3 Tasty Dutch Oven Monkey Bread Recipes

Dutch oven monkey bread is quite possibly one of the tastiest parts of camping EVER. Right up there with dutch oven cinnamon rolls, but we’ll have to save that tasty treat for our next article.

Monkey bread, a cinnamon pull-apart bread that’s been an American staple since the 1950s, is usually made in a bundt pan and baked in the oven. But like so many breakfast favorites, this sticky sweet bread can also be modified so you can cook it in a Dutch oven in a campfire.

The basic structure of monkey bread is many bite-sized pieces of dough all stuck together in one loaf. It’s a great camping breakfast because there’s no slicing or utensils required and it makes enough to feed a group. Read on and we’ll not only tell you how to make Dutch oven monkey bread, we’ll give you three tasty variations: classic, blueberry, and caramel apple. (If you’re in the market for a Dutch oven, scroll to the end of the post for cooking gear recommendations.)

 

Classic Monkey Bread

Cast Iron Dutch Oven Monkey Bread Made While Camping

Ingredients:

  • 4 (7.5 oz.) cans refrigerated biscuit dough
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 stick butter, plus 1-2 tablespoons extra

Directions:

  1. Place 24 charcoal briquettes in the center of a fire ring. Light them and then let them burn down. Meanwhile use 1-2 tablespoons butter to grease the inside of a cast-iron Dutch oven.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  3. Separate the refrigerated biscuits and cut each biscuit into quarters. Roll each quarter into a ball. Then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  4. Place the coated biscuit dough balls in the bottom of the Dutch oven in a single layer, making sure they touch. Cut the butter into thin slices and scatter it over the top of the dough. Place the lid on the Dutch oven.
  5. Use a tongs to arrange 10 coals together and push the rest aside. Place the Dutch oven on the 10 coals. Use the tongs to put the remaining coals on the lid of the Dutch oven. Bake for about 30 minutes. The bread is done when it’s browned on the outside and soft on the inside.

Blueberry Vanilla Monkey Bread

Ingredients:

  • 4 (7.5 oz.) cans refrigerated biscuit dough
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. Place 24 charcoal briquettes in the center of a fire ring. Light them and then let them burn down. Meanwhile use 1-2 tablespoons butter to grease the inside of a cast-iron Dutch oven.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  3. Separate the refrigerated biscuits and cut each biscuit into quarters. Roll each quarter into a ball. Then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  4. Place the coated biscuit dough balls in the bottom of the Dutch oven in. Add blueberries and use clean hands to mix the blueberries and balls of dough together so they form a single layer.
  5. Stir together the melted butter, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Pour the mixture over the top of the dough. Place the lid on the Dutch oven.
  6. Use a tongs to arrange 10 coals together and push the rest aside. Place the Dutch oven on the 10 coals. Use the tongs to put the remaining coals on the lid of the Dutch oven. Bake for about 30 minutes. The blueberry vanilla dutch oven monkey bread is done when it’s browned on the outside and soft on the inside.

Caramel Apple Cast Iron Dutch Oven Monkey Bread

Ingredients:

  • 4 (7.5 oz.) cans refrigerated biscuit dough
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups diced and peeled apples
  • 1 stick butter, plus 1-2 tablespoons
  • 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping

Directions:

  1. Place 24 charcoal briquettes in the center of a fire ring. Light them and then let them burn down. Meanwhile use 1-2 tablespoons butter to grease the inside of a cast-iron Dutch oven.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  3. Separate the refrigerated biscuits and cut each biscuit into quarters. Roll each quarter into a ball. Then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  4. Place the coated biscuit dough balls in the bottom of the Dutch oven in. Add diced apples and use clean hands to mix the apples and balls of dough together so they form a single layer. Cut the butter into thin slices and scatter it over the top of the dough. Drizzle the caramel syrup over the top of the dough and apples. Place the lid on the Dutch oven.
  5. Use a tongs to arrange 10 coals together and push the rest aside. Place the Dutch oven on the 10 coals. Use the tongs to put the remaining coals on the lid of the Dutch oven. Bake for about 30 minutes. Your dutch oven monkey bread is done when it’s browned on the outside and soft on the inside.

