Apple Monkey Bread Crockpot Recipe
Apple Monkey Bread Recipe is a delicious sweet treat, easily made in a slow cooker. This super easy monkey bread recipe uses store-bought biscuits!
This crockpot monkey bread will be the hit of your brunch! And if you have company, it doesn’t take up oven space to bake!
Why You Must Make
- Using canned, grocery store biscuits is so much easier than making this monkey bread from scratch.
- Cooking in a slow cooker makes this a “fix it and forget it” recipe. It’s super easy.
- Adding apple chunks along with cinnamon, elevate this recipe to a new high! And though yummy all year long, the apples and cinnamon make for a perfect autumn treat.
My family goes nuts for monkey bread or bubble rolls as we call them. Who doesn’t love gooey breakfast bread, especially when they’re spiced with cinnamon and studded with diced apples??? And what’s most amazing is that this Apple Monkey Bread is made in a slow cooker or crockpot. Two and a half hours of hands-off cooking. Doesn’t that sound perfect?
Expert Tips
These didn’t puff up as much as I expected, but for a minimal-fuss recipe, made with canned biscuits, they are excellent. For all that I bake, I rarely eat more than a nibble. But see that plate in the top photo? That was for quality control and I made every morsel disappear quickly.
- PRO-Tip: If you can’t find the original Pillsbury Biscuits, use Pillsbury Grands instead. Both are available, but if sizes change, go by the ounces instead. Look for about 30 ounces of biscuits.
- I found two packages that totaled approximately 32 ounces. They were Pillsbury Grands. If you find the original biscuits, use 4 packages which total 28 ounces.
- Cut each biscuit into quarters, then gently roll them into balls. If you use the Grands, which are larger, feel free to cut them into more pieces. They didn’t keep perfectly spherical when I tossed them with the sugar mixture, so rolling them is totally optional.
- Tweak the spice mixture as you see fit. I’d definitely keep the amount of cinnamon as is written, but add any of your favorite apple pie spices.
- The lid of the crockpot will collect some condensation. Take care not to let any of the moisture drip onto the rolls when you remove the lid.
- PRO-Tip: You can line the lid with a couple of layers of paper toweling before you start the cooking process to absorb any moisture. It’s also suggested that the monkey bread rest for 10 minutes before serving. At this point, you should add some paper towels between the lid and slow cooker to catch any drips.
- I’ve made monkey bread from scratch and using frozen bread dough. I haven’t tested either of those recipes in the crockpot, but there would most likely be a proofing time added to the baking time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monkey Bread is a pull-apart loaf formed from rounds of dough coated in butter, sugar, and spices, layered overlapping in a pan, then baked. After baking, the small rolls stick together. Monkey bread can also be savory, made with grated cheese, etc.
Monkey bread is usually made of dough, which can be yeast bread dough or biscuit dough, melted butter, and sugar. Seasonings like cinnamon plus nuts and raisins can also be used.
Also known as bubble bread or bubble rolls, monkey bread is another popular term for these breakfast rolls. The name of this dish comes from the similarity of how monkeys use their opposable thumbs to “pick” at their food and how we eat this bread.
Monkey Bread will keep at room temperature for 2-3 days if wrapped well. After that, it can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 more days. Leftovers can also be wrapped airtight and frozen for up to a month.
No, besides using a slow cooker, you can also use a solid bottom angel food pan (do not use a pan that comes in two pieces or all the melted butter and sugar will seep out the bottom). You can use a couple of loaf pans or a springform pan (wrap the pan in foil to prevent leakage into the oven).
Baking time will need to be adjusted if using 2 smaller pans instead of one.
You May Also Like:
- Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Casserole from Wishes and Dishes got my wheels turning and I thought a slow cooker breakfast would be a good excuse to dust off my seldom-used kitchen appliance.
- Slow Cooker Brownie Dessert
- Best Fall Crockpot Recipes
- 30+ Slow Cooker Recipes
Apple Monkey Bread Recipe
An easy, hands off monkey bread recipe filled with diced apples.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- a few grates of fresh nutmeg or a pinch of ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 (16 ounce) packages of Pillsbury Grands Southern Homestyle Original Biscuits or 4 (6 ounce) Original Southern Homestyle Biscuits
- 1 ½ cups diced, peeled cooking apples
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ⅓ cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Spray inside of a 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture in the bottom of the prepared slow cooker. Set the remaining sugar mixture aside.
- Cut each biscuit into quarters or even smaller pieces if you'd like.
- Add biscuits and apples to the sugar mixture in the bowl, tossing to coat.
- Add mixture to slow cooker. Sprinkle with any remaining sugar mixture.
- In a small bowl stir together butter, apple cider, and vanilla; pour over biscuits.
- Cover and cook on the high heat setting for 2 to 2½ hours or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Turn off the slow cooker. Carefully remove the lid so that condensation does not drip onto the bread.
- Cover the opening of the slow cooker with paper towels and place the lid on top. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Run a knife around the edge of the slow cooker, then move the bread to a serving platter.
