Our 2 ingredient monkey bread muffins with cinnamon rolls, frozen rolls or refrigerated biscuits are quick amazing for breakfast or dessert! Made with a can of apple pie filling, they are baked in just 15 minutes and never last long!
I must say when I made these apple pie monkey bread muffins (as I call them) I wasn’t quite sure if they would even turn out. A lot of what I try is an experiment but many times I am pleasantly surprised and may I say these are one of the most delicious things I’ve ever made!
These are SO much easier to make than our easy monkey bread and more fun., inexpensive, and kids can help you make them too. Monkey bread muffins make a perfect weekend breakfast, dessert, or addition to any brunch too! Use whatever filling you like but apple and cherry I think work the best of them all.
Yes you can make homemade apple pie filling if you want. This is easier than you might think and great if you find fruit on sale, or go picking and get a lot. BUT if you want a throw it together treat, just use canned instead. Total for the whole pan full costs under 10 bucks which is a huge win in my book, especially during the holidays.
As for the prep you want a muffin tin sprayed with non stick cooking spray so it slides right out when done.
Monkey Bread Muffins with Cinnamon Rolls
Then for the “dough” you can cut up 2 cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls (you will use the frosting that is included as well so don’t throw that out). Or with frozen cinnamon rolls you will need to defrost those for 40 minutes first so they are thawed enough to quarter up.
You want to start with 1 can apple pie filling (21 oz, could use other flavors) or make your own. This is a great way to switching things up with cherry or mixed berries.
Can you use biscuits?
Yes you could use refrigerated pieces instead but those aren’t nearly as sweet and since this is a dessert just use the others. Regular sizes work best vs. Grands. Store brand is very similar to Pillsbury so buy whatever is on sale. 😉
Can you use frozen bread dough?
Yes, we love Rhodes frozen bread dough but it will need to be thawed enough to cut into small bite size pieces. This will take 45 minutes or so to defrost so it will take a bit more prep but yes it is totally possible! You’ll need about 8 pieces per hole.
We have used this to make our larger version of Rhodes cinnamon rolls recipe too. I just lay it out, cover with sprayed saran wrap while I am doing housework and then prep and bake!
How Long to Bake Monkey Bread Muffins
You are going to want to bake for about 18 minutes to get these baked to nice and fluffy and golden brown. You don’t want to over-bake these or they will dry out, you want the fruit to stay kinda’ ooey gooey for best results.
What can you use instead of a muffin tin?
If you don’t have this baking pan you can use silicone muffin cups instead! Set on a flat baking sheet, fill and bake just as you would otherwise. Bake time won’t change and the fun part is they are colorful, and can be served right in the cup individually.
How do you know when they are done?
You do not want to bake these too long because you want to maintain that sticky ooey gooey pull apart bread style treat. The top should be golden brown and the middle should no longer have any sticky uncooked dough present. Allow to stay put for 5 minutes and then remove from pan and enjoy immediately for best results.
Frosting Ideas
If you wanted to make more like cupcakes blend room temp. cream cheese and a small tub of marshmallow cream together. Spoon into a piping bag and put a dollop on top, serve warm. Or just sprinkle with powdered sugar to make pretty. Looking for another simple monkey bread recipe and more quick easy desserts?
A third option for a glaze would be to warm 1 cup of powdered sugar in a small saucepan + a few tbsp of milk until you get frosting consistency. Add more liquid to thin out until it is right.
Monkey Bread Muffins Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 10 cinnamon rolls, refrigerated (8 in each pkg.) or frozen
- 1 can apple pie filling , (21 oz.)
Instructions
- Cut cinnamon rolls into 9 pieces per roll and put into a bowl. (if frozen defrost covered with saran wrap for 40 minutes first)
- Empty pie filling into the same bowl. Use a knife to gently cut the larger pieces of apple up into smaller pieces.
- Stir together well.
- Spray a muffin tin well with non stick spray.
- Spoon apple pie monkey bread mixture into muffin tin holes, there will be exactly enough to fill 12 muffin tin holes.
- Move oven rack to lower level and put into oven at 350 for approx 17-20 minutes or until cinnamon roll pieces have browned.
- Allow to cool for about 5 minutes so they solidify and stay together in muffin form when taken out to serve!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Other cinnamon roll recipes you’ll love
Pumpkin monkey bread or our Chocolate monkey bread are the perfect Fall treats Use your Ninja Foodi or hot air machine to make air fryer monkey bread too This cinnamon roll monkey bread is out of this world
With pie filling you will also love our; Apple spice dump cake and air fryer dumplings.
Hello,
I am VERY excited to try your apple cinnamon monkey muffins, but just a little confused on your first step… You say cut each roll into 9 pieces..Do you mean each individual roll or the whole can? And how did you get 9 pieces instead of say 8 pieces?
thanks for clarifying.
Oh sorry, yes small pcs. for each cinnamon roll so 6-9 pcs per cinnamon roll.