Air-Fryer Magic: Making Monkey Bread

Monkey bread is a sweet, sticky, pull-apart bread that's perfect for breakfast or dessert. It's easy to make in an air fryer, and you can even use canned biscuits as a shortcut! The air fryer method is quick and simple, resulting in a crunchy outside and soft inside texture. You can also add your own twist with ingredients like nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips.

Choosing the right ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

The dry ingredients form the foundation of your monkey bread, providing texture and flavour. Here's what you'll need:

• Flour : Choose all-purpose flour as the base for your dough. It has a good gluten content, which will give your monkey bread a nice chewy texture.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar is the primary sweetener in this recipe. It not only adds sweetness but also helps with browning and crispness. You can also experiment with light or dark brown sugar for a deeper, caramel-like flavour.
• Cinnamon: A key spice in monkey bread, cinnamon enhances the sweetness and adds a delightful aroma. Be generous with it, as it's one of the signature flavours.
• Salt: A pinch of salt will enhance the other flavours and round out the overall taste.

Wet Ingredients:

The wet ingredients bring moisture, richness, and flavour to your monkey bread. Here's what to choose:

• Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred, as it gives you control over the salt content. Look for good-quality butter with a rich, creamy texture.
• Milk: Whole milk will add creaminess and richness to your dough. If you prefer a lighter option, you can use 2% milk, but avoid skim milk as it may affect the texture.
• Eggs: Use large, fresh eggs at room temperature. They will provide structure, moisture, and a rich golden colour to your monkey bread.
• Oil: Opt for a neutral-flavoured oil like canola or vegetable oil. Its purpose is to add moisture and tenderness to your dough.
• Vanilla Extract: A small amount of vanilla extract will enhance the sweetness and add a subtle, delightful aroma.

Additional Ingredients:

These ingredients are not essential but can take your monkey bread to the next level:

• Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts can be sprinkled into the pan before adding the dough for a crunchy surprise.
• Fruits: Try adding chopped apples or raisins between the layers of dough for a fruity twist and added texture.
• Chocolate: Chocolate chips or chunks can be added to the dough for a sweet, indulgent treat.
• Bacon: For a savoury twist, cook and crumble some bacon, then add it between the layers of dough for a unique, salty contrast.

Remember, the beauty of monkey bread is its versatility, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and combinations to create your signature version of this delicious treat!

Preparing the dough

To make monkey bread in an air fryer, you can either make the dough from scratch or use store-bought biscuit dough.

Making the dough from scratch

To make the dough from scratch, you will need the following ingredients:

• Milk
• Instant yeast
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Oil
• Flour

In a mixing bowl, add the milk, yeast, and sugar, stirring to combine. Next, add the eggs, oil, and flour. Combine until you have a shaggy dough. On a floured surface, knead the dough for 4 minutes until it is soft and elastic. Place the dough back in the mixing bowl and cover it with a cloth. Let the dough rise for 45 minutes, then divide it into golf-ball-sized pieces.

Using store-bought biscuit dough

If you prefer to use store-bought biscuit dough, you will need to purchase a can of refrigerated biscuit dough. Open the can and separate the biscuits. Cut each biscuit into quarters or smaller pieces, depending on the desired size of your monkey bread. Some recipes suggest cutting each biscuit into six pieces. Place the cut biscuit pieces into a bowl and set them aside.

Making the coating

To make the coating for your monkey bread, you'll need to prepare a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Start by measuring out the sugar and cinnamon in a medium-sized mixing bowl. The exact quantities will depend on your taste preferences, but a good starting point is 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. You can also add a pinch of salt if you like. Whisk these ingredients together until they are fully combined.

Once you have your cinnamon-sugar mixture ready, it's time to coat the dough. If you're using store-bought biscuit dough, separate the biscuits and cut each one into quarters. You can also roll the dough into balls if you prefer a more rounded shape. As you cut the dough, toss the pieces into the bowl with the cinnamon-sugar mixture and shake to coat them evenly. Continue this process until all the dough pieces are in the bowl and fully coated.

