Sourdough Discard Monkey Bread (Quick & Easy Recipe)
Looking for a delicious way to use up your sourdough discard? This sticky, sweet, and gooey sourdough discard monkey bread is the perfect solution. Packed with cinnamon-sugar flavor and a touch of sourdough tang, this pull-apart bread is ready in under an hour, making it ideal for a quick breakfast or a sweet snack.
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Got sourdough discard piling up? Don’t toss it, turn it into this sweet and sticky sourdough discard monkey bread! This quick and easy pull-apart treat is loaded with gooey cinnamon-sugar flavor and comes together in just about an hour. Whether you’re craving a cozy weekend breakfast, a holiday brunch showstopper, or a fun way to use sourdough starter discard, this recipe delivers warm, irresistible bites the whole family will love. No long fermentation needed, just delicious results every time.
Why You’ll Love This Sourdough Discard Monkey Bread
- Quick recipe – no long fermentation needed
- Uses sourdough discard or active starter
- Sweet, sticky, pull-apart texture like classic monkey bread
- Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or holiday brunch
- Kid-friendly and freezer-friendly!
What Is Sourdough Discard?
Sourdough discard is the portion of sourdough starter you remove before feeding. It still has great flavor but not enough rising power on its own, but it is perfect for quick recipes like this one. Using it reduces waste and adds a subtle tang to your baking.
Equipment
- Stand mixer
- Bundt pan
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Small saucepan or pot
- Rolling pin
- Marble pastry board (optional)
- Pizza cutter or knife
- Gallon ziplock bag
- Whisk
A full list of equipment can be found in the recipe card below.
Ingredients
Dough
- All purpose flour
- Salt
- Sourdough starter – active sourdough starter or discard
- Warm milk
- Warm water
- Unsalted butter – room temperature
- Sugar
- Instant yeast – It HAS to be instant or rapid rise yeast! Dry active yeast will not rise fast enough to work for this recipe.
A full list of ingredients with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
Butter and Brown Sugar Glaze
- Brown sugar
- Butter
A full list of ingredients with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Sourdough Pull Apart Monkey Bread
1. Make the Dough:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Warm the milk in a small saucepan until just warm (not hot).
- In a stand mixer, add all dough ingredients. Mix on low for 1 minute, then medium speed for 3–5 minutes or until a smooth dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a non-floured surface (like a marble board) and roll into a rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.
- Cut into 1×1-inch squares using a pizza cutter.
Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:
- In a large ziplock bag, mix the sugar and cinnamon.
- Add dough pieces in batches (10–15 at a time), shake to coat, and layer into a greased Bundt pan.
Make the Glaze & Bake:
- In a small saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over low heat, whisking occasionally.
- Pour the glaze evenly over the dough pieces in the Bundt pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate.
How to Store
- Freezer: Wrap in foil and freeze up to 2 months.
- Room temp: 2–3 days (covered or in an airtight container).
- Refrigerated: 4–5 days.
FAQ’s
Can I use sourdough discard in monkey bread?
Yes! Since this recipe uses instant yeast, sourdough discard is perfect for flavor without needing fermentation.
Can I use an active starter instead of discard?
Absolutely, you can use either. The yeast handles the rise.
Do I have to use a Bundt pan?
A Bundt pan gives that classic monkey bread shape, but you can also use a loaf pan or 9×13 baking dish; just adjust bake time.
More Easy Sourdough Recipes to Try
If you love baking with sourdough discard or want to explore more creative ways to use your starter, here are a few of my favorite recipes to keep the sourdough inspiration going:
- Triple Chocolate Sourdough Bread – A rich, fudgy twist on traditional sourdough that chocolate lovers will swoon over.
- Sourdough Discard Blackberry Cobbler – Tart blackberries meet a buttery, tender topping made with sourdough discard that is perfect for summer!
- Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Cookies – Soft, chewy, and full of cozy flavor, these cookies are a great way to use discard without any waste.
Don’t toss that discard; turn it into something sweet and unforgettable. This sourdough discard monkey bread is fluffy, gooey, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s breakfast or dessert, it’s the perfect way to use up starter without sacrificing time or flavor.
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