Easy Garlic Monkey Bread
You know those recipes that sound fancy but are ridiculously simple?
This is one of them.
Garlic monkey bread takes basically zero skill to make, but when you pull that golden, glistening masterpiece out of the oven, everyone’s going to think you spent hours on it.
Spoiler: you didn’t.
I’m talking about pillowy balls of dough, completely drenched in melted butter and garlic, baked until they’re golden and caramelized on the outside but still soft and pull-apart tender on the inside.
It’s the kind of thing you eat with your hands, standing over the pan, not caring about manners or plates.
Here’s the crazy part: You don’t need yeast, fancy skills, or even homemade dough. We’re using store-bought biscuits and turning them into something that tastes like you’re a professional baker.
This works for literally any occasion.
Weeknight dinner? ✓
Holiday gathering? ✓
Random Tuesday when you just want something comforting? ✓✓✓
Let me show you exactly how to make this.
What You’ll Need
The Dough Squad
| Ingredient | Amount | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerated biscuit dough | 3 cans (16.3 oz each) | The foundation. Use Pillsbury Grands for best results |
| Unsalted butter (melted) | ¾ cup | This is what makes it INSANELY good |
| Fresh garlic (minced) | 6 cloves | The star of the show |
| Fresh parsley (chopped) | 2 tablespoons | Adds color and freshness |
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon | Double garlic = double amazing |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon | Herbs make everything better |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon | Balances all the flavors |
| Black pepper | ¼ teaspoon | Just a hint of spice |
Also Read: Coffee Cookies
The Finishing Touch
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Parmesan cheese (grated) | ¼ cup | Adds that salty, umami punch |
| Melted butter | 2 tablespoons | More butter = more happiness |
| Extra parsley | For garnish | Makes it look Instagram-worthy |
Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need a fancy kitchen for this.
Here’s your minimal toolkit:
🔧 Bundt pan (10-12 cup capacity) – The shape makes it dramatic
🔧 Large mixing bowl – For tossing everything together
🔧 Small bowl – For your garlic butter magic
🔧 Sharp knife or kitchen scissors – To cut the biscuits
🔧 Pastry brush (optional) – Helps spread butter evenly
🔧 Measuring cups and spoons – Basic but necessary
Pro Tips
1. Don’t skip the butter coating 💧
Every single piece of dough needs to be completely coated in that garlic butter.
I’m talking drenched.
This isn’t the time to be stingy. The butter is what makes each piece golden and keeps them from sticking together in a bad way.
2. Layer like you mean it 🎯
When you’re placing the dough pieces in the bundt pan, don’t just dump them in.
Take a second to stagger them so they’re not all lined up perfectly.
This helps them bake evenly and creates those gorgeous pull-apart sections.
3. The toothpick test is your friend 🍴
You want the inside cooked through but not dry.
Stick a toothpick in the thickest part of the bread. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, you’re golden.
If it’s wet with raw dough, give it another 5 minutes.
4. Let it cool for exactly 5 minutes ⏰
I know you’re tempted to flip it out immediately.
Don’t.
Give it 5 minutes to set up, then invert it onto your serving plate. Any longer and it’ll stick to the pan. Any sooner and it might fall apart.
5. Serve it warm 🔥
This is non-negotiable.
Monkey bread is meant to be eaten warm, when the butter’s still glossy and the cheese is melty.
If you need to reheat it, pop it in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes.
Also Read: Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies
Substitutions and Variations
Swap These Out
| Instead of This | Try This | What Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Parmesan | Mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix | Makes it extra gooey and stretchy |
| Regular butter | Brown butter | Adds nutty, caramelized flavor |
| Biscuit dough | Pizza dough (cut into pieces) | Slightly chewier texture |
| Fresh garlic | Roasted garlic | Sweeter, mellower garlic flavor |
Make It Your Own
🌶️ Spicy Version: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes to the butter mixture
🌿 Herb Bomb: Toss in fresh rosemary, thyme, or basil with the parsley
🥓 Bacon Lover’s Dream: Mix in ½ cup cooked, crumbled bacon with the dough pieces
🧀 Cheese Overload: Add ½ cup shredded mozzarella between the dough layers
🌱 Vegan Option: Use vegan butter and biscuit dough (check labels carefully)
Make Ahead Tips
| Timing | What To Do | How Long It Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Night Before | Assemble completely, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate | Up to 24 hours |
| Before Baking | Pull from fridge 30 minutes early to reach room temp | – |
| Freezer Method | Assemble in disposable pan, wrap well, freeze | Up to 2 months |
| Thawing | Move to fridge overnight before baking | – |
How to Make Garlic Monkey Bread
Step 1: Get everything ready
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Grease your bundt pan REALLY well with butter or non-stick spray.
Don’t skip this. You do NOT want this bread sticking to the pan.
Also Read: Chili Verde Sopita Recipe
Step 2: Make the garlic butter
In a small bowl, mix together:
- Melted butter
- Minced garlic
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Stir it until everything’s combined.
This is your magic sauce. ✨
Step 3: Cut the dough
Open your cans of biscuit dough.
Cut each biscuit into quarters.
You should end up with about 80 pieces total.
I know that sounds like a lot, but trust me, they shrink down.
Step 4: Coat the dough
Drop the dough pieces into your large mixing bowl.
Pour about ¾ of the garlic butter over them.
Toss everything together with your hands until every piece is completely coated.
Get messy with it. 👐
Step 5: Layer in the pan
Start placing the dough pieces in your greased bundt pan.
