A devilishly delicious and unique twist on a classic breakfast favorite! Slow Cooker Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread recipe takes little prep time and allows the slow cooker to do the work.
This is the perfect breakfast or brunch recipe. Especially if you have a programable slow cooker like this one.
“Shut the ffffffffffffffffffffffront door!”
…………………………………………………….was Lincoln’s exclamation after his first bite of these. About halfway through the ‘Shut the f…” I momentarily lost consciousness “what!?” my mind was saying. Thankfully, he didn’t say what I thought he was about to and my heart and lungs began operating normally again.
Although that was a bit over-the-top, this Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread truly is extraordinary!
SLOW COOKER CINNAMON ROLL MONKEY BREAD
I recently updated this post with new photos and easier instructions. As well, I used all ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon chips. Cinnamon chips are hard to find in some areas.
Furthermore, instead of dipping each roll in the cinnamon and sugar mixture then butter, I poured the ingredients over the rolls in the slow cooker.
These changes made the recipe super quick to make.
MY SPECIAL SLOW COOKER TRICK
Bread in the center of the slow cooker cooks last. The outside will be slightly overcooked before the center is cooked but I have the perfect hack for this. You can either wrap an empty can (wash it out first) then wrap it with foil or make a ball with foil and sit it in the center of your slow cooker. I made a ball because I didn’t want to dig through the trash for a can and I didn’t plan ahead. You can see in the photo below what I did.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Crescent roll dough. You can use refrigerated pizza dough but, personally, crescent rolls are much better.
- Ground cinnamon. You can use cinnamon chips, but ground cinnamon is readily available in all areas during the whole year.
- Brown sugar. Brown sugar will give slightly more flavor, but you can use white granulated sugar.
- Butter. Real butter, not margarine.
Want more delicious recipes? You must try these
- Breakfast Pancake Tacos
- Easy Apple Turnovers
- Sausage Pancake Tacos
- Cinnamon Bread Pull Aparts – This is a different version of cinnamon rolls pull apart bread and it’s wonderful as well!
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- Hawaiian Rolls Strawberry Cheesecake Sliders
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- Oreo Cinnamon Rolls
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- Snickers Bars Cinamon roll
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- Lemon Sweet Rolls
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- Cinnamon Rolls
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Tips
- When removing the lid, do not let the condensation drip back into the slow cooker.
- When the rolls are done, remove all of them from the slow cooker. Once they begin to cool, they’ll stick.
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but I have endeavored to be as accurate as possible.
I updated this post from an earlier version dated August 27, 2013 I made new photos and simplified the recipe instructions.
I love hearing from you. Please leave a rating and a comment after you’ve made this recipe. I would love for you to follow me on Instagram and tag me with a photo.
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
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Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
- 2 can crescent rolls like this
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Glaze. optional
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray and heat on high while you're prepping the ingredients. Make a ball out of foil and place in the center of your slow cooker.
- Combine sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Open and unroll both cans of the crescent rolls and sprinkle a thin layer of cinnamon sugar over the dough. Roll dough starting on the long side. Pinch edges and ends to seal.
- Using a serrated knife, cut dough into 1-inch slices. Place half the dough (or one can) in the slow cooker evenly. Pour half the butter and sprinkle half of the remaining sugar over the dough.
- Layer the remaining dough in the slow cooker and pour the remaining butter and sugar mixture on top of the dough.
- Place a sheet of paper towel over the top of the slow cooker, then place the top on. Make sure the paper doesn't touch the dough. Turn the slow cooker to low and cook for 90 minutes. Depending on your slow cooker it may take from 75 minutes to 2 hours. Start checking the rolls at 1 ½ hour. You may need to rotate some of them from the edge to the center using tongs or a fork if they start getting too dark around the edge.
- You can dip them out of the slow cooker to serve or dump them onto a serving tray and serve them upside down.
- If you want to put a glaze on them. Whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until it's smooth. Drizzle over the rolls. You can double the glaze if you want more.
