Mini Garlic Monkey Breads Recipe

Irresistible Mini Garlic Monkey Breads Recipe for Cozy Gatherings

Comfort meets creativity in these delightful mini garlic monkey breads that promise a burst of flavor in every bite.

Soft, pillowy dough gets tossed with fragrant herbs and melted butter, creating irresistible little parcels.

Clusters of golden-brown bread peek out from their baking dish, beckoning hungry guests.

Perfectly seasoned and incredibly easy to prepare, these miniature treats work magic as appetizers or side dishes.

Kitchen novices and seasoned cooks alike will adore how simple these are to assemble.

Garlicky, buttery, and utterly addictive, you won’t be able to stop at just one.

Serve these crowd-pleasers and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure culinary joy.

Mini Garlic Monkey Breads That Steal the Snack Table

  • Quick Assembly: Whip up these mini garlic monkey breads using simple ingredients like frozen rolls or canned biscuits, making preparation a breeze for busy cooks.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: Packed with rich garlic butter and Parmesan cheese, these bite-sized treats guarantee a delicious experience that will impress family and friends.
  • Versatile Serving Option: Perfect as a side dish, appetizer, or game day snack, these mini monkey breads complement multiple meals and occasions with their irresistible cheesy-garlicky profile.
  • Beginner-Friendly Recipe: Minimal cooking skills required, simple step-by-step instructions, and no complex techniques make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all experience levels.

Must-Have Ingredients for Mini Garlic Monkey Bread

Bread Base:
  • Frozen Dinner Rolls or Canned Biscuits: Soft, versatile dough that serves as the foundation for these delightful mini breads.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic, Minced: Provides a robust and aromatic flavor that infuses the entire dish with a delicious savory taste.
  • Dried Parsley Flakes: Adds a subtle herbal note and visual appeal to the monkey breads.
Dairy and Cheese:
  • Butter, Melted: Creates a rich, smooth coating that helps the seasonings stick to the dough and provides a luxurious texture.
  • Parmesan Cheese, Grated: Delivers a sharp, salty flavor and helps create a golden-brown, crispy exterior when baked.

Making Mini Garlic Monkey Breads from Start to Finish

Step 1: Prepare Dough

Grab your frozen dinner rolls or canned biscuits.

Let the rolls thaw according to package instructions or open the biscuit can.

Using a sharp knife, slice each roll or biscuit into four equal quarters.

Step 2: Create Garlic Butter Blend

Grab a spacious mixing bowl.

Melt your butter until smooth and liquid.

Add in:
  • Minced garlic
  • Dried parsley flakes
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Whisk everything together until the ingredients are perfectly combined and fragrant.

Step 3: Coat Dough Pieces

Drop the quartered dough pieces into the garlic butter blend.

Use a spatula or your hands to gently toss and roll each piece, ensuring every surface gets a delicious coating of the buttery mixture.

Step 4: Arrange in Muffin Tin

Generously grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or butter.

Carefully place 6 butter-coated dough pieces into each muffin cup.

Press them gently so they nestle comfortably together.

Step 5: Sprinkle Cheese Topping

Evenly distribute the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top of each dough cluster in the muffin cups.

This will create a beautiful golden crust when baked.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Slide the muffin tin into the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes.

Watch for a gorgeous golden-brown color and fully cooked dough.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the monkey breads from the oven.

Let them cool slightly, then carefully pop them out of the muffin tin.

Serve warm as a crowd-pleasing side dish or irresistible snack.

Savor the buttery, garlicky deliciousness!

Tips to Achieve Fluffy Monkey Breads Every Time

  • Let frozen dinner rolls or biscuits reach room temperature gently to ensure even texture and prevent tough dough.
  • Whisk garlic butter mixture until ingredients are perfectly blended for consistent flavor in every bite.
  • Arrange dough pieces lightly in muffin cups to maintain airy, soft texture and prevent dense monkey breads.
  • Sprinkle Parmesan cheese just before baking to create a crispy, golden-brown crust that adds delightful crunch.
  • Enjoy monkey breads fresh from the oven when they're warmest and most fragrant for maximum deliciousness.