Layer them evenly, staggering them as you go.
You want them to fill the pan but not be packed in too tightly.
They need room to expand.
Pro move: Think of it like building a little dough tower. Each piece should nestle into the gaps of the layer below it.
Step 6: Add the rest of the butter
Pour the remaining garlic butter over the top of the dough.
Use a pastry brush to make sure it gets into all the cracks and crevices.
Every nook and cranny deserves butter love.
Step 7: Add parsley
Sprinkle the fresh parsley over the top.
It adds color and a little freshness that cuts through all that butter.
Step 8: Bake
Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.
You’re looking for a deep golden brown color on top.
The smell in your kitchen right now? Incredible. 😍
| Baking Stage | Time | What To Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Halfway through | 20 minutes | Starting to puff up |
| Almost done | 30 minutes | Turning golden |
| Perfect | 35-40 minutes | Deep golden brown on top |
Step 9: Cool and flip
Let it cool in the pan for exactly 5 minutes.
Then place a serving plate over the top of the bundt pan and carefully flip the whole thing over.
Give the pan a little shake and lift it off.
This is the most satisfying part, I swear.
Step 10: Finish it
Brush the top with those 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over everything.
Add a little more fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
Also Read: Gordon Ramsay Coleslaw Recipe
Step 11: Serve
Serve it immediately while it’s still warm and gooey.
People can just pull off pieces with their hands.
No utensils needed.
Leftovers and Storage
Storage Guide
| Method | How To Store | How Long | Reheating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Temp | Airtight container | Up to 2 days | Microwave 15-20 seconds |
| Refrigerator | Airtight container | Up to 5 days | Oven at 300°F for 10-15 mins |
| Freezer | Wrapped in plastic + foil | Up to 3 months | Thaw overnight, then reheat |
Best reheating method: Wrap in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
It won’t be quite as crispy as fresh, but it’ll still be delicious.
Additional Details
Nutritional Breakdown (per serving, 10 servings total)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 385 |
| Fat | 22g |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Protein | 7g |
| Sodium | 890mg |
These numbers are approximate and will vary depending on brands used.
Also Read: Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast Marinade Recipe
Perfect Pairings
🍝 Italian Night:
- Serve with marinara for dipping
- Caesar salad on the side
- Italian sausages or meatballs
🥣 Comfort Food Combo:
- Pair with chili or hearty stew
- The bread soaks up sauce perfectly
- Add a simple green salad
🍗 Casual Dinner:
- Works with roasted chicken
- Great alongside pasta
- Perfect with soup
🎉 Party Appetizer:
- Set out with garlic aioli
- Add a bowl of marinara
- Let people tear off pieces
Time Breakdown
| Task | Time Required |
|---|---|
| Prep (cutting, mixing) | 15 minutes |
| Baking | 35-40 minutes |
| Cooling | 5 minutes |
| Total Time | About 1 hour |
Time-saving hack: Prep everything while the oven preheats. By the time it’s ready, you’re ready to bake.
If you’re making this for a party, you can prep everything ahead of time and just pop it in the oven when guests arrive.
That way your kitchen smells amazing right when people walk in. 🏡
FAQ
Can I use homemade biscuit dough?
Absolutely! If you have a biscuit recipe you love, use that. Just cut the dough into similar-sized pieces and follow the same process.
What if I don’t have a bundt pan?
You can use a 9×13 baking dish instead. The presentation won’t be as dramatic, but it’ll taste exactly the same. Bake at the same temperature but start checking for doneness around 30 minutes.
Can I make this without garlic?
You could, but why would you want to? The garlic is kind of the whole point. If you really need to, you could do a herb butter version with rosemary, thyme, and sage instead.
How do I know when it’s done?
The top should be deep golden brown, and when you insert a toothpick into the thickest part, it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Can I add other ingredients?
Sure! Cooked, crumbled bacon would be amazing mixed in with the dough pieces. So would chopped sun-dried tomatoes or olives. Just don’t add so much that it throws off the ratio.
Why is my monkey bread soggy?
This usually happens if you use too much butter or don’t bake it long enough. Make sure you’re using the measurements I listed and bake until it’s golden brown all over.
Can I make mini versions?
Yes! Use a muffin tin instead of a bundt pan. Cut the biscuits into smaller pieces, divide them among the muffin cups, and bake for 15-20 minutes.
What’s the best way to serve this at a party?
Put it on a large serving platter or cutting board. Set out small plates and napkins nearby. You can also put out a bowl of marinara sauce or garlic aioli for dipping.
Do I really need fresh garlic or can I use the jarred stuff?
Jarred minced garlic works perfectly fine. I use it all the time when I’m being lazy (which is often). Fresh tastes slightly better, but honestly? The difference is minimal once it’s all baked together.
Can I make this in an air fryer?
I haven’t tested it myself, but in theory, yes. You’d need a bundt pan that fits your air fryer. Try 320°F for about 20-25 minutes, checking frequently.
Also Read: Chicken Piccata Meatballs
Wrapping Up
This garlic monkey bread is one of those recipes that never fails.
It’s easy enough for a Tuesday night but impressive enough for hosting.
The smell alone is going to have people wandering into your kitchen asking what you’re making.
And when you pull that golden, buttery masterpiece out of the oven, you’re going to feel like a culinary genius.
Give it a try this week.
Then come back and tell me how fast it disappeared.
I’m betting it won’t last more than 10 minutes once you set it out. 😏
Drop a comment if you make this! I want to hear if you tried any variations or if you have questions.
