Indulge in the ultimate breakfast or dessert sensation with this incredibly easy Crockpot Monkey Bread with Cinnamon Rolls and Pie Filling. Imagine warm, gooey cinnamon roll pieces coated in a luscious fruit sauce, all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker. This delightful recipe, perfect for any occasion, requires minimal effort, with prep time taking less than 10 minutes. Whether you’re looking for a stress-free holiday breakfast or a comforting dessert, this monkey bread delivers exceptional flavor with remarkable simplicity. You can even adapt it as a frozen bread dough recipe if you don’t have refrigerated cinnamon rolls on hand.
This slow cooker cinnamon roll monkey bread is a true kitchen hero, crafted with just three core ingredients. The result is a wonderfully warm and inviting treat that’s guaranteed to disappear quickly. While cherry pie filling creates a fantastic classic flavor, feel free to use canned apple pie filling for an equally delicious easy Crockpot recipe that your family will adore as a morning delight or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up. It’s one of those dessert recipes that consistently earns rave reviews and never lasts long in our home!
Many people are familiar with making our easy monkey bread in the oven, but if you’ve never experienced the magic of “baking” in your slow cooker, you are in for a truly delightful surprise. The slow cooker method yields an incredibly tender and moist result that’s hard to beat. While you could technically use biscuits to make a similar dish, using cinnamon rolls adds an unparalleled sweetness and a distinct cinnamon-sugar flavor that truly elevates this monkey bread.
The Magic of Slow Cooker Baking
Utilizing a slow cooker for baking might seem unconventional, but it’s a game-changer for dishes like monkey bread. The gentle, consistent heat of a slow cooker ensures that your cinnamon rolls cook evenly, becoming wonderfully soft and infused with the pie filling without the risk of drying out. This method is particularly convenient for busy mornings or when your oven is occupied with other dishes. It simplifies the baking process, turning a potentially complex recipe into an effortless endeavor. Just set it and let your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting, freeing you up to enjoy your day.
Crockpot Monkey Bread with Frozen Cinnamon Rolls
Initially, I experimented with refrigerated cinnamon rolls, which work perfectly. However, I soon discovered the versatility of using frozen cinnamon rolls. Having a few bags of frozen cinnamon rolls in the freezer, I decided to try adapting the recipe. With approximately 45 minutes of defrosting time on the counter, the frozen rolls became pliable enough to slice into quarters. From there, I followed the exact same recipe steps, and the result was an absolute success! This offers a fantastic option for those who prefer to keep frozen staples on hand or simply want more flexibility.
Ingredient Notes for the Perfect Monkey Bread
To begin your slow cooker monkey bread adventure, you’ll need two packages or rolls of refrigerated cinnamon rolls. These typically come with a small container of frosting, which you’ll use in the recipe. If you opt for frozen cinnamon rolls, you’ll want around 16 individual rolls since they are generally smaller than their refrigerated counterparts. Remember to allow them to slightly defrost for about 45 minutes before attempting to slice them. While biscuits can be used as a substitute, they won’t provide the same level of sweetness or the classic cinnamon roll flavor profile, so for the best experience, we recommend cinnamon rolls.
An optional, yet highly recommended, addition is about 1/2 cup of vanilla or cream cheese frosting to dollop on top when your monkey bread is done cooking. This adds an extra layer of decadence. For seamless cleanup, a good coating of cooking spray inside your slow cooker insert is incredibly helpful, preventing any sticky messes.
Monkey Bread with Fruit: A World of Flavors
The next key component is your can of pie filling. Don’t worry too much about the brand; even store-brand pie fillings work beautifully. We’ve had great success with various options, and you could even use our homemade pressure cooker apple pie filling if you’re feeling ambitious and have extra time. Gently fold the sliced cinnamon rolls with the pie filling to ensure everything is evenly coated.
It’s important to note that if you were to use regular canned fruit (like sliced peaches or pineapple chunks in syrup) instead of pie filling, the results would be quite different. Canned fruit lacks the thick, gooey sauce found in pie filling, which is essential for this recipe’s texture and moisture. For canned fruit, I would recommend a different approach, perhaps our Crockpot Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix, which is specifically designed to work well with the lighter juices of canned fruit, offering a distinct and equally delicious outcome.
Creative Variations for Your Crockpot Monkey Bread
The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. You can absolutely use any type of pie filling you desire without altering the cook time or directions. Whether it’s apple, peach, blueberry, or mixed berry, the method remains the same. The crucial element is the “goo” or thick sauce from the pie filling, which provides the necessary liquid and moisture for the cinnamon rolls to “bake” perfectly in the slow cooker. This sticky, sweet base is what gives monkey bread its signature texture. However, if you’re craving something like our chocolate monkey bread, I would suggest baking it in the oven instead, as the slow cooker method isn’t ideal for that particular variation due to different moisture and browning requirements.
