Whether you need a literal grab-and-go snack or you want a shared appetizer that all will enjoy, nothing comes close to jalapeno cheddar monkey bread. Its origins are quite different from this savory mix of onion, jalapeno, and a pizza-like gooey cheese blend. But this is an irresistible upgrade that requires very little effort to make. Plus, it yields the most flavorful and mouth-watering results.
The Origin of Monkey Bread
Monkey bread has a very specific origin. Like many popular recipes, the name monkey bread has come to mean a variety of things. Not all relate to its original context. There are other recipes similar to monkey bread that have adopted the term over time as the name spread and became more popular. This jalapeno cheddar monkey bread is one of them. True monkey bread isn’t actually made with cheese. I know, right?
Monkey Bread itself has a variety of other names. Each of them refers to true monkey bread which is a sweet pastry with its characteristic pull-apart-ness (it’s a word– don’t look it up) coated in cinnamon and sugar. As with pretzels, this type of dough-based delicacy lends itself nicely to accouterments that lead the flavor in the opposite direction. So while cinnamon sugar monkey bread tastes amazing, the jalapeno cheese version is equally delightful.
The original monkey bread (pluck-it cake, bubble bread, funky bread, or any other derivatives it is known by in the US) was called Arany Galuska. It turns up in Hungarian literature in the 1880s. About a hundred years later it was popularized as a traditional Christmas pastry by First Lady Nancy Reagan. Before that explosive moment, the pull-apart pastry dish was gradually folded into American cuisine. This occurred as Hungarian immigrants brought the recipe with them and began selling it in Hungarian Jewish bakeries.
Where Do You Keep Monkey Bread?
Jalapeno cheddar monkey bread is a great alternative to the traditional cinnamon-covered variety. In most regards, it’s a question of taste and not superiority. However, there is an advantage to the jalapeno cheese variety. That is that you can have it any mealtime, and at any point of the day. Although it fails as a dessert, you can enjoy it round the clock, which makes wonderful use of its pull-apart nature. It is the perfect addition as a centerpiece at the table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everybody can dig in and pull a few pieces before or during the meal. You can also keep it on the coffee table for intermittent munching without the need for a plate or a napkin.
I also like to keep it on the kitchen counter/bar/island. Anywhere in the room that is openly accessible as I pass through or wonder in looking for just a moral of something in between meals.
Regardless of how many you are feeding, this pull-apart bread is typically all gone within a short time frame after making it. However, it’s always a good idea to know how long your prepared food will remain enjoyable after you make it. Of course, that all depends on how you store it, or if you leave it out at room temperature.
How Long Does Monkey Bread Last After You Make It?
My favorite approach is room temperature, usually because when I make jalapeno cheese monkey bread I plan to enjoy it immediately. As I said before, when monkey bread is around, it tends to get snatched up quickly. That’s regardless of who is around to enjoy it. But I know that doesn’t help if you are trying to figure out how long it will last if you leave it out. Actually, with a dish like this you’re in luck. Even if you don’t eat it all within a couple of days, it will still be good when stored at room temperature. The cooked cheese and jalapeno do not require refrigeration and refrigeration is actually not recommended for bread at all.
How to Store Monkey Bread
If you plan to finish your bread within the next five days, leaving it out is the best option. Alternatively, if you plan to store it for longer, you should freeze and not refrigerate the unused bread. To do this, wrap or seal it in an airtight container. This will last for months. When you are ready to eat the rest, you can take it out to thaw. To enjoy from frozen, simply defrost, or reheat in the microwave.
Possible Variations
Different Cheese
Most types of cheese will work with this recipe. Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Mild cheddar cheese are perfect to pair the the mozzarella cheese.
Different Peppers
Jalapenos are the favorite in my household but diced green chilies are also delicious to add. Make sure to drain as much juice from the can as possible before adding them into the mix. Also, you can used sliced jalapenos in place of the diced jalapenos. And, to make this recipe even more spicy, add some habanero peppers
Add Bacon
To make this flavorful bread even more delicious, crumble up some crispy bacon and add to the mix for some jalapeno popper monkey bread. Yum!