Variations for Garlic Monkey Breads Full of Flavor

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace frozen dinner rolls or canned biscuits with gluten-free biscuit mix or gluten-free pizza dough. Ensure all ingredients like Parmesan cheese are certified gluten-free.
  • Herb Lovers Edition: Swap dried parsley with fresh chopped basil, thyme, or oregano. Add extra herbs like chives or rosemary to enhance the aromatic profile of the garlic butter mixture.
  • Spicy Kick Variation: Mix red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper into the garlic butter for a fiery sensation. Sprinkle additional hot paprika on top before baking to increase heat levels.
  • Vegan Alternative: Use plant-based butter or olive oil instead of regular butter. Substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan cheese for similar savory notes.

Ideas for Serving Garlic Monkey Breads at Parties

  • Crowd-Pleasing Party Starter: Serve these mini monkey breads as an irresistible appetizer at game nights or potlucks, guaranteed to vanish quickly from the serving plate.
  • Soup's Perfect Companion: Pair these garlic-infused bites alongside creamy tomato soup or hearty minestrone for a comforting meal that warms the soul.
  • Breakfast Surprise Twist: Break these mini breads apart for a delightful morning treat, complementing scrambled eggs or as a side to weekend brunch dishes.
  • Dip Adventure Station: Create a fun dipping experience by offering marinara sauce, ranch, or herb-infused olive oil for guests to explore different flavor combinations.

Keeping Mini Garlic Monkey Breads Soft and Fresh

  • Store leftover monkey breads in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
  • Wrap individual monkey breads tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.
  • Warm refrigerated or frozen monkey breads at 350F for 5-7 minutes. Spread them on a baking sheet and cover with foil to prevent drying out.
  • Zap refrigerated monkey breads for 15-20 seconds. Check temperature and add 5-second intervals if needed to avoid overcooking.

FAQs

  • Can I use homemade dough instead of frozen rolls or canned biscuits?

Yes, you can substitute with homemade dough. Just ensure the dough is similar in consistency and cut it into comparable bite-sized pieces.

  • Is there a way to make this recipe spicier?

Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the garlic butter mixture for an extra kick of heat and flavor.

  • How can I prevent the monkey breads from sticking to the muffin tin?

Generously grease the muffin tin with butter or cooking spray before adding the dough pieces to ensure easy removal after baking.

  • Can I prepare these monkey breads ahead of time?

You can assemble the monkey breads in the muffin tin and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Just let them come to room temperature before putting them in the oven.

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Mini Garlic Monkey Breads Recipe

Mini Garlic Monkey Breads Recipe


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4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 29 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Garlic monkey breads bring irresistible Italian-inspired comfort straight to kitchen tables with cheesy, herbed magic. Crispy edges, buttery centers, and zesty garlic notes promise a crowd-pleasing appetizer you’ll want to savor bite by delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 18 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls (or 2 cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, 7.5 ounces/212 grams each)

Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
  • 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) grated Parmesan cheese

Binding/Coating Ingredients:

  • 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) salted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Thaw frozen dinner rolls or use canned biscuits at room temperature. Slice each roll or biscuit into four equal quarters.
  2. Create a savory coating by whisking melted butter with finely minced garlic, dried parsley, and Parmesan cheese in a spacious mixing bowl.
  3. Gently tumble dough pieces into the butter mixture, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly and evenly coated with the aromatic blend.
  4. Thoroughly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin. Carefully distribute 6 butter-coated dough pieces into each muffin cavity, lightly pressing to fill the space.
  5. Generously dust the top of each dough cluster with remaining Parmesan cheese, creating a delicate, golden-flecked surface.
  6. Position the muffin tin in a preheated 375°F oven. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the monkey breads transform into a rich, golden-brown color and appear fully cooked.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately while warm, perfect as a complementary side dish or delightful standalone snack.

Notes

  • Make sure to thaw frozen dinner rolls completely and drain excess moisture to prevent soggy texture.
  • Choose fresh garlic for maximum flavor intensity and avoid pre-minced garlic from jars which can taste stale.
  • Create gluten-free version by substituting regular rolls with gluten-free biscuit dough or cauliflower-based alternatives.
  • Customize flavors by adding dried herbs like oregano, rosemary, or red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture for extra excitement.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 14 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 217
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 304 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 23 mg
Nathaniel Brooks

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques. ​


Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.

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