Why You’ll Love This Savory Monkey Bread Recipe
If you’re looking for a delightful twist on traditional bread, you’ll absolutely love this savory monkey bread recipe.
It’s not just visually appealing; the flavor combination of garlic, rosemary, and thyme creates a mouthwatering aroma that fills your kitchen.
The pull-apart texture makes it perfect for sharing, whether at a cozy family dinner or a festive gathering.
Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to make, allowing me to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
Each warm bite bursts with savory herbs, making it an irresistible addition to any meal.
Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on this!
Ingredients of Savory Monkey Bread
When it comes to whipping up a batch of savory monkey bread, the ingredients are key to creating that irresistible aroma and flavor. You’ll be surprised at how simple the list is, yet how much deliciousness it can produce.
Think of it as a cozy hug in bread form—each pull-apart piece is packed with buttery goodness and fragrant herbs. So, let’s gather everything we need to get started. Here’s your ingredient list for this delightful recipe:
- 1 cup milk (scalded and cooled to lukewarm)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (10 ounces by weight)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour (2 1/2 ounces by weight)
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (4 tablespoons at room temperature for the dough and 4 tablespoons for the herb butter)
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves)
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt (for the herb butter)
Now, before you start mixing and kneading, let’s chat about some ingredient considerations. You might find that using fresh herbs instead of dried ones can elevate the flavor even more—your taste buds will thank you for it.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, try swapping out the sweet paprika for smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavor. Also, make sure your milk is just the right temperature—lukewarm is the sweet spot here.
Too hot, and you’ll kill the yeast; too cold, and it won’t activate properly. Trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way after a few sad dough situations.
How to Make Savory Monkey Bread
Making savory monkey bread is like starting a delightful culinary adventure, and trust me, it’s worth every moment spent in the kitchen. First, grab a mixing bowl and combine 1 cup of scalded and cooled milk with 1 teaspoon of sugar, 2 cups of all-purpose flour, and 2 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast. Give it a good stir until everything is mixed together, then cover it with plastic wrap and let it hang out at room temperature for about an hour. This is where the magic begins, as the yeast starts to work its charm, and you can already imagine the fluffy goodness to come.
Once your mixture has risen and doubled in size, it’s time to add in 1/2 cup of white whole wheat flour and 1 teaspoon of table salt. Mix it until it’s smooth and elastic, and then incorporate 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, kneading until it’s all shiny and lovely—think of it as a mini workout session for your arms. You’ll want to knead for about 7 to 10 minutes.
Afterward, coat a clean bowl with 2 teaspoons of vegetable or olive oil, form your dough into a ball, and let it rise again until it’s doubled in size, which usually takes around 45 to 60 minutes. During this waiting time, you can daydream about how delicious your monkey bread will be, or maybe tackle that pile of laundry that’s been glaring at you.
While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 325°F. Now it’s time to whip up that herb butter. In a food processor, pulse together 1 clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary (or 1 tablespoon if you’re feeling fresh), 1 teaspoon of dried thyme (again, fresh is even better), and 1/2 teaspoon of sweet paprika. Once it’s all finely chopped, add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, mixing until it’s all well-blended. Set this buttery goodness aside and get ready to shape your dough.
When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured surface, knead it briefly, and then divide it into 32 even pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, coat it in that dreamy herb butter, and place them loosely in your chosen baking dish. Let them rise one last time until they’re fluffy and doubled again, about 30 to 45 minutes.
Finally, pop that dish into the oven and bake for about 35 minutes until it’s a glorious deep golden-brown. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will be almost too much to handle. When it’s time to dig in, serve it hot, warm, or at room temperature—you really can’t go wrong.
Savory Monkey Bread Substitutions & Variations
While preparing savory monkey bread is a delightful experience, experimenting with substitutions and variations can elevate your creation even further.
You can swap all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour or use a blend of herbs like basil and oregano instead of rosemary and thyme.
For a cheesy twist, I often add shredded cheese like cheddar or mozzarella to the dough.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try incorporating cooked bacon or sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added flavor.
You can even adjust the seasoning to suit your taste—more garlic or a pinch of red pepper flakes can really kick things up a notch!
Additional Tips & Notes
To guarantee your savory monkey bread turns out perfectly, I recommend paying close attention to the dough’s rising times.
Make sure your kitchen is warm; a cozy environment helps the dough rise nicely. If you’re short on time, I’ve found that a slightly warmer spot, like near a preheating oven, works wonders.
Also, don’t skip the resting period after shaping the dough balls; it’s essential for that fluffy texture.
Finally, feel free to experiment with different herbs or cheese to customize flavors, but keep the proportions balanced.
Enjoy the process, and I’m sure you’ll love the results!