yet satisfyingly cheesy. From the light, flaky biscuit dough to the melty cheeses and savory pepperoni, every ingredient helps bring out the best in this dish.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough or pizza dough: Provides a tender, pull-apart base that soaks up all the flavors perfectly.
- Mini pepperoni: Adds a classic, slightly spicy punch and a chewy texture.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts smoothly to create the gooey, stringy heart of the bread.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Offers a sharp, nutty flavor boosting complexity in every bite.
- Dried oregano: Brings a fragrant herbal note that ties all the flavors together.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle, savory depth that enhances the overall taste.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For a gentle kick of heat that balances the richness.
- Marinara sauce: Perfect for dipping, giving a fresh and tangy contrast.
- Melted butter: Helps brown and crisp the bread while adding richness.
- Olive oil: Adds moisture and subtle fruitiness to enrich the dough’s texture.
- Fresh basil (optional): Brightens the final presentation and lifts the dish with fresh herbaceousness.
How to Make Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it warms up, grease a bundt pan or a 9×9-inch baking dish well with non-stick spray or butter. This ensures your monkey bread bakes up golden and releases easily when flipped.
Step 2: Chop the Dough
Pop open your biscuit dough cans and cut each biscuit into quarters for bite-sized pieces. If you prefer using pizza dough instead, simply cut it into small, manageable chunks. These small pieces make the monkey bread perfectly pull-apartable and great for sharing.
Step 3: Toss Together the Flavorful Mix
In a large mixing bowl, combine your dough chunks with mini pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Toss everything together gently—this step ensures that each piece of dough gets deliciously coated in cheese and seasoning for rich, consistent flavor.
Step 4: Layer the Dough in the Pan
Next, transfer your cheesy, pepperoni-studded dough mixture evenly into the prepared bundt pan. Layer it carefully to make certain that the dough bakes uniformly and every bite will include a bit of everything.
Step 5: Add Butter and Olive Oil
Drizzle the melted butter and olive oil over the layered dough. This adds moisture and richness, giving the bread a scrumptious, golden crust once baked.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Now pop the pan in the oven for 25–30 minutes. Bake until the monkey bread turns a beautiful golden brown and the cheese has melted completely. You can check doneness by poking a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, you’re ready to move on.
Step 7: Cool and Unmold
Allow your pizza monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully flip it out onto a serving plate. Serve it up alongside warm marinara sauce for dipping and a sprinkle of fresh basil if you want that extra pop of color and flavor.
How to Serve Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling fresh basil or even some chopped parsley right before serving adds a fresh, vibrant flavor and gorgeous green contrast against the golden bread. A dusting of extra Parmesan can elevate it further with a salty finish.
Side Dishes
This Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe pairs wonderfully with simple sides like a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables. The freshness of leafy greens or a tangy vinaigrette salad balances the richness and makes for a complete meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the pizza monkey bread as a fun appetizer at parties by cutting it into smaller chunks and offering several dipping sauces besides marinara—think garlic butter, ranch, or spicy marinara. It also looks fantastic on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh herbs and colorful bell pepper slices for a vibrant presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover pizza monkey bread, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to three days, making it a perfect snack to enjoy cold or reheated.
Freezing
This monkey bread freezes beautifully as well. After baking and cooling completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then pop it in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-out-of-the-oven texture and warmth, reheat your pizza monkey bread in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Avoid microwaving if possible to maintain its delightful crustiness.
FAQs
Can I use pizza dough instead of biscuit dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! Pizza dough works just as well and offers a slightly different texture—chewier and more bread-like. Just be sure to cut it into bite-sized pieces for even baking and easy pulling apart.
What toppings can I add besides pepperoni?
You can customize your pizza monkey bread with a variety of toppings like cooked sausage, sliced olives, chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or even cooked bacon. Just mix them in with your dough and cheese before baking.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes! Pizza Monkey Bread is a kid-friendly favorite because it’s fun to pull apart and packed with familiar flavors like cheese and pepperoni. Just omit or reduce the red pepper flakes to keep it mild.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Definitely. Simply skip the pepperoni or sausage and load up on veggies and extra cheese. You could also add fresh spinach or artichoke hearts for extra flair.
Why does the recipe call for both butter and olive oil?
The butter helps create a rich, golden crust with a hint of savoriness, while the olive oil adds moisture and a delicate fruity undertone, ensuring the bread stays tender and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dish that brings smiles, deliciousness, and a little touch of fun to your table, the Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe is your new best friend. It’s simple, customizable, and utterly addictive. Bake it for your next gathering or cozy night in—you won’t regret the warm, cheesy goodness waiting for you. Give it a try and watch everyone reach for seconds before you even get a chance to say “buon appetito!”
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Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Pizza Monkey Bread is a fun and shareable twist on traditional monkey bread, combining bite-sized pieces of dough with mozzarella, pepperoni, and Italian seasonings. Baked until golden and served with marinara sauce for dipping, this savory pull-apart bread is perfect for parties, family dinners, or game day snacks.
Ingredients
Dough and Toppings
- 2 cans (16 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough or pizza dough
- 1 cup mini pepperoni (or alternative toppings like sausage, olives, or mushrooms)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For Assembling and Serving
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for dipping)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a bundt pan or a 9×9-inch baking dish using non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Dough Pieces: Open the biscuit dough cans and cut each biscuit into quarters. If using pizza dough, cut into bite-sized pieces for easy layering.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the dough pieces along with mini pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, dried oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Toss everything together to evenly coat the dough with cheese and seasonings.
- Layer in Pan: Arrange the dough mixture evenly into the prepared bundt pan, layering as you go to build a uniform mixture.
- Add Butter and Olive Oil: Pour the melted butter and olive oil evenly over the dough in the pan to boost flavor and moisture during baking.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the monkey bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pizza monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then carefully invert onto a plate. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping and sprinkle with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- You can customize the toppings with your favorite pizza ingredients like mushrooms, green peppers, olives, or cooked sausage.
- Using a bundt pan helps create the traditional monkey bread shape, but a square baking dish works as an alternative.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the level of heat or omit if you prefer a milder flavor.
- If using pizza dough, letting it rest for 10 minutes before cutting can make it easier to handle.
- Store leftovers tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days and reheat in the oven for best texture.
