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Imagine transforming the classic, sweet monkey bread into a savory, mouth-watering pizza treat. That’s exactly what this Mini Pizza Monkey Bread recipe is all about. It’s a delightful twist on the traditional monkey bread, infusing the flavors of a pepperoni pizza into pull-apart bread. This recipe is not just easy to follow but brings the fun and simplicity of pizza to a dish that’s perfect for sharing. It’s baked in a handy small dish, making it ideal for a cozy gathering, a unique snack, or a relaxed dinner at home. The best part? We’re using refrigerator biscuits, making the prep work a breeze!

Looking for recipes ideal for small gatherings? Explore our collection designed for sharing. Try our Sheet Pan Lasagna for a rich and cheesy experience, Jalapeño Poppers for a spicy touch, a Smoked Salmon Platter for a touch of elegance, Twice Baked Eggplant for creamy comfort, and warm, smooth Queso. Each recipe is carefully created to deliver great flavor in every bite!

Why You’ll Love This Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe

  1. Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday items like refrigerator biscuits, making it a go-to recipe for any day.
  2. Easy Preparation: With ready-made dough, the assembly is simple and hassle-free.
  3. Fun to Eat: Its pull-apart nature makes it a delightful and engaging eating experience.
  4. Versatile Dish: Perfect for small gatherings, snacks, or a casual meal.
  5. Customizable: Easily adaptable with various toppings and flavors to suit your preference.

What Is Monkey Bread?

Monkey bread is traditionally a sweet, sticky pastry in the U.S., known for its fun, pull-apart pieces of dough coated in sugar, cinnamon, and often caramel. Our take on this classic is both unique and smaller in size. Instead of the usual large, sweet treat, we’ve created a mini version with a savory twist, infusing it with the flavors of pepperoni pizza. This smaller monkey bread maintains the delightful pull-apart experience but stands out with its familiar pizza taste, making it a perfect choice for those who love savory baked goods in a smaller, more manageable size.

RELATED: 40 Easy Recipes For College Students

Ingredients

ingredients found in pizza monkey bread on a brown table labeled.

If you have any ingredients leftover from this monkey bread recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.

  • Refrigerator Biscuits: Easily found in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores in the U.S., tubes of biscuit dough are a convenient choice. For a variation, consider using pizza dough or crescent rolls, which work just as well. If you’ve got an extra tube of biscuit dough, consider using to make Cinnamon Rolls.
  • Pepperoni: If you’re vegetarian, feel free to replace pepperoni with a plant-based substitute or simply leave it out. Consider using extra pepperoni in a small Detroit Style Pizza or in a mini Crustless Pizza Quiche.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella is a great choice, but don’t hesitate to experiment with other cheeses like cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile. Extra mozzarella can be used in Lasagna Rollups, Stuffed Shells, or Caprese Pasta.
  • Tomato sauce: Use your favorite brand or use our homemade tomato sauce recipe.
  • Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for its unrefined quality and rich flavor, retaining more of the natural taste and nutrients of olives. However, a lighter olive oil can be used as a substitute if preferred.
  • Parmesan Cheese and Dried Basil: These ingredients are key for adding a burst of flavor to the dish, enhancing the overall taste.

This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.

Recipe Variations

Spice up your Mini Pizza Monkey Bread with these creative and delicious variations. Whether you’re in the mood for something meaty, vegetarian, or just extra cheesy, these ideas are perfect for customizing your dish.

  • Meaty Pizza Bread: Add sausage, bacon, or ham to the mix for a hearty, protein-packed version.
  • Vegetarian Pizza Bread: Mix in bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or olives for a veggie-packed treat.
  • Cheesy Bread: Combine different cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or feta for an indulgent twist.
  • Spicy Pizza Bread: Incorporate jalapeños, chili flakes, or hot sauce for those who like it hot.
  • Herb-Infused Monkey Bread: Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, or garlic powder for an aromatic flavor.

How To Make Pizza Monkey Bread

These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make Mini Pizza Monkey Bread. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Start by opening the tube of refrigerator biscuits. Cut each biscuit into four equal parts. You can then place these biscuit pieces into a zip-topped bag or a large mixing bowl for seasoning. Using a zip-topped bag is often easier for mixing, but a bowl works just as well. Pour in the olive oil, sprinkle the parmesan cheese and dried basil over the biscuit pieces, then seal the bag. Shake the bag well or stir in the bowl to evenly coat the biscuit pieces with the seasoning.
  2. Take a 5 inch baking dish and arrange a single layer of the seasoned biscuit pieces at the bottom.
  3. Over this biscuit layer, evenly spread some tomato sauce, and then scatter the chopped pepperoni.
  4. Next, sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni.
  5. Add another layer of the seasoned biscuit pieces on top of the cheese.
  6. Complete the assembly by topping it with more tomato sauce and a final layer of mozzarella cheese. Now, it’s ready to bake. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bread is cooked through.
Six photos showing how to make pizza monkey bread in a small square baking dish.
pulling a piece of dough from monkey bread.

