Quick & Easy Air Fryer Monkey Bread: Your New Favorite Sweet Treat!
Welcome to the world of effortless baking, where an ordinary can of biscuit dough transforms into an extraordinary, pull-apart sweet sensation. Air fryer monkey bread is a delightful and fun snack, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a quick dessert. Crafted with simple ingredients like biscuit dough, a generous coating of sugar, and a luxurious homemade glaze made with heavy cream and vanilla, this recipe promises a warm, gooey, and utterly satisfying treat in mere minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Monkey Bread Recipe
If you appreciate recipes that are both quick and incredibly easy, this air fryer monkey bread will quickly become a cherished favorite. Forget heating up your entire kitchen with a conventional oven; your air fryer delivers perfectly golden and tender monkey bread with minimal fuss. It’s a fantastic recipe for busy mornings, unexpected guests, or simply satisfying a sweet craving without a long wait.
- Unbeatable Speed: The air fryer significantly cuts down on cooking time, getting this delicious dessert on your table faster than traditional baking methods.
- Perfectly Cooked Every Time: The circulating hot air ensures an even bake, resulting in a crispy, caramelized exterior and a soft, fluffy interior.
- Family Fun: This is an interactive treat that kids adore helping with, from cutting the biscuit dough to shaking it in the sugar bag. Just be sure to have plenty of wet napkins ready – it’s wonderfully sticky, and absolutely worth every messy bite!
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You only need a handful of pantry staples to create this impressive and mouthwatering dessert.
The Sweet Story Behind Monkey Bread: What’s in a Name?
Ever wondered why this delightful pull-apart bread is called “Monkey Bread”? The name originates from the way it’s traditionally eaten: pieces are pulled off with your fingers, much like a monkey might pick at its food. This playful nature adds to its charm, making it a favorite for gatherings where sharing and casual eating are encouraged. It’s a nostalgic treat for many, often associated with childhood memories and family breakfasts, and the air fryer makes it even more accessible for spontaneous enjoyment.
Explore More Easy Air Fryer Bread & Dessert Recipes
If you’re loving the convenience and delicious results of baking in your air fryer, you’re in for a treat! The air fryer is surprisingly versatile for a variety of baked goods, from savory breads to sweet pastries. Don’t stop at monkey bread; expand your air frying horizons with these other fantastic recipes:
- For a taste of tradition, try our Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread, a hearty and easy-to-make classic.
- Craving a savory side? These Air Fryer Ranch Breadsticks are perfect with any meal.
- Or, for a delicious appetizer, whip up some Easy Air Fryer Garlic Knots.
- If you’re in the mood for another sweet bread, check out our Air Fryer Banana Nut Bread or Air Fryer Apple Fritters.
- And for a classic, simple bake, you can’t go wrong with Air Fryer Yorkshire Pudding or just basic Air Fryer Bread.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Air Fryer Monkey Bread
Creating this irresistible monkey bread requires just a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The combination of sweet sugars and soft biscuit dough, finished with a creamy vanilla glaze, creates a symphony of flavors and textures that’s hard to resist. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity!
- White Sugar: This provides the initial sweetness and helps create a beautifully crisp, caramelized crust on the biscuit dough as it cooks.
- Brown Sugar: Adding brown sugar introduces a deeper, richer molasses-like flavor, contributing to the signature gooey, sticky texture of monkey bread.
- Biscuit Dough: The star of the show! Canned biscuit dough is a fantastic shortcut, providing a soft, fluffy base that easily absorbs the sweet coating. Choose your favorite brand – flaky layers work wonderfully!
- Powdered Sugar: Essential for our luscious, smooth homemade glaze. Its fine texture dissolves easily, creating a silky finish.
- Heavy Cream: This is what makes the glaze rich, creamy, and decadent, balancing the sweetness with a touch of dairy goodness.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla elevates the sweetness, adding a warm, aromatic depth to the glaze that complements the caramelized bread perfectly.
How to Make Monkey Bread in Your Air Fryer: Step-by-Step Guide
Making delicious air fryer monkey bread is incredibly straightforward. Follow these easy steps for a perfect, gooey, and sweet treat every time. Remember, precise timing can vary slightly between air fryer models, so keep an eye on your bread during the last few minutes of cooking.
Step 1: Prepare Your Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). This ensures even cooking from the moment your monkey bread enters the basket.
Step 2: Cut the Biscuit Dough
Carefully open your can of biscuit dough. Using a knife or kitchen shears, cut each biscuit into small, bite-sized pieces. Aim for roughly 4-6 pieces per biscuit, depending on their original size. Smaller pieces will cook more evenly and provide more surface area for the delicious sugar coating!
Step 3: Sugar Coat the Dough
Place the cut biscuit dough pieces into a large, resealable plastic bag. Add both the white sugar and brown sugar to the bag. Seal the bag tightly, leaving some air inside, and shake vigorously until all the biscuit pieces are thoroughly coated in the sugary mixture. This step is fun for kids to help with!
Step 4: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Carefully pour the sugar-coated biscuit mixture into a small bundt pan (ensure it fits comfortably in your air fryer basket). Place the pan directly into the air fryer basket and bake for 18-20 minutes at 320°F (160°C). The monkey bread should be golden brown and cooked through.
Step 5: Prepare the Glaze
While your monkey bread is air frying, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and lump-free. The consistency should be that of a thick, pourable glaze. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more heavy cream; if too thin, a touch more powdered sugar.