Cooking Equipment

Lodge Camp Dutch Oven

This Dutch Oven is designed for campfire cooking with legs that keep it raised above the coals.

Sale
Lodge L10DCO3 Cast Iron Deep Camp Dutch Oven, Pre-Seasoned, 5-Quart
  • 5-Quart Deep Camp Dutch Oven for campfire or fireplace cooking
  • Seasoned cast iron ready to use
  • Cast iron lid inverts for use as griddle
  • 10-inch diameter by 5-inch deep
  • Made in U.S.A

Grill Tongs

Since campfire cooking with a Dutch oven requires handling hot coals, you might want to make sure you have a pair of tongs on hand.

Grill Tongs for Cooking BBQ - 12 & 16" Set of 2 Heavy Duty Grilling Cooking Tongs for Serving Food Rubber Grips Long Locking Stainless Steel kitchen tongs & Barbecue No More Burnt hands Heat Resistant
  • Size matters - be the envy of your buddies: don’t be judged by the length of your handle, there's no need to get too close to that roaring fire as you turn and handle your cuts of meat and veg like a pro! Go long with the mountain griller tong set 12 & 16" and have complete control of your cooking zone
  • No more burnt arm hair: cook with the confidence that you will keep your hands away from the heat with the Mountain Grillers extra long metal tongs with a non-slip grip. The quality design allows for easy handling at safe distances from the flame. The varying size gives your tong set the versatility all great grill masters look for in their tools
  • Save your money and your meat: buy 2 lengths of kitchen utensils you’re gonna use, rather than 1 you’re not. It's easy to purchase the first thing that looks ok, but, he or she who buys cheap buy twice! The quality is apparent and the ease of use a bbq geeks dream
  • Look the part and keep the tongs apart: it's important to know what your doing come meal time and the first rule of barbecue is not to mix raw with cooked by turning your chicken and then your steak for example - protect your reputation when cooking up a storm and throwing awesome backyard parties. You're the king now!
  • Cleaner kitchen gadgets = meaner meat: store your tongs and cooking utensils on your barbeque by the hanging loops so your grill accessories are at hand.There's nothing worse than having a messy environment when cooking, rule your cooking zone, home must haves!

Silicone Oven Mitts

And speaking of handling hot coals (and hot cast-iron), you might want these too.

Sale
HOMWE Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitt, Oven Mitts with Quilted Liner, Heat Resistant Pot Holders, Flexible Oven Gloves, 1 Pair (Black, 13.7 inch)
  • Heat-Resistant – Offering protection up to 450°F, our oven gloves with quilted lining offer improved comfort while cooking. They will also spare tender forearms from burns that can occur when your outdoor grill experiences a flare-up. They will not catch fire or melt when used near a flame.
  • Steam Resistant and Waterproof – Unlike fabric oven mitts, our silicone oven mitts won’t absorb liquids. The silicone part of the glove is entirely waterproof. They also helps protect hands while holding hot plates and dishware, working over the grill or reaching into ovens. You can also use it as a pot holder to grab a hot pot.
  • Superior Safety Length – At 13.7” inches long, our oven mitts better protect fingers, hands and wrists from burns. The longer wrist protection keeps you protected from fingertip to past your wrist. This lets you grip pots, pans and cookware safely without slips or spills.
  • Textured, Non-Slip Grip – These silicone oven mitts are flexible, breathable and provide an improved control and stability thanks to a non-skid, textured palm. The soft polyester-cotton lining also adds an extra protection & comfort layer.
  • Easy to Clean and Machine Washable – Crafted with BPA-free silicone, our silicone gloves are stain resistant and easily cleanable, with just some warm water & a little soap. They won’t tear, thin or fray.

 

Need MORE dutch oven recipes? Check out our collection of 50 amazing and tasty dutch oven recipes.