Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls – Soft, Fluffy, and Family-Friendly Treats

If you’ve ever missed the cozy smell of cinnamon rolls baking on a Sunday morning but can’t handle gluten, you know the struggle. Most store-bought gluten free cinnamon rolls are either dense, crumbly, or way too expensive. With this gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe, you’ll get soft, gooey, bakery-style rolls that taste like the ones you grew up with.

This recipe is for families juggling allergies, busy parents who want a make-ahead treat, or anyone craving warm comfort food. We’ll walk through the ingredients, simple substitutions like dairy free or vegan swaps, and step-by-step baking instructions. Tested gluten free methods and community feedback make this a recipe you can trust to deliver every time.

Ingredient Breakdown for Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls (with Measurements and Purpose)

Base Flours

• 2 ½ cups gluten free all purpose flour – a reliable base, especially cup-for-cup blends with xanthan gum. These create a balanced texture.
• ½ cup almond flour – adds tenderness and mild nutty flavor.
• ¼ cup oat flour – helps with structure and soft crumb.
• If you’re experimenting, gluten free bread flour blends can give even more rise. Many bakers say the best gluten free flour for cinnamon rolls is a mix of rice, tapioca, and potato starch.

Binders & Structure

• 2 large eggs – give lift and help hold the dough together. For an egg free gluten free cinnamon rolls version, flax eggs or aquafaba can work.
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum – keeps the dough elastic. Psyllium husk or Greek yogurt can also boost fluffiness.

Moisture & Enrichment

• 1 cup warm milk – regular, almond, or oat milk. Dairy free versions make gluten free dairy free cinnamon rolls easy to achieve.
• ¼ cup unsalted butter – or coconut oil/vegan margarine for dairy free. This adds richness and soft crumb.

Sweetness & Flavor

• ⅓ cup brown sugar – classic choice for sweetness and caramel notes.
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – the star spice.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – rounds out flavor.
• Seasonal tweaks like pumpkin spice turn these into gluten free pumpkin cinnamon rolls.

Optional Variations

• Add-ins: chopped apples for gluten free apple cinnamon rolls recipe, banana puree for gluten free banana cinnamon rolls, or blueberries for a fruity twist.
• Specialty versions: gluten free sourdough discard cinnamon rolls for tangy depth, gluten free brioche cinnamon rolls for richness, or even gluten free biscuit cinnamon rolls for a shortcut.

Step-by-Step Preparation Instructions for Easy Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

Dough Preparation

1. In a large bowl, whisk together gluten free all purpose flour, almond flour, xanthan gum, and a pinch of salt.
2. In a separate bowl, combine warm milk, yeast (or instant yeast), and a teaspoon of sugar. Let sit until foamy.
3. Add eggs, melted butter, and vanilla to the yeast mixture. Slowly fold into dry ingredients.
4. Mix until dough forms. It will be stickier than wheat dough — that’s normal. Cover and let rise 1–1 ½ hours.
   • For gluten free cinnamon rolls no yeast, use 2 teaspoons of baking powder instead and skip rising.
   • To improve rise, let dough hydrate longer — this solves the common “gluten free cinnamon rolls didn’t rise” issue.
   • For vegan or sugar free adjustments, use plant milk and erythritol.

Filling and Rolling

1. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle, about ¼-inch thick.
2. Spread softened butter across the dough. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon.
3. For variations, swap in coconut sugar, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, or even fruit spreads.
4. Roll tightly into a log, slice into 8–10 rolls, and place in a greased baking dish.

Baking and Frosting

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes, or until lightly golden.
   • For air fryer versions, bake at 320°F for 12–15 minutes.
2. Frost while warm. Options include:
   • Cream cheese frosting for traditional gooeyness.
   • Dairy free glaze with almond milk and powdered sugar.
   • Sugar free icing with monk fruit or erythritol.
3. The result: gooey gluten free cinnamon rolls if served warm, or fluffy gluten free cinnamon rolls when fully cooled and frosted.