In addition to the cinnamon-sugar coating, monkey bread is often glazed with a mixture of melted butter and brown sugar. To make this glaze, simply melt some butter and stir in brown sugar until you have a sticky glaze. You can adjust the proportions according to your taste, but a ratio of 1/2 cup of butter to 1/4 cup of brown sugar is a good starting point. You can also add a hint of vanilla extract to enhance the flavour.

Once your dough pieces are coated and your glaze is ready, it's time to assemble the monkey bread. Place the coated dough pieces into your chosen baking vessel, such as a small bundt pan or a round cake pan. Pour the butter and brown sugar glaze over the top of the dough, making sure to coat it evenly. At this point, you can also add any desired mix-ins, such as nuts, chopped fruit, or chocolate chips.

Cooking the bread

Now that you have gathered and prepared your ingredients, it is time to cook the bread.

First, grease your bundt pan with either non-stick cooking spray, olive oil spray, or butter. If you don't have a bundt pan, you can use a small round cake pan with a ramekin in the middle to replicate the bundt shape. Alternatively, you can use any oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer basket.

In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt (optional). You can also add nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to this mixture if you want to include some extra ingredients.

Next, cut each biscuit into quarters, and then roll each piece into a ball. You can also roll the dough into balls first and then cut them into quarters. Place the dough pieces into the bowl with the dry ingredients and coat them thoroughly by stirring and shaking the bowl. Continue until all the dough pieces are in the bowl and fully coated to prevent them from sticking together.

In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients: melt the butter and stir in the vanilla extract (optional). You can also add in some brown sugar to create a caramel-like glaze. Pour this mixture over the sugar-coated biscuits and stir gently.

Place the coated dough balls into the prepared bundt pan or oven-safe dish. If you are using a bundt pan, you can also add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, into the bottom of the pan before adding the dough.

Place the pan into the air fryer and cook at 320-350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 18 to 20 minutes. After 10 minutes, check the bread. If it is browning too quickly, cover it with tin foil and then cook for another 10-15 minutes.

Once the bread is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Carefully invert the pan onto a serving plate to release the bread.

For an extra touch, you can drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract over the bread before serving. Monkey bread is best served warm and fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two.

Serving suggestions

Monkey bread is a versatile dish that can be served for breakfast, dessert, or even as a snack. It's a great option for a sweet treat to start your day or to indulge your cravings after a meal. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of your air fryer monkey bread:

Breakfast Option:

• Monkey bread pairs well with a hot beverage like coffee or hot chocolate. Serve it alongside a cup of your favourite brew to enhance the experience.
• If you want to make it a heartier breakfast, consider adding a side of bacon or sausage. This will provide a savoury contrast to the sweet bread.

Dessert Ideas:

• Monkey bread can be a delightful end to a meal. For an elevated presentation, drizzle some salted caramel sauce or chocolate sauce over the bread before serving.
• For a true indulgent experience, serve the monkey bread with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The cold, creamy ice cream will complement the warm, sticky bread beautifully.

Brunch Suggestions:

• If you're serving monkey bread for brunch, consider pairing it with a savoury dish like a bowl of chili or a quiche. The contrast between sweet and savoury will make the meal more interesting.
• You can also offer a selection of fresh fruits or a fruit salad on the side to add a refreshing touch to the meal.

Snack Plate:

Monkey bread can be a tasty snack on its own, but if you want to make it a more substantial offering, pair it with a cheese plate or a charcuterie board. The combination of sweet and savoury will satisfy a variety of cravings.

Customise Your Glaze:

Experiment with different glazes or toppings to create your own signature monkey bread. A simple powdered sugar glaze or a sprinkle of chopped nuts can take your bread to the next level.

Serving Size and Presentation:

• Monkey bread can be served as a single serving or in larger portions. For a fun presentation, place the bread in the centre of the table and let everyone pull apart their desired amount.
• If serving a crowd, you can also pull apart the bread into individual pieces and arrange them on a platter, making it easier for guests to help themselves.

Frequently asked questions