Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe: Cheesy, Pull-Apart Perfection in 55 Minutes

Imagine golden, garlicky biscuit pieces studded with pepperoni and melted mozzarella, all layered in a fluted pan and baked until bubbling—then inverted onto a platter for everyone to pull apart. This savory monkey bread recipe is the shortcut appetizer that tastes like you fussed, but takes barely an hour.

⚡ Quick Recipe Snapshot: Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 40 minutes | Total: 55 minutes | Yield: 16 servings | Difficulty: Medium | Calories: 288 per serving

Grocery List (& Shortcuts)

Main Players:

• 2 cans (16.3 oz each) large refrigerated flaky biscuits (8 count)
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 20 slices pepperoni, halved
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for serving)
• Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Smart Shortcut: Use pre-minced garlic from a jar if you’re short on time—no shame in it. The oil infuses the flavor either way.

Easy Swaps:

• Dairy-free: Try cashew mozzarella or skip the cheese and load up on pepperoni and herbs.
• Gluten-free: Swap the biscuits for a gluten-free refrigerated biscuit brand (most grocery stores carry them now).
• Vegetarian: Skip the pepperoni and double the mozzarella, or add sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach.

Step-by-Step

Prep the Seasoned Oil

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Microwave on high, covered, for 30 seconds until fragrant. Let it cool for a minute—you want the oil warm, not hot.

Build the Mixture

Cut each biscuit into four pieces (don’t stress about perfect squares—rustic is better). Add the biscuit pieces to the seasoned oil and toss to coat evenly. Fold in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and halved pepperoni until everything is mixed together.

Layer & Bake

Coat a 10-inch fluted tube pan generously with cooking spray—this step is crucial so the bread releases cleanly. Spread half of the biscuit mixture into the pan. Drizzle 1/4 cup marinara sauce over the layer. Repeat with the remaining biscuit mixture and another 1/4 cup sauce.

Bake for 40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling slightly. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Finish & Serve

Cool the pan for 10 minutes (this helps it hold together). Run a thin knife around the outer edge and the center tube to loosen it. Invert the pan onto a serving platter—the whole thing should slide out in one gorgeous pull-apart loaf. Serve warm with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping, and fresh basil or extra Parmesan if you like.

Riley’s Tips

• Don’t skip the cooking spray. I learned this the hard way—a well-coated pan is the difference between a beautiful release and biscuit pieces stuck to the sides. Spray it like you mean it.
• Layer marinara between, not just on top. This keeps the bread moist from the inside out and helps all those pieces stay connected as they bake.
• Make it ahead (sort of). You can assemble the whole thing in the pan up to 2 hours before baking, cover it loosely with foil, and pop it in the oven when guests arrive. Fresh-baked always wins.

Storage & Leftovers

Fridge: Store any leftover pizza monkey bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It’s honestly delicious cold straight from the fridge, or you can reheat it gently in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes until warm.

Freezer: This one doesn’t freeze beautifully after baking (the texture gets a bit dry), so enjoy it fresh or plan to finish it within a few days.

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Save This Recipe & Tell Me How It Went!

Pull up a chair and let me know: Did your pizza monkey bread recipe turn out golden and gorgeous? Did it disappear faster than you expected? Drop a comment below and let me know how your crowd loved it—and don’t forget to save this one for the next time you need an appetizer that looks special but feels totally doable.

Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe: Cheesy, Pull-Apart Perfection in 55 Minutes

This pizza monkey bread combines golden biscuit pieces with pepperoni and mozzarella. Layered in a pan and baked, it offers a pull-apart texture that makes it perfect for gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 16 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Calories: 288

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

Main

• 2 cans large refrigerated flaky biscuits (16.3 oz each, 8 count)
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 20 slices pepperoni halved
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for serving)

Fresh basil leaves

Equipment

• Microwave-safe bowl
• 10-inch fluted tube pan

Method

 

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.
2. Microwave on high, covered, for 30 seconds until fragrant. Let it cool for a minute—you want the oil warm, not hot.
3. Cut each biscuit into four pieces. Add the biscuit pieces to the seasoned oil and toss to coat evenly.
4. Fold in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and halved pepperoni until everything is mixed together.
5. Coat a 10-inch fluted tube pan generously with cooking spray. Spread half of the biscuit mixture into the pan.
6. Drizzle 1/4 cup marinara sauce over the layer. Repeat with the remaining biscuit mixture and another 1/4 cup sauce.
7. Bake for 40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling slightly.
8. Cool the pan for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around the outer edge and the center tube to loosen it.
9. Invert the pan onto a serving platter. Serve warm with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping.