Apple Fritter Monkey Bread
This Apple Fritter Monkey Bread is a gooey pull apart bread that is reminiscent of your favorite bakery apple fritters. Made with refrigerated biscuit dough, this apple monkey bread is tender but with a crunchy crust, layered with apples, walnuts and cinnamon sugar then topped off with a vanilla icing drizzle sure to make this your favorite fall baking recipe!
Apple Fritter Monkey Bread
When it comes to easy fall baking recipes, this Apple Fritter Monkey Bread needs to be at the top of your must make list.
Gooey sticky sweet pieces of refrigerated biscuit dough you pull apart layered with sweet apples, walnuts and tons of cinnamon sugar flavor.
I mean seriously, you pop one piece in your mouth and walk away and then you walk yourself right on back because it’s impossible to have just one bite.
It’s just THAT good!
What Is Monkey Bread?
Simply put, monkey bread is pieces of pull apart bread that you use your fingers to eat.
I have no idea why they got monkeys involved in this but using your hands to pull apart the bread in pieces and eating it is basically the whole story to the name.
Weird but delicious!
Apple Fritter Bread
So why is this monkey bread recipe called Apple Fritter Bread?
Bakery style apple fritters are a serious weakness of mine so any excuse to bring that magic into my day, I will fully exploit!
This pull apart bread recipe is my favorite take on homemade fried apple fritters.
Baking the monkey bread in a bundt pan gives you some crunchy edges and the apples and walnuts and cinnamon sugar makes everything sweet and sticky.
Then the icing drizzled over top just makes this entire bundt pan recipe the best thing you’ve ever dreamed of eating.
Overselling? Maybe … Wrong? Not even a little bit 🙂
The Best Apple Fritter Bread
So why is the Apple Fritter Monkey Bread the BEST apple dessert you will ever try? Let me tell you…
Easy – Cut up refrigerated biscuit dough dunked in butter and sugar and layered in a pan with diced apples. This is a fall baking recipe anyone can do regardless of experience.
Convenient – This is an amazing way to feel a crowd and perfect for any an all family gatherings. If you are looking for the perfect sweet treat for holiday gatherings, here you go!
Multiple Uses – Is this apple fritter bread for breakfast? Is this an apple dessert recipe? Who knows? Who cares? Eat it for both!
Delicious – Cannot state this enough, this apple monkey bread is addictive! Tender, flaky bites of cinnamon apple pull apart bread in a sweet and sticky sugar coating. Life get’s no better!
Time Management – You can make this monkey bread ahead of time if needed.
Fritter Bread Ingredients
Refrigerated Biscuit Dough – Grab a can of refrigerated dough from your grocery store and save yourself the trouble of homemade dough. I like Pillsbury Flaky Grands.
Apples – Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are my favorite apples to use. It’s not necessary to peel your apples but feel free if you are inclined.
Brown Sugar – I use light brown sugar for the perfect flavor and caramel color.
Cinnamon and Allspice – Bringing ALL the fall flavors!
Sugar – Sweetness, flavor and moisture!
Butter – Buttery flavor and helps the sugar and spices coat your biscuit pieces.
Walnuts – Perfect crunchy bits for this fall dessert!
Powdered Sugar – This is the foundation of your icing drizzle.
Milk – You can also use heavy cream if you prefer, this is simply to add flavor and movement to your icing.
Vanilla Extract – Rich flavor.
How Do You Make Monkey Bread?
- Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and lightly spraying a bundt pan non stick spray.
- In a small bowl combine brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice and salt.
- Melt your butter in a microwave safe bowl for approximately 1 minute and set aside.
- Cut each biscuit in half and then half again so that each biscuit is in 4 equal pieces
- Dice your apples into small bite size pieces. It is not necessary to peel your apples first but feel free if you are so inclined.
- Start by sprinkling a light layer of apple and walnuts into the pan.
- Dip each piece of biscuit into the butter and then the brown sugar. Gently roll your biscuit piece around and generously coat with the brown sugar mixture.
- Place into the bottom of the pan (on top of the apple and walnut pieces) and continue to do this until you have a full layer around the pan
- Sprinkle in 1/3 of the walnuts and apples on top of the biscuit layer
- Continue making layers (about three) until all your ingredients are used up.
- Place bundt pan on a baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes or until your inner layer of biscuit pieces is cooked.
- Let sit for 10 minutes and then flip upside onto a serving plate
- While cooling, make your icing drizzle by sifting the powdered sugar then whisking it together with the vanilla and milk in a small bowl.
- Drizzle over the top of your Apple Fritter Monkey Bread and serve immediately
Pro Tips for Perfect Monkey Bread
- Apple Peeling – You do not need to peel your apples before adding them to this recipe but if you feel better doing so, feel free.
- Biscuits – You can use canned cinnamon rolls instead of refrigerated biscuits for even more cinnamon flavor.
- Walnuts – Not a fan of walnuts? Swap them out for chopped pecans or leave them out completely.
- Apples – Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples hold up beautifully during cooking. They still have texture and tons of flavor.
- Icing – Be sure to sift your powdered sugar before making your icing. It’s a small step and without it, you are running the risk of lumps in your icing.
- Baking Pan – Be sure to add a baking pan under your bundt pan when you slide it into the oven. The sugar mixture can easily drip over onto the bottom of your oven (ask me how I know!)
How to Free your Monkey Bread
- Flipping your apple bread out of the bundt pan is not nearly as intimidating as you would think.
- Hold your bundt pan in one hand and add a large dinner plate or serving plate on top of your bundt pan, face down.
- Place your second hand on top of the dinner plate firmly so you have the bundt pan / dinner plate sandwiched between your hands.