Expert Tips

  • Even Coating is Key: To ensure each biscuit piece is evenly coated with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and dried basil, the most efficient method is to place them in a ziplock bag. Add the ingredients and shake the bag thoroughly. This technique ensures a uniform distribution of flavors.
  • Prevent Sticking with Oil Spray: Before adding your ingredients, spray your baking dish with oil or a non-stick cooking spray. This simple step helps to avoid any sticking and makes serving and cleanup much easier.
  • Adapt to Your Taste: This monkey bread recipe is highly customizable. Don’t hesitate to increase the amount of pepperoni and cheese, or try variations like cooked ground sausage or different types of cheese. It’s a flexible recipe, perfect for tailoring to your specific preferences.
  • Quarter Your Pepperoni: For a more enjoyable eating experience, chop the pepperoni into quarters. This size ensures that you get a tasty bit of pepperoni in every bite, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size baking dish should I use?

The success of this recipe depends on the size of the baking dish you use. We recommend using a 5×5-inch baking dish. If you would like to double the recipe, use either two 5×5-inch baking dishes or use one 6.5×6.5-inch baking dish, or one 6×8-inch baking dish. These dishes can be found on our Store page.

Can I make pizza monkey bread ahead of time?

Yes, assemble it and store it in the refrigerator before baking.

How do I store leftover monkey bread?

Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

RELATED: Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes

eating monkey bread with a fork.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this pizza pull-apart bread recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.

For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

If you’ve tried this cheesy pull-apart bread or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!


Your Cooking For One Source
Because you’re worth it

Mini Pizza Monkey Bread

4.91 from 11 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Create Mini Pizza Monkey Bread easily! This fun, pull-apart recipe is perfect for gatherings, snacks, or dinner. Simple, delicious, and customizable!

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 tube refrigerator biscuits (8 small or 5 large)
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 6 tablespoons tomato sauce
  • 20 slices pepperoni ,chopped
  • 3 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions 

  • Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
    Lightly spray the inside of a small 5×5 inch baking dish with oil spray and set it aside.
  • Cut and Season Dough: Open the tube of refrigerator biscuits and cut each biscuit into quarters.
    Place the biscuit quarters in a zip-topped bag or a large mixing bowl. Add olive oil, parmesan cheese, and dried basil. Seal the bag, then shake or stir to evenly coat the biscuit pieces.
  • Assemble Monkey Bread: Arrange a single layer of the seasoned dough in the prepared baking dish.
  • Spread tomato sauce over the dough, then sprinkle with chopped pepperoni.
  • Add a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Repeat with another layer of seasoned dough.
  • Top off with more tomato sauce and a final layer of mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bread is cooked through.

Video

Notes

Even Coating is Key: To ensure each biscuit piece is evenly coated with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and dried basil, the most efficient method is to place them in a ziplock bag. Add the ingredients and shake the bag thoroughly. This technique ensures a uniform distribution of flavors.
Prevent Sticking with Oil Spray: Before adding your ingredients, spray your baking dish with oil or a non-stick cooking spray. This simple step helps to avoid any sticking and makes serving and cleanup much easier.
Adapt to Your Taste: This monkey bread recipe is highly customizable. Don’t hesitate to increase the amount of pepperoni and cheese, or try variations like cooked ground sausage or different types of cheese. It’s a flexible recipe, perfect for tailoring to your specific preferences.
Quarter Your Pepperoni: For a more enjoyable eating experience, chop the pepperoni into quarters. This size ensures that you get a tasty bit of pepperoni in every bite, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 995kcal, Carbohydrates: 105g, Protein: 35g, Fat: 88g, Saturated Fat: 20g, Cholesterol: 71mg, Sodium: 2287mg, Potassium: 827mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 625IU, Vitamin C: 3.1mg, Calcium: 563mg, Iron: 10.7mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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I’m Joanie and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

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26 Comments

  1. Hi love your recipes and cookbook. I live in New Zealand and are unable to buy refrigerator biscuit dough. Can I use pizza dough for the monkey bread recipe
    Many thanks jean

  2. How can I print out the recipe without the pictures (on some of your recipes) I am using too much ink and very costly?
    I love all of the recipes that I have tried. They are so convenient and tasty too.
    Thank you.

    1. Hi Bettie, I’m so happy you are enjoying our recipes. We give the option to either print out the recipe with photos OR without photos. To print without photos, simply click the PRINT button, UNCHECK the box that says “Recipe Image” and “Instruction Image” and you will be able to print without photos.

  3. I tried the recipe twice. First, I used crescent rolls because there is evidently a shortage of biscuits. I baked it a little longer than what the recipe said. There was uncooked dough.
    Desperate to succeed, I found biscuits and tried the recipe again. I had the same issue: raw dough.
    Both times I had to throw the monkey bread out and clean my oven.
    Someone please tell me where I went wrong.

    1. Hi Kat, I’d encourage you to test the temperature of your oven. It sounds like it might not be running as hot as it should. You can do this by purchasing an inexpensive oven thermometer and keeping it in your oven as it heats up.
      If the biscuits rose and overflowed in the baking dish, the dish you used was too small. I use a 5-inch baking dish. This dish holds about 1.5 cups and has an area of 25 square inches. A 4×6-inch dish has an area of 24 square inches and will work as well. You can use any smaller-sized baking dish and simply adjust the amount of dough you use depending on the size of your dish. (Also see our recipe photos to see how we layer the ingredients)
      For smaller-sized dishes, use less dough. For a larger dish, you may only use one layer of dough. See our FAQ page for additional information on baking dish sizes.
      For examples of the dishes we use, please visit our Store page.

  4. Hi Joanie! I love your site and all the wonderful recipes you offer😊. Thank you very much.