Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
Get ready to wow your family and friends with Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread—an irresistible, pull-apart party appetizer that packs all the flavors of your favorite pizza into every gooey, cheesy bite. This recipe turns a handful of simple ingredients into a show-stopping centerpiece, perfect for gatherings, game nights, or even a fun twist on weeknight dinner. With its golden crust, pockets of melty cheese, and savory pepperoni, Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread is guaranteed to disappear fast!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—each ingredient brings something special, whether it’s gooey cheese, savory pepperoni, or a hint of garlic. Gather these essentials and you’re already halfway to pizza perfection!
- Refrigerated biscuit dough (2 cans, 16 oz total): These fluffy, ready-to-bake biscuits form the perfect pull-apart base and save tons of prep time.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 ½ cups): Melts beautifully throughout, giving you that classic stretchy, cheesy pizza experience.
- Sliced pepperoni, cut into quarters (1 cup): Adds spicy, meaty bites in every piece—feel free to use turkey pepperoni if you prefer.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup): Brings a salty, nutty richness that really ups the flavor.
- Melted butter (¼ cup): Coats every morsel and delivers an irresistibly rich taste.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Infuses the bread with classic pizza shop aroma and depth.
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): A blend of herbs that gives this bread that unmistakable pizza flair.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon, optional): Adjusts the heat to your liking—add more if you love a spicy kick!
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional): Adds a burst of color and freshness right before serving.
- Marinara or pizza sauce for dipping: The finishing touch—perfect for dunking each warm, cheesy bite.
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F so it’s perfectly hot when you’re ready to bake. Grease a bundt pan generously with nonstick spray or butter. This ensures your Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread pops out easily and keeps all those golden, crispy edges intact.
Step 2: Cut the Biscuit Dough
Open up those refrigerated biscuit cans and cut each biscuit into quarters. This step creates the ideal, bite-sized pieces that soak up all the cheesy, buttery goodness and make the monkey bread easy to pull apart.
Step 3: Mix All the Goodness
In a large mixing bowl, combine the biscuit pieces, mozzarella, quartered pepperoni, Parmesan, melted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Toss everything together until every piece is coated in cheesy, herby, buttery flavor—don’t be afraid to use your hands for this!
Step 4: Fill the Bundt Pan
Spoon the mixture into your prepared bundt pan, spreading it out evenly. Gently press down as you go—this helps the bread bake up nice and cohesive, with all the cheese and pepperoni distributed throughout every layer.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden brown and the dough is cooked through. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen smells like a pizzeria and the top springs back lightly when pressed.
Step 6: Cool and Invert
Let your Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes—this helps it set and makes unmolding a breeze. Then, carefully invert it onto a serving plate. If you like, sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh, colorful finish.
Step 7: Serve with Sauce
Serve your masterpiece warm, surrounded by bowls of marinara or pizza sauce for dipping. Watch as everyone dives in for a cheesy, pepperoni-studded piece—it’s pure comfort food magic!
How to Serve Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped parsley or a little extra Parmesan right before serving brings color and a fresh lift to the rich, savory flavors of Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread. If you want to get fancy, try a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil or even a scattering of fresh basil leaves.
Side Dishes
This pull-apart bread is a showstopper all on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad, roasted veggies, or even a bowl of minestrone soup. For a true pizza party vibe, set out some antipasto skewers or a platter of fresh fruit for balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, simply place your Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread on a big platter surrounded by dipping sauces—marinara, ranch, or even pesto. For a fun family dinner, serve straight from the pan for everyone to dig in. You can also bake the mixture in individual muffin tins for adorable, personal-sized portions!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread left (and that’s a big if!), wrap it tightly in foil or transfer to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, staying soft and flavorful for easy snacking or quick lunches.
Freezing
To freeze, let the bread cool completely, then wrap individual pieces or the whole loaf in plastic wrap followed by foil. Store in a freezer bag for up to a month. When pizza cravings strike, you’ll have homemade comfort ready to go!
Reheating
For best results, reheat Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread in a 300°F oven, covered loosely with foil for about 10–15 minutes, until heated through. You can also microwave individual pieces for 30–45 seconds, though the oven keeps the crust crispier.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of biscuit dough?
Absolutely! Homemade pizza dough works great if you have the time, just cut it into small pieces and proceed as directed. The texture will be a little chewier, but just as delicious.
What other fillings can I add to Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread?
There are so many tasty options! Try adding sautéed mushrooms, diced bell peppers, cooked sausage, or even a handful of black olives. Just make sure your add-ins aren’t too wet so the bread bakes up perfectly.
Do I need a bundt pan for this recipe?
No bundt pan? No problem! You can use a tube pan, loaf pan, or even a deep cake pan—just keep an eye on the baking time and check for doneness in the center.
Can I make this ahead for a party?
Yes! You can assemble the bread up to 8 hours ahead and store it in the refrigerator, then bake just before your guests arrive. Leftovers also reheat beautifully for next-day enjoyment.
Is Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread spicy?
It’s mild as written, but the red pepper flakes add optional heat. Adjust to your taste, or leave them out entirely for a kid-friendly version that everyone will love.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to bring the wow factor to your next gathering, Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s easy, endlessly customizable, and downright addictive—so don’t be surprised if it vanishes in minutes. Give it a try and get ready for cheers around the table!
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Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread is a fun, pull-apart savory treat perfect for parties and game day. Made with flaky biscuit dough layered with mozzarella, pepperoni, and Parmesan, it’s seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs then baked to golden perfection. Serve warm with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping to enjoy a crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines classic pizza flavors in a shareable, finger-friendly form.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans (16 oz total) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni, cut into quarters
Other
- ¼ cup melted butter
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
- Marinara or pizza sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a bundt pan using nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cut Biscuit Dough: Open the refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. This will create small pieces perfect for layering.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the biscuit pieces along with shredded mozzarella, quartered pepperoni, grated Parmesan, melted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly to coat each piece evenly.
- Assemble in Pan: Transfer the mixture into the prepared bundt pan, spreading and pressing gently to pack the dough pieces evenly without squashing.
- Bake: Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Bake until the top is golden brown and the biscuit dough is cooked through.
- Cool and Invert: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes. Then carefully invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate so the bread comes out cleanly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley on top if desired. Serve the monkey bread warm with marinara or pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked sausage, diced bell peppers, or mushrooms for the pepperoni to customize flavors.
- Ensure the dough pieces are evenly coated with butter and seasonings for the best flavor.
- This recipe works great as a fun appetizer for parties, game days, or casual dinners.
- Make sure to let the bread cool slightly before inverting to avoid breaking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of loaf)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