Notes
- When removing the lid, do not let the condensation drip back into the slow cooker.
- When the rolls are done, remove all of them from the slow cooker. Once they begin to cool, they'll stick.
Nutrition
Dianne says
what are cinnamon chips
Paula says
Like this https://amzn.to/3lwY15k
Kelly says
Has anybody used bisquick?
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
In a slow cooker?! This is a brilliant idea!! Thanks for linking up to SNF 🙂
Paula says
I know, it works too. I could eat the WHOLE batch!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
Monkey bread you can make in the slow cooker?? Shut the front door!!!!! Sounds amazing, and looks amazing too! 🙂
Paula says
I promise, I could have eaten the whole batch!
dianeroark says
I am featuring this recipe on my blog. Stop by and check it out. Your picture links back to you.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
recipesforourdailybread
Kerry C says
With only 5 ingredients, these look so easy to make. And they look delicious too. Thanks so much for sharing at Saturday Dishes.
dianeroark says
Paula,
I love Monkey Bread and my crock-pot. What a great idea to cook the Monkey Bread in the crock-pot. Thanks for linking up at Saturday Dishes “CROCK-POT” blog hop.
I pinned it.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
recipesforourdailybread
Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3 says
I had no idea you could make monkey bread in the slow cooker! Seriously? That’s awesome!
Heather says
I live in a country town in Western Australia and I love the look and sound of your cinnamon monkey bread. The problem that I am having is the same as an earlier post also from Oz, but unlike her I have never lived in the US or even visited. We don’t have any of the prepackaged items in ur recipe and I’m not sure what to substitute them with. I probably sound silly but I don’t even really know what biscuits are
sara says
I think in Australia, what we call “biscuits,” you call “scones.”
Kim Lowes says
This looks so yummy, I can’t wait to make them, but I don’t want to sound silly, I am not sure what you mean by cinnamon chips? Are you able to give a brand name? Thank You!
Paula says
OH, you are not silly at all! I found them by accident a couple of years ago, stores where I live only carry them in the fall and holiday season, I stock up. I have only see the Hershey brand, not sure if someone like Nestle makes them. They just like chocolate chips except they’re cinnamon. I have a cinnamon roll problem 🙂 Here is a link to see the package: http://www.hersheysstore.com/product_detail.do?q=7688&promoCode=HSHPAYPCWEBMACSS&kw={keyword} If you can’t find these, you can make a paste with softened butter and ground cinnamon and spread it on the dough.
Kim Lowes says
Excellent! Thank you so much for your quick reply!
Paula says
You’re welcome, hope you enjoy them.
Denise says
I am so dying to try! Yum!! Pinned! Happy Sunday! Good to stop by! 🙂
Paula says
If I make it again, I won’t be able to fit in my jeans!! It’s SO good! Hope you enjoy!
Debbie @ kneadedcreations says
I love cinnamon bread/rolls/muffins of any kind, and never thought of making the monkey bread in the slow cooker! What a fabulous idea! Great for busy times like Christmas morning! Thanks for posting on the OBC Friday Pin Party! Deb @ Kneaded Creations
Jessica Smith says
I never thought to put them in the slow cooker like that.. Great idea!
Paula says
oh they are SO SO good! dangerously good! Let me know when you make them!!
Lynn H @ Turnips 2 Tangerines says
What a wonderful recipe!! I would never have thought to use my Slow Cooker to make Monkey Bread!!! Can’t wait to give this recipe a try~ My mom always said “I don’t give a rat’s ass if everyone’s doing it, but she always said jump off a bridge!!! She also would say, “I don’t give a fiddler’s flying fart:) lol Have a great week~ Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
In the slow cooker!!! Sweet! Looks like a fabulous recipe!
Easy Life Meal & Party Planning says
I was so excited when I saw your Slow Cooker Monkey Rolls because every Friday i send rolls or something to work with my husband for his office and I get tired of waking up really early to prepare something. This is my dream come true! Trying it this Friday. Stopping by from What’d You Do this Weekend.
