I have a quick question about vegan monkey bread recipe. In my experience, finding a good recipe can be challenging. If you’re worried about taste and texture, what are your best bets for substitutes for traditional ingredients like milk and butter? Also, how might I ensure it remains soft and fluffy?
Why Does It Work?
- Coconut Oil: Replaces butter, moistens the bread, and adds a subtle sweetness.
- Almond Milk: Ensures the dough stays tender without dairy.
- Flaxseed Meal: Acts as a binder instead of eggs, maintaining the structure.
- Organic Sugar: Enhances flavor while sticking to vegan principles.
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Are you searching for a way to enjoy your favorite sweet treat without compromising your vegan lifestyle? Finding a delicious vegan monkey bread recipe without skimping on taste or texture might seem daunting.
Luckily, a homemade solution will have everyone asking for seconds. Gather vegan-friendly substitutes like almond milk and coconut oil to create a rich, fluffy base.
Then, follow a step-by-step guide that simplifies the process, ensuring your bread always comes out perfectly. This recipe satisfies your sweet cravings and aligns with your dietary choices, proving you don’t have to give up classic comforts for a vegan diet.
What Is Vegan Monkey Bread Recipe?
Vegan monkey bread is a version of the traditional pull-apart bread made without animal products. Typically, monkey bread consists of bite-sized pieces of dough coated in butter and sugar and then baked to create a sweet, sticky, soft loaf easily pulled apart by hand.
A vegan monkey bread recipe replaces dairy ingredients such as butter and milk with plant-based alternatives like coconut oil and almond milk.
Eggs, if used in traditional recipes to add richness and bind the dough, are substituted with vegan binders like flaxseed meal or applesauce. This ensures the bread is completely free of animal products while still retaining the delightful texture and flavor that monkey bread is known for.
Fact-Monkey bread originated in the United States during the 1950s and is often associated with festive gatherings and family breakfasts due to its shareable, pull-apart nature.
Recipe Directions
Prepare the Dough
- Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
- Cut coconut oil into tablespoon-sized slices and add to a heat-safe measuring glass with the almond milk. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval with your finger to test the temperature.
- It should be warm but not hot, taking at most 1 minute.Slowly pour in the warm milk mixture with the mixer at medium-low speed. The dough will be very wet.
- Gradually add the remaining flour, one cup at a time. You may only need part of the amount; the dough is ready when it is no longer wet on the surface and appears shaggy.
First Proofing
- Preheat the oven to its lowest setting (about 170°F). Knead the dough by hand for about 3 minutes until smooth and no longer sticky. Shape it into a ball.
- Place in the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and put in the turned-off oven to proof for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Shape the Dough
- Punch down the dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Melt 1/2 cup coconut oil. Mix 1 cup sugar with 2 tsp cinnamon in a separate dish.
- Grease an 11″ or 12″ cast iron skillet with coconut oil. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Form each piece of dough into a ball by stretching and tucking the dough underneath. Dip each ball in melted coconut oil, then roll in cinnamon sugar. Place in the skillet, seam down.
Bake
- If there’s leftover coconut oil, add more to make 1/4 cup. Mix with brown sugar and vanilla, and pour over the dough in the skillet.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
Cool and Ice
- Let the bread cool in the skillet for 20 minutes.
- Make the icing by whisking powdered sugar with almond milk to a glue-like consistency if desired. Adjust thickness as needed.
- Drizzle icing over the warm monkey bread.
Variations, Add-Ons, And Toppings
Variations
- Chocolate Chip Monkey Bread: Mix vegan chocolate chips into the dough pieces before baking for a sweet, chocolaty flavor.
- Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread: Add pumpkin puree and a blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the dough for a fall-themed treat.
- Lemon Blueberry Monkey Bread: Incorporate lemon zest into the dough and fold in fresh or frozen blueberries for a tangy and fruity twist.
- Savory Monkey Bread: Skip the sugar coating and use garlic powder, dried herbs (like rosemary or thyme), and nutritional yeast for a savory version that pairs well with dinner.
Add-Ons
- Nuts and Seeds: Sprinkle chopped walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds between layers for added crunch and nutrition.
- Dried Fruit: Mix in raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots for a fruity flavor.
- Spice It Up: Add a dash of cardamom or a pinch of saffron to the sugar mixture for a unique, aromatic taste.
Toppings
- Vegan Cream Cheese Icing: Blend vegan cream cheese with powdered sugar and a little almond milk for a rich and creamy topping.
- Coconut Butter Glaze: Warm coconut butter until liquid, and drizzle over the warm bread for a sweet and silky finish.
- Caramel Sauce: Make a vegan caramel sauce with coconut cream and brown sugar to pour over the baked monkey bread.
- Nut Butter Drizzle: Thin out almond or cashew butter with a bit of maple syrup for a nutty drizzle.
Vegetable Substitutions
- Pumpkin: Replace some of the liquid in the recipe with pumpkin puree. It adds moisture, a slight sweetness, and a vibrant color. Pumpkin pairs well with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, making it a great addition for fall-themed monkey bread.
