French Onion Monkey Bread

French onion is a flavor we can’t seem to get enough of. From classic French onion soup to French onion meatballs, caramelized onions have a flavor that never ceases to please. Consider this easy French onion monkey bread the next recipe to add to your growing roster of irresistible French onion ideas.

While many think of monkey bread as a sweet breakfast treat, this French onion monkey bread will have you wanting to try more savory variations ASAP. For ease, this recipe calls for a few cans of biscuit dough rather than making biscuits from scratch. That means the most time-consuming part of this recipe is caramelizing the onions—which is largely a hands-off process to begin with.

The sweet caramelized onions in this recipe are infused with red wine, beef stock and a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce for umami richness. Then, they’re layered between balls of biscuit dough bathed in a Parmesan-garlic herb butter and a generous amount of ooey-gooey Gruyere or Swiss cheese. This golden French onion monkey bread will make a showstopping centerpiece at your next family dinner.

Ingredients for French Onion Monkey Bread

• Butter and olive oil: Using a combination of butter and oil is one of our favorite tricks for making perfect caramelized onions. The butter adds flavor and improves browning, while the higher smoke point of the oil helps prevent the onions from burning.
• Onions: We love the balanced taste of yellow onions for this pull-apart bread, since they are equally sweet and zippy. For a sweeter taste, you can use Vidalia onions or a combination of both types of onions.
• Salt and pepper: A simple seasoning of salt and pepper enhances the flavor of the onions and adds a mild, peppery bite.
• Red wine or sherry: Red wine or sherry are traditionally added to French onion soup to add depth and complexity to the broth. Either does the same for the caramelized onion filling in this recipe.
• Beef stock: Simmering the onions in a small amount of beef stock also helps transform this recipe from a caramelized onion bread to a French onion monkey bread.
• Worcestershire sauce: Just a small amount of Worcestershire adds a boost of umami to the caramelized onions.
• Homestyle biscuit dough: While some monkey bread recipes use flaky canned biscuit dough, this particular recipe is best made with homestyle or buttermilk canned biscuits. Use your favorite brand of store-bought biscuits.
• Fresh herbs: A combination of parsley and thyme is a classic pairing for French onion soup and infuses the bread with a heavenly taste and aroma.
• Garlic: A few cloves of minced garlic are added to the melted herb butter for a little extra zip and flavor.
• Cheese: Aged Parmesan and Gruyere or Swiss cheese have a salty, nutty flavor that marries well with the sweet caramelized onions and fragrant herbs in this savory bread recipe.

Directions

Step 1: Caramelize the onions

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with the olive oil. Add the sliced onions, salt and black pepper. Stir to coat in the butter, then cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened.

Then, remove the lid, stir and reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to cook, uncovered, for 30 to 45 minutes until the onions reach a deep golden brown color.

Step 2: Add depth and flavor

Deglaze the pan with the wine, scraping up the onion bits. Then, add the beef stock and Worcestershire. Bring the onion mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

Step 3: Prepare the dough

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the garlic, fresh parsley and thyme.

Open the canned biscuits and cut each portion of dough into quarters. Roll each piece into a ball, then add the dough balls to the melted herb butter. Toss to coat, then use a rubber spatula to gently fold in the Parmesan cheese.

Step 4: Assemble the monkey bread

Grease a 10-cup tube or Bundt pan. Add 1/3 of the buttered dough balls to the pan. Next, layer half the caramelized onions over the dough, followed by half the Gruyere or Swiss. Top with another 1/3 of the dough pieces and the remaining onions and shredded cheese.

Editor’s Tip: When assembling the bread, try to keep the Swiss or Gruyere cheese in the middle of the ring. A bit of cheese near the inner and outer edges is OK, but try to avoid having large amounts of cheese in direct contact with the sides of the pan. This will help ensure the bread comes out cleanly and easily, without sticking to the pan.

Finish with the final 1/3 of the biscuit dough.

Step 5: Bake the bread

Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any leaks, and transfer it to a preheated oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the biscuits are golden brown.

Editor’s Tip: The internal temperature of the French onion monkey bread should register 195° in the center. If the top of the bread starts to become too dark, you can tent the top with foil until it’s fully baked.

Step 6: Cool slightly and serve

Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for five minutes. After that, run a thin spatula or knife around the inner and outer edges of the pan to loosen any cheese that may have baked to the sides. Invert onto the wire rack and cool for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.

Carefully lift the pan from the monkey bread, using a spatula or knife to loosen the bread if it’s sticking to the Bundt pan in any spots. Serve warm, garnished with additional fresh chopped parsley or Parmesan cheese, if desired.

French Onion Monkey Bread Variations

• Consider cheese substitutions: Other cheeses that work well in French onion monkey bread include provolone, Havarti and Emmental cheeses. You could also substitute Asiago or Romano cheese for the Parmesan, if desired.
• Mix in more herbs: French onion soup can be made with an array of other herbs and spices, so therefore French onion monkey bread can too! Try adding fresh chopped chives, rosemary, marjoram or sage to the melted butter for even more herby goodness.
• Omit the alcohol: If you prefer to cook without wine or sherry, you may omit it from the recipe in favor of additional beef stock.
• Stuff the monkey bread: For a cheesy twist, cut the Gruyere or Swiss cheese into 1-inch cubes. Then, flatten each piece of biscuit dough into a disk and wrap each cheese cube with a piece of dough. Smooth the dough into a ball to seal any seams, then finish assembling and bake as directed. The same method is used to make sweet cream cheese gorilla bread.

How to Store French Onion Monkey Bread

French onion monkey bread may be stored at room temperature for several hours. However, it’s best kept refrigerated once completely cool to preserve freshness. Wrap tightly in storage wrap or store in an airtight food storage container.

How long does French onion monkey bread last?

French onion monkey bread should be enjoyed within two or three days.

Can you freeze French onion monkey bread?

Yes! If you have leftover French onion monkey bread, it may be frozen for up to three months. Once completely cool, wrap the bread tightly in storage wrap, followed by a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Thaw completely at room temperature before reheating.

How should you reheat French onion monkey bread?

If you need to reheat French onion monkey bread after it’s been removed from the pan, place the bread on a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet. Then, reheat in an oven preheated to 350° until heated through. Tent the bread with foil if you are concerned about the bread becoming too brown.

French Onion Monkey Bread Tips

Can you make monkey bread with homemade bread dough?

Yes! If you have the time and enjoy making bread from scratch, you can use a homemade dough to make French onion monkey bread. For the best results, try the dough from our favorite buttery bubble bread recipe. Alternatively, pizza dough and yeast roll dough work great for making monkey bread from scratch.

What else can you serve with French onion monkey bread?

French onion soup is a popular option in French restaurants, modern steakhouses and supper clubs. When planning what to serve with this flavorful cheese bread, look to those places for inspiration. Dipping pieces of this bread into a delectable bowl of beef bourguignon would be a match made in heaven. Otherwise, a perfectly grilled ribeye steak or a juicy roast chicken would also pair great with this recipe.