Irresistible Homemade Monkey Bread with Cinnamon and Walnuts

If you’re looking for a soft, gooey treat bursting with warm spice and crunchy nuts, your search ends here with this irresistible Homemade Monkey Bread with Cinnamon and Walnuts. This dish is a crowd-pleaser that combines tender dough bites rolled in cinnamon sugar, baked to perfection, and layered with toasted walnuts for just the right crunch. It’s the ultimate comfort food that brings a delightful aroma to your kitchen and makes every bite a joyous experience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Irresistibly Soft Texture: Every piece melts in your mouth thanks to perfectly tender dough.
• Warm Cinnamon Flavor: Packed with cinnamon (natural), the sugar coating creates a cozy sweetness.
• Crunchy Walnuts: Added toasted walnuts bring satisfying contrast to the gooey bites.
• Easy to Share: Pull-apart design makes it perfect for gatherings or family breakfasts.
• Simple Ingredients: Uses straightforward pantry staples without any fuss.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Homemade Monkey Bread with Cinnamon and Walnuts uses simple yet essential ingredients that work together to deliver an unforgettable flavor, texture, and color. Each ingredient plays an important role, from the sweetness to the fluffy bites and crunchy nutty topping.

• Flour: The base that creates the soft dough structure.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cinnamon mixture caramelize.
• Cinnamon (natural): Provides warm spice and a fragrant aroma.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the dough rises and becomes fluffy.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness for a richer taste.
• Plant-based Milk: Keeps the dough moist and tender.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps with flaky, soft bites.
• Natural Gelling Agent: Gives just enough structure without heaviness.
• Walnuts: Toasted to add crunch and nutty flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Creates that sticky, caramel-like glaze coating each piece.

Variations for Homemade Monkey Bread with Cinnamon and Walnuts

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable so you can customize it easily for your taste buds or dietary needs. Whether you want to switch up nuts, add fruit, or try a new flavor twist, these ideas will inspire delicious variations.

• Different Nuts: Swap walnuts for almonds, pecans, or pistachios for varied crunch.
• Fruit Additions: Toss in dried cranberries or raisins for a pop of sweetness.
• Spice Mix: Mix cinnamon with nutmeg or cardamom for a richer spice profile.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Add melted plant-based chocolate as a finishing touch.
• Maple Syrup Glaze: Drizzle pure maple syrup (natural) instead of brown sugar for a different sticky coating.

How to Make Homemade Monkey Bread with Cinnamon and Walnuts

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and natural gelling agent in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together plant-based milk, vegetable oil, and sugar. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Form the Dough Balls

Lightly flour your hands and roll the dough into small, bite-sized balls. This step creates the iconic pull-apart shape typical of monkey bread.

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a shallow bowl, mix together the cinnamon (natural) and brown sugar. Dip each dough ball in melted vegetable oil, then roll it generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture to ensure it’s fully coated.

Step 4: Toast the Walnuts

Place the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast them until fragrant and slightly browned, about 4-5 minutes. Be sure to stir often to prevent burning.

Step 5: Assemble the Monkey Bread

Grease a bundt pan and begin layering the coated dough balls, sprinkling toasted walnuts between each layer for added crunch. Continue until all the dough balls are packed tightly in the pan.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bread feels springy. Allow it to cool slightly before inverting.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully invert the bundt pan onto a plate to reveal your gooey, cinnamony masterpiece loaded with walnuts. Pull apart pieces as you serve to enjoy every sticky, nutty bite.

Pro Tips for Making Homemade Monkey Bread with Cinnamon and Walnuts

• Perfect Dough Size: Keep dough balls about 1 to 1.5 inches wide for ideal baking and easy pull-apart.
• Even Coating: Double-dip dough balls in cinnamon sugar for extra flavor and gooeyness.
• Careful Toasting: Toast the walnuts gently for the best crunch and flavor without bitterness.
• Bundt Pan Handling: Ensure bundt pan is well-greased for smooth removal after baking.
• Don’t Overbake: Watch closely near the end to keep the bread perfectly soft inside.

How to Serve Homemade Monkey Bread with Cinnamon and Walnuts

Garnishes

Sprinkle powdered cinnamon sugar (natural) on top or drizzle with a light maple syrup (natural) glaze for an extra touch of sweetness and shine.

Side Dishes

Pair warm slices with fresh fruit salad or plant-based yogurt for a balanced, satisfying breakfast or snack spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the monkey bread in a decorative bundt pan or on a wooden board surrounded by toasted walnuts and cinnamon sticks to impress your guests visually.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover monkey bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to retain freshness and softness.

Freezing

Slice into portions and freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Warm individual slices in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes or microwave briefly to bring back that fresh-baked feel.

FAQs

Can I use other nuts besides walnuts?

Absolutely! Pecans, almonds, or even hazelnuts work wonderfully and add their own unique crunch and flavor.

Is this recipe suitable for nut allergies?

If you have nut allergies, omit the walnuts and consider adding seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for crunch instead.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, by using plant-based milk and oil, plus ensuring your sugar is processed without bone char, this recipe fits perfectly into a vegan lifestyle.

How do I prevent the bread from sticking to the pan?

Grease your bundt pan thoroughly with vegetable oil and a dusting of flour to make sure the monkey bread releases easily after baking.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for a few hours before shaping and baking; just bring it to room temperature before rolling into balls.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting and exciting about pulling apart warm, cinnamon-coated dough packed with crunchy walnuts. This Homemade Monkey Bread with Cinnamon and Walnuts recipe brings that joy straight to your table. Easy, adaptable, and absolutely delicious, it beckons you to give it a try, share it with loved ones, and savor every gooey, nutty bite along the way.

Related Posts

• Irresistible Vanilla Coffee Cupcakes with Creamy Frosting
• Irresistible Nutella-Stuffed Snowball Cookies Recipe
• Irresistible Banana Bread with Homemade Oat Flour

Print