Step 6: Cool and Invert
Once the air fryer signals the end of cooking, carefully remove the bundt pan from the basket. Allow the monkey bread to set in the pan for 5 minutes. This cooling time is crucial as it helps the bread firm up slightly and ensures it holds its shape when flipped. After 5 minutes, place a serving plate upside down over the bundt pan and carefully invert the monkey bread onto the plate.
Step 7: Glaze and Serve
Generously drizzle the homemade powdered sugar glaze all over the warm monkey bread. The warmth of the bread will slightly melt the glaze, allowing it to seep into all the crevices. Serve immediately and enjoy the pull-apart goodness!
This recipe was tested and made in my Cosori air fryer. Please remember that air fryer brands can cook slightly differently, so it’s always a good idea to adjust the cooking time as needed, especially if it’s your first time making this recipe or using a new air fryer.
Pro Tips for the Best Air Fryer Monkey Bread
Achieving perfectly gooey, caramelized air fryer monkey bread is easy, especially with a few expert tips:
- Grease Your Pan Generously: Before adding the biscuit dough, make sure your bundt pan (or any oven-safe pan you’re using) is well-greased. This prevents sticking and ensures your monkey bread flips out beautifully.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: While you want a full pan, avoid pressing the dough down too firmly. Allow some space for the pieces to expand and cook evenly.
- Check for Doneness: The monkey bread is ready when it’s golden brown on top and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean (or mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs). If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil for the remaining cook time, but generally, the air fryer circulates heat well enough to prevent this.
- Allow to Rest: The 5-minute resting period after cooking is crucial. It helps the sugars set and prevents the bread from falling apart when you invert it onto your serving plate.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: For a thicker glaze, use less heavy cream; for a thinner, more pourable glaze, add a little more, a teaspoon at a time. You can also warm the glaze slightly before drizzling for an even smoother finish.
Customize Your Monkey Bread: Delicious Variations
While classic air fryer monkey bread is fantastic on its own, it’s also incredibly adaptable! Feel free to get creative with these delicious variations to suit your taste:
- Add Nuts: As mentioned in our FAQs, nuts are a wonderful addition! Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the biscuit dough mixture before baking for added crunch and flavor.
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Mix in 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips with the biscuit dough pieces. They’ll melt into gooey pockets of chocolatey goodness.
- Spice It Up: Enhance the warm, comforting flavors by adding 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the sugar mixture before coating the biscuits. You could even add a dash of pumpkin spice for a seasonal twist.
- Fruity Fun: For a hint of fruit, add a quarter cup of finely chopped dried cranberries, raisins, or even small apple bits to the dough mixture.
- Different Glaze Options: Beyond the classic powdered sugar glaze, consider a cream cheese glaze (mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk/vanilla) or a caramel drizzle for an extra indulgent treat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Air Fryer Monkey Bread
Got questions about making or storing your air fryer monkey bread? We’ve got you covered!
For optimal freshness and to maintain its delightful texture, store your Air Fryer Monkey Bread in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep it out of direct sunlight. While tempting, placing it in the refrigerator is not recommended as it can cause the bread to harden and lose its soft, gooey consistency.
Absolutely! To warm up the entire loaf, place it back in your air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. For individual servings, simply microwave them in 30-second intervals until they reach your desired warmth. This helps to bring back its fresh-baked softness and gooeyness.
If you manage to have leftovers (it’s hard, we know!), you can definitely freeze monkey bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then follow the reheating instructions above.
The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility! You can use any brand or type of canned biscuit dough your family prefers. Many people love the flaky layer biscuits for extra texture, but regular or grand biscuits also work wonderfully. Just make sure it’s a standard-sized can of biscuits.
Yes, absolutely! Adding chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds is a fantastic way to enhance the flavor and add a delightful crunch. Simply toss about 1/4 cup of your favorite chopped nuts in with the biscuit dough pieces and sugars before placing them in the bundt pan.
You’ll need a small, oven-safe bundt pan that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket. Silicone bundt pans or small metal ones specifically designed for mini cakes or air fryers work best. Ensure there’s enough space around the pan for air to circulate properly.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes to Try!
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Irish Soda Bread
Desserts
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Desserts
Air Fryer Banana Nut Bread
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Bread
We truly hope you enjoyed learning how to make this delightful Air Fryer Monkey Bread recipe as much as we love sharing it! It’s such a simple yet incredibly satisfying treat. Don’t forget to comment below and let us know how your monkey bread turned out, or if you have any fantastic variations to share!
Air Fryer Monkey Bread
Rate
Equipment
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Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 can biscuit dough
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 5 tbsp heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla flavoring
Instructions
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Preheat the Air Fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Cut the biscuit dough into small pieces. Add the biscuit dough to a large plastic sealable bag. Add the granulated sugar and the brown to the biscuits, seal the bag closed, and then toss the bag to cover the dough in sugar.
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Prepare a small bundt pan. Place the biscuit dough pieces into the bundt pan. Add the bundt pan to the basket of the air fryer and cook for 18-20 minutes.
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Make the glaze while the monkey bread is baking. Add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla flavoring to a small mixing bowl. Mix until the consistency is that of a glaze. Add more heavy cream if you would like a thinner glaze.
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Remove the monkey bread from the air fryer once it’s finished cooking. Set the bread aside and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, flip the monkey bread out of the bundt pan onto a serving plate and then top it with the homemade glaze.
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Serve warm.
Notes
- It’s normal for the bottom of the monkey bread to be brown since it is exposed to the circulating air the most.
- Like nuts? Add 1/4 cup chopped almonds or pecans to the biscuit dough mixture before baking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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