Oh my gosh, you have to try this air fryer monkey bread! It’s my go-to when I need a quick, gooey dessert that feels special but takes almost no effort. I discovered it one lazy Sunday when my nephew begged for cinnamon rolls but we were out of eggs – talk about a happy accident! Now it’s our family’s favorite last-minute treat. The magic happens when those buttery biscuit pieces caramelize in the air fryer, creating pull-apart perfection in under 15 minutes. Trust me, once you smell that cinnamon sugar wafting through your kitchen, you’ll understand why I make this at least twice a month!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Monkey Bread
This recipe has become my secret weapon for so many reasons! First off, it’s ridiculously fast – we’re talking dessert ready before your coffee finishes brewing. The cleanup? Basically nonexistent since everything happens in one little air fryer basket. Plus, it’s:
- Impossible to mess up (even my 8-year-old niece can make it)
- Perfect for unexpected guests – looks fancy but takes zero skill
- That magical combo of crispy edges and melty centers
- Way less messy than traditional oven-baked monkey bread
Seriously, once you try this method, you’ll never want to turn on the big oven again!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Monkey Bread
Here’s the beautiful part – you only need five simple ingredients to make magic happen! I always keep these staples on hand for impromptu cravings:
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough – the flaky kind works best, but any will do (just don’t tell my grandma I use store-bought!)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar – plain white sugar makes that perfect crunchy coating
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon – use the good stuff, none of that stale powder from 2018
- 1/2 cup melted butter – unsalted is my preference, but salted adds a nice contrast
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar – pack it tight in your measuring cup for maximum caramel gooeyness
Pro tip: Let the butter cool slightly after melting so it doesn’t make the sugar mixture clumpy. And yes, I’ve learned that lesson the messy way!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for this! Just grab:
- Your trusty air fryer (any size works – we’ll adjust)
- One medium mixing bowl for the cinnamon sugar
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A small microwave-safe bowl for melting butter
That’s it! I’ve even made this using just a coffee mug for melting butter when I was feeling extra lazy. The air fryer basket does all the hard work for you!
How to Make Air Fryer Monkey Bread
Alright, let’s get to the fun part! Making this monkey bread is so easy you’ll laugh when you taste how incredible it turns out. I’ll walk you through each step – just follow along and you’ll have golden, gooey perfection in no time!
Preparing the Dough
First, grab that can of biscuits – you know the drill, give it a good whack on the counter to open (the most satisfying part!). Tear open the package and separate all the biscuits onto a clean surface. Now, take each biscuit and cut it into quarters – I use kitchen scissors because it’s faster, but a sharp knife works too.
Here’s my favorite trick: use a medium mixing bowl (about 2 quarts) for the cinnamon sugar mix. Dump in the granulated sugar and cinnamon, then whisk them together until it’s all one gorgeous caramel color. Toss in about 6-8 biscuit pieces at a time and shake that bowl like you’re panning for gold! You want each piece completely coated – no naked spots allowed. The sugar mixture should cling to every nook and cranny.
Air Frying the Monkey Bread
Now, lightly spray your air fryer basket with non-stick spray – don’t skip this or you’ll be scraping caramelized sugar for days! Arrange the coated biscuit pieces in a single layer, but don’t stress about perfection. They can touch and overlap a bit – that’s what makes it pull-apart magic.
Mix the melted butter and brown sugar in a small bowl until it looks like liquid gold, then drizzle it evenly over the biscuit pieces. Not too fast – you want every piece to get some love!
Pop the basket into your air fryer and set it to 350°F for 10 minutes. At the 8-minute mark, peek through the window – you’re looking for golden brown edges and bubbly caramel. If it needs more time, add 1-2 minutes but watch closely! That sugar can go from perfect to burnt in seconds. When it’s done, let it cool just long enough that you won’t burn your fingers – about 3-5 minutes. Then flip it onto a plate and prepare for the best pull-apart moment of your life!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Monkey Bread
Listen, I’ve made every monkey bread mistake so you don’t have to! Here are my hard-earned secrets:
- Spray, spray, spray – coat that air fryer basket generously with non-stick spray, especially in the corners where the caramel likes to stick
- Check early, check often – start peeking at 8 minutes because every air fryer runs a bit differently
- Serve it warm – this is non-negotiable! That ooey-gooey caramel texture is at its best right out of the air fryer
- Use kitchen scissors – they make cutting those biscuits into quarters so much faster than a knife
Oh! And if some pieces stick? No worries – just scrape them out with a silicone spatula. They’ll still taste amazing, I promise!