- Sweet Potato: Like pumpkin, sweet potato puree can replace some liquid ingredients. It offers a naturally sweet flavor and boosts the bread’s nutritional profile with vitamins A and C.
- Zucchini: Finely grated zucchini can be added to the dough. It’s a great way to sneak in extra vegetables while moistening the bread. Make sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the zucchini to prevent the dough from becoming too wet.
- Carrots: Finely grated carrots can be mixed into the dough like zucchini. Carrots add a subtle sweetness and a pop of color, making the bread visually appealing and slightly richer in flavor.
- Beets: Beet puree can add moisture and a natural sweetness to the dough. It also imparts a beautiful deep red color to the bread, which can make it visually stunning.
Quick Tip-For extra fluffy vegan monkey bread, ensure your yeast is fresh and active by proofing it in warm, not hot, liquid before adding it to your dry ingredients.
Best Side Dishes
- Fresh Fruit Salad A light and refreshing fruit salad complements the sweetness of the monkey bread and adds a healthy touch. Choose seasonal fruits for the best flavor.
- Vegan Yogurt Serve a bowl of creamy vegan yogurt on the side to dip pieces of monkey bread into. It adds a tangy contrast to the sweet, caramelized crust.
- Nut Butter Offer a variety of nut butter, such as almond, cashew, or peanut butter, for dipping or spreading on the bread. This adds a creamy texture and a protein boost.
- Vegan Ice Cream A scoop of vegan ice cream, particularly vanilla, cinnamon, or caramel flavor, makes a decadent pairing with warm monkey bread.
- Vegan Custard A silky smooth vegan custard can be drizzled over or served alongside the monkey bread for a richer dessert experience.
- Maple Syrup and Vegan Butter Simple yet satisfying, a drizzle of maple syrup and a dab of vegan butter can enhance the warm, buttery flavors of the monkey bread.
How To Serve?
- Warm It Up: Vegan monkey bread is best enjoyed warm. Heat it slightly in the oven before serving to enhance the flavors and make the bread extra soft and gooey.
- Pull-Apart Presentation: Serve the monkey bread directly in the baking dish or on a large platter where guests can pull apart the pieces. This interactive presentation adds to the fun of eating monkey bread.
- Drizzle with Toppings: Just before serving, drizzle your vegan monkey bread with a glaze or topping such as vegan icing, caramel, or a dusting of powdered sugar. This makes it more visually appealing and adds an extra layer of flavor.
- Accompaniments: Offer a variety of accompaniments such as vegan whipped cream, a scoop of vegan ice cream, or a side of fruit compote for dipping or adding on top of each piece.
- Serve with Beverages: Pair the monkey bread with appropriate beverages. Coffee, tea, or vegan hot chocolate enhance the bread’s sweet and spicy flavors.
Quick Tip-To prevent your vegan monkey bread from becoming too dense, ensure the dough is allowed to proof fully until it doubles in size before baking.
Storage & Make Ahead
Storing Vegan Monkey Bread
- Room Temperature: Leftover vegan monkey bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. This helps maintain its softness and flavor.
- Refrigerating: For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving to restore its soft texture.
- Freezing: Vegan monkey bread can be frozen for up to one month. To protect it from freezer burn, wrap individual pieces or the loaf in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw overnight at room temperature or reheat directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the warming time.
Making Vegan Monkey Bread Ahead
- Prepare Dough in Advance: You can make the dough the night before you need it. After the initial proofing, shape the dough, then cover and refrigerate. The next day, let it come to room temperature, proof as necessary, and bake.
- Assemble Before Baking: Completely assemble the monkey bread, coating it with sugar and arranging it in the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove it from the refrigerator while you preheat the oven, then bake as directed.
Fact-Monkey bread, also known as pull-apart bread, gets its name from its method of eating—pulling pieces off by hand, similar to how monkeys pick at their food.
Time-Saving Tips
- Use Premade Dough: Opt for a premade vegan dough from the store if you’re short on time. This significantly reduces the preparation time, allowing you to skip straight to shaping and seasoning the bread.
- Pre-Measure Ingredients: Measure out all your ingredients in advance. Having everything ready to go can make the assembly process quicker and smoother.
- Simple Toppings and Fillings: Choose toppings and fillings that are quick to prepare. For example, a premixed cinnamon sugar blend and store-bought vegan butter can save time.
- Make in Batches: If your oven space allows, prepare and bake multiple batches at once. This is particularly useful for making monkey bread for a gathering or event.
- Proofing in a Warm Oven: Place the dough in a warm oven (preheated, then turned off) to speed up the proofing time. This can help the dough rise faster, especially in cooler climates.
- Use a Stand Mixer: To mix and knead the dough, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. This saves manual labor and time, especially if the dough is sticky or tough.
Indulgent Vegan Monkey Bread Recipe For Irresistible Delight
Vegan monkey bread is a delightful, plant-based version of the classic pull-apart bread. It features soft, fluffy dough coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture and baked until golden and caramelized. This treat is perfect for sharing and is ideal for breakfast or a cozy dessert.