When and How to Use Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls (Occasions, Storage, Serving)

Gluten free cinnamon rolls aren’t just for holidays. They shine in everyday moments:

• Breakfast or brunch: Serve fresh from the oven with coffee or tea.
• Family gatherings: A sweet centerpiece for Sunday brunch or birthday mornings.
• Meal prep: Try overnight gluten free cinnamon rolls — prep the dough, refrigerate, and bake the next day.
• Freezer-friendly: Yes, you can freeze gluten free cinnamon rolls. Freeze unbaked rolls on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 5–7 minutes to cook time.

Serving ideas:

• Make cinnamon roll cupcakes in a muffin tin for portion control.
• Pull-apart bread style for a crowd.
• A single-serve mug version for quick cravings.

How Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls Support Family-Friendly Comfort Baking

• Family bonding: Rolling dough together makes a fun weekend activity with kids.
• Budget comfort: Homemade rolls cost less than bakery-made gluten free cinnamon rolls, especially when using bulk flour blends.
• Make-ahead convenience: Options like easy gluten free cinnamon rolls or freezer storage save time during busy weeks.
• Health-conscious adjustments: Versions like healthy gluten free cinnamon rolls or sugar free gluten free cinnamon rolls fit different lifestyles.

When I tested this recipe on a hectic school morning, having them prepped overnight was a lifesaver — warm, gooey rolls ready in under 30 minutes.

Tips, Adjustments, and Cautions for Perfect Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

• Avoid dryness: Use a mix of flours and don’t overbake. Cover loosely with foil if tops brown too quickly.
• Substitutions:
  • Dairy free: use oat or almond milk, vegan margarine.
  • Sugar free: swap in monk fruit or erythritol.
  • Egg free: flax eggs or aquafaba.
  • Nut free: stick with rice- or potato-based blends.
• Texture hacks: Adding psyllium husk or Greek yogurt improves chewiness. Buttermilk makes rolls softer.
• High altitude adjustments: Shorten rise time and lower oven temp slightly to avoid over-browning.

Disclaimer: Baking times may vary depending on your flour blend and oven. Always test in your own kitchen.

FAQs – Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls Answered

Conclusion

Gluten free cinnamon rolls can be every bit as soft, gooey, and indulgent as the classics. Whether you go vegan, dairy free, no yeast, or stick with the traditional version, these rolls are all about bringing comfort to your table.

Try experimenting with pumpkin spice in the fall, apple chunks for a cozy twist, or chocolate for a richer treat. Save this recipe for your next family brunch or weekend baking project, and don’t forget to share it with friends who love comfort food made simple.

Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

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• Author: Elina Mirkle
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Soft and fluffy gluten free cinnamon rolls made with simple flours, warm spices, and allergy-friendly swaps.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ½ cups gluten free all purpose flour
• ½ cup almond flour
• ¼ cup oat flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1 cup warm milk
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional add-ins: chopped apples, banana puree, blueberries

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Whisk flours and xanthan gum with salt. Mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar; let foam. Add eggs, butter, and vanilla; fold into dry ingredients. Cover and let rise 1–1 ½ hours.
2. No-Yeast Option: Use 2 teaspoons baking powder instead of yeast and skip rising. Adjust with plant milk and sweeteners for vegan or sugar free versions.
3. Filling and Rolling: Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread butter, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Add optional fruit spreads. Roll, slice, and arrange in baking dish.
4. Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake 25–30 minutes until golden. For air fryer, bake at 320°F for 12–15 minutes.
5. Frosting: Frost warm rolls with cream cheese frosting, dairy free glaze, or sugar free icing.

Notes

• For egg free rolls, use flax eggs or aquafaba.
• Dairy free swaps: almond or oat milk, vegan margarine.
• Freeze unbaked rolls for later baking.
• Nutrition values are estimated based on common gluten free ingredients.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: gluten free cinnamon rolls