Terri Henkels
Easy Life Meal & Party Planning
Paula says
Great! I hope they love them! One tip, try to stack as many as you can around the edge leaving a hole in the middle. The one’s in the middle take longer to cook, so I’ve started doing this and it helps.
Tammy says
Yum! I love slow cooker recipes.
Kathleen says
Oh yum! I need to make this for sure!!
Carrie @ Frugal Foodie Mama says
Well, I think you already know how I feel about my slow cooker… 😉 Love this idea! Such an easy weekend breakfast idea, Paula!
Karen Dawkins says
What a fabulous recipe. Thanks for sharing — easy and delicious. Perfect!
Melissa says
Stopping by from “Freedom Fridays”, your Monkey Bread looks so good!! =)
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Oh YUM, Paula! This looks wonderful, and the fact that it is a slow cooker recipe makes it even better. I would love to smell THIS while it was cooking 🙂
Paula says
I could hardly get through with pictures before tasting!
Lisa@ Cooking with Curls says
It ‘s so funny how the different parts of the country have different sayings, and kids are like sponges. They repeat everything like a parrot when you least expect it 🙂 These look delicious Paula!!!
Paula says
You’re right, Lisa, some sayings I hear older people say I’m like ‘what?’ and I grew up in the South!
marcie@flavorthemoments says
Too good to be true! These look delicious!
Paula says
Thank you Marcie, They were too good really, I nibbled on them all day until they were gone! 🙂
Ricki @ The Questionable Homesteader says
I discovered Monkey Bread last year and fell in love. I’m always amazed by the number of combinations you can make with it and how they all turn out super yummy. Looking forward to trying this, thanks for sharing
Paula says
Thank you and thanks for stopping by. Before I dozed off last night I was thinking what else I could do with it! lol. I hope I’m not the only one that thinks about food creations 24/7!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
Slow cooker monkey bread! Uh YES PLEASE!
tanya says
Great picture Paula! I’ve been wanting to try these in the slow cooker, now I have no excuse! I have never heard the “slap yo mamma” saying! But now I’m totally using it!
Paula says
Lol, well, I do live in MS, there are prob a lot of saying here that you haven’t heard before 😉 I was laying in bed last night and thought of another variation I want to try. Do you think about food all the time? tell me I’m not the only one!
Cindy Eikenberg says
Paula, I love cinnamon rolls of any kind too! Yum, these look so delicious! Thanks for sharing – pinning and buffering!
Lisa says
Unfortunately in Australia there are no crescent rolls or even this kind of dough. Shocking, I know, and having grown up in OK I struggle with this 🙂 Any substitute using baking mix like bisquick or Bob’s?
Paula says
Do you have canned biscuits? I think canned biscuits wold do well too.
Sharon Johnson says
Paula, you are right about canned biscuits working for Monkey Bread. When I got my very first Monkey Bread recipe over 30 years ago it called for just your basic canned biscuits. I have enjoyed Monkey Bread for many years and have done some experimenting with it. I also had a recipe for it that involved instant pudding. Very tasty!
Lis, where in OK did you grow up? I am also from OK which is why I ask. Also, the big advantage of using canned biscuits instead of ‘made from scratch’ variety is just convenience. Makes a big difference when you can just open a can instead of waiting for them to rise or whatever.
Lisa says
I grew up in Broken Arrow 🙂
No canned, frozen or prepared biscuits or dough here at all. Everything has to be scratch I guess 🙂
Heather @ French Press says
that is shut the front door good!! pinned
thanks for linking up to wake up wednesdays
~Heather
Barbara F. says
I am so making these, perfect for cool fall mornings, holiday breakfast, company sleeping over, wow. xo
Lisa @ Wine & Glue says
Monkey Bread?? In a Slow Cooker?? “Shut Yo Mouth!” 😉 Thanks for linking up on Wake Up Wednesdays!! Pinning!
Paula says
I know – what I didn’t write in the post – I ate all of it, yes ma’am ALL!!! 🙂