This savory monkey bread is a buttery, garlicky pull-apart bread loaded with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar. Made with an easy frozen roll shortcut, it’s perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
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If you’re looking for a buttery, cheesy pull-apart bread that steals the show, this savory monkey bread is it. Made with frozen dinner rolls, it bakes up golden, garlicky, and loaded with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar—no kneading, no stress, and no flour-covered counters.
Why This Savory Monkey Break Works
- Buttery, cheesy, pull-apart texture: Every piece is coated in butter, garlic, bacon, and cheddar for flavor in every bite.
- Frozen roll shortcut: You get that soft, yeasty bread texture without mixing or kneading.
- Perfect for sharing: Baked in a bundt pan, it pulls apart easily and is made for parties and gatherings.
- Easy and beginner-friendly: Simple steps, no special skills, and hard to mess up.
- Crowd-pleasing flavor: Bacon and sharp cheddar make this one of the first things to disappear.
What You Need & Why
- Frozen Yeast Dinner Rolls (Rhodes) — The secret to this beginner-friendly pull-apart bread. No kneading, no mixing, perfect every time.
- Butter — Melts into the rolls and creates that irresistible buttery, savory, golden crust.
- Granulated Garlic — Adds warm, savory depth in every bite.
- Granulated Onion — Subtle sweetness and classic pull-apart bread flavor.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning — Crunch, salt, sesame, and bold savory energy in one shake.
- Dried Dill Weed — Adds an herby punch that plays beautifully with garlic and cheese.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese — Melts into the rolls for cheesy, gooey pull-apart goodness.
- Cooked Bacon Bits — Smoky, salty pops of flavor that take this savory monkey bread over the top.
Swaps & Variations
This savory monkey bread is easy to customize while keeping that buttery, cheesy pull-apart texture.
- Switch up the cheese: Cheddar is classic, but mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a blend all work well.
- Add a little heat: Jalapeños or red pepper flakes bring just enough kick without overpowering the bread.
- Keep it simple: Skip the bacon and stick with garlic butter for a more classic savory version.
- Add extra flavor: Fresh herbs like parsley or chives brighten everything up.
- Shortcut option: Swap frozen rolls for canned biscuit dough if you want to skip the rise time.
Tips For The Best Savory Monkey Bread
A few simple tips will help you get perfectly golden, fluffy, pull-apart monkey bread every time.
- Partially thaw the dough: Let frozen rolls sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Slightly firm dough is much easier to cut and handle.
- Coat every piece well: Make sure each piece of dough is fully coated in butter, seasoning, and cheese so every bite is flavorful.
- Use freshly shredded cheese: It melts more smoothly and evenly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Layer evenly in the pan: Distribute the dough, bacon, and cheese throughout so you don’t end up with dry spots.
- Tent with foil if needed: If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil while the center finishes baking.
Savory Monkey Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 frozen yeast dinner rolls
- ½ cup butter, melted plus more for topping at the end
- 2 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning
- 1½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cups cooked bacon bits
Instructions
Dough Prep
- Thaw out the dinner roll dough either on the counter-top for 30 minutes or defrost in the microwave 3-4 minutes. The dough balls will cut easier if they are still slightly frozen.
- Cut the dough balls into quarters. After the dough balls are all cut, let them thaw completely.
- In a large glass mixing bowl, melt the butter.
- To the melted butter, add the everything bagel seasoning, salt, dried dill weed, granulated garlic and onion, and fresh ground. Stir in the shredded cheese and bacon bits. Add the dough balls to this mixture and toss to coat.
Rise and Bake
- Add the dough balls with butter/cheese/bacon situation to a lightly greased 10-12 cup bundt pan. Cover with a slightly damp dishcloth and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
- Bake in a preheated 350° oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes place a sheet of aluminum foil on top and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes or until bread is cooked through.
- Let cool in the bundt pan for about 5 minutes. Invert onto a plate and flip back over for serving. Brush with a little extra melted butter and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
How to Use Savory Monkey Bread
This savory monkey bread is best served warm and pulled apart right at the table—but it also works beautifully alongside a variety of meals and spreads.
- Serve it as a party appetizer: Place it in the center and let everyone pull apart pieces—no slicing needed.
- Pair with soups and chili: It’s perfect for dunking into cozy bowls like broccoli cheese soup, seafood chowder, or a hearty chili.
- Add it to pasta night: A cheesy, garlicky upgrade from traditional garlic bread that pairs perfectly with lasagna or baked pasta dishes.
- Build a casual snack board: Surround it with marinated feta and olives, cured meats, and cheeses for an easy, crowd-pleasing spread.
- Set up a dipping station: Marinara, ranch, or a drizzle of hot honey take it to the next level.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate Properly — Because this pull-apart bread has cheese and bacon, store leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheat Gently — Warm individual pieces in the microwave on low power, wrapped in a damp paper towel. This keeps the bread soft and prevents the cheese from getting tough.
- Freeze for Later — To freeze, wrap the cooked bread tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It will stay good for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and rewarm in a low oven or microwave.
- Best When Fresh — As with most cheesy breads, the texture is at its peak the day it’s baked — but it reheats beautifully.
You Asked, I Answered
Can I make a smaller batch of this savory monkey bread?
Absolutely! Divide the dough into a greased muffin tin (fill cups halfway) for individual pull-apart rolls. You can also halve the recipe for a 6-cup Bundt pan—just start checking for doneness about 10 minutes early.
Can I prepare Savory Monkey Bread ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the loaf (before the rise), cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes to take the chill off before baking.
Do I really have to let the dough rise?
If you're using frozen yeast rolls, yes. That rise is what gives you those bakery-soft, fluffy strands. Short on time? Swap the frozen rolls for canned buttermilk biscuits—you can skip the rise and bake them immediately!
Other Bread Recipes You'll Also Love
If you love this savory monkey bread, here are a few more easy, crowd-pleasing breads to try:
- Skillet Cornbread: crispy edges, buttery center
- Honey Beer Bread: no knead, slightly sweet, super easy
- Olive Cheese Bread: bold, savory, and perfect for sharing
Who’s Stirring the Pot?
Hi, I’m Ruth—recipe developer, comfort-food creator, and the voice behind Rufus For Real. I specialize in cozy, doable, flavor-packed meals for real-life kitchens, and I’m a firm believer that breakfast, dinner, and everything in between should be simple, satisfying, and impossible to mess up.
You’ll find me sharing even more comfort-food goodness, kitchen tips, and behind-the-scenes chaos over on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube (@rufusforreal everywhere).
If you love approachable recipes with a whole lot of personality, pull up a chair—there’s always room at this table.
Happy Cooking!
-Ruth aka Rufus
brenda hill says
delicious for breakfast or anytime.
Rufus says
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it!
Margaret says
I have been banned from making this bread. Hubby says it is entirely too delicious!
Rufus says
Haha! You don't know how happy I am to hear it! I'm so glad you guys like it! Have a wonderful day!
Apryl S says
so good and so easy! excellent bread recipe!