- Keeping firm pressure, flip both hands and your pans upside down so now the hand securing the dinner plate is now on the bottom and move everything as is to the kitchen counter.
- Once everything is sitting on the counter, gently wiggle your bundt pan and it should immediately release from your apple fritter bread.
- Let cool 10 minutes or so and then add your icing. Enjoy!
Can Monkey Bread Be Made Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make this Apple Fritter Monkey Bread ahead of time and save yourself the trouble of rushing.
Simply follow the instructions up to actually putting the bread in the oven. Instead, cover and refrigerate until you are ready to bake it the next day.
How to Store Monkey Bread
To store any leftover monkey bread, simply move the leftovers to the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 10 -20 seconds until warm and enjoy!
More Easy Fall Baking Recipes
- Pumpkin Cobbler – Soft and warm, this Pumpkin Cobbler is spiced with all the fall flavors you crave.
- Pumpkin Crunch – Made with pumpkin puree and fall spices, this is the ultimate combination of pumpkin pie flavors on the bottom and a buttery streusel cake mix crumble on top.
- Maple Coffee Cake – This Maple Coffee Cake is moist, fluffy and layered with sweet pecan streusel to make this the perfect maple pecan coffee cake
Enjoy ♥ Heather
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
I would love for you to leave a rating and a comment below! Let me know, how’d you do?! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Apple Fritter Monkey Bread
Ingredients
Apple Fritter Monkey Bread
- 2 16 ounce cans of refrigerated flaky biscuits
- 2 apples, diced
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
Icing Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and lightly spraying a bundt pan non stick spray
- In a small bowl combine brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Melt your butter in a microwave safe bowl for approximately 1 minute and set aside.
- Cut each biscuit in half and then half again so that each biscuit is in 4 equal pieces.
- Dice your apples into small bite size pieces. It is not necessary to peel your apples first but feel free if you are so inclined.
- Start by sprinkling a light layer of apple and walnuts into the pan. Dip each piece of biscuit into the butter and then the brown sugar. Gently roll your biscuit piece around and generously coat with the brown sugar mixture.
- Place biscuit pieces into the bottom of the pan (on top of the apple and walnut pieces) and continue to do this until you have a full layer around the pan.
- Sprinkle in 1/3 of the walnuts and apples on top of the biscuit layer. Continue making layers (about three) until all your ingredients are used up.
- Place bundt pan on a baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes or until your inner layer of biscuit pieces is cooked. Let sit for 10 minutes and then flip upside onto a serving plate.
- While cooling, make your icing drizzle by sifting the powdered sugar then whisking it together with the vanilla and milk in a small bowl. Drizzle over the top of your Apple Fritter Monkey Bread and serve immediately
Notes
Pro Tips for Perfect Monkey Bread
- Apple Peeling - You do not need to peel your apples before adding them to this recipe but if you feel better doing so, feel free.
- Biscuits - You can use canned cinnamon rolls instead of refrigerated biscuits for even more cinnamon flavor.
- Walnuts - Not a fan of walnuts? Swap them out for chopped pecans or leave them out completely.
- Apples - Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples hold up beautifully during cooking. They still have texture and tons of flavor.
- Icing - Be sure to sift your powdered sugar before making your icing. It's a small step and without it, you are running the risk of lumps in your icing.
- Baking Pan - Be sure to add a baking pan under your bundt pan when you slide it into the oven. The sugar mixture can easily drip over onto the bottom of your oven (ask me how I know!)
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in November of 2015 but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and tips in October of 2023.
Best monkey bread I have made.
I just made this and OMG! It gooood. I used Pillsbury crescent dough instead of biscuits. I cut the brown sugar down to 1 cup and cinnamon to 1 1/2 tsp and had enough to roll dough in and also coat the diced apples in it too. Will be making it again. Thanks for the recipe
I made this recipe and my family thought it was the most delicious thing they had eaten. It’s very easy to make and it’s beautiful when it’s done
Thank you Vicky, I am so glad everyone enjoyed it and if you like that you may want to try our https://www.awickedwhisk.com/pumpkin-monkey-bread-with-salted-caramel-glaze/
This was a huge hit with my family! I didn’t make the icing but poured some of the leftover brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the final layer. It was perfectly gooey!
Nice twist and I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it, and thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Hi Heather,
Would this be ok to make the day before?
Hi Betty!! You can certainly put this together and store it in the refrigerator overnight then bake it the next day .. just add about 10 minutes to your bake time 🙂 If your ‘top’ starts to brown too much, simply lay a sheet of tin foil on top of your pan.
I am a die-hard apple fritter addict and this looks absolutely amazing. And I’m with you — if that monkey bread doesn’t win over some unexpected in-laws, it should at least send them packing home with a solid sugar hangover!
Hahaha.. Marianne, family time is all fun and games until someone locks themselves in the bathroom with a bundt cake and a bottle of wine 🙂
I loved your description of family fun time together! I have never seen refrigerated biscuits where I am so I am wondering if I can use home made scone dough to make this recipe?
Razena, you can certainly use homemade dough .. I have seen many recipes for monkey bread using homemade.. Here is one by Sally’s Baking Addiction.. I am not sure how close it is to scone dough but it’s a starting point 🙂 http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/06/30/homemade-monkey-bread-aka-cinnamon-roll-bites/
This looks delicious and I’m so hungry now….after Thanksgiving, I thought I can stay away from sweets, but you just made me do an about turn 🙂 I recently bought a bundt pan and this looks like a match made in heaven ;))
One word.. addictive!! I made this one morning specifically to do this post and at 3:00pm my husband was still picking at it. Go embrace your inner sugar fiend 🙂
Thanks Heather for posting this!!! I’m sharing it everywhere!!
Awe.. thanks Noel!!