Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy **Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread recipe**! Whether you’re craving a decadent dessert or a delightful breakfast treat, this simple slow cooker creation delivers gooey, pull-apart goodness with minimal effort. Imagine tender pieces of cinnamon roll swirled with rich pie filling, all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker. It’s a game-changer for busy mornings, holiday brunches, or simply satisfying a sweet tooth without heating up your kitchen.
This effortless **slow cooker cinnamon roll monkey bread** recipe requires just a few basic ingredients and mere minutes of prep time. You can choose your favorite pie filling – we love the vibrant sweetness of cherry, but apple is equally fantastic for a classic taste. It’s a fantastic solution for a quick and easy Crockpot recipe that will quickly become a household favorite. Say goodbye to complicated baking and hello to a fuss-free dessert or breakfast that disappears almost as quickly as it’s made!
While traditional oven-baked monkey bread is delicious, discovering the magic of “baking” in your slow cooker opens up a world of possibilities. It yields a wonderfully soft, moist texture that’s hard to beat, especially when made with sweet cinnamon rolls instead of biscuits. The slow, even heat of the Crockpot ensures a perfectly cooked, gooey center every time, making it an ideal choice for a hands-off approach to baking.
Crockpot Monkey Bread: Refrigerated vs. Frozen Cinnamon Rolls
Originally, this recipe was developed using readily available refrigerated cinnamon rolls. Their convenience makes prep a breeze. However, if you find yourself with a stash of frozen cinnamon rolls, don’t hesitate to use them! They work just as wonderfully with a slight adjustment. For frozen rolls, simply allow them about 45 minutes to partially defrost. This makes them easier to slice into smaller pieces, which is essential for creating that signature monkey bread texture. Once defrosted and portioned, you can follow the rest of the recipe instructions seamlessly, enjoying the same delicious, pull-apart results.
Essential Ingredient Notes for Your Perfect Monkey Bread
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and minimal ingredient list. To start, you’ll need two packages or rolls of **refrigerated cinnamon rolls**. These typically come with a small container of frosting, which you’ll save for later. If you’re opting for frozen cinnamon rolls, you’ll want approximately 16 individual rolls since they tend to be smaller than their refrigerated counterparts. Remember to give them about 45 minutes to defrost sufficiently for easy slicing. While biscuits can be used in a pinch, cinnamon rolls offer a distinct sweetness and flavor profile that truly elevates this monkey bread, making it a more dessert-like experience.
For an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal, an optional 1/2 cup of vanilla frosting can be drizzled over the top once your monkey bread is cooked. This adds another layer of indulgence, mimicking the classic cinnamon roll experience. To ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking, generously coat the inside of your slow cooker insert with cooking spray before adding any ingredients. This simple step will save you a lot of scrubbing later!
Choosing Your Perfect Pie Filling: The Heart of Your Monkey Bread
The second star ingredient in this delectable recipe is a can of **pie filling**. The choice of flavor is entirely up to your preference – whether it’s classic apple, vibrant cherry, or a luscious berry blend. The brand doesn’t matter much; even a store-brand pie filling will deliver excellent results. We’ve even found success with homemade options like our pressure cooker apple pie filling for an extra special touch.
It’s important to note that pie filling is key because of its thick, gooey sauce, which provides the necessary moisture and flavor for baking in the slow cooker. Regular canned fruit packed in juice or light syrup is not a suitable substitute. The high liquid content and lack of thickening agent in canned fruit won’t allow the monkey bread to set properly. If you’re looking to use canned fruit, a recipe like our Crockpot Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix would be a much better fit, as it’s designed to work with the natural juices from canned fruit.
Exciting Variations to Customize Your Monkey Bread
One of the many joys of this Crockpot monkey bread recipe is its versatility. You can easily switch up the flavor profile by simply changing the type of pie filling you use. Whether you prefer apple, blueberry, peach, or mixed berry, the cook time and instructions will remain the same. The “goo” or thickened syrup from the pie filling is crucial for the success of this slow cooker method, as it provides the necessary liquid and moisture for the cinnamon rolls to cook into that wonderful, sticky texture. However, if you’re dreaming of something like our chocolate monkey bread, it’s generally best to stick to traditional oven baking for optimal results, as chocolate-based recipes might not perform the same way in a slow cooker without significant modifications.
Mastering the Cook Time: How Long to Cook Monkey Bread in Your Slow Cooker
The cooking time for Crockpot monkey bread can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and preferred setting. Generally, it takes approximately 2-3 hours. If you cook it on a high setting, it will be closer to 2 hours, while a low setting will require about 3 hours. It’s important to remember that the center of the monkey bread will naturally be stickier and softer, while the pieces around the edges will be firmer and more “done.” To achieve a slightly more browned top, a common slow cooker trick is to place a few paper towels directly under the lid. This absorbs excess moisture and helps create a more golden-brown finish on top, which many people prefer.
