This Healthier Monkey Bread is a fun and tasty twist on a classic! Made with whole wheat dough and lighter ingredients, it’s perfect for a sweet snack or breakfast treat.
You’ll love how easily the pieces pull apart, making it a great sharing dish. I enjoy it fresh out of the oven, with a touch of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey! What’s not to like? 🍯
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Whole Wheat Flour: A great source of fiber, whole wheat flour gives this bread a hearty texture. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, consider almond flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix. Just check that it includes xanthan gum for better structure.
Honey or Maple Syrup: Both are natural sweeteners that add moisture. You can substitute with agave syrup or date syrup if you prefer a different flavor or have a vegan dietary need.
Olive Oil or Coconut Oil: These oils keep the bread moist. Feel free to use melted butter if you’re not concerned about dairy. I often switch it up based on what I have available.
Active Dry Yeast: This is what helps the dough rise. If you have instant yeast, you can use that instead without blooming it in warm milk. Just mix it right into the dry ingredients.
Walnuts or Pecans: Adding nuts gives a lovely crunch, but you can omit them or swap for other nuts, like almonds or even sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
How Can I Make Sure My Dough Rises Perfectly?
Getting the dough to rise well is key to fluffy monkey bread. Here are some steps to ensure success:
- Use warm milk (110°F) to activate the yeast. A thermometer helps, but if you don’t have one, it should feel like warm bath water.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area. A slightly warmed oven (turn it on for a minute and then off) works great.
- Cover the dough loosely with a towel or plastic wrap to prevent drying out. A moist environment helps the yeast thrive.
Giving your dough enough time to rise will yield soft, pillowy pieces of bread that pull apart easily!
Healthier Monkey Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Coating and Sauce:
- ¼ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious monkey bread will take about 2 hours total, including 1 to 1.5 hours for the first rise, 30 minutes for a second rise, and about 35 minutes for baking. Plan a little extra time for cooling before serving!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it’s nice and foamy—it’s the yeast waking up! In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. This creates a flavorful base for your dough.
2. Combine Ingredients:
Add the honey (or maple syrup), olive oil (or melted coconut oil), beaten egg, and the foamy yeast mixture to your dry ingredients. Mix everything together until a sticky dough forms. If it seems too dry, feel free to add a little extra warm milk a tablespoon at a time.
3. Knead the Dough:
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Add a bit more flour if it’s sticking too much. Once done, place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and set it in a warm place to rise for about 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles in size!
4. Prepare the Coating:
While your dough is rising, mix together the coconut sugar (or brown sugar) and the remaining 2 teaspoons of cinnamon in a small bowl. This will create a sweet coating for the dough pieces.
5. Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a bundt pan or tube pan so the monkey bread will come out easily later on.
6. Shape the Dough:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into small 1-inch pieces. Roll each piece in the melted butter (or coconut oil) and then coat it thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
7. Assemble the Monkey Bread:
Begin layering half of the coated dough pieces into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the chopped nuts (if using) over the dough. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and nuts, so it’s all packed in the pan!
8. Add the Sweet Touch:
Drizzle the honey or maple syrup evenly over the dough inside the pan for an extra delicious touch.
9. Second Rise:
Cover the pan with a towel and let the dough rise again for about 30 minutes. It will puff up nicely during this time!
10. Bake Your Monkey Bread:
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Cool and Serve:
Once baked, remove it from the oven and let the monkey bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a serving plate. If you’d like, drizzle with some extra honey or a light glaze made from powdered sugar and a splash of almond milk!
12. Pull Apart and Enjoy!
Serve warm and let everyone pull apart their own pieces. Enjoy the delightful taste of this healthier monkey bread!
This recipe swaps refined sugars for wholesome options and uses whole wheat flour for added nutrients, making it a sweet treat you can feel great about! 🍞✨
Can I Substitute All-Purpose Flour for Whole Wheat Flour?
Yes, you can use all-purpose flour if you prefer a lighter texture. Just keep in mind that it may not have the same nutritional benefits as whole wheat flour, which adds fiber and nutrients to the dish.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it. If freezing, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and thaw in the fridge overnight when you want to enjoy it again!
Can I Make This Recipe Vegan?
Absolutely! To make it vegan, substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water), and use almond or soy milk instead of regular milk. Make sure to also choose a vegan sweetener.
What Can I Use Instead of Yeast?
If you don’t have yeast on hand, you could try using baking powder as a leavening agent. Use about 2-3 teaspoons of baking powder, but be aware that this will change the texture slightly, resulting in a denser bread rather than the traditional fluffy pull-apart effect.