Pizza dough, mozzarella, parmesan, pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and marinara sauce.
You know those nights where you’ve got a fridge full of leftovers and a craving for pizza—but not the patience for rolling out dough or figuring out whose toppings go where? That’s exactly how this Pizza Monkey Bread happened in our house. I had a leftover ball of pizza dough, some random cheese ends, and half a bag of mini pepperonis begging for purpose. So, I chucked it all into a bundt pan and crossed my fingers.
Spoiler alert: It worked. It more than worked. It was the kind of warm, pull-apart, face-stuffing dish that made everyone stop talking, which, in my house? A miracle.
Why You’ll Love This Pizza Monkey Bread Recipe?
Let me just say it—Pizza Monkey Bread is the pizza party your oven’s been waiting for. It’s crispy on the edges, gooey in the middle, loaded with cheese, and every bite’s got a little surprise: a bit of sausage here, a chewy pepperoni there, maybe an oozy mozzarella cube. You don’t even need plates. Just grab, dip, and repeat. It’s pure chaos—in the best way.
And honestly, it’s the perfect party trick. You serve this at game night, potluck, or even just a Friday with your kids? You’re that person. The one who makes the good stuff.
Ingredient Notes:
Okay, let’s talk ingredients—because this isn’t complicated, but every piece has a purpose.
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Pizza Dough (2 lbs): Homemade or store-bought. You do you. Just make sure it’s soft, stretchy, and ready to rise.
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Olive Oil (2 tbsp): One for greasing the pan, one for flavor magic.
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Garlic Powder (1.5 tsp): Trust me, this is what takes it from “meh” to mmm.
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Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, but adds just the right kick.
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Italian Seasoning (2 tsp): Gives it that classic pizza vibe.
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Mozzarella (2 cups) + Parmesan (1/4 cup): Stretchy, melty, salty, nutty—need I say more?
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Toppings (up to 1 cup): Pepperoni, sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms—your call. I even snuck in jalapeños once.
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Marinara Sauce (for dipping): Don’t skip it. This is your secret weapon.
How To Make Pizza Monkey Bread?
Step 1: Prep the Pan
Grease your bundt pan (or baking dish) with some of that garlicky olive oil mix. This step? Crucial. Nobody wants stuck-on pizza bits.
Step 2: Roll & Chop
Roll out your pizza dough into a messy rectangle—about 12×9 inches. No ruler needed. Cut into little 1-inch cubes. It’s rustic. It’s fine.
Step 3: Toss It All Together
In a big bowl, mix your dough cubes with mozzarella, parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and your chosen toppings. Yes, it’ll look chaotic. That’s the point.
Step 4: Fill the Pan
Pour that cheesy, doughy goodness into your prepared pan. Try to even it out a bit so it bakes evenly. Brush the top with the rest of the oil. Smells good already, doesn’t it?
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Step 5: Let It Rise
Cover it and let it chill (well, not literally) for 15–20 minutes while the oven preheats to 350°F. This gives the dough a chance to puff up a little.
Step 6: Bake It Up
Bake for 30–35 minutes in a bundt pan (or 15–20 minutes in a baking dish). If the top’s browning too fast, tent it with foil. You want golden brown—not burnt.
Step 7: Cool, Flip, Serve
Let it sit for 5 minutes. Then invert it onto a platter if you used a bundt pan. If not, just serve straight from the dish. Warm up some marinara and get dipping.
Storage Options:
Good luck with that, but just in case—wrap any leftovers tightly and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back the crisp. Avoid microwaving unless you’re cool with soft and steamy.
Variations and Substitutions:
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Dough Swap: Use biscuit dough, crescent rolls, or even pre-made dinner roll dough.
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Cheese Swap: Fontina, cheddar, provolone? Yes, yes, and YES.
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Veggie Lovers: Go wild—spinach, mushrooms, olives, artichokes—make it Mediterranean.
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Spicy Version: Add jalapeños, crushed red pepper, or spicy Italian sausage.
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Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free pizza dough that you trust. It totally works.
What to Serve with Pizza Monkey Bread?
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Marinara (duh)
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Garlic butter (because we’re already in deep)
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A crisp salad, if you want to pretend to be balanced
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Cold drinks—sparkling water, soda, or something a little stronger for the grown-ups
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this ahead of time?
Totally! Assemble everything, pop it in the fridge covered, and bake when ready.
What if I don’t have a bundt pan?
No biggie. A 9×13 dish works just fine. It won’t be as fancy, but it’ll taste just as good.
Can I freeze it?
Yep! Wrap tightly in foil and freeze after baking. Reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Pizza Monkey Bread isn’t just a recipe—it’s a vibe. It’s comfort food, party food, kid-pleasing food, and “treat yourself” food. Basically, it’s your new favorite thing. So next time you’ve got dough and a craving? You know what to do.
Let me know if you try it—and don’t forget to tag me if you post pics. I LOVE seeing what you cook up!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Pizza Monkey Bread
Ingredients
- Pizza Dough: 2 lb
- Olive Oil: 2 tbsp divided
- Garlic Powder: 1.5 tsp divided
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: 0.25 tsp
- Italian Seasoning: 2 tsp
- Mozzarella Cheese: 2 c
- Parmesan Cheese: 0.25 c freshly grated
- Pizza Toppings e.g., pepperoni, peppers, onions, sausage: up to 1 c
- Marinara Sauce: 2 c for serving
Instructions
- Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, with half a teaspoon of powder. Set aside 1 tablespoon for later use.
- Brush some of the olive oil mixture onto a bundt pan or a 9x13 baking dish as a large mixing bowl.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface until you have a rectangle measuring 12x9 inches. Cut it into cubes about an inch in size.
- In the greased bowl toss together the dough cubes, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes a pinch of salt and up to 1 cup of your pizza toppings.
- Spread this mixture evenly into the pan. Brush it with the remaining olive oil.
- Cover it up. Let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place it in the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes if using a bundt pan or around 15 to 20 minutes if using a baking dish. Keep an eye, on its color and cover with foil if it seems to be browning too quickly.
- Allow it to cool for 5 minutes. If you used a bundt pan carefully invert it onto a platter. Serve this creation alongside some marinara sauce.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