Cheese and Jalapeno
The key element of pulling apart the pieces of bread is what causes the name monkey bread to cross over to savory dishes as well. This jalapeno cheddar pull-apart bread expands on the monkey bread concept by delivering a whole different flavor experience. Spicy cheesy goodness. The resulting combination is closer to a cheese and jalapeno bagel than something like Pao de Queijo. That balled-up tapioca-based Brazilian bread has cheese baked into it. The pull-apart quality of the bread is enhanced by the sticky melty cheese that seems to bind the whole creation together like a scrumptious little hut made out of soft fluffy stones with a gooey cheesy mortar in between.
Making the Monkey Bread
Making this bread is one of the easiest things to do. It seems impressive, but all you’re doing is repurposing canned biscuit dough and presenting it in a new context. It’s as simple as cutting up the dough and rolling little balls. However, there is a subtle trick that might make you do a double-take. That’s because, in order to get that gooey pull-apart texture on the bread balls, you need to coat them in the cheese and jalapeno mixture rather than blend them. That means mixing sticky dough balls in with the cheese, cooked onion, and jalapenos. As a result, you may have to roll the balls twice. Trust me, it’s worth it for the end product. This bread is simple and fun for everyone. I know you are going to love eating it even more!
Ingredients to Make Jalapeno Cheddar Monkey Bread
- Pillsbury Grand biscuits
- Olive oil
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Jalapeños
- Onion
- Unsalted butter
How to Make Jalapeno Cheddar Monkey Bread
Step 1 – Prep
Preheat oven to 350° and spray a Bundt pan with a non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. Cut each biscuit into sixths and roll pieces into balls. Place in a large bowl and add two tablespoons of olive oil. Lightly toss to coat.
Step 2 – Cooking the Jalapenos and Onions
In a small pan, add 1 teaspoon of oil and over medium heat, cook the diced jalapenos and onions until tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 3 – Putting it all Together
Add shredded cheese, cooked onions and jalapenos to the dough balls. Toss to coat balls (they may stick together so just reroll them into balls). Place the rolled jalapeno cheddar balls in layers into the prepared Bundt pan. In a small bowl, stir melted butter and garlic powder together and pour over dough.
Step 4 – Baking the Pull-Apart Bread
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown and baked through. Remove from oven, serve warm and enjoy.
Try This Delicious Pull-Apart Bread Today
Looking for More Delicious Bread Recipes?
Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks – These delicious breadsticks are a simple dough recipe that is baked to golden perfection and then slathered with butter, Parmesan, garlic salt and a little basil to create completely irresistible breadsticks like Olive Garden’s breadsticks.
Soft Pretzel Bites – These soft pretzel bites are made from scratch and are super delicious, like a traditional pretzel, but bite-size. If you love pretzels, you are sure going to enjoy these little addictive bites of goodness.
And here is a delicious Homemade English Muffins recipe from Great Grub, Delicious Treats that you might enjoy too!
Jalapeno Cheddar Monkey Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cans 24 Pillsbury® Grand biscuits
- 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 jalapenos, seeds removed, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- ⅓ cup butter melted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° and prepare a bundt pan by spraying with a nonstick cooking spray.
- Cut each biscuit into sixths and roll into balls. Place in a large mixing bowl and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Lightly toss to coat.
- In a small pan, add 1 teaspoon of oil and over medium heat, cook the onion and jalapenos until tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add shredded cheese, cooked onion and jalapeno to the dough balls. Toss to coat dough balls (they may stick together so just reroll them into balls).
- Place rolled jalapeno cheese balls into the prepared Bundt pan.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter and garlic powder together and pour over dough.
- Bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown and baked through.
- Remove from oven and enjoy.
Here are a few pics that are the perfect size for pinning to Pinterest.