- Spoon any topping from the slow cooker onto the bread; cool slightly. Serve warm.
Notes
Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 222Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 170mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 1g
77 Comments on “Apple Monkey Bread Crockpot Recipe”
This got added to my recipe box so fast. I wanted to make crockpot monkey bread the other week and found this recipe. The addition of apples made it perfect for Fall so I got the ingredients. Every single person in our house loved it. I have made it every week for the past MONTH and don’t see that stopping anytime soon. I even took the crockpot and ingredients to make it at my MIL’s for Thanksgiving. It was a hit with everyone there too. It’s cheap, easy and delicious. Serve it with vanilla ice cream for an extra treat!
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know, Brittany!! I’m glad it was a hit with your family. You made my day!
Hi! This looks delicious and I want to make it for Christmas morning!
Do you think this can be made the day/evening in advance?
Hi, Deanna, Yes, I think you can make it in advance. Just rewarm to serve! Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Oh my goodness, how delicious is that! Can’t wait to give it a try
I surprised my son with this cake and boy was it a huge hit! Thank you!
This is always a huge hit in my house! I have made it twice now and my kids want me to make it again!
I made a similar recipe a couple of months ago, but this one is so much easier! I love that you make it in the Crock pot!
Christmas morning is the only day of the year that we have Monkey Bread and this crockpot recipe is a godsend. Thank you Liz!
I love that this recipe is done in the slow cooker, what a great treat this bread is.
This monkey bread looks so delicious. Store bought biscuit dough is not readily available here, but this looks soooooo stickily delicious that I am sure it would be worth whipping up some homemade dough.
I don’t know if I could sleep with that delicious aroma in the home. What a fantastic idea for around the holidays. I know my boys are going to go nuts over this recipe.
I have never made monkey bread. Your recipe looks so easy, I am so tempted to try.
I can’t believe you can use your crockpot for this! I love monkey bread but it always seems like too much work. Thanks for giving us a great shortcut!
I’ve never made monkey bread but really want to try your recipe! So addicting and absolutely hard to resist 🙂
I can see how these would be hard to resist! And so easy!
Ha love this, and made with cans refrigerated biscuits. We do not have a huge selection here of that stuff, maybe Pillsbury and that is is. But curious to try, especially in a crockpot.
I love that this is made in a crockpot and so easy we are all big fans of these fall flavors !
I dont want to make such a large portion (crazy i know!) Im curious about cutting the recipe in half…has anyone tried that?
Personally, I’ve only made the full batch, but I think it would work fine using half the ingredients. You’ll have a much flatter finished product, but it will still be yummy. I’d check it early to see if it’s done (maybe at the 90 minute mark). Let me know how it goes!
When you say cans of biscuits, do you mean like Pillsbury??
Yes, exactly. The kind you find in the refrigerator section of your grocery store. Have a great weekend!
Love the recipe! Thank so much for send it out again with the top 14. I made the biscuits from scratch too using this recipe
http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/06/30/homemade-monkey-bread-aka-cinnamon-roll-bites/
Then followed all the steps in your recipe except I did not cook the apples. It turned out great.
Wow, I bet these rolls were spectacular with homemade biscuits! Thanks so much for reporting back, Ban! Happy New Year!
Has anyone tried to make this overnight? I’d love to try this out for breakfast, but there is no way that I’d be up a few hours before we wanted to eat. But it looks amazing:)
This was delish, but my crockpot was going on 4 hours before I threw everything in the oven to finish it off. I think in the future, it could cook overnight on low and be done when everyone wakes. 🙂
Lizzy,
One more for my bucket list. Your sweets just make me drool.
Annamaria
Could this recipe be adapted for the oven? I think I might give it a try. Looks delicous!
Yes, definitely, though it might take more than one pan…there are a LOT of rolls. I’ve seen one using 3 tubes of biscuits that you bake at 350º for about 35 minutes 🙂
Crock pot monkey bread is a neat idea! I bet it smelled amazing those hours it was baking…looks so good. I will make it and hope mine comes out from the pot as nicely as yours did, Lizzy!
I think it’s so cool that you made monkey bread in a crock pot, Liz! If I had the space for it, I’d buy one (along with all the other items on my long list of wanted kitchen items). Apples and carbs are so delicious together, especially when it’s all sugary-cinnamony. Love this!
Monkey bread cooked in a slowcooker? Really? Is that normal? I guess this is the first monkeybread recipe for which I read the instructions. Anyway, it looks awesome! It’s like an upside down apple pie bread pudding. Love it!
Can you believe I’ve never made monkey bread! I know – what the heck is wrong with me??? I’m going to add this to my holiday making goody list.
I should have guess it was you, my dear Liz who came up with this sinfully delicious bread/dessert. Love love it. It’s everywhere on Pinterest. pinning of course.
Whoa! That looks positively sinful! Everybody seems to be just nuts over their slow cookers these days. What a great recipe!
