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Home » Recipes » Pancakes

Cinnamon Roll Pancake Recipe

By Laura Fuentes Updated Jun 26, 2025

5 from 40 votes

Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.

These cinnamon roll pancakes are soft, fluffy, and swirled with gooey cinnamon sugar goodness. And the iconic cream cheese icing? That's here too!

Follow this simple cinnamon roll pancake recipe and the tips below to get that perfect swirl without burning the cinnamon.

stack of three cinnamon roll pancakes topped with icing
Jump to:
  • Cinnamon Bun Pancakes
  • What Makes Them Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
  • How to Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
  • Cinnamon Roll Pancakes (So Fluffy!)

Cinnamon Bun Pancakes

These cinnamon bun pancakes have the soft and fluffy texture from my best pancake recipe, making the perfect base for that swirl of cinnamon sugar we all love.

Instead of mixing the cinnamon into the pancake batter, it’s cooked right into them, just like those Cinnabon buns from the mall. Here, I share my tips so you can achieve the perfect stack too!

What Makes Them Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

The perfect pancake is just the base for placing that irresistible cinnamon sugar swirl. And while you can serve these with syrup, if you want to go all out you can mix up a simple cream cheese glaze with cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar.

stack of cinnamon roll pancakes with one bite cut out

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

When making these, I like to prepare the cinnamon swirl mixture first and transfer it to a zip bag, so it’s ready when I start cooking. You’ll snip a tiny end of the bag and make a swirl on top of the batter, right after you pour it on the pan. Then, cook them for about 2 minutes per side, same as always.

The cream cheese glaze is prepared in about a minute by microwaving the cream cheese and butter and then adding the powdered sugar and vanilla. And when you’re ready, drizzle it over your stack.

Getting the Perfect Swirl

Cut just the tip of the bag, since a smaller line is better than too much pouring out over the batter. Worst case, transfer it to another bag and snip it smaller. When swirling it over the batter already on the pan, start in the middle and swirl out, making sure you don’t swirl over the edge.

TIP: Wipe down the griddle with a damp cloth or quickly rinse the pan between batches to remove any leftover cinnamon sugar. If you don’t, the residue will burn the next batch.

More Cinnamon Breakfast Ideas

If cinnamon is the spice that warms your heart, try these coffee cake muffins, this cinnamon apple bread, or this cinnamon French toast.

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes (So Fluffy!)

three cinnamon roll pancakes on a plate
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
These cinnamon roll pancakes are soft, fluffy, and swirled with gooey cinnamon sugar goodness. And the iconic cream cheese icing? That's here too!
5 from 40 votes
Print Pin

Ingredients

Pancake batter:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¼ cups milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Cinnamon Filling:

  • ⅓ cup melted butter
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Glaze:

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the cinnamon filling:

  • In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Transfer the cinnamon mixture into a zip bag and set aside.

Make the pancake batter:

  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the middle and add the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Use a fork to whisk the egg into the milk, then combine the other ingredients. Mix the batter from the outside of the bowl in, until it’s just combined.

Make the cream cheese glaze:

  • In a microwave-safe bowl, place the cream cheese and butter. Microwave for 30 seconds to melt them, adding more time (if needed) in 15-second increments, mixing to combine each time. Once melted, add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and set aside.

Cook the pancakes:

  • Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat. Once hot, grease it and immediately pour ⅓ to ½ cup of batter per pancake, using the back of the scoop to spread it out.
  • Snip the tip of the cinnamon filling bag (make a very small hole) and squeeze the cinnamon in a spiral swirl on top of the pancake. Cook the first side for 2 minutes, and when the edges are defined and some bubbles have formed, flip the pancakes over and cook the second side for 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove them from the pan onto a plate.
  • Wipe down the griddle with a damp cloth or quickly rinse the pan between batches to remove any leftover cinnamon sugar. If you don’t, the residue will burn the next batch. Repeat the process with the remaining batter and cinnamon roll filling.

Serve:

  • Stack a couple of pancakes and drizzle some warm cream cheese mixture over the tops.

Notes

  • Nutrition information is calculated without the glaze.
  • Use the right baking powder: Since pancake batter naturally has a mild, neutral flavor, it’s important to use aluminum-free baking powder. The metallic flavor will ruin the taste, especially in fluffy pancake recipes that call for 2 or more teaspoons. Trust me on this one.

Equipment

batter bowl with a lid
Batter Bowl with Lid
cloth pouch to keep pancakes warm
Pancake Keeper
ceramic dish to keep pancakes warm
Ceramic Pancake Warmer
small jar of aluminum free baking powder
Aluminum-free baking powder

Nutrition

Serving: 2 pancakes | Calories: 841kcal | Carbohydrates: 121g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 137mg | Sodium: 564mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 82g | Vitamin A: 1298IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 347mg | Iron: 3mg

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Comments

    5 from 40 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Stacie k says

    July 05, 2025 at 9:53 am

    5 stars
    Love this so much. Easy to make for sure. And so tasty!

