Apple Fritter Monkey Bread: A Deliciously Easy Biscuit Dough Treat

I’ve discovered that morning comfort food reaches new heights with this Apple Fritter Monkey Bread that brings bakery-quality flavor right to my home kitchen. This apple monkey bread recipe transforms simple refrigerated biscuits into an impressive breakfast bread that tastes just like apple fritters.

The magic happens when I toss diced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon, creating tender apple pieces that distribute throughout layers of cinnamon-sugar-coated biscuit dough. I pour a rich brown butter sauce over the top to create those signature gooey pockets that make monkey bread with apples so irresistible.

Whether I’m hosting a weekend brunch or looking for an easy breakfast monkey bread recipe, this apple cinnamon bread hits all the right notes. The pull-apart bread format makes it ideal for sharing, while the apple fritter flavors bring nostalgic bakery vibes right to my kitchen table.

Tools & Equipment

Essential Equipment:

12-cup bundt pan
Non-stick cooking spray
Large mixing bowl
Small mixing bowls (2-3)
Whisk
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Measuring cups and spoons
Vegetable peeler

Prep Tools:

Rubber spatula for mixing
Small saucepan (if melting butter on the stovetop)
Aluminum foil (for covering, if needed)
Serving/storing plate or platter (for turning the bread out)

Tips for Success

Apple Selection:

Choose firm baking apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. These varieties hold their shape during baking and won’t turn mushy.

Biscuit Prep:

Cut each biscuit into even quarters for uniform cooking. Cold biscuits are easier to cut cleanly than those at room temperature.

Coating Technique:

Toss biscuit pieces in the cinnamon sugar mixture in batches to ensure each piece is well-coated.

Layering Strategy:

Alternate apple and biscuit layers evenly. This ensures every bite has apple flavor throughout the bread.

Sauce Distribution:

Sauce only pours on once as the very last top layer in the pan.

Doneness Check:

The top should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.

Cooling Time:

Let the monkey bread cool in the pan for precisely 10 minutes before inverting. This prevents it from falling apart while still releasing cleanly from the pan.

Serving Temperature:

Serve warm for the best texture and flavor. The sauce will be gooey and the apples will be tender.

Steps to make Apple Fritter Pull Apart Bread

Step 1: Gather your ingredients.

Step 2: Cut each biscuit into six pieces. Flaky layer biscuits are particularly good, but buttermilk will work too.

Step 3: Add sugar and cinnamon to the bottom of a large bowl.

Step 4: Toss the apple chunks with cinnamon and brown sugar.

Step 5: Pour over your warm brown sugar/butter sauce.

Step 6: Layer the apples and biscuit pieces.

Step 7: How it looks right out of the oven. It will seem dry until you invert it.

Step 8: Plate and serve while still warm. While it seems like it should be a finger food, a fork helps limit the mess.

Step 9: She’s a beauty – an ooey, gooey beauty!

Step 10: Let it sit 10 minutes before you try to remove it from the bundt pan or it will stick mercilessly.

Step 11: You COULD eat it with your fingers, but …

Apple Fritter Monkey Bread

Sweet apple pieces and cinnamon-coated biscuit dough come together in this easy monkey bread that tastes just like your favorite apple fritter pastry.

Course

Dessert

Cuisine

American

Prep Time

25

minutes

minutes

Baking Time

1

hour

hour

Total Time

1

hour

hour

25

minutes

minutes

Servings

12

Ingredients

2

c

peeled and diced apples

about 4 medium apples
¼

c

brown sugar

packed
3

t

ground cinnamon

divided
¾

c

granulated sugar
32

oz

2 packages refrigerator biscuits

Sauce:

½

c

1 standard stick butter, melted
1

c

dark brown sugar

packed
2

t

vanilla extract

Instructions

Prep your pan and oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously grease a 12-cup bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray, making sure to coat all the grooves and center tube.
Mix the apples: In a small bowl, toss together the diced apples, ¼ cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
Create the cinnamon sugar coating: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and remaining 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Open both packages of refrigerated biscuits and cut each biscuit into 4 equal pieces using a sharp knife or clean kitchen scissors. Working in batches, toss the biscuit pieces in the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring each piece gets completely coated.
Layer the monkey bread: Scatter one-third of the seasoned apple mixture into the bottom of your prepared bundt pan. Top with one-third of the cinnamon sugar-coated biscuit pieces. Repeat these layers two more times, ending with biscuit pieces on top.
Make and pour over the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour this rich sauce evenly over the layered biscuits and apples in the bundt pan. No need to mix.
Bake and check: Place the bundt pan in your preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, until the top is golden brown and cooked through. Check the bread at the 45-minute mark – if the top is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
Cool and serve: Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes (this prevents it from falling apart), then carefully invert it onto a serving platter. Serve warm while the sauce is still gooey and the flavors are at their peak.

The bottom line

This apple fritter monkey bread recipe takes just 25 minutes to prep and delivers bakery-quality results using simple ingredients. The combination of tender spiced apples, cinnamon-coated biscuit dough, and rich brown sugar sauce creates an impressive breakfast bread that works for both weekday mornings and special occasions. With refrigerated biscuits as the base, this monkey bread recipe proves that exceptional homemade apple cinnamon bread doesn’t require advanced baking skills or hours of preparation time.

Want more apple recipes? I’m on it!