6
servings20
minutes35
minutes350
kcal20
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
- For Vegan Monkey Bread Dough
3–4 cups 3–4 All-purpose flour
2 tbsp 2 Granulated sugar
1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) 1 Instant (or rapid rise) yeast
1 cup (240ml) 1 Plant-based milk
1/4 cup (55g) 1/4 European-style salted vegan butter
- For Cinnamon Sugar Coating & Sauce
1/2 cup + 3 tbsp 1/2 European-style salted vegan butter, divided and melted
1 cup (200g) 1 Granulated sugar
2 tsp 2 Ground cinnamon
2 tbsp 2 Light brown sugar
1/2 tsp 1/2 Vanilla extract
- For Icing (optional)
1 cup 1 Powdered sugar
1 tbsp 1 Plant-based milk
1/2 tsp 1/2 Vanilla extract
Directions
- Prepare The Dough
- Combine Initial Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, sugar, and yeast using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
- Warm the Milk Mixture: Cut coconut oil into tablespoon-sized slices and add to a heat-safe measuring glass with the almond milk. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval with your finger to test the temperature. It should be warm but not hot, taking at most 1 minute.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the bowl of the mixer, running at medium to low speed. The dough will initially be very wet.
- Add Remaining Flour: Gradually add the remaining flour, one cup at a time. You may not need all the flour; the dough is ready when it no longer appears wet on the surface and has a fuzzy appearance.
- First Proofing
- Proof the Dough: Preheat the oven to its lowest setting (about 170°F). Meanwhile, knead the dough by hand for about 3 minutes until it becomes smooth and is no longer sticky. Shape it into a ball.
- Place the dough ball in the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in the turned-off oven to proof for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough
- Form Dough Pieces: Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Cut into 1-inch pieces.
- To prepare the Coating, Melt 1/2 cup of coconut oil. Mix 1 cup of sugar with 2 tsp of cinnamon in a separate dish.
- Coat and Assemble Dough: Grease an 11″ or 12″ cast iron skillet with coconut oil. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Form each piece of dough into a ball by stretching and tucking the dough underneath. Dip each ball in melted coconut oil, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the balls in the skillet, seam side down.
- Bake
- Add Final Touches and Bake: If there’s leftover coconut oil, add more to make 1/4 cup. Mix with brown sugar and vanilla, and pour over the dough in the skillet.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool and Ice
- Cool and Prepare Icing: Let the bread cool in the skillet for 20 minutes.
- Make the icing by whisking powdered sugar with almond milk to a glue-like consistency if desired. Adjust thickness as needed.
- Finish and Serve
- Drizzle icing over the warm monkey bread.
- Enjoy your homemade vegan monkey bread as a delightful treat to share with friends and family!
- EquipmentS List
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Heat-safe measuring glass
- Microwave
- Plastic wrap
- Oven
- Cast iron skillet or baking pan
- Pastry brush
- Cooling rack
Notes
- Yeast Activation: Ensure the plant-based milk and melted coconut oil mixture is warm but not hot; ideally, around 110°F. Too hot and you risk killing the yeast, too cold and it won’t activate properly.
- Flour Adjustment: The flour needed can vary based on humidity and altitude. Start with the lower amount and add more as needed. The dough should be tacky but not overly sticky.
- Coconut Oil: A high-quality, refined coconut oil can help avoid a strong coconut flavor if you prefer a more neutral taste. Unrefined coconut oil will give a slight coconut taste, which can be pleasant depending on personal preference.
- Proofing the Dough: Ensure the dough has doubled in size during the first proof. This may take more or less time, depending on the temperature of your kitchen. A warm, draft-free environment speeds up the proofing process.
- Sugar and Cinnamon Coating: Be generous with the sugar and cinnamon coating to ensure each piece is well-covered. This adds to the final flavor and texture of the bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour For Vegan Monkey Bread?
Yes, you can use gluten-free all-purpose flour to make vegan monkey bread. However, the texture might be slightly different. For best results, look for gluten-free flour blends intended for yeast breads.
Is There An Alternative To Yeast In Vegan Monkey Bread?
While yeast is traditional for monkey bread to help it rise and become fluffy, you can experiment with chemical leaveners like baking powder or baking soda combined with an acid (like vinegar or lemon juice) for a quicker rise that doesn’t require proofing.
How Can I Make My Vegan Monkey Bread More Flavorful Without Sugar?
Consider incorporating spices such as cardamom, nutmeg, or allspice to enhance the flavor without adding more sugar. Add zest from oranges or lemons to the dough for a citrusy tang.
What Can I Use Instead Of Coconut Oil In Vegan Monkey Bread?
If you prefer not to use coconut oil, other plant-based oils like avocado or vegan margarine are good substitutes. These alternatives can help keep the bread moist and flavorful.
Can I Make Vegan Monkey Bread In A Bread Machine?
Yes, you can prepare the dough for vegan monkey bread in a bread machine set to the dough setting. This method can save time and effort in kneading. Once the dough cycle is complete, you can proceed with shaping, coating, and baking the bread as usual.
