Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting the most irresistibly gooey and utterly delicious **vegan monkey bread** from scratch! If you’ve been searching for a dairy-free, eggless, and refined sugar-free twist on the classic pull-apart bread that tastes absolutely identical to its traditional counterpart, your quest ends here. Get ready to bake a show-stopping breakfast or dessert that’s perfect for holiday mornings, special brunches, or simply a cozy treat any day of the week.
Irresistibly Gooey Homemade Vegan Monkey Bread: Your Ultimate Holiday Breakfast (From Scratch!)
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Easy Vegan Monkey Bread Recipe
Prepare to be amazed! If you’ve ever experienced the joy of classic monkey bread, then let us assure you: this **vegan monkey
bread** offers an authentic, rich flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that is virtually **indistinguishable**
from the original. We’re talking about pure culinary magic here. It’s truly a delight to discover that something so
decadent can be completely **eggless, dairy-free, and adaptable for a refined sugar-free lifestyle**.
Each pillowy-soft bite is infused with warm cinnamon, enrobed in a gloriously gooey, sticky-sweet caramel sauce that
will have everyone reaching for more. Just like our beloved vegan cinnamon rolls and vegan French toast, this pull-apart bread stands
out as a crowd-pleasing vegan breakfast
option, perfect for festive holiday gatherings or any special occasion where you want to impress without the dairy
or eggs.
For our gluten-sensitive friends, don’t fret! We’ve also perfected amazing vegan gluten-free cinnamon
rolls and a dedicated gluten-free
monkey bread recipe that delivers all the same delightful gooeyness.
While many shortcut monkey bread recipes rely on canned biscuit dough, this recipe proudly takes the **from scratch**
route. Trust us, the superior flavor, unparalleled softness, and incredibly satisfying texture you achieve by making
your own dough are absolutely worth it. And the best part? Our homemade dough is surprisingly simple to prepare!
I still cherish memories of snow days with my sister and brother, where our tradition was to make monkey bread from
scratch. It was the only way we knew! We never even considered using pre-made biscuit dough, and it wasn’t until I
was older that I realized many people opted for that shortcut. This recipe brings back all that nostalgic comfort
and incredible homemade taste, ensuring every bite is a delightful trip down memory lane.
Our vegan monkey bread is masterfully crafted with a sweet, homemade dough that boasts a tender, almost brioche-like
texture. Each piece is generously coated in a fragrant blend of cinnamon and coconut sugar (a non-negotiable step
for that irresistible aroma!). Then, we lavishly drizzle the entire creation with an extraordinary, sticky-sweet
vegan butter and coconut sugar caramel sauce that elevates this dish to pure perfection.
This effortlessly delicious vegan monkey bread is truly a centerpiece-worthy dish. It’s absolutely **perfect for
Christmas morning, Christmas Eve celebrations, Thanksgiving brunch, or any festive holiday gathering** where you
want to share something truly special and memorable.
What Exactly Is Monkey Bread? A Delicious Introduction
If you’ve never encountered the delightful phenomenon that is monkey bread, prepare for a treat! Essentially, monkey
bread is a playful and utterly delicious combination of sweet, yeast-risen dough, aromatic cinnamon, sugar, and
melted butter. These ingredients are transformed into bite-sized pieces and then baked together in a distinctive
bundt cake pan.
Once baked, the individual dough pieces become wonderfully soft and slightly chewy, reminiscent of a cross between a
fluffy cinnamon roll and a sweet, baked donut. The beauty of monkey bread lies in its pull-apart nature; the bites
are designed to be easily torn off and shared, making it a fun and interactive dish for any gathering. The vegan
butter, sugar, and cinnamon blend together and caramelize during baking, creating a truly irresistible, sticky,
gooey “mess” that defines this ultimate holiday brunch recipe. It’s comfort food at its finest, offering warmth,
sweetness, and a touch of nostalgia in every delicious pull.
Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Vegan Monkey Bread
Many people assume that making dough from scratch is a daunting task, often opting for the perceived ease of canned
biscuit dough. While vegan canned biscuits do exist (some Pillsbury biscuits are accidentally vegan, for instance), crafting your own dough elevates
the flavor and texture to an entirely new level. Plus, we’re here to show you that making homemade vegan cinnamon
dough is surprisingly straightforward and incredibly rewarding!
