Our 2 ingredient monkey bread muffins baked in a muffin tin are amazing! Made with refrigerated cinnamon rolls and pie filling, they are a quick breakfast or dessert made in 15 minutes, smaller than our easy monkey bread and more fun.
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- Ingredient Notes
- Apple Monkey Bread Muffins with Frozen Cinnamon Rolls
- Can you uses biscuits instead of cinnamon rolls to make monkey bread muffins?
- How Long to Bake Monkey Bread in a Muffin Tin
- Frosting Ideas
- What can you use instead of a muffin tin?
- Monkey Bread Muffins Recipe
- Other cinnamon roll recipes you’ll love
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! One of the best muffin recipes we have.
These are SO simple to make, inexpensive, and so easy 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.
Since they are already portioned out they are easier to serve, and have that great apple pie flavor filled with cinnamon that we all love! I say they are not just muffins but monkey bread too because you could easily throw out the forks and just eat with your hands since it pulls apart easily, and are fun to eat!
Ingredient Notes
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.
Then for the “dough” you will cut up 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls (you will use the frosting that is included as well so don’t throw that out).
As for the prep you want a muffin tin sprayed with non stick cooking spray so it slides right out when done.
Apple Monkey Bread Muffins with Frozen Cinnamon Rolls
You could start with frozen cinnamon rolls first but it will take longer. For those you have to cover with sprayed saran wrap and allow to defrost and rise for about 45 minutes first. Then you can cut into pieces and continue with instructions below.
Can you uses biscuits instead of cinnamon rolls to make monkey bread muffins?
So easy right?!! You could use refrigerated biscuits 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. 😉 This is a great frozen Rhodes cinnamon rolls recipe too. You just have to defrost those first a bit before slicing.
How Long to Bake Monkey Bread in a Muffin Tin
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.
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.
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.
Monkey Bread Muffins Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 10 cinnamon rolls, refrigerated (8 in each pkg.)
- 1 can apple pie filling , (21 oz.)
Instructions
- Cut cinnamon rolls into 9 pieces per roll and put into a bowl.
- 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 hand pies. Our apple carrot muffins are a great combo too. Now jump to recipe and get a small bowl out to get started.
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.