The best gooey homemade vegan monkey bread recipe made dairy-free with oat milk and vegan butter. Each dough ball is coated in a bubbly cinnamon sugar topping for the perfect sweet breakfast, brunch, or dessert. No canned biscuit dough in this easy recipe!
The best dairy-free homemade monkey bread recipe
If you love classic cinnamon rolls, then you will love monkey bread! Monkey bread is a sweet, gooey, and doughy Bundt cake made from lots of little balls of dough, each coated in a simple cinnamon sugar topping. This tear-apart doughy treat is sticky with a fluffy, soft inside.
This monkey bread recipe is 100% vegan, meaning it’s dairy-free and egg-free. Instead of milk, we use oat milk, and instead of butter, we use vegan butter. But don’t worry, you cannot tell that this decadent treat is vegan – it tastes better than the real thing!
We always have monkey bread on our table for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving brunch. It’s the perfect sweet dish to share with family or friends!
The best part about this recipe is that you don’t need canned biscuit dough like most other online recipes – we make our own vegan dough! This oat milk monkey bread is 100% homemade. I cannot wait to hear what you think!
Why you’ll love this vegan recipe:
- Easy to Make: Any level baker can whip this homemade monkey bread together!
- Vegan: There are no eggs and no dairy in this sweet treat.
- Gooey & Doughy: Each soft dough ball is coated in a stick, sweet cinnamon sugar glaze.
- Finger Food: The best mouth-watering sweet side or appetizer for Brunch.
- No Canned Dough: We use homemade dough to make the soft, fluffy balls.
- No Compromises on Taste: Despite being vegan, this monkey bread doesn’t compromise on flavor, ensuring a satisfying and indulgent treat.
- Try these Vegan Blueberry Pop Tarts or these Air Fryer Apples next!
Ingredients needed
Vegan homemade monkey bread is made with oat milk, all-purpose flour, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and a few other simple ingredients. It is easy to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Here is a list of ingredients, so you have everything prepared:
- Oat Milk: First up, we need full-fat oat milk. This is the main “wet” ingredient in our homemade dough. I recommend full-fat for the softest monkey bread.
- Instant Yeast: To help the dough rise, grab 1 package of instant yeast, not dry active yeast.
- Coconut Sugar: For a little sweetness in the dough and to help activate the yeast. This also makes this recipe refined-sugar-free.
- Maple Syrup: Plus 1/4 cup of pure real maple syrup.
- Vegan Butter: This makes the dough soft and fluffy. Add the melted vegan butter so the dough balls pull apart easily.
- Salt: Add a dash of sea salt.
- All-Purpose Flour: Finally, we need all-purpose flour, plus a little more for dusting. Don’t substitute with almond, oat, or coconut flour.
- Ground Cinnamon: And ground cinnamon for that classic cinnamon roll taste.
- Powdered Sugar: If you want to add a glaze or dipping sauce.
- Vanilla Extract: I love adding vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Kitchen tools needed:
This vegan monkey bread recipe is so easy to make. Here is a list of kitchen tools you’ll need:
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Bundt Pan or Cake Pan
- Whisk
- Sharp Knife or Dough Cutter
- Optional: Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
How to make vegan monkey bread
This homemade vegan monkey bread comes together in four easy steps! Here are detailed step-by-step instructions for any level baker.
Step 1:
First, we will make the dough. In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, add oat milk. Microwave in three 20-second increments to warm to about 110°F (not hot). Whisk and add instant yeast & coconut sugar. Then, whisk in melted butter, maple syrup, and salt.
Step 2:
Next, add one cup of flour and whisk until combined. Add 3 and 1/2 more cups of flour and mix with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until all flour is incorporated. It will be sticky but should not be stuck to the bowl. Dust your surface with flour and knead the dough for 5 minutes until it forms a smoother ball.
Step 3:
After that, lightly oil a clean mixing bowl and place the dough ball into it. Cover with a dish towel and put somewhere relatively warm (I love the inside of the microwave). Let proof and sit for an hour to rise until it doubles in size.
Step 4:
Third, preheat the oven to 350° and lightly grease a bunt pan or pie dish. While the oven is preheated, mix melted butter, cinnamon, and coconut sugar in a bowl.
Step 5:
Then, when the dough is proofing, pull it apart and make 30 – 40 balls by rolling them together in your hand – do not overwork the dough. Toss each ball in the coconut sugar coating and coat them nicely—layers of coated dough balls on top of each other in a greased dish. Drizzle any extra coconut sugar coating over the dough balls.
Step 6:
Next, make the glaze or dipping sauce. In a bowl, mix the glaze ingredients.
Step 7:
Finally, bake homemade vegan monkey bread for 30 – 35 minutes until it is puffed up, almost doubled, and the sugar is bubbly. Remove from oven and let rest only 5 – 7 minutes before flipping out of the dish (otherwise, it will stick to the pan).
Drizzle with glaze and enjoy!