Here’s what you’ll need to create this magnificent vegan monkey bread:
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our tender dough. If you require a gluten-free or Paleo
option, please refer to the notes section of the recipe card below, as we have dedicated recipes for those dietary
needs! - Rapid Rise or Activated Yeast: Both types will work. Rapid rise yeast will expedite the rising
process, saving you some time, but active dry yeast is equally effective. - Sugar: You have flexibility here! Coconut sugar can be used for the dough and brown sugar for
the outer coating of the dough pieces, or granulated sugar for the dough. Both yield delicious results. - Dairy-Free Milk: For the most luxurious, brioche-like dough texture, we highly recommend
unsweetened coconut milk or oat milk.
Almond milk is also a suitable alternative. - Applesauce or Dairy-Free Yogurt: These are our secret weapons for replacing eggs in this
homemade monkey bread recipe, contributing to its incredible softness and moisture. See our guide on vegan egg substitutes
for more insights. - Cinnamon: The star spice! Monkey bread simply wouldn’t be monkey bread without its warm,
aromatic presence. - Vegan Butter or Coconut Oil: While both work, vegan butter will provide a flavor profile most
akin to traditional monkey bread. If you have nut allergies, coconut oil or a nut-free vegan butter are excellent
choices. - Vanilla Extract: A small but mighty ingredient! A touch of vanilla is crucial for achieving
that classic, comforting flavor that makes this vegan monkey bread truly irresistible.
With your ingredients ready, let’s dive into creating these delightful cinnamon roll bites!
Overview: How to Make Vegan Monkey Bread from Scratch
For the complete detailed instructions and precise ingredient measurements, please refer to the dedicated **recipe
card** at the very bottom of this post. You can also quickly access it by clicking the “jump to recipe” button
located at the top of the page! Below, we’ll provide a concise overview of each crucial step, accompanied by
helpful visuals to guide you through the process effectively.
Step 1: Mastering the Dough
dairy-free milk, a touch of coconut sugar, and a small amount of flour in a bowl. Stir well and let it sit
in a warm place. The yeast should begin to bubble, foam, and emit a distinct yeasty aroma. If this doesn’t
happen, your yeast may not be active, and you’ll need to start again – this is a critical step for a light,
fluffy dough!
using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, or get hands-on and knead it by hand. Both methods work
beautifully! After kneading, form the dough into a smooth ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl to
proof until it has impressively doubled in size.
doubled in size, indicating it’s ready for the next exciting stage: shaping it into those delectable
cinnamon roll bites!
Step 2: Crafting the Cinnamon Roll Dough Bites
divide the entire dough ball into four equal sections using a bench scraper or a large knife. This helps in
creating uniformly sized monkey bread pieces.
pieces. Your goal is to create about 40-50 monkey bread pieces in total, each roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in
diameter. Don’t worry if they’re not perfectly even – the rustic charm is part of the appeal!
rounded ball. This smooth shape helps ensure even coating and baking.
fully coated – this is what creates that incredible gooey caramel sauce during baking!
every surface is thoroughly coated to guarantee that classic monkey bread flavor in every bite.
building upwards. Continue this process until all your dough balls are nestled snugly in the pan. Now, it’s
almost time for baking!
Step 3: Baking Your Monkey Bread to Perfection!
for a final short rise. Then, place the bundt pan onto a baking sheet (to catch any potential caramel drips!)
and bake for 33-35 minutes. The aroma will be incredible!
for the caramel to set slightly and for the bread to release easily. Using oven mitts, carefully place a
serving plate on top of the bundt pan, holding them together securely. In one swift motion, flip the pan
upside down. Gently lift the bundt pan to reveal your beautiful monkey bread, then generously drizzle it with
a luscious homemade vegan caramel or
a simple glaze. Serve warm and enjoy!
How to Know When Your Vegan Monkey Bread is Perfectly Baked
Achieving the ideal doneness for your vegan monkey bread is key to that irresistible gooey texture. Once assembled,
you’ll place the bundt pan into a preheated oven to bake for approximately 30-35 minutes. It’s important to
understand that oven temperatures can vary slightly, even when set to the same temperature like 350°F (175°C). For
consistent baking results, we highly recommend using an oven thermometer to ensure your oven truly holds the
temperature you set. A difference of just 25°F (14°C) can significantly impact baking time and outcome, especially
for delicate baked goods like this.
