Monkey bread, also known as pull-apart bread or bubble bread, is a sweet, sticky, gooey treat that is perfect for breakfast or dessert. But with its coating of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, you may wonder just how many calories are actually in a serving of monkey bread. In this article, we will break down the calorie count and nutritional information for monkey bread so you know exactly what you’re consuming when you indulge in this delicious treat.
What is Monkey Bread?
Monkey bread consists of small balls of sweet yeast dough that are dipped in melted butter and coated in a cinnamon sugar mixture. The dough balls are then stacked together in a pan, proofed, and baked. As the dough bakes, the balls meld together while still retaining their shape. The end result is a pull-apart bread that can be ripped into bite-sized pieces that are crispy on the outside and soft and doughy on the inside.
Traditional monkey bread dough is made from ingredients like flour, milk, sugar, yeast, eggs, and butter. The cinnamon coating adds warmth, sweetness, and spice. The soft, sweet dough combined with the gooey cinnamon sugar topping is what makes monkey bread so crave-worthy. It’s perfect for passing around the breakfast table or bringing to a potluck.
Monkey Bread Calorie Count
The calorie count of monkey bread can vary widely depending on the recipe and serving size. Since monkey bread recipes call for rich ingredients like butter, brown sugar, and sweetened dough, a single serving can contain quite a few calories.
Here is the approximate calorie count for a 1-cup serving of monkey bread:
- Bread dough: approximately 300 calories
- Butter coating: approximately 100 calories
- Cinnamon sugar coating: approximately 150 calories
So a single 1-cup serving of monkey bread made with typical ingredients contains roughly 550 calories. However, this number may be higher or lower depending on factors like:
- The specific recipe used
- Portion or serving size
- Ingredient substitutions used
Calories in Different Monkey Bread Recipes
To give you a better idea, here is the calorie count per serving for three different monkey bread recipes:
Recipe | Serving Size | Calories Per Serving |
---|---|---|
Classic Monkey Bread | 1 slice (1/12 of recipe) | 440 calories |
Whole Wheat Monkey Bread | 1 slice (1/12 of recipe) | 410 calories |
Vegan Monkey Bread | 1 slice (1/12 of recipe) | 330 calories |
As you can see, the calorie count per serving ranges from 330-440 calories depending on factors like the types of ingredients used.
Nutritional Value of Monkey Bread
In addition to calories, monkey bread contains various nutrients:
Carbohydrates
Being made mostly of bread dough, monkey bread is high in carbohydrates. A 1-cup serving can contain around 60-70g of carbs, primarily from the bread dough and sugar used to coat the dough balls.
Fat
The butter and oil used in monkey bread recipes also make this dessert high in fat. Depending on the recipe, a serving may contain 15-25g of fat, much of it saturated fat from butter.
Protein
There is some protein in monkey bread, provided mostly by the eggs and flour used to make the dough. A typical serving contains 5-7g of protein.
Sugar
Monkey bread is very high in sugar, getting its sweetness from the cinnamon sugar coating as well as potential sugar added to the dough itself. A 1-cup serving can easily provide over 30g of sugar.
Fiber
Whole wheat and high fiber recipes provide more fiber than white flour monkey bread. But even then, a serving only provides around 2-4g of fiber, so it is not a significant source.
Sodium
Most monkey bread recipes are not too high in sodium, unless salted butter is used. Plain dough with cinnamon sugar tends to contain under 250mg sodium per serving.
Vitamins and Minerals
Monkey bread made with enriched flour contains small amounts of B vitamins like folate, thiamin, and niacin. Whole wheat versions will be higher in minerals like iron. But in general, monkey bread is not a significant source of vitamins and minerals.
How Portion Size Affects Calories
As we saw from the calorie counts of different monkey bread recipes, portion or serving size can greatly affect the number of calories you consume.
A typical monkey bread recipe makes 8-12 servings. But it’s very easy to consume more than one portion if you are not mindful of serving sizes. Eating a very large 2-cup serving of monkey bread could provide over 1000 calories, for example.
Here are some tips for managing portion sizes of monkey bread:
- Cut the monkey bread into smaller equal slices before serving so it’s easy to take a single portion.
- Use a measuring cup to portion out a serving rather than estimating.
- Start with a smaller 1/2 cup portion if you want to indulge without overdoing calories.
- Consider sharing monkey bread as a dessert for the whole family rather than eating it yourself.
How Ingredients Affect the Calories in Monkey Bread
Swapping out ingredients in monkey bread can increase or decrease the calorie count per serving. Here are some substitutions to lower calories:
- Flour: Use whole wheat flour instead of white to increase fiber and lower calories slightly.
- Sugar: Cut back on granulated sugar in the dough or use a sugar substitute.
- Butter: Substitute vegetable oil or applesauce for some or all of the butter.
- Topping: Use less cinnamon sugar topping or a lighter coating like chopped nuts.
- Dairy: Substitute low-fat or non-dairy milk in the dough.
And on the higher calorie side, common monkey bread additions like cream cheese, pecans, brown sugar, and chocolate chips will increase the calorie count per serving.
Healthier Monkey Bread Options
If you want to lighten up your monkey bread, here are some healthy recipe ideas:
Whole Wheat Monkey Bread
Substitute 100% whole wheat flour for half or all of the white flour in the recipe. The extra fiber will help fill you up.
Vegan Monkey Bread
Make a vegan dough using plant-based milk and butter substitutes and top with fruit-sweetened cinnamon sugar.
Overnight Oats Monkey Bread
Use balls of overnight oats instead of dough for a moist bread with more protein and fiber.
Gluten-Free Monkey Bread
Monkey bread made with gluten-free flour and served with yogurt is lower carb and easier to digest.
Mini Monkey Breads
Use a mini muffin pan to create bite-sized monkey breads that are pre-portioned into 100 calorie treats.
Tips for Cutting Calories in Monkey Bread
A few simple tweaks can reduce the calories in monkey bread without sacrificing flavor. Here are some easy tips:
- Use unsweetened applesauce in place of half the butter.
- Skip the butter coating and just use cinnamon sugar.
- Opt for less cinnamon sugar topping.
- Use 1 tablespoon brown sugar instead of 1/4 cup.
- Substitute almond milk for higher fat dairy milk.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to cut back on sugar.
Best Time of Day to Enjoy Monkey Bread
While monkey bread is tasty any time of day, when you eat it can impact your nutrition and energy levels.
Here are some tips for the best times to enjoy monkey bread:
- Morning: The carbs, fat, and protein in monkey bread can help give you lasting energy.
- Post-workout: Refuel with monkey bread within 30 minutes of exercise.
- Breakfast: As part of a balanced meal, it can be filling and give you energy.
- Dessert: Share it after dinner instead of eating late at night.
- Occasional treat: Limit it to a couple times per month to keep calories in check.
Healthier Substitutes for Monkey Bread
If you are looking for a treat with fewer calories than monkey bread, here are some healthier ideas to satisfy your cravings:
- Greek yogurt parfait with granola and fruit
- Peanut butter or almond butter on whole grain toast
- Oatmeal made with fruit, nuts, and milk
- Whole wheat English muffin with jam
- Apples or bananas coated in cinnamon
- Rice cake topped with nut butter and chocolate chips
Conclusion
Monkey bread can contain anywhere from 330-550 calories per serving depending on the recipe, ingredients, and portion size. While not incredibly high in protein, vitamins or minerals, it does provide a quick energy boost from carbohydrates. Pay attention to portion sizes and ingredients to keep calories in check. And enjoy monkey bread in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.