Easy ingredient substitution suggestions
If you are missing an ingredient or two and need some help with substitutions, here are my recommendations. I don’t recommend substituting more than 2 ingredients.
- Oat Milk: You can use unsweetened almond milk instead of oat milk. Vanilla or plain will both work. If you are not vegan, use 2% or whole milk.
- Vegan Butter: You can use real unsalted butter if you are not vegan.
- Coconut Sugar: Use light brown sugar in place of coconut sugar.
- Maple Syrup: You can use honey instead of maple syrup if needed.
What makes this monkey bread vegan?
This monkey bread recipe is vegan because we use vegan butter instead of real butter and oat milk instead of regular milk. You cannot tell it is vegan (trust me) because it is so doughy, sweet, sticky, and delicious! Better than the real thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to let the dough proof?
Absolutely. You must proof the dough for at least 1 hour so it can rise and the gluten can activate.
What’s the best substitute for oat milk?
Feel free to use 2% or whole milk if you are not vegan. You can use unsweetened vanilla or plain almond milk if you are vegan.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite nuts, raisins, or other mix-ins before baking. I recommend layering them in with the dough balls.
Can I use active dry yeast?
No! Do not use active dry yeast. You must use instant yeast for this monkey bread recipe.
What can I use instead of a Bundt pan?
A cake pan or any oven-safe dish can be used as an alternative to a Bundt pan.
Can I use regular butter in place of vegan butter?
If you are not vegan, you can use regular unsalted butter instead of vegan butter.
What is the best vegan butter for baking?
For baking, I highly recommend Earth Balance vegan butter.
Can I proof monkey bread dough overnight?
Yes, you can easily prove the dough overnight in the refrigerator. After you prepare the dough, place it into a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it into the fridge overnight. It should double in size. When you are ready to bake it, allow it to warm up to room temperature for about 30 minutes – one hour and proceed with assembly.
How to store and reheat monkey bread:
Storing: For best results, store leftover monkey bread in the original baking dish by covering it with aluminum foil or transferring it to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Place the original baking dish in a preheated oven of 350°F and reheat for 10 – 15 minutes until warm and bubble again. For quick reheating, you can tear off sections and microwave for 45 – 60 seconds until warm.
If you loved this monkey bread, try these vegan recipes next!
- Healthier Cinnamon Rolls with Icing
- Vegan Blueberry Pop Tarts
- Eggless Brownie Skillet Recipe
- Vegan Lemon Sugar Cookies
- Vegan Molten Lava Cake
- Vegan Baked Oatmeal
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Vegan Monkey Bread
Ingredients
The Dough:
- 1 ½ cups oat milk*
- 1 pack instant yeast
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
- ⅓ cup vegan butter*, melted
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled (+ more for dusting)
The Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup vegan butter*, melted
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
The Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 Tbsp oat milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
Instructions
Make Dough:
- In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, add oat milk. Microwave in three 20-second increments so it is warm to about 110°F (not hot). Whisk and add instant yeast & coconut sugar. Then whisk in melted butter, maple syrup, and salt. Add one cup of flour and whisk until combined. Add 3 + 1/2 more cups of flour and mix with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until all flour is incorporated.
- It will be sticky, but it should not be stuck to the bowl.
- Dust your surface with flour and knead the dough for 5 minutes until it can form a smoother ball.
Proof the Dough:
- Lightly oil a clean mixing bowl and place the dough ball into it. Cover with a dish towel and place somewhere relatively warm (I love the inside of the microwave). Let sit for an hour to rise, or until it doubles in size.
Make Coating:
- Preheat oven to 350° and lightly grease a bread tin or pie dish. While the oven is preheating, mix together melted butter, cinnamon, and coconut sugar in a bowl.
Make Monkey Bread:
- When done proofing, pull the dough apart and make 30 – 40 balls by rolling them together in your hand – do not overwork the dough. You can also just cut the dough pieces then roll by hand.
- Toss each ball in the coconut sugar coating and coat them really nicely.
- Layers coated dough balls on top of each other in greased dish. Drizzle any extra coconut sugar coating over the dough balls.
Bake:
- Bake monkey bread for 30 – 35 minutes, until puffed up, almost doubled and sugar is bubbly. Remove from oven and let rest for only 5 – 7 minutes before flipping out of dish (otherwise it will stick to the pan). Drizzle with glaze and enjoy!
Make Glaze or Dipping Sauce (Optional):
- In a bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients. For a tricker dip, reduce the amount of milk and add a little more powdered sugar. For a glaze drizzle, add a dash more oat milk.
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, by purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
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Sara says
Hello,
Hoping you can answer some questions:
Can I sub coconut oil for the butter? Can I sub an all purpose paleo flour? What else could I use for the yeast? I check the link you had and unfortunately the packet has acid, which I have to stay away from?
Margaret says
This recipe was everything!!! So good and just amazing. My entire family loved it and it was fun to make.
Hannah says
My daughter and I made this and it was delish! So fun.