Gooey Gluten-Free Monkey Bread Bliss

Welcome to the ultimate guide for a truly delightful treat that promises to elevate any morning meal or festive gathering: our incredibly light and fluffy Gluten-Free Monkey Bread. This recipe takes the classic pull-apart breakfast pastry you know and love, and transforms it into a gluten-free masterpiece that tastes just as good, if not better, than the original. Imagine soft, tender dough balls, each generously coated in a shimmering cinnamon sugar mixture, then baked to golden perfection and drenched in a rich, homemade caramel sauce. The result? A stunning brunch centerpiece that’s surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to be devoured by all, whether they follow a gluten-free diet or not. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this tear-and-share sensation that brings warmth, sweetness, and a touch of magic to your table.

Side on view of monkey bread on a white plate with a white bowl of caramel off to one side.

Contents

Why You’ll Love This Gluten-Free Monkey Bread Recipe

This isn’t just another gluten-free recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed to bring joy and ease to your kitchen. Here’s why our Gluten-Free Monkey Bread is set to become a firm favorite:

An Irresistible Crowd-Pleaser: From its soft, fluffy dough balls to the satisfying crunch of cinnamon sugar and the decadent stickiness of homemade caramel glaze, this gluten-free take on classic monkey bread is an absolute showstopper. It’s perfect for your next brunch, holiday breakfast, or any occasion where you want to share a sweet, comforting treat that caters to everyone. Its pull-apart nature makes it naturally interactive and fun to eat, encouraging communal enjoyment.
Fun and Engaging for All Ages: This recipe is a fantastic opportunity to get the whole family involved in the kitchen. Kids will especially love the hands-on process of rolling the dough balls in the vibrant cinnamon sugar mixture before meticulously piling them into the bundt pan. It’s an engaging activity that culminates in a truly rewarding tear-and-share treat, creating lasting memories along with delicious flavors.
Effortless Elegance: Despite its impressive appearance, this monkey bread is much simpler to prepare than it looks. The steps are straightforward, and our detailed instructions ensure success even for novice bakers. You’ll achieve a bakery-quality result with minimal fuss, making it ideal for busy mornings or when you want to create something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Glorious Gluten-Free Texture: One of the biggest challenges in gluten-free baking is achieving that perfect soft and chewy texture. Our recipe utilizes a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and specific techniques to ensure the dough is incredibly tender and moist, avoiding the dryness or crumbliness often associated with gluten-free baked goods. Each bite is a testament to the fact that going gluten-free doesn’t mean compromising on taste or texture.
Versatile for Any Sweet Craving: While phenomenal on its own, this monkey bread also serves as a wonderful base for other additions. Consider scattering toasted nuts, chocolate chips, or even dried fruit between the layers for an extra burst of flavor and texture. It’s a versatile recipe that can be customized to suit your preferences and inspire creativity in your baking.

Overhead view of a monkey bread drizzled with caramel on a white plate. A white bowl of caramel with a white spoon sits off to one side.

Expert Chef’s Tips for Perfect Gluten-Free Monkey Bread

Achieving bakery-level perfection with your Gluten-Free Monkey Bread is easier than you think with these expert tips:

Optimal Oven Position is Key: To prevent the top of your monkey bread from becoming too dark or even burning while the center bakes through, it’s best to position your oven rack towards the bottom of the oven. This allows for more even heat distribution and helps the caramel at the bottom of the pan to bubble and cook properly without scorching the top. If you notice the top browning too rapidly during the baking process, simply tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the remainder of the cooking time. This acts as a shield, ensuring a beautifully golden-brown finish without any burnt spots.
Bundt Pan Alternatives: While a bundt pan creates that iconic, impressive shape, don’t fret if you don’t own one. You can absolutely bake this delicious monkey bread in a regular baking pan. Loaf pans are an excellent alternative as their narrower width mimics the surface area of a bundt pan, giving you a good amount of crispy, caramelized exterior. You could also use an 8 or 9-inch round cake pan. Just be aware that a larger, shallower pan might result in a slightly less crunchy outside due to the different dough-to-surface-area ratio. Adjust baking time as needed and monitor for doneness.
Elevate with Toasted Nuts: To take your Gluten-Free Monkey Bread to an entirely new level of gourmet deliciousness, consider scattering chopped and toasted nuts over the finished bread once it’s cooled slightly but is still warm. Pecans are an outstanding choice, offering a buttery crunch that beautifully complements the sweet cinnamon and caramel. Walnuts or almonds would also be fantastic. To toast nuts, simply spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden. Be sure to watch them closely as they can burn quickly!
Serving and Storage Best Practices: This monkey bread is truly at its peak when enjoyed warm, right out of the oven, allowing the caramel to remain gooey and the dough balls soft and tender. The aroma alone is half the experience! However, should you be fortunate enough to have leftovers, they will keep beautifully for another day. Store the cooled monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its freshness. For best results, gently reheat individual portions in the microwave for 15-30 seconds, or in a warm oven for a few minutes, to revive that warm, soft, and slightly gooey texture.

hand removing a piece of gluten-free monkey bread.

More Delicious Gluten-Free Recipes You’ll Adore

If you’re embracing the world of gluten-free baking and cooking, we have plenty more delectable recipes to inspire you. Expand your repertoire with these incredible gluten-free delights:

Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe
Baked Oatmeal with Blueberries
Gluten Free Classic Tiramisu
Gluten Free Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Gluten Free Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Gluten Free Gingerbread Recipe
Maple Roasted Acorn Squash

Gluten Free Monkey Bread

Prep: 55 minutes

Cook: 35 minutes

Rising Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total: 2 hours 45 minutes

This easy Gluten Free Monkey Bread recipe is perfect for weekend brunches and holiday breakfasts with a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating, doused in homemade caramel sauce!