**To confidently determine if your monkey bread is done,** carefully insert a thin butter knife or skewer into the
thickest part of one of the sides of the monkey bread (avoiding the very center, as the hole in the bundt pan makes
that less reliable). If the knife comes out mostly clean, with perhaps just a little sticky residue from the
caramel, your monkey bread is ready! If it still looks very gooey or raw, allow it to bake for a few more minutes,
checking again periodically. Remember to do this check near the end of the suggested baking time to minimize
disrupting the baking process.
When your monkey bread is perfectly baked, the cinnamon-dusted dough balls will appear beautifully puffed and
boast a delightful crispiness on the outside. This outer crispiness is a delicious result of the vegan butter and
coconut sugar caramelizing during the baking process, creating a truly irresistible contrast to the soft, gooey
interior.
No Bundt Pan? No Problem! Alternative Baking Methods
Don’t have a traditional fluted or bundt pan on hand? No worries at all! You can absolutely still make this
incredible vegan monkey bread using a large rectangular baking pan (a 9×13 inch pan works perfectly).
While your monkey bread won’t have the iconic ring shape of a bundt cake, it will still taste just as
phenomenal. In fact, baking it in a rectangular pan might even promote more even cooking due to the different heat
distribution. When using a rectangular pan instead of a round bundt pan, keep in mind that the monkey bread tends
to cook a bit faster because of the larger surface area and shallower depth. Therefore, it’s crucial to start
checking for doneness earlier, typically around 20 minutes into baking, and adjust the total cooking time as
needed. Always rely on the knife test described above to ensure it’s cooked through.
Storage and Reheating Tips for Vegan Monkey Bread
One of the many wonderful advantages of this vegan monkey bread is its impressive shelf life, thanks to being
completely egg-free and dairy-free! This means it can last a bit longer than traditional homemade monkey bread,
allowing you to enjoy its deliciousness over several days.
- Refrigerator Storage: To keep your cinnamon pull-apart bread fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic
wrap or aluminum foil, or store it in an airtight container. It will remain wonderfully moist and delicious for
about 4 days in the refrigerator. - Freezer Storage: For longer-term enjoyment, this vegan cinnamon bread freezes beautifully! Simply
transfer the cooled monkey bread into an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be
stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to indulge, simply place the desired amount on a
piece of tin foil on a baking sheet and reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until
warmed through and gooey again.
You are truly going to adore this vegan monkey bread! It’s not just a recipe; it’s an experience – perfect for
creating cherished memories around the breakfast table during Christmas, any holiday brunch, or even just a fun
activity to make with the kids on a snow day. Its irresistible gooeyness and classic cinnamon-sugar flavor will
make it an instant favorite.
We love hearing from you! If you try this recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and a rating below. Your
feedback helps other home bakers discover and enjoy these delicious recipes.
And as always, we are absolutely thrilled to see your beautiful culinary creations! Be sure to tag us on Instagram and Pinterest.
Happy homemade monkey bread making!
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Don’t let this amazing recipe get lost! Pin it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest so you can easily find it
whenever a craving for gooey, cinnamon-spiced goodness strikes.
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and use the hashtag #thebananadiaries so we can admire your work!
BEST Ever Easy Vegan Monkey Bread Recipe
Rating: 5 from 11 reviews
- Author: Britt Berlin
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hungarian (Note: Monkey bread origin is debated, often attributed to Hungarian/Jewish American communities.)
- Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe
Description
The most gooey and delicious vegan monkey bread made from scratch that tastes just like the classic! Super
soft cinnamon roll bites baked in a gooey and sticky sweet caramel sauce for a dairy free vegan holiday
breakfast!
Ingredients
Vegan Monkey Bread Dough:
- 4 1/4 cups (540 g) + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, divided (plus more for flouring surface)
- 1 packet (8 g) activated yeast
- 1/2 cup (90 g) granulated sugar or coconut sugar, divided
- 1 1/4 cup (270 mL) dairy-free milk, unsweetened, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (57 g) salted vegan butter, melted and room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (87 g) unsweetened applesauce or dairy free yogurt, room temperature
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1 – 1 1/2 cups (200–300 g) light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (113 g) vegan butter or coconut oil, melted
Simple Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp dairy free milk
- Alternative: 1/2 batch vegan
caramel sauce - Optional: chopped walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds
Instructions
- Please read through all instructions before beginning.
