This pumpkin monkey bread is the ultimate fall breakfast treat that’ll have your family running to the kitchen! Soft, pillowy pieces of dough coated in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with a gooey pumpkin caramel sauce—it’s like autumn in every bite. Perfect for holiday mornings, weekend brunches, or whenever you need a little cozy comfort in your life.
What is Pumpkin Monkey Bread?
Pumpkin monkey bread is a delicious twist on the classic pull-apart bread that combines the warm flavors of pumpkin spice with gooey caramel goodness. This easy pumpkin spice monkey bread starts with refrigerated biscuit dough (or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious!), which is cut into pieces, coated in cinnamon sugar, and baked in a bundt pan with a luscious pumpkin butter sauce. The result? A sticky, sweet, utterly irresistible fall dessert or breakfast that everyone will devour.
The beauty of this pumpkin monkey bread recipe is its versatility—serve it warm from the oven as a special breakfast, bring it to holiday brunches, or enjoy it as a cozy autumn dessert. Plus, it’s called “monkey bread” because you pull it apart with your hands, just like a monkey would!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Pumpkin Monkey Bread
Quick and Simple: This recipe comes together in about 15 minutes of prep time, making it perfect for busy mornings when you want something special without the fuss.
Fall Flavor Perfection: Pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice create that signature autumn taste we all crave when the leaves start changing.
Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s for a holiday breakfast, Thanksgiving morning, or a weekend brunch, pumpkin monkey bread disappears fast! Kids and adults alike can’t resist the pull-apart fun.
Budget-Friendly: Using refrigerated biscuit dough keeps costs down while still delivering restaurant-quality results.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the night before and pop it in the oven the next morning for an effortless entertaining option.
Essential Ingredients for Pumpkin Monkey Bread
While the full recipe will give you exact measurements, here’s what makes this pumpkin spice monkey bread so special:
Refrigerated Biscuits: The shortcut that makes this recipe accessible to everyone. Pillsbury Grands work beautifully, or you can use Rhodes rolls or homemade dough if you prefer.
Pure Pumpkin Puree: Make sure you’re using pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling). This adds moisture, flavor, and that gorgeous orange color to your monkey bread.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: The magic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that screams fall. You can make homemade pumpkin pie spice or use store-bought.
Brown Sugar: Creates that irresistible caramel-like coating that makes monkey bread so addictive.
Cream Cheese Glaze: The finishing touch that takes this pumpkin monkey bread from delicious to absolutely divine.
Tips for Making the Best Pumpkin Monkey Bread
Grease That Bundt Pan Well: This is crucial! Use plenty of butter or cooking spray to coat every nook and cranny of your bundt pan. Nothing’s worse than stuck monkey bread.
Don’t Skip the Cooling Time: Let your pumpkin monkey bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan before inverting. If you flip it too early, it falls apart. If you wait too long, the caramel hardens and it won’t release.
Cut Biscuits Evenly: Whether you’re cutting each biscuit into quarters or sixths, try to keep them uniform so they bake evenly.
Layer for Maximum Flavor: Some bakers layer the pumpkin sauce between the biscuit pieces for better distribution of that gooey goodness.
Watch the Oven: Monkey bread can brown quickly on top. If it’s getting too dark, tent it with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
How to Store and Reheat Pumpkin Monkey Bread
Storage: Store leftover pumpkin monkey bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If your monkey bread has a cream cheese glaze, refrigeration is a must.
Reheating: The microwave is your friend here! Heat individual portions for 30-45 seconds until warm. You can also reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Freezing: Pumpkin monkey bread freezes well for up to 2-3 months. Wrap it tightly (without glaze) in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add fresh glaze before serving.
Best Served: This pumpkin spice monkey bread is absolutely best when served warm and fresh from the oven. The gooey caramel is at its peak, and your kitchen will smell incredible!
Make-Ahead Pumpkin Monkey Bread
One of the best features of this easy pumpkin monkey bread is that you can prep it the night before for stress-free entertaining:
- Assemble the entire recipe through coating the biscuits and adding the pumpkin sauce
- Cover the bundt pan tightly with plastic wrap
- Refrigerate overnight
- In the morning, let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats
- Bake as directed, adding 5-10 extra minutes since it’s starting cold
- Make the glaze fresh while it cools
This make-ahead trick is perfect for holiday mornings like Thanksgiving or Christmas when you want to sleep in but still serve something spectacular!
Serving Suggestions for Pumpkin Monkey Bread
One of the best things about pumpkin monkey bread is its versatility—it works beautifully as a breakfast centerpiece, a brunch showstopper, or even a cozy dessert. The pull-apart nature makes it perfect for sharing, and the warm pumpkin spice flavors pair wonderfully with both sweet and savory dishes. Here are some delicious ways to serve this fall favorite:
Perfect Pairings: Serve your pumpkin monkey bread alongside scrambled eggs, bacon, or sausage for a complete fall breakfast spread.
Coffee Companion: This sweet treat is phenomenal with hot coffee, spiced chai lattes, or pumpkin spice coffee.
Brunch Star: Make it the centerpiece of your autumn brunch table alongside other fall favorites like apple cider and pumpkin muffins.
Holiday Mornings: Pumpkin monkey bread is ideal for Thanksgiving breakfast, Christmas morning, or any special occasion during the cooler months.