And I am like you, one bite, one taste, and I’m good. 😉
I LOVE Monkey Bread.
Pure comfort. This looks AMAZzzzing, Liz. x
This looks so mouthwatering good Liz! I can’t remember the last time I used my crockpot but it might be worth dusting off just to make monkey bread!
Looks awesome! When do you put the apples in?
Hi, Leah, See step #2…you add the apples in with the biscuits. Hope you try them 🙂
Yum, I love monkey bread and I can imagine how soft and warm and sticky this version would be.
So rich and luscious! Can’t believe this is prepared in the slow cooker!
I’ve never eaten this before but looking at your pictures I am so tempted. Absolutely gorgeous!
The idea of using a crock pot for making this awesome bread is really cool! The bread looks tempting and I too would go nuts for this monkey bread. 😛
I love the look of this, all dripping with sauce. I love the name too.
monkey bread is one of my favorites! I just love tearing off bite after bite! love that you made this in the crockpot! It is one of my absolute favorite appliances! Love finding new ways to use it!
I love the look of this breakfast bubble bread. I have never heard of it before and this is not something we typically eat for breakfast here in Oz. I’ll have to try this as I just know I’d love it. And Carl doesn’t know what half his keys are for either and I just hate it when we get to an event and he passes them to me and says, ‘Can I put these in your handbag?’ I have one shoulder lower than the other as a result of all that key-weight! xx
Can I confess that I love refrigerator biscuits especially in Monkey Bread????? Guess I just did, didn’t I? This looks so delicious.
Hi Liz! I had to read the title a few times to get the ‘crocktoberfest’ very clever and your dish the apple monkey bread would make you very popular with all those you shared it with….I think I need a monkey bread in my life, especially one with apples-wonderful;)
Well, your scrumptious breakfast bubble rolls have seriously motivated me to finally buy a slow cooker. And as soon as I get it you can bet your monkey bread will be one of the first things I make =)
There are a lot of good reasons to dust off my crockpot! Looks delicious. 🙂
That was the SMALLEST quality control plate that I have ever seen! No wonder why That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!! 🙂
Monkey bread in the Crock Pot – that is so brilliant! And all the better with apples. I can smell it now.
We love monkey bread over here but have never made in the crock pot – how intriguing!!!! Love this idea.
Oh this looks marvelous. I have never made anything sweet in my crock pot. This might be my first one.
What a glorious monkey bread, I love that glistening top!
That looks too pretty to be easy. This really hits my hot button.
My kind of bread Liz. I am salivating just looking at that plate with slice of the bread. Amazing! 🙂
This looks amazing! Any way to make it gluten free?
I don’t know if there’s such a thing as gluten free biscuits in the refrigerator section…as I’ve never looked for them. I would guess it would be hard to make gluten free unless such a product exists…so sorry!
Oh Liz this is my kind of bread. You know I love apple pie bread and this looks so similar. I’m drooling just thinking about it. I’ve just saved it and will probably make it over the weekend. Thanks for sharing this – I think! I’ll probably gain 5 pounds after eating it.
Great idea using the crockpot…
tempting to try this technique…..
I cannot believe you got such beautiful browning from the crockpot… looks amazing. I am definitely going to try this recipe in the crockpot because my family adores monkey bread too. 🙂
Liz, I can’t even tell you how much I love this! I love all of those apples and the fact that you can use pre-made biscuits!
Never made or tried monkey bread before. We have heard its amazing! Need to try it soon. The addition of the apple makes it such a great fall treat
This looks insanely delicious Liz! I can eat this morning, noon and night with some coffee of course! 😉 YUM!
I love that you call them bubble rolls! This will be so fun to try, especially with the apple addition.
Why have I never thought to make monkey bread in my slow cooker! You have totally rocked my world today!
Baking in a crockpot- who knew!? I keep seeing all these great crockpot recipes lately and I think it means I finally have to bite the bullet and buy one already.
Monkey bread is one of those things i”ve been wanting to make for a while. Love that you added apples to yours!
This looks amazing! I can almost smell it through computer
Sounds gooey and good! Love that it has apple in it too:@)
I adore this idea. I never would have thought of making monkey bread in a slow cooker. Love it!
I cannot believe these were made in the crockpot! Perfect for brunch, these would smell so good.
Okay, I would have never thought to make monkey bread in my crockpot! Such an awesome idea! I usually just use mine for dinner type meals too – but I really need to start branching out!
This apple monkey bread looks incredible Liz! I am using my crockpot more now too since the weather has gotten chillier so I love any new crockpot recipe! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Wow, how cool that you can make this in the crockpot Liz! I bet the aroma was amazing and how wonderful to have that kind of fragrance for two and a half hours! It’s so pretty too!
Liz, I am so coming to your house for breakfast!!! What a great combination of flavors. I can only imagine how wonderful the cinnamon and apple smell is in your home while cooking this. I know this is a big recipe, but I’ll admit, I’d probably eat just about all of it! Awesome recipe!!