- Prep: Grease a large clean bowl with olive oil for the dough proofing. Gather all
ingredients and measure them out. Grease a large bundt pan as well. - Bloom the yeast: Add the heated dairy free milk and sugar to a large bowl. Stir and add
in the yeast. Stir again and cover the bowl. Place the bowl in a warm area to activate for 10 minutes. The
yeast should start to bubble, foam, and smell of yeast. If it hasn’t, then you’ll need to start over. - Make the dough: Once the yeast is activated, pour the mixture into a large bowl or a
stand mixer bowl with dough attachment. Add the applesauce, melted vegan butter or coconut oil, and
vanilla extract, and mix on medium (either with the stand mixer or using a large spoon) until it’s
combined. Next, add in the flour, and mix until the dough is sticky but the flour is
completely mixed in. Once all of the flour is added in, lightly flour a clean surface, and turn the
stand mixer onto high speed (keeping an eye on any traveling stand mixers!) to knead for 10-12 minutes
(alternatively, if you’re making the dough by hand, you can knead the dough for 10-12 minutes on a lightly
floured surface until it’s no longer sticky to touch. Be careful to not add too much flour). - Proof the dough. Place the dough ball in the oiled bowl. Cover with a clean dish towel
and place the dough in a warm area (at least 85F) to double in size (usually an hour). - Make the cinnamon roll bites: Once the dough has risen, punch down the dough, and create
your assembly line for the cinnamon sugar coating. Place the melted vegan butter or
coconut oil in one bowl and whisk together the ground cinnamon and light brown sugar in another bowl. As
you’re making the cinnamon roll bites, you might need more coconut sugar towards the end, depending on how
many cinnamon roll bites you make. Use a bench scraper or large knife to divide the dough in half then
into quarters. Then divide the quarters even more: you’ll want to make about 40-50 dough balls from the
dough. Divide the quarters into at least 10 dough balls each (about 1″-1.5″ in diameter), but you don’t
need them to be even. Take one dough ball and dip it into the melted vegan butter, then coat it into the
cinnamon sugar. Place the coated cinnamon sugar dough ball into the bundt pan and repeat for the
remaining dough balls. - Assembling the monkey bread: As you’re arranging the dough balls, just place them around
the bottom of the pan and build up. Do not discard the vegan butter and brown sugar yet. You may
have some leftovers, so combine the leftover cinnamon sugar with the vegan butter. Stir until it’s
completely mixed and set aside. Pour the cinnamon sugar butter mixture over the the dough. - Allow the monkey bread dough to rest again: Preheat the oven to 350F. Once you’ve poured
the vegan butter mixture over the dough, cover the bundt pan with a clean dish towel again and place near
the oven to rest while the oven preheats, about 20 minutes. - Bake the monkey bread: Once the monkey bread has rested and the oven is fully preheated,
bake the monkey bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the tops of the monkey bread dough balls are crispy and
puffy. You can also stick a knife into the middle of the monkey bread (carefully): if it comes out nearly
clean, the monkey bread is read; if it comes out slightly dough and gooey, then it needs more time. - Make the glaze: Remove the monkey bread from the oven and allow the pan to cool for 10
minutes while you make the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar with the dairy free milk until there
are no more clumps, then set aside. To remove the monkey bread from the pan, use oven mitts to place a
plate on the top of the pan (face down), and hold the plate with the oven mitts to the pan. Carefully flip
the pan upside down, and the monkey bread should come out. Drizzle the glaze over the monkey bread and
serve!
Notes
- Gluten-Free Option: For a delicious gluten-free monkey bread, please use our dedicated
gluten-free vegan monkey bread
recipe. - Using rapid rise yeast will significantly speed up the dough’s proofing time. Both rapid rise and active
dry yeast are suitable for this recipe, but be aware that rapid rise will shorten the overall process. - For a Paleo and vegan version, explore our Paleo vegan monkey bread recipe.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 247
- Sugar: 19.6 g
- Sodium: 106.7 mg
- Fat: 4.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 45.6 g
- Fiber: 1.9 g
- Protein: 5.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on ingredients and specific preparation.
More Delicious Vegan Holiday Breakfast Recipes:
- Gooey
Vegan Cinnamon Rolls - Easy
Overnight Vegan French Toast Casserole - Vegan
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls - Fluffy
Vegan Chocolate Pancakes