Savory Monkey Bread: The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing Bread Recipe

Introduction

Savory Monkey Bread takes the playful, pull-apart fun of classic monkey bread and gives it a flavorful twist perfect for brunches, potlucks, or cozy family dinners. With its golden, cheesy exterior and soft, herby interior, this is a bread guaranteed to disappear quickly. Whether you’re looking to impress with a stunning centerpiece or just want a satisfying, shareable side dish, this savory bread recipe will deliver on both taste and presentation.

Why This Savory Monkey Bread Is a Must-Make

This recipe stands out for its incredible flexibility: you can stuff the dough with cheese, herbs, garlic, and even your favorite cured meats. Every bite bursts with flavor, thanks to a blend of melty cheese and aromatic seasonings. It tears apart effortlessly, making it not only delicious but also endlessly fun to eat with friends and family—just set it in the middle of the table and watch as everyone digs in.

Building Layers of Flavor in Savory Monkey Bread

The beauty of savory monkey bread is its layer-by-layer construction. Small balls of dough are coated in a drizzled mixture of melted butter, garlic, parmesan, and fresh herbs, then layered in a bundt pan alongside cubes of cheese or bites of meat. You’ll have a fragrant, bubbling loaf when it comes out of the oven, studded with gooey cheese pockets and a crisp, buttery crust.

How to Assemble Savory Monkey Bread

After mixing and proofing your dough (or using a shortcut like canned biscuit dough), roll into small balls. Toss each in the savory butter mixture, alternate with cheese and meat if using, and stack in a greased bundt pan. Once baked, turn the loaf out and let the delightful aroma fill your kitchen. Serve warm with a side of marinara sauce or as a stand-alone snack.

Serving Suggestions for Your Savory Bread Masterpiece

This savory monkey bread is perfect as a starter at parties, a delicious side with pasta soups, or the center of a shareable brunch spread. Pair with a crisp salad or serve with dipping sauces like pesto or spicy tomato relish to amplify the flavors. It travels well and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for gatherings or lunchboxes.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields one large monkey bread loaf, which serves about 8 to 10 people depending on portion size. Each serving averages around 250 to 300 calories, depending on your cheese and add-in selections. It’s a filling treat packed with flavor—definitely a worthy indulgence!

Savory Monkey Bread Recap

Layered with cheese, herbs, and plenty of buttery flavor, this bread is more than just a side—it’s a celebration of everything that makes homemade bread irresistible. Easy to adapt and fun to share, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe with CookifyAI to get an automatically generated, well-organized shopping list sorted by grocery sections—making meal planning and shopping easy and efficient.

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, salt, and sugar. Stir in warm water, milk, and olive oil or melted butter until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 60 minutes.
3. Combine minced garlic, chopped herbs, parmesan, and 2 tablespoons melted butter in a bowl.
4. Punch down dough and divide into 32 small balls. Roll each ball in the garlic herb butter. Toss with shredded cheese and bacon or pepperoni if using.
5. Arrange balls in a greased bundt pan, layering cheese and buttered dough. Press gently to fill gaps.
6. Cover loosely and let rise for 30-40 minutes, or until puffy.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. If top browns too quickly, cover with foil for last 10 minutes.
8. Let cool 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Brush with extra melted butter. Tear and enjoy fresh!

Weekly Meal Planning

This monkey bread recipe is a dream for meal planners—a single bake provides multiple servings and pairs well with soups, salads, or breakfast-for-dinner nights! Save and schedule this recipe in CookifyAI to organize which days you’ll serve it and combine it with other savory bread recipes, like those collected on Joy Khan’s boards, for an efficient week of homemade baking.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically totals up all ingredients across your saved meals—no more overbuying or forgotten items
• Keeps your shopping list sorted by grocery store section
• Streamlines your week so you can prep once and enjoy homemade flavor all week long

Pro tip: Schedule your baking days with CookifyAI to see ingredient overlaps, saving you time and reducing waste. Perfect if you’re working through a list of savory bread recipes or pulling ideas from your own pin board!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus rising)
Bake Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours (including rise time)

Enjoy the creative possibilities of savory monkey bread—a shareable, adaptable, flavor-packed addition to your bread recipe collection!