Instant Pot Monkey Bread with Powdered Sugar Icing is honestly one of those things that made me laugh at myself. Years of baking—sweating over ovens, burning my fingers, getting sticky counter tops—only to find out the Instant Pot could bake a five-star restaurant level monkey bread in (no joke) under an hour. If you’ve ever craved something gooey, soft, hot, and just a tad naughty, and realized you didn’t want to heat up your whole house, keep reading. I promise, this is easier than it sounds, and way more fun.
What is monkey bread?
Okay, you know those pull-apart cinnamon breads at carnivals or maybe your grandma’s kitchen table? Monkey bread is that, only BETTER. It’s made up of little dough balls dunked in cinnamon-sugar goodness and baked together. Once cooked, these bits stick together in all their sticky glory—so you just grab a chunk and pull. Kind of like how monkeys eat, which, honestly, cracked me up the first time I heard it.
People sometimes call it bubble bread, pull-apart bread, or even pluck-it cake. It doesn’t matter what you call it; it’s all about gooey, cozy, sweet fun. My family can kill a whole pan in one sitting. Oh, and that smell. The cinnamon hits you before you even open the lid. It’s legit comfort food.
“I’d never tried making monkey bread at home, let alone in an Instant Pot. This recipe actually made me look like a baking genius for once. The kids fought over who cleaned the icing bowl!” — Rachel T.
Why make monkey bread in the Instant Pot?
Alright, so, let’s get real—who wants to turn on the oven in summer? Not me. With the Instant Pot, you don’t even need to babysit it. The monkey bread cooks fast, keeps that perfect soft texture, and NEVER dries out (which is my usual issue—dry bits…ew). Also, the pressure keeps everything taste-bomb level moist.
Worried it’ll taste different than oven-baked? Don’t be. The flavors are even more intense because they all steam together. Not to mention, it kind of frees up your oven for other stuff (hello, chicken nuggets if you’ve got kids at home). Newbie or pro, the Instant Pot makes this look fancy without the stress. Trust me, folks will actually ask you for your “secret.” 
Tricks to making the best instant pot monkey bread
Alright, I’ll spill the tea. Got burned a few times—literally—figuring out these tips.
Don’t overpack the pan. Leave a bit of room because those dough bits puff up like crazy.
Use cold butter, not melted. Rolling the dough in cold butter before sugar gets more even coating and less pooling at the bottom.
Grease your pan like you mean it. Nothing’s worse than perfect monkey bread stuck in the pan for dear life.
Oh! And let it cool for about 10 minutes after releasing pressure. I know it smells good, but you don’t wanna lose half the bread to the bottom (been there, done that, don’t recommend).
One last little nugget: use parchment under the loaf or spray it like a madman. Makes life so much easier come clean-up time. If you’re feeling wild, toss in some toasted pecans, too. Not necessary—but dang, it’s tasty.
Ingredients in Instant Pot Monkey Bread
Here’s the nice part—most of this stuff is probably already sitting in your kitchen. If not, nothing here will break the bank either.
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough (regular, not flaky!)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter (cold, cut in cubes)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- For icing: 1 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons milk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
If you want to go a little extra (I do, too), throw in a pinch of nutmeg or a handful of chopped pecans.
Equipment needed for Instant Pot recipes
Now, about the Instant Pot stuff. Fear not, nothing wild here:
- One trusty Instant Pot (any basic model, but mine’s a 6 qt)
- Bundt pan that fits inside (6 or 7-inch, check yours first!)
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork for icing
- Non-stick spray or parchment (definitely don’t skip)
- Trivet with handles (or a foil sling if yours is MIA)
You could also use a silicone pan, but the trick is, it has to fit your pot with the lid closing tightly.
Serving Suggestions
- Warm it up slightly before serving—better ooze, more joy.
- Pour extra powdered sugar icing right before eating (kids go wild).
- Serve with ice cream for full dessert pandemonium.
- Eat it for breakfast and pretend it’s totally healthy because, you know, there’s cinnamon.
Common Questions
Q: Does Instant Pot Monkey Bread with Powdered Sugar Icing really get crispy edges?
A: Honestly, the edges stay soft and gooey, not crisp like oven-baked varieties. It’s more melt-y, which is half the point.
Q: Can I use homemade dough instead of biscuit dough?
A: Yep! It takes a little more time, but it comes out just as good, if not better. Just cut and roll the same way.
Q: Can I prep it in advance?
A: Sure thing. Toss everything together, cover, and chill in the fridge overnight. Pop into the Instant Pot when you’re ready.
Q: What if I don’t have a Bundt pan that fits?
A: Use any heat-safe dish—just make sure it’s deep enough. Even a round cake pan works, honestly.
Q: Does the icing have to be homemade?
A: Nope! Store-bought works just as well. But I’d say, homemade takes about 2 minutes so why not try?
Seriously…trust me, you want to make this
Okay, bottom line: Instant Pot Monkey Bread with Powdered Sugar Icing is the easiest, gooiest, most fun-to-make treat I’ve stumbled on lately. The quick cook, the pull-apart action, and, wow, the icing drip—it all just works. If you’re curious and want step-by-step visuals, check out How to Make Monkey Bread in the Instant Pot – PinkWhen for the full scoop, or head over to this lively Instant Pot Monkey Bread Recipe discussion for more creative spins. Once you try this, there’s a good chance you’ll never wanna turn that oven on again for dessert. Go on, grab those biscuits. Your taste buds (and probably some sticky little fingers in your house) will thank you.
Instant Pot Monkey Bread
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the Instant Pot by using a trivet with handles.
- Cut the biscuit dough into quarters.
- In a mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter cubes.
- Toss the dough pieces in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated.
- Layer the coated dough balls in the greased Bundt pan.
- Combine the brown sugar with any remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture, and sprinkle over the dough in the Bundt pan.
- Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot and place the Bundt pan on the trivet.
- Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.
- Once done, allow a natural release for 10 minutes before performing a quick release.
- Carefully remove the Bundt pan and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the icing over the monkey bread before serving.