    Reply
  2. Karletta says

    July 05, 2025 at 3:05 am

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. Fab twist on cinnamon buns. Also turns a simple pancake breakfast into a 5 Star brunch for guests. Delicious and looks good too.

    Reply
  3. Angela says

    July 02, 2025 at 11:39 pm

    5 stars
    This cinnabon pancake recipe turned out so delicious. The family loved it, I can’t wait to make it again!!

    Reply
  4. Mimi says

    July 02, 2025 at 3:59 pm

    5 stars
    I absolutely enjoyed making this recipe! My family loves it very much!

    Reply
  5. Kristin says

    July 01, 2025 at 3:01 pm

    5 stars
    This is AH-mazing! I have three kids, and you’d better believe their eyes popped out of their heads when I put this on the table!

    Reply
  6. Maria says

    July 01, 2025 at 2:49 pm

    5 stars
    Dessert for breakfast has never been so good. I am seriously impressed with these. We loved them.

    Reply
  7. Leslie says

    July 01, 2025 at 2:17 pm

    5 stars
    I am completely obsessed with this recipe..probably my favorite pancakes!!

    Reply
  8. Swathi says

    July 01, 2025 at 12:35 pm

    5 stars
    I love cinnabon rolls this pancake is wonderful, my kids enjoyed it, i am going to make it again.

    Reply
  9. Cara says

    July 01, 2025 at 10:45 am

    5 stars
    My favorite bite of the cinnamon role is the middle and the texture of the pancakes makes it feel like you get that in every single bite! Needless to say, big fan

    Reply
  10. Jaleah Kendrick says

    July 01, 2025 at 10:05 am

    5 stars
    These cinnamon roll pancakes are so delicious! The perfect treat in the morning.

    Reply
  11. Bev says

    July 01, 2025 at 9:35 am

    5 stars
    These pancakes were a hit! Tasted just like a cinnamon roll!

    Reply
  12. amy liu dong says

    July 01, 2025 at 7:54 am

    5 stars
    I have never tried to put cinnamon on my pancakes, but this one looks delicious. I will try!

    Reply
  13. Nicole says

    June 30, 2025 at 2:53 pm

    5 stars
    I’ll be rolling out of my chair after eating a big old stack of these! They look great.

    Reply
  14. Karen says

    June 29, 2025 at 11:16 pm

    5 stars
    I made these cinnamon roll pancakes. They were incredible.

    Reply
  15. Beth says

    June 29, 2025 at 10:45 am

    5 stars
    Tasted just like cinnamon rolls but in a fluffy pancake!

    Reply
  16. Holly says

    June 27, 2025 at 1:41 pm

    5 stars
    These cinnamon roll pancakes were sooo yummy!

    Reply
  17. Pam says

    February 24, 2025 at 7:02 am

    5 stars
    The drizzle made these taste like a cinnamon roll!

    Reply
  18. Rachel says

    March 09, 2024 at 8:51 am

    The instructions do not specify where/when to use the cream cheese.. About to go make these for breakfast for my boyfriends 30th birthday!!

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      March 13, 2024 at 1:41 pm

      In the recipe card you’ll see that the cream cheese is for the cinnabon frosting. I hope you both enjoyed these cinnamon roll pancakes!

      Reply
  19. Gea says

    June 18, 2023 at 10:46 am

    5 stars
    Made these twice. they’re a favorite. with and without the cream cheese icing

    Reply
  20. Cindy says

    April 06, 2023 at 12:56 pm

    5 stars
    I made these cinnabon pancakes for a birthday party and it was a hit! My family and friends loved this amazing mix of pancakes + cinnamon roll. Thank you so much for the recipe!!

    Reply
  21. Alana Demayo says

    October 29, 2021 at 10:41 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks so much for the awesome pancake recipes Laura! I substituted strawberry cream cheese for regular cream cheese (because I didn’t have regular) and wasn’t sure how it would taste. A bit rich, but it was molto delizioso!

    Reply
  22. Luvienska Furcal says

    July 31, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    5 stars
    Can I use white sugar instead of the brown and coconut oil instead of butter?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      August 07, 2017 at 12:07 pm

      Absolutely! just keep the proportions 1:1. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • Luvienska Furcal says

        August 14, 2017 at 8:41 am

        5 stars
        I made it again today but I just reused the glaze from the first time I made it. My co-workers love it but I was just wondering. How long is the glaze good for?

        Reply
        • Laura Fuentes says

          August 14, 2017 at 11:46 am

          The glaze lasts as long as the ingredients you added in there but usually about a week.

          Reply
          • Emoen says

            December 21, 2017 at 11:14 am

            5 stars
            I loved these pancakes they were the bomb, and super easy to make

  23. Brooke Organista says

    April 05, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    5 stars
    Could you use an ap gf flour and if so would the measurement be the same?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      April 06, 2014 at 10:57 am

      You can use an all purpose baking mix that is designed for things like pancakes. I use Pamela’s baking mix and it works well 