How Long do you Cook Monkey Bread in a Slow Cooker?
The ideal cooking time for Crockpot monkey bread ranges from 2 to 3 hours, depending on whether you set your slow cooker to high or low. When cooked on high, it typically takes around 2 hours, while the low setting will require about 3 hours. It’s important to remember that the center of the monkey bread will likely remain softer and more moist compared to the edges, which will be firmer and more set. For those who prefer a slightly browned top, a clever trick is to place a few paper towels under the lid of your slow cooker. This helps absorb excess condensation, allowing the top to brown more effectively.
This delectable treat is best served immediately, straight from the slow cooker. Simply scoop out generous portions onto plates, and guests can easily pull apart the warm, sticky pieces with their fingers, making it a truly interactive and enjoyable experience, much like traditional cinnamon roll monkey bread. For those who prefer to make monkey bread in a conventional oven, separate directions would be required. Our apple monkey bread, for instance, is another fantastic option when baked.
Essential Tips for a Perfect Batch
Timing is everything when it comes to serving this dessert. If you’re preparing it for dessert, simply pop it into the slow cooker just before you start cooking dinner. With its 2-3 hour cook time, it will be perfectly ready by the time your main meal is done. A crucial step for easy serving and cleanup is to thoroughly spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick spray. This prevents the sticky monkey bread from adhering to the pot, making it much easier to scoop out. In my experience, cooking on the low setting generally yields a better, more evenly cooked, and tender result compared to the high setting.
While delicious on its own, you can enhance this sweet treat further. Drizzle extra vanilla or cream cheese frosting over the top for added indulgence, or simply enjoy it as is. It’s an inexpensive sweet treat that can be easily customized with different pie filling flavors. For a taste reminiscent of a sweet French toast bake, consider sprinkling a cinnamon sugar mixture over the top before serving. This simple addition adds a delightful crunch and extra spice.
This Crockpot monkey bread is an ideal choice for a holiday breakfast or brunch. Its ease of preparation allows you to focus on other festivities. You can find a visual guide demonstrating our preparation method for this dish, but remember that a similar cinnamon roll breakfast casserole can also be baked in a conventional oven. For those who enjoy an effortless Christmas morning breakfast recipe, this is a winner. In our household, we often prepare this alongside our crockpot breakfast casserole. Having multiple slow cookers means we can manage both simultaneously, ensuring everyone is well-fed not just for the morning, but often into the early afternoon, should anyone get hungry again.
Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe
Justine
This easy crockpot cinnamon roll monkey bread casserole is perfect for dessert or breakfast! Use any pie filling you like and with 3 ingredients it’s done!
10
2
2
10
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 (optional, for topping)
Instructions
-
Spray the inside of your slow cooker (a 6-quart size works well) generously with non-stick spray.
-
Open one package of cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into approximately 6 pieces. Arrange these pieces flat on the bottom of your slow cooker to form the first layer.
-
Carefully pour the entire can of your chosen pie filling over the layer of cinnamon roll pieces, spreading it out evenly.
-
Open the second package of cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into 6 pieces. Distribute these pieces evenly over the pie filling layer, creating the top layer of your monkey bread.
-
Locate the two small containers of frosting that came with your cinnamon rolls. Drizzle this frosting over the top layer of cinnamon roll pieces.
-
Place the lid on your slow cooker. Cook for 2 hours on the high setting or 3 hours on the low setting. The monkey bread is ready when the center pieces are no longer overly sticky (note: the outer pieces will be more firm than the center). Cooking on low is generally recommended for a more tender result.
-
Once cooked, scoop out portions onto individual plates. If desired, you can warm and drizzle additional frosting over the top before serving.
Video
A video tutorial demonstrating this recipe is available to guide you through each step.
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 provides a wonderfully vibrant and tangy flavor, as you can see in the images, using apple pie filling is equally amazing! Apple monkey bread is particularly delicious when served with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top, creating a warm and cold dessert contrast that’s simply irresistible. We’ve also successfully made individual portions of this in muffin tins, which makes for a fun and easy-to-pick-up treat, perfect for potlucks or kids’ parties.
If you find yourself short on time and don’t have a few hours to dedicate to the slow cooker, don’t despair! Our monkey bread muffins recipe offers a fantastic alternative, allowing you to achieve a similar delicious taste in just about 20 minutes. Regardless of how you choose to make it, prepare to serve this sticky, sweet delight with a generous stack of paper towels, as its gooey nature is part of its charm!
Should you have any leftovers, they can be stored in a sealed airtight container once they have completely cooled to room temperature. It’s best to keep them on the countertop rather than refrigerating them, as placing monkey bread in the fridge can cause it to harden and lose its delightful texture. This truly is a wonderful easy dessert recipe, or a fantastic way to treat yourself and your loved ones at breakfast. Below, you’ll find the full printable recipe, complete with nutritional information, so you can easily recreate this masterpiece in your own kitchen.
