These easy Monkey Bread Muffins are made with refrigerated biscuit dough and baked in a muffin tin for soft, pull-apart bites coated in cinnamon sugar. With just 5 simple ingredients and no Bundt pan required, they're perfect for breakfast, brunch, or sweet treat.
If you've never had monkey bread, it's a sweet, pull-apart treat made with soft biscuit dough coated in cinnamon sugar and baked until golden and gooey. Traditional versions are made in a Bundt pan, like my classic monkey bread, but these monkey bread muffins are baked in a muffin tin for easy, individual servings.
I first made these when my Bundt pan was already in use, and honestly, they've been a favorite ever since! Same delicious flavor, just in smaller, grab-and-go portions that are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a quick sweet treat.
Quick Look: Easy Monkey Bread Muffins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 10 muffins
- Method: Muffin tin
- Key Ingredients: Biscuit dough, cinnamon sugar
- Texture: Soft, gooey, pull-apart
- Skill Level: Easy
- Perfect For: Breakfast, brunch, or dessert
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made in a muffin tin, no Bundt pan needed
- Easy shortcut using refrigerated biscuit dough
- Soft, gooey, pull-apart texture with cinnamon sugar in every bite
- Individual servings perfect for grab-and-go mornings alongside other sweet treats like Cinnamon Sugar Breakfast Muffins
- Ready in about 25 minutes with just a few simple ingredients
Ingredient Notes
See the printable recipe card below for full measurements and directions.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough – This is the shortcut that makes these monkey bread muffins quick and easy. I typically use Pillsbury, but any brand works. You can also use homemade biscuits like my Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits for a from-scratch option.
- Butter & brown sugar – Create a rich, caramel-like glaze as the muffins bake in the muffin tin.
- Granulated sugar & cinnamon – Coat the biscuit pieces for that classic cinnamon sugar flavor.
Variations
- Mini Monkey Bread Muffins – Use smaller portions of biscuit dough in each muffin cup for bite-sized treats.
- Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Muffins – Swap biscuit dough for canned cinnamon rolls for a sweeter twist.
- Apple Monkey Bread Muffins – Add diced apples and a pinch of apple pie spice for a fall-inspired version.
- Chocolate Chip – Mix in chocolate chips for a dessert-style muffin.
- Cream Cheese Filled – Add small pieces of cream cheese inside the biscuit dough for a creamy center.
- You can drizzle caramel or icing over the top for extra sweetness.
- Savory Pull-Apart Option – Skip the cinnamon sugar and try a savory version like my Pull Apart Pizza Bread.
How to Make Monkey Bread Muffins in Muffin Tins
Step 1. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray. Melt the butter, then whisk in the brown sugar. Add about 1 tablespoon of the mixture to each greased muffin cup.
Step 2. Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. Add the sugar and cinnamon to a large plastic bag, then toss in the biscuit pieces and shake to coat in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Step 3. Add about 4 biscuit dough pieces to each greased muffin cup.
Step 4. Place the muffin pan in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 13-15 minutes. Let cool for 2 minutes, then flip onto a plate so the glaze coats each muffin. Serve and enjoy!
Baking Tips
- Don't overbake – Bake just until golden brown to keep the muffins soft and fluffy, similar to my Coffee Cake Muffins.
- Grease the muffin pan well – This helps prevent sticking and ensures the glaze releases easily.
- Use thawed biscuit dough – If using frozen biscuits, let them thaw completely for even baking.
- Flip while warm – Invert the muffin pan after a couple minutes so the glaze coats each muffin.
Storage
- Room Temperature: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in the microwave before serving to bring back that soft, gooey texture.
Monkey Bread Muffins Recipe FAQs
Grease each muffin cup well with nonstick spray so the brown sugar glaze releases easily after baking.
Yes! Bake them ahead and store in an airtight container. Reheat briefly before serving for the best texture.
This usually happens if there's too much butter or the muffins sit too long in the pan. Flip them out after a couple minutes so the glaze doesn't pool.
Monkey bread gets its name from the way it's eaten, pulling apart pieces by hand, similar to how monkeys pick at their food.
More Pull Apart Bread Recipes You’ll Love
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Monkey Bread Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough 8 count, such as Pillsbury
- ½ cup butter melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray.
- Melt butter, then whisk in brown sugar until combined. Add about 1 tablespoon to each greased muffin cup.
- Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. Add to a bag with cinnamon sugar and shake to coat.
- Place about 4 biscuit dough pieces into each muffin cup.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes, until golden brown.
- Cool for 2 minutes, then flip onto a plate so the glaze coats each muffin. Serve warm.
Notes
- Grease well: Coat each muffin cup thoroughly so the glaze doesn't stick.
- Don't overbake: Remove when golden to keep them soft and fluffy.
- Best served warm: Reheat briefly in the microwave for that gooey texture.
- Make it your own: Try cinnamon rolls, apples, or chocolate chips for easy variations.
Nutrition
Theresa says
I make monkey bread all the time but I make my own bread dough and just cut that into pieces and then coat them. My kids help me and it ends up being a great time with my kids. Cant wait to try them in the muffin pan.
Kristin says
Oh fun!! Great idea on making your own dough! I have done that a few times using the bread machine and its delicious!!
Jennifer @ Emulsified Family says
Wish I had biscuits in the fridge right now. I guess I could always make some dough real fast, but I’m too lazy right now! Pinning this to save for later. I love the idea of making it in muffin tins instead of a big loaf pan! Thanks!
Laura says
Tried these for the first time today, oh so good! Very easy to make, so they’ll be on the favorites list. Thanks for sharing.
Jerry Anderson says
The recipe doesn’t say, this makes 12 right? Thanks.
Kristin and Adriana says
Yes! Sorry about that! This recipes makes 12 🙂
CodyBear says
Oh my lord, making these now! Sounds and looks absolutely delicious! And so easy too! I love to bake from scratch, but sometimes you need something easy to satisfy the family, and I think this is it! Thank you so much!
Anonymous says
Hi there,
i’m wandering what a ‘can of biscuits is’? …i live in nz, never heard that term used b4 & i’m wandering what the closet thing we have 2 those biscuits is, so i can make some, they look soooooo yummy & i’m not much of a baker person by any means lol….
Kristin and Adriana says
Hi! A can of biscuits is pre made biscuit dough that you can take out of the can and bake 🙂
Do you have anything similar near you? Making homemade biscuits would work too 🙂
terrie McGauley says
My kids always enjoyed monkey bread. They are now grown and have kids of there own. I love this recipe because you can make as many as you need. What a great idea.