Dessert Option: Don’t limit this to breakfast! Serve it warm as a cozy fall dessert with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Variations and Add-Ins
While this pumpkin monkey bread recipe is absolutely delicious as written, it’s also incredibly versatile! Feel free to customize it based on your family’s preferences or what you have on hand. These variations can take your monkey bread from amazing to truly unforgettable, adding extra texture, flavor, or visual appeal. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this recipe your own!
Pecans or Walnuts: Add ½ cup of chopped nuts between the layers for extra crunch and fall flavor.
Cream Cheese Filling: Some recipes include cubes of cream cheese mixed in with the biscuit pieces for pockets of tangy richness.
Caramel Drizzle: Add an extra caramel drizzle on top of the cream cheese glaze for over-the-top sweetness.
Apple Chunks: Fresh apple pieces work wonderfully with the pumpkin spice flavors.
White Chocolate: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the finished monkey bread for a beautiful presentation.
Extra Spice: If you’re a true pumpkin spice lover, increase the pumpkin pie spice by ½ teaspoon for even more fall flavor.
Recipe partially adapted from Pillsbury.com
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes! You can use fresh pumpkin puree as long as it’s strained well to remove excess moisture. The texture should be similar to canned pumpkin puree (not watery).
Pure pumpkin puree (or canned pumpkin) contains only pumpkin with no added spices or sweeteners. Pumpkin pie filling has sugar, spices, and other ingredients already mixed in. For this recipe, always use pure pumpkin puree so you can control the sweetness and spice levels.
Absolutely! While a bundt pan is traditional, you can use a 9×13 baking dish, loaf pan, or round cake pans. Adjust the baking time as needed (round pans may need less time, and the bread should be golden and cooked through).
Your monkey bread is ready when the top is deep golden brown and the biscuits are cooked through. The bread should have puffed up by about 2 inches in the bundt pan. If you’re unsure, you can insert a toothpick or knife into the center—it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
Yes! Homemade dough works beautifully, though it requires more time for rising. You can also use Rhodes frozen dinner rolls—just let them thaw and rise according to package directions before cutting and coating them.
This usually happens if the pan wasn’t greased well enough or if the bread cooled too long. Make sure to generously grease every part of your bundt pan. Invert the bread after 10 minutes of cooling—not sooner, not later. If it’s stuck, pop it back in the oven for 5 minutes to re-melt the caramel, then try again.
Yes! A 9-inch round cake pan or 9×13 baking dish works great. The baking time may be slightly different (usually a bit shorter for shallower pans), so start checking around 20-25 minutes.
Similar Recipes
If you enjoy breakfast bread recipes like this, you will enjoy the ones below:
- Caramel Apple Monkey Bread
- Bourbon Pecan Sticky Buns
- Pumpkin Sticky Buns Recipe
- Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Icing
- Apple Pumpkin Turnovers Recipe
Pumpkin Monkey Bread Recipe: Easy Fall Breakfast Treat
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Easy pumpkin monkey bread with cinnamon sugar, pumpkin spice and caramel glaze. Perfect fall breakfast or dessert in 45 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers biscuits (8 count per can)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Pumpkin Sauce:
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease a 12-cup bundt pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray, making sure to coat all the nooks and crannies. Place the bundt pan on a baking sheet to catch any drips.
Step 2: Cut and Coat Biscuits
Open the cans of biscuits and separate them. Cut each biscuit into quarters (you’ll have 64 pieces total). In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Add the biscuit pieces to the bag, seal, and shake well to coat all the pieces evenly.
Step 3: Layer in Pan
Arrange the coated biscuit pieces evenly in the prepared bundt pan, creating layers.
Step 4: Make Pumpkin Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, pumpkin puree, and remaining ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Cook, stirring constantly, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved (about 2-3 minutes). The mixture should be smooth and well combined.
Step 5: Pour and Bake
Pour the warm pumpkin sauce evenly over the biscuit pieces in the bundt pan, making sure to distribute it throughout. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown and the biscuits are cooked through. The monkey bread should puff up as it bakes.
Step 6: Cool and Invert
Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes. Place a large serving plate over the top of the bundt pan. Using oven mitts, carefully flip the pan and plate together so the monkey bread releases onto the serving plate. Lift off the bundt pan. If any pieces stick, gently remove them and place back on the bread.
Step 7: Make Glaze (Optional)
While the monkey bread cools slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Add more milk if needed to reach a drizzling consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the warm monkey bread.
Step 8: Serve
Serve warm, pulling apart pieces with your hands or forks. Enjoy!
Notes
Storage: Store leftover monkey bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
Make Ahead: Assemble the entire recipe through Step 5 (before baking), cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as directed, adding 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time.
Freezing: Freeze the baked monkey bread (without glaze) for up to 2-3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and make fresh glaze before serving.
Pan Substitution: If you don’t have a bundt pan, use a 9×13-inch baking dish. The baking time may be slightly shorter (check around 30-35 minutes).
Pumpkin Puree: Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The filling contains added sugars and spices that will make the recipe too sweet.
Cream Cheese Glaze Option: For a richer glaze, beat together 4 oz softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons softened butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla, and 1-2 tablespoons milk until smooth. Heat in microwave for 15-20 seconds to make it pourable.
Add-Ins: Feel free to add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts between the biscuit layers for extra crunch.
Checking Doneness: The monkey bread is done when the top is deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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