Decadent Mini Monkey Breads Recipe

Bite-Sized Bliss: Adorable Mini Monkey Breads Recipe

Warm, gooey, and irresistibly sweet, these mini monkey breads are the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert that will steal the show at any gathering.

Sticky caramel sauce cascades over bite-sized pillows of tender dough, creating a decadent treat that melts in your mouth.

Each morsel bursts with rich cinnamon flavor and a delightful golden-brown crunch.

The magic of this mini monkey breads recipe lies in its simplicity and pure comfort food appeal.

Soft dough pieces are rolled in a sublime mixture of sugar and spice, then baked until perfectly caramelized.

One bite transports you to a world of pure indulgence, where every single piece promises a moment of pure bliss.

Let’s find out this delectable dessert and watch as everyone around you falls in love with these irresistible mini monkey breads.

Saving Mini Monkey Breads for Later Enjoyment

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftover monkey breads in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. They'll stay soft and delicious.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Wrap individual breads in foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F for best texture.
  • Freezing Technique: Cool completely, then place breads in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature and warm in oven before serving.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough pieces and garlic butter mixture the night before. Store separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake fresh when ready to enjoy, saving precious morning or party prep time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients to Make Mini Garlic Monkey Breads Work

For Bread Base:
  • Rhodes Dinner Rolls or Buttermilk Biscuits: Soft, pillowy foundation that creates irresistible pull-apart texture; choose rolls fully thawed or biscuits at room temperature for easy shaping.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Salted Butter, Garlic, Parmesan Cheese: Powerful trio that delivers rich, savory punch; select fresh garlic cloves for most intense flavor, quality Parmesan for nutty undertones, and butter with good cream content.
For Herbal Freshness:
  • Dried Parsley Flakes: Adds light herbal notes and visual appeal; look for bright green color indicating freshness and strong aromatic quality.

Kitchen Tools for Mini Garlic Monkey Bread Success

  • Muffin Pan: 12-count non-stick pan for perfectly portioned monkey breads.
  • Mixing Bowl: Medium-sized bowl for combining garlic butter and tossing dough.
  • Pastry Brush: Optional tool for evenly spreading melted butter mixture.
  • Measuring Cups: For precise measuring of Parmesan cheese and ingredients.
  • Knife: To quarter dinner rolls or biscuits quickly and evenly.
  • Spatula: Helpful for mixing ingredients and serving warm breads.

Baking Mini Garlic Monkey Breads with Ease

  • Sleepy Dough Awakening

Let frozen rolls or biscuits naturally come to room temperature, giving them time to plump and soften.

  • Toasty Kitchen Prep

Warm the oven to a cozy 375°F and give your muffin pan a light spritz of cooking spray.

  • Dough Transformation

Gently slice each roll or biscuit into four adorable little pillows of potential deliciousness.

  • Flavor Bath

Whisk together melted butter, fragrant garlic, and whispers of herbal parsley in a welcoming bowl.

  • Cheesy Nestling

Dance each dough piece through the buttery mixture, then lovingly nestle six pieces into each muffin cup. Shower each bundle with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

  • Golden Magic

Let the oven work its magic, transforming these little bites into golden, puffy treasures in about 12-14 minutes.

  • Final Touch

Dust the warm bread bites with an extra cascade of Parmesan and serve immediately for maximum yumminess.

Tips for a Fluffier Garlic Monkey Bread Finish

  • Use homemade pizza dough or crescent roll dough for a unique texture and flavor profile that elevates the classic recipe.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, or crumbled feta to create exciting flavor combinations that will surprise your taste buds.
  • Fresh herbs make a world of difference – try chopped rosemary, thyme, or basil instead of parsley to add unexpected depth and aromatic notes to your mini monkey breads.
  • Kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes, cayenne powder, or a dash of hot sauce to the garlic butter mixture for those who love a little extra zing in their bread.
  • Prepare the entire batch ahead of time and refrigerate unbaked. When ready to serve, simply pop them in the oven for fresh, warm monkey breads that taste like they were just made.

Creative Ways to Serve Mini Garlic Monkey Breads

  • Party Platter Powerhouse: Arrange these mini garlic monkey breads on a rustic wooden board with small dipping bowls of marinara sauce or herb-infused olive oil for a stunning appetizer spread.
  • Brunch Brilliance: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh fruit for a delightful weekend morning meal that will impress family and friends.
  • Game Day Delight: Pair these cheesy, garlicky bites with cold beverages during sports watching, making them the perfect finger food that disappears quickly from the table.
  • Soup Sidekick: Complement a creamy tomato or potato soup by using these mini monkey breads as a crunchy, flavorful dipping companion that adds texture and excitement to the meal.
Print
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Decadent Mini Monkey Breads Recipe

Decadent Mini Monkey Breads Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Delightful mini monkey breads combine sweet cinnamon-sugar pastry with irresistible pull-apart charm. Bakers can easily craft these miniature treats that promise pure comfort and delicious nostalgia for weekend brunch or afternoon snacking.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 18 Rhodes Dinner Rolls, thawed (or 2 cans of refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits, 7.5 oz/212 g)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra grated Parmesan cheese for topping
  • 6 tbsps (90 ml) salted butter, melted
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) dried parsley flakes

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Thaw dinner rolls at room temperature or select refrigerated biscuits for faster assembly.
  2. Preheating: Warm the oven to 375°F and generously spray a 12-count muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Dough Segmentation: Slice each roll or biscuit into four uniform quarters, creating bite-sized morsels.
  4. Flavor Infusion: Whisk melted butter with minced garlic and dried parsley to craft a robust, aromatic coating.
  5. Dough Coating: Meticulously tumble dough pieces in the garlic butter mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  6. Muffin Arrangement: Methodically distribute buttered dough clusters into muffin cups, creating compact, interconnected bundles.
  7. Cheese Embellishment: Lavishly dust each dough cluster with grated Parmesan, enhancing the savory profile.
  8. Baking Process: Slide the muffin pan into the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes until achieving a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
  9. Final Touch: Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining Parmesan, and serve warm, inviting guests to enjoy the pull-apart texture.

Notes

  • Thaw with Care: Ensure dinner rolls are properly thawed at room temperature for even rising and soft texture.
  • Butter Coating Technique: Thoroughly coat each dough piece in garlic butter mixture for maximum flavor penetration.
  • Cheese Timing: Sprinkle Parmesan before and after baking to enhance depth of cheesy goodness.
  • Perfect Browning Watch: Monitor baking time closely to achieve golden-brown color without burning edges.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 360 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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