Air Fryer Monkey Bread Variations
Don’t be afraid to play with this recipe – it’s like a blank canvas for your sweet tooth! My family’s favorite twist is tossing in a handful of chopped pecans before air frying – the crunch is incredible. You could also try:
- Swapping white sugar for maple sugar in the coating (autumn vibes!)
- Sprinkling mini chocolate chips between the biscuit layers
- Adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon mix
Honestly, the worst that can happen is you invent something even more delicious – not a bad problem to have!
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer monkey bread practically begs to be served warm with a steaming cup of coffee – the cinnamon and caramel flavors just sing together! For dessert, try it à la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top (my nephew’s favorite). Presentation tip: Flip it onto a pretty plate while still warm so those gorgeous caramel strands cascade down the sides. Breakfast, snack, or dessert – it’s always a showstopper!
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Monkey Bread
Okay, let’s be real – this monkey bread rarely lasts long enough to need storing! But if you somehow have leftovers (no judgment if you don’t), here’s how to keep them tasty. Pop any cooled leftovers in an airtight container – I like using glass because the sugar won’t stick as much. They’ll stay delicious for about 2 days at room temperature, though the texture’s best on day one.
To reheat, just toss individual portions back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through. The microwave works in a pinch (15-20 seconds), but you’ll lose some of that crispy magic. Pro tip: Sprinkle a few drops of water over the pieces before reheating to revive the gooey factor!
Air Fryer Monkey Bread Nutrition Information
Now let’s be honest – we’re not eating monkey bread for its health benefits! But since you’re curious, here’s the scoop on what’s in each delicious serving (based on 6 servings). Remember, these are estimates – your exact amounts might vary depending on how generous you are with that caramel drizzle!
- 320 calories – totally worth every one!
- 28g sugar – it’s basically breakfast candy, and we love it
- 16g fat – mostly from that glorious butter
- 42g carbs – perfect for fueling your next sugar rush
My philosophy? Life’s too short to stress over dessert nutrition facts – just enjoy every gooey bite!
Frequently Asked Questions
I get so many questions about this air fryer monkey bread – here are the ones that pop up most often in my kitchen (and my DMs)!
Can I use homemade dough instead of canned biscuits?
Absolutely! My grandma actually swears by her from-scratch buttermilk biscuit dough for this. Just roll it into 1-inch balls instead of cutting quarters. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious. Fair warning – it adds about 20 minutes to your prep time.
Help! My monkey bread keeps sticking to the basket!
First – are you using non-stick spray? That’s your best friend here! If you’re still having trouble, try lining the basket with parchment paper (cut to fit) with a few holes poked in it for airflow. And whatever you do, don’t try to remove it too soon – let it cool for 5 minutes first.
What if my air fryer is smaller than yours?
No problem! Just work in batches – fill the basket only halfway up to prevent overcrowding. You might need to add 1-2 minutes to the cook time for each batch. The waiting is the hardest part, I know!
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the coated biscuit pieces up to 2 hours ahead and keep them covered at room temperature. But honestly? The magic happens when everything’s fresh and warm. That caramel deserves to be enjoyed right away!
15-Minute Air Fryer Monkey Bread – Irresistibly Gooey Bliss
- Total Time: 22 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make delicious monkey bread in your air fryer with this easy recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Cut biscuits into quarters.
- Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Coat biscuit pieces in the sugar mixture.
- Place coated pieces in a greased air fryer basket.
- Mix melted butter and brown sugar, then drizzle over the biscuits.
- Air fry at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use non-stick spray for easy removal.
- Check for doneness at 10 minutes.
- Serve warm for best taste.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: air fryer monkey bread, easy dessert, quick sweet treat