Cheryl Malik

Print Recipe

Yields: 12 servings

Ingredients

1 ½ cups whole milk (warmed to about 110°F)
1 instant yeast packet (2 ¼ teaspoons)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
¼ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
1 teaspoon salt
4 ½ cups high quality gluten free all-purpose flour (ensure it’s a blend suitable for baking, ideally with xanthan gum)

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter (melted, for dipping dough balls before coating)

Homemade Caramel Sauce

1 cup butter (unsalted, for caramel)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ teaspoon salt

Equipment

bundt pan (a 10-12 cup capacity is ideal)
stand mixer with paddle attachment
medium bowls
small saucepan
oiled spatula
plastic wrap or clean kitchen towel
aluminum foil
baking sheet (to catch drips)

Instructions

Prepare Your Pan: Begin by generously greasing your bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray. Ensure every crevice is coated to prevent sticking, which is crucial for easy release later. Set the greased pan aside.
Create the Cinnamon Sugar Coating: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Whisk them together until thoroughly mixed. This will be the delicious coating for your dough balls.
Combine Dry Ingredients for the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the gluten-free all-purpose flour, the first measure of granulated sugar (⅓ cup), instant yeast, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together on low speed until they are well combined.
Mix Wet Ingredients into Dough: With the mixer still running on low speed, slowly pour in the warmed whole milk (ensure it’s around 110°F to activate the yeast properly), the two large eggs, and the slightly cooled melted butter. Increase the mixer speed to medium and continue to mix for about 3 minutes until the dough becomes very smooth and uniform. Don’t be alarmed if the gluten-free dough appears quite thick; this is normal for many GF yeast doughs.
First Rise: Use an oiled spatula to carefully scrape down the bottom and sides of the mixer bowl, ensuring all the dough is gathered. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 45-60 minutes, or until it has visibly doubled in size. This rise is essential for a light and airy texture.
Preheat Oven and Adjust Rack: While the dough is on its first rise, adjust your oven rack to a lower position. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Baking the monkey bread towards the bottom of the oven helps prevent the top from burning prematurely, allowing the caramel to cook evenly.
Form and Coat Dough Balls: Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Now, it’s time to form the individual monkey bread balls. Take small pieces of dough, aiming for approximately 1.25 inches in diameter for each. You’ll need about 35-40 balls in total, so keep them modest in size to ensure even baking and a good pull-apart experience. Dip each dough ball, one by one, into the bowl of melted butter (this helps the cinnamon sugar stick!) and then generously roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. As you finish coating each ball, arrange them artfully and somewhat loosely in your prepared bundt pan. You may need a little extra cinnamon-sugar if you coat them very heavily.
Second Rise: Cover the filled bundt pan with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the shaped monkey bread to rest for a final 20 minutes. During this second, shorter rise, the dough balls will slightly expand, contributing to their ultimate fluffiness.
Prepare the Homemade Caramel Sauce: While the monkey bread rests, begin preparing your luscious caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt the 1 cup of butter over medium-low heat. Once melted, add the packed brown sugar. Whisk the butter and brown sugar together continuously until the mixture is bubbly and thoroughly combined, forming a smooth caramel. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
Drench and Bake: Carefully pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the dough balls in the bundt pan. If you’d like extra caramel for serving, reserve a small amount before pouring. Place the bundt pan onto a baking sheet—this is a crucial step as the caramel often bubbles over during baking and will catch any drips, saving your oven from a sticky mess! Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the caramel is bubbly around the edges. If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil.
Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the monkey bread from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes. This cooling period is important as it allows the caramel to set slightly and prevents the bread from falling apart when inverted. After resting, carefully invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate. Scrape any remaining caramel from the pan onto the bread. Serve warm, pulling apart the sweet, sticky pieces, perhaps with the reserved caramel on the side, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts!

Notes

Oven Rack Placement: Baking towards the bottom of the oven is highly recommended to ensure even cooking and prevent the top from burning. If your oven has hot spots or if the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the remaining bake time.
Bundt Pan Alternatives: No bundt pan? No problem! A loaf pan or even a round cake pan can be used. Just keep in mind that the shape and texture of the crust might vary slightly. Loaf pans work particularly well for replicating some of the crusty edges a bundt offers.
Nutty Enhancements: For an extra layer of flavor and texture, sprinkle chopped and toasted nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds, over the warm monkey bread just before serving. This adds a delightful crunch that pairs beautifully with the soft dough and sweet caramel.
Serving Temperature and Storage: Monkey bread is undoubtedly best enjoyed warm, ideally shortly after baking when the dough is fluffiest and the caramel is perfectly gooey. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain delicious for about a day. For optimal enjoyment, gently reheat servings in the microwave or a low oven until warmed through.
Gluten-Free Flour Blend: The success of this recipe relies on a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Look for blends that specifically mention being suitable for yeast baking or those that already contain xanthan gum, which helps with the dough’s structure and elasticity in the absence of gluten.

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

We truly hope you adore this Gluten-Free Monkey Bread as much as we do. It’s a labor of love that proves gluten-free baking can be every bit as indulgent and satisfying as traditional recipes. Whether it’s the star of your holiday table or a cozy weekend treat, this sticky, sweet, and perfectly tender bread is sure to bring smiles to faces. Don’t forget to share your creations with us, and if you have any questions or tips of your own, we’d love to hear them! Happy baking!