For the best experience, this delightful dessert or breakfast is best served immediately after cooking. Simply scoop generous portions onto plates, and enjoy pulling apart the warm, sticky pieces. The individual cinnamon roll sections make it incredibly easy to share and eat with your fingers, embodying the true spirit of cinnamon roll monkey bread. If you prefer to bake monkey bread in a traditional oven, you’ll need to follow specific oven-baking instructions for recipes like our delicious apple monkey bread. The slow cooker method offers a unique texture and hands-off convenience that sets it apart.
Top Tips for Crockpot Monkey Bread Success
Making this Crockpot monkey bread is remarkably simple, but a few key tips can elevate your experience from good to absolutely fantastic. If you’re planning this as a dessert, simply pop it into the slow cooker just as you begin preparing dinner. With a cooking time of only 2-3 hours, it will be perfectly ready to serve right when you finish your meal, hot and fresh. A crucial step for hassle-free enjoyment and cleanup is to generously spray the inside of your slow cooker insert with a non-stick cooking spray. Skipping this step can make it quite challenging to scoop out the sticky, gooey monkey bread, potentially leaving behind delicious remnants that are hard to remove. For the best texture and consistency, we highly recommend cooking on the low setting rather than high. While high will cook it faster, low heat allows for a more even bake and a softer, more desirable finish.
Once cooked, feel free to get creative with your toppings! The individual containers of vanilla or cream cheese frosting that come with the cinnamon rolls are perfect for drizzling over the warm monkey bread. If you want to enhance the flavor even further, you can add a simple sprinkle of cinnamon sugar mixture over the top before serving, creating a taste reminiscent of a sweet French toast bake. This inexpensive and easily customizable treat is perfect as is, or you can tailor it to your family’s favorite flavors.
This Crockpot cinnamon roll monkey bread makes for an ideal holiday breakfast or festive brunch option. Its simplicity means you can focus on enjoying time with loved ones rather than slaving over a hot stove. In this article, you’ll also find a helpful video tutorial demonstrating the simple steps. For those who prefer oven baking, a similar cinnamon roll breakfast casserole can be prepared in the oven, offering another delicious way to enjoy this flavor combination.
For Christmas morning or any special occasion, I adore recipes that are both easy and crowd-pleasing. Having multiple slow cookers allows me to prepare both this monkey bread and our savory Crockpot breakfast casserole simultaneously. This way, we’re well-equipped with delicious options that cater to everyone’s tastes, ensuring a satisfying spread not just for the morning, but often extending into early afternoon for those who enjoy a second helping.
Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe
Justine
10 minutes
2 hours
2 hours
10 minutes
10
Equipment
-
1 slow cooker
-
1 knife
-
1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 pkg. cinnamon rolls, refrigerated in cans, or 18 frozen and defrosted for 45 minutes before slicing
- 1 can pie filling, any flavor
- 1 cup vanilla frosting
Instructions
-
Spray the inside of your crockpot with non-stick spray (a 6-quart slow cooker works well).
-
Cut one package of your cinnamon rolls into 6 pieces each and arrange them in a single layer on the bottom of your slow cooker.
-
Pour the entire can of pie filling evenly over this first layer of cinnamon roll pieces.
-
Cut the remaining package of cinnamon rolls into 6 pieces each and spread them out evenly on top of the pie filling layer.
-
Drizzle the two containers of frosting that came with your cinnamon roll packages over the top layer of cinnamon roll pieces.
-
Secure the lid and cook for 2 hours on high or 3 hours on low. Cook until the middle pieces are no longer overly sticky (the outside pieces will be more firm than the center). Cooking on the low setting is generally recommended for best results.
-
Scoop warm monkey bread onto plates and serve immediately, adding an extra drizzle of vanilla or cream cheese frosting if desired.
Video
Nutrition
Serving:
4
oz
,
Calories:
154
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
30
g
,
Fat:
3
g
,
Sodium:
70
mg
,
Potassium:
34
mg
,
Sugar:
22
g
,
Vitamin A:
15
IU
,
Vitamin C:
1
mg
,
Calcium:
2
mg
,
Iron:
0.2
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Breakfast, Dessert
American
While cherry pie filling creates a wonderfully vibrant and tangy monkey bread, apple pie filling is an equally fantastic choice, offering a comforting, classic flavor. For an extra special treat, consider adding a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top of the warm monkey bread – the melting ice cream creates a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures. We’ve also experimented with baking individual portions in muffin tins, which makes for a fun, easy-to-grab, and less messy serving option.
If you’re short on time and don’t have a few hours for the slow cooker, you can achieve a similar taste and texture in a fraction of the time with our monkey bread muffins recipe, ready in just 20 minutes! Regardless of how you make it, always have a generous roll of paper towels handy, as this sticky, delicious treat is best enjoyed with your fingers.
Should you find yourself with any delicious leftovers, store them in a sealed container once the monkey bread has completely cooled to room temperature. It’s best kept on the countertop rather than in the refrigerator, as refrigeration can cause it to harden and lose its delightful gooey texture. This versatile recipe truly shines as an easy dessert recipe or a special breakfast treat. The printable recipe card above includes all the detailed instructions and nutritional information you’ll need to create this memorable dish.
