Savory Monkey Bread is an easy, make-ahead casserole recipe, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a party appetizer. Salty ham and cheese are baked into warm, bite-sized pieces of bread. It’s delicious and so simple to make with any of the recipes for frozen bread dough!
Looking for an easy breakfast that will please a crowd? This ham and brie casserole is perfect! It can be made ahead of time, so it’s great for busy mornings.
Plus, it’s loaded with delicious flavor. This brie appetizer is a real crowd-pleaser. So why wait? This dish is sure to become a breakfast favorite!
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Why We Love Savory Monkey Bread
- Easy brunch recipe.
Use frozen bread dough for convenience. - Make ahead of time.
When you’re ready, just pop it into the oven to bake. - Great for any time of the day.
This stuffed bread makes a great breakfast, lunch, brunch, or even dinner.
Looking for recipes made from frozen rolls? For a cozy dish any time of the day, try our Pumpkin Spice Bread Recipe or Overnight French Toast Casserole.
Or if you’re looking for easy recipes that are perfect for neighbor treats, check out how to make monkey bread or yummy braid bread.
And we love this Pesto Bread Recipe and Camembert Recipe for holidays. Both are full of flavor and so festive!
What is Monkey Bread?
Monkey Bread, also known as pull-apart bread, is a sweet or savory dish made up of rolls or biscuits held together with ingredients such as eggs and cheese. It is typically served at brunch, although the sweet monkey breads are also considered a dessert item.
This monkey bread recipe is similar to a breakfast strata, which is a baked bread casserole with eggs, cheese, and (usually) some sort of meat.
The difference is that our savory monkey bread doesn’t include eggs. Instead, we use bite sized pieces of ham and brie that are baked into the bread.
Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
- Bridgford Parker House Style Rolls – This is our favorite frozen bread dough!
- Ham – Deli ham is great, or use some leftover coca cola ham slow cooker!
- Brie – ham and brie pair SO well together! The saltiness of the ham goes well with cheddar or provolone, too.
- Cranberries – another great companion to brie. You can taste it for yourself in these brie cranberry bites.
Stuffed Bread – Tips For Success
- Allow frozen rolls to thaw on the countertop for 1-2 hours.
You can do this after dinner if you want to make the stuffed bread for breakfast the next morning.
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- Cover dough loosely with plastic wrap.
This allows it space to rise, giving you fluffy, soft rolls.
Layer brie and ham with bread dough.
- Bake savory monkey bread in a pan covered with foil for the first 20 minutes, then uncovered for the last 15 minutes.
This prevents the top from browning up faster than the middle can cook.
To make ahead: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, pull out the baking dish, and let it come to room temperature. Then bake as directed above.
Recipe Variations For Brie Appetizer
- Use bacon and cheddar for a different flavor combination, or try sausage and gruyere.
- Top with these brie bites with chopped herbs or green onion for color.
- Add some chopped sauteed vegetables, like onions, for a healthier option.
- Use a different type of bread, such as sourdough dinner rolls recipe or French bread.
- Spread a layer of Dijon mustard on the bread for a little bit of tang.
How to Serve Savory Monkey Bread
Serve the monkey bread garnished with fresh herbs. It is delicious on its own, but you could also serve it with a side of blueberry strawberry salad. To bulk up the meal, serve this brie appetizer along with maple glazed brussels sprouts or a refreshing side salad.
Love breakfast dishes with ham? These recipes for Crockpot Ham with Coke Glaze or Dr Pepper Ham Glaze are full of flavor and can be served anytime of day!
Savory Monkey Bread FAQ
Yes, you will need to let them thaw for 1-2 hours before cutting them. Otherwise, they will be too frozen to cut into pieces. Thaw them out on the countertop for the quickest defrosting time.
Yes. Unlike some other monkey bread recipes, it does not need to be refrigerated overnight. As long as you let the frozen rolls thaw first, you can prepare the ham and cheese bread and bake it right away.
If stored in an airtight container in the fridge, this bread can last 2-3 days. If you choose to freeze it, wrap it first in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
More Casserole Recipes To Love…
- Tater Tot Chicken Casserole
- Ham Tater Tot Casserole Breakfast Recipe
- Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
- Chicken Stuffing Bake
If you tried this savory monkey bread recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Savory Monkey Bread
Ingredients
- 1 25 ounces package Bridgford parker house rolls thawed, but cold
- 1 pound ham precooked, cut into dice-sized cubes
- 1 pound brie cut into dice-sized cubes (garlic and herb adds flavor)
- ¼ cup minced scallions green parts only
Instructions
- Follow package directions for thawing. While rolls are still cold, cut each into 4 pieces. Sharp kitchen shears work best for cutting the dough.
- Spray a 13" x 9" casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Lay 2/3rds of the dough pieces in a single layer in the bottom of dish. Arrange ham and brie cubes evenly over the bread. Place the last of the dough cubes around the top.
- Sprinkle top of casserole with your favorite fresh or dried herbs, I like using dried dill or fresh thyme. If making casserole ahead, skip to step 4. Cover dish loosely with plastic wrap and let dough rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 325º F while rising.
- To make ahead: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, remove casserole from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 325º F.
- After dough rises (or has come to room temperature, if refrigerated overnight), cover the ham and brie casserole with foil and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, carefully remove foil and bake another 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the bread is golden. Top with scallions and serve warm.
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Carrie Robinson says
This would be so perfect to serve for a weekend brunch! 🙂 It looks amazing.
Jess says
Where has this recipe been my whole life? I love monkey bread and I absolutely need to try this savory version asap! Ham & Cheese is a perfect combo!