Monkey Bread Foil Packets: The Ultimate Campfire Treat

Monkey bread, that sticky, sweet, pull-apart sensation, just got a whole lot easier – and more portable! These Monkey Bread Foil Packets are perfect for camping trips, backyard barbecues, or even a fun weeknight dessert. Imagine warm, gooey bites of cinnamon-sugar coated dough, cooked to perfection over a campfire or grill. This recipe is not only incredibly delicious but also super simple to make, requiring minimal ingredients and cleanup. Get ready to experience monkey bread like never before!

## Why Monkey Bread Foil Packets?

Traditional monkey bread, while undeniably delicious, can be a bit messy and time-consuming to prepare. It requires baking in a Bundt pan and can sometimes be tricky to get that perfect golden-brown crust. Foil packet monkey bread solves all these problems:

* **Portability:** Foil packets are easy to transport, making them ideal for camping, picnics, and potlucks.
* **Easy Cleanup:** No messy pans to wash! Simply discard the foil packet after enjoying your monkey bread.
* **Even Cooking:** The foil packet creates a steam environment that helps the dough cook evenly, resulting in a soft and gooey interior.
* **Customizable:** You can easily customize the flavors and toppings to your liking.
* **Fun for All Ages:** Kids and adults alike will love helping to assemble and devour these delicious treats.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:

* **Refrigerated Biscuit Dough:** This is the key ingredient! Look for a can of flaky or buttermilk biscuits (about 16 ounces). Avoid using biscuits that are specifically labeled as “jumbo” as they will be too large and may not cook through evenly. Store-brand biscuits work just fine.
* **Butter:** Unsalted butter is recommended so you can control the amount of salt in the recipe. Melted butter coats the biscuits and helps them brown. You’ll need about ½ cup.
* **Granulated Sugar:** This provides the sweetness for the cinnamon-sugar coating. About ½ cup is perfect, but adjust to your preference.
* **Ground Cinnamon:** This adds warmth and spice to the monkey bread. Use about 1-2 teaspoons, depending on how cinnamon-y you like it.
* **Brown Sugar:** This adds a rich, caramel-like flavor to the topping. Light or dark brown sugar will work. About ¼ cup will do.
* **Optional Toppings:** Get creative with your toppings! Chopped pecans, walnuts, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, or a dusting of powdered sugar are all great options. Consider adding a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness.

## Equipment You’ll Need

Thankfully, you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment for this recipe:

* **Aluminum Foil:** Heavy-duty aluminum foil is recommended to prevent tearing. You’ll need enough foil to create individual packets.
* **Mixing Bowl:** For tossing the biscuit pieces in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
* **Small Bowl:** For melting the butter.
* **Spoon or Spatula:** For stirring and mixing.
* **Knife or Kitchen Scissors:** For cutting the biscuits into smaller pieces (optional).
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measuring.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now for the fun part! Here’s how to make these easy monkey bread foil packets:

**1. Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:**

In a mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Mix well until evenly distributed. Set aside.

**2. Cut the Biscuits:**

Open the can of refrigerated biscuit dough. On a clean cutting surface, use a knife or kitchen scissors to cut each biscuit into quarters or smaller bite-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking and makes them easier to pull apart.

**3. Coat the Biscuits:**

Add the biscuit pieces to the bowl with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Toss gently to coat each piece evenly. Make sure all sides are covered in the sweet mixture.

**4. Melt the Butter:**

In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Be careful not to overheat the butter; you just want it melted, not browned. If microwaving, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted.

**5. Assemble the Foil Packets:**

Tear off a large sheet of aluminum foil (about 12×12 inches) for each packet. Fold the foil in half to create a double layer for added strength.

Place a portion of the cinnamon-sugar coated biscuit pieces in the center of the foil square. Be careful not to overfill the packet, as the dough will expand during cooking. Leave some room at the top for the steam to circulate.

Drizzle a spoonful or two of melted butter over the biscuit pieces in each packet. Sprinkle some brown sugar over the top.

If using any optional toppings, such as chopped nuts or chocolate chips, sprinkle them over the biscuit pieces now.

**6. Seal the Foil Packets:**

Carefully fold the edges of the foil together to create a sealed packet. Crimp the edges tightly to prevent any steam from escaping. Make sure the packet is securely sealed so the monkey bread cooks properly. You can fold the edges over multiple times for extra security. Leave a little bit of air space inside the packet to allow for expansion.

**7. Cook the Foil Packets:**

There are two ways to cook these monkey bread foil packets:

* **Campfire:** Place the foil packets directly on hot coals or on a grill grate over the campfire. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the biscuits are cooked through and golden brown. Rotate the packets occasionally to ensure even cooking. Use tongs to handle the hot packets.
* **Grill:** Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350-400°F). Place the foil packets on the grill grate. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the biscuits are cooked through and golden brown. Rotate the packets occasionally to ensure even cooking.

**8. Check for Doneness:**

Carefully open one of the foil packets to check for doneness. The biscuits should be cooked through and no longer doughy in the center. If they are not cooked through, reseal the packet and continue cooking for a few more minutes.

**9. Let Cool Slightly:**

Once the monkey bread is cooked through, remove the foil packets from the campfire or grill. Let them cool slightly for a few minutes before opening them. Be careful, as the steam inside the packets will be very hot.

**10. Serve and Enjoy!**

Carefully open the foil packets and serve the monkey bread warm. Use a fork or your fingers to pull apart the pieces and enjoy! These are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

## Tips and Tricks for Perfect Monkey Bread Foil Packets

* **Don’t Overcrowd the Packets:** Leave enough space inside the foil packets for the dough to expand while cooking. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking.
* **Use Heavy-Duty Foil:** This will prevent tearing and ensure the packets are securely sealed.
* **Seal the Packets Tightly:** This will trap the steam inside the packets, which helps the dough cook evenly.
* **Rotate the Packets:** Rotate the packets occasionally during cooking to ensure even browning.
* **Adjust Cooking Time:** Cooking times may vary depending on the heat of your campfire or grill. Check for doneness frequently and adjust the cooking time as needed.
* **Add a Pinch of Salt:** A pinch of salt to the cinnamon-sugar mixture can enhance the sweetness of the monkey bread.
* **Get Creative with Toppings:** Experiment with different toppings to create your own unique monkey bread flavor combinations. Consider adding dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce.
* **Use Different Types of Dough:** While refrigerated biscuit dough is the most common choice, you can also use other types of dough, such as crescent roll dough or even homemade dough. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
* **Make it Ahead:** You can assemble the foil packets ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them. This is a great way to save time when camping or grilling.
* **Be Careful of Hot Steam:** When opening the foil packets, be careful of the hot steam that will escape. Open the packets slowly and away from your face.

## Variations and Customizations

One of the best things about monkey bread is that it’s so easy to customize! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

* **Chocolate Monkey Bread:** Add chocolate chips to the cinnamon-sugar mixture or drizzle with chocolate sauce after cooking.
* **Caramel Apple Monkey Bread:** Add diced apples and caramel sauce to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
* **Peanut Butter Cup Monkey Bread:** Add chopped peanut butter cups to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
* **Savory Monkey Bread:** Skip the cinnamon and sugar and instead toss the biscuit pieces with melted butter, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
* **Spicy Monkey Bread:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a little kick.
* **Maple Pecan Monkey Bread:** Use maple syrup instead of melted butter and add chopped pecans to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

## Serving Suggestions

Monkey bread foil packets are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to take them to the next level:

* **Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.**
* **Drizzle with caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, or cream cheese frosting.**
* **Sprinkle with powdered sugar or chopped nuts.**
* **Serve alongside a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.**
* **Enjoy as a campfire dessert or a sweet treat at a barbecue.**

## Storage Instructions

Leftover monkey bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, wrap the monkey bread in foil and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for a few seconds.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

* Calories: 300-400
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 8-10g
* Cholesterol: 30-40mg
* Sodium: 400-500mg
* Carbohydrates: 40-50g
* Sugar: 20-30g
* Protein: 4-6g

(Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)

## Monkey Bread Foil Packets Recipe

**Yields:** 4-6 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 15-20 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 (16 ounce) can refrigerated biscuit dough (flaky or buttermilk)
* ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* 1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* ¼ cup brown sugar
* Optional toppings: chopped pecans, walnuts, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, powdered sugar

**Equipment:**

* Aluminum foil
* Mixing bowl
* Small bowl
* Spoon or spatula
* Knife or kitchen scissors (optional)
* Measuring cups and spoons

**Instructions**

1. **Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:** In a mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Mix well until evenly distributed. Set aside.
2. **Cut the Biscuits:** Open the can of refrigerated biscuit dough. On a clean cutting surface, use a knife or kitchen scissors to cut each biscuit into quarters or smaller bite-sized pieces.
3. **Coat the Biscuits:** Add the biscuit pieces to the bowl with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Toss gently to coat each piece evenly.
4. **Melt the Butter:** In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop.
5. **Assemble the Foil Packets:** Tear off a large sheet of aluminum foil (about 12×12 inches) for each packet. Fold the foil in half. Place a portion of the cinnamon-sugar coated biscuit pieces in the center of the foil square. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and optional toppings.
6. **Seal the Foil Packets:** Carefully fold the edges of the foil together to create a sealed packet. Crimp the edges tightly.
7. **Cook the Foil Packets:** Place the foil packets on hot coals or on a grill grate over medium heat. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the biscuits are cooked through and golden brown. Rotate occasionally.
8. **Check for Doneness:** Carefully open one of the foil packets to check for doneness.
9. **Let Cool Slightly:** Remove from heat and let cool slightly before opening.
10. **Serve and Enjoy!** Carefully open the foil packets and serve the monkey bread warm.

Enjoy this easy and delicious treat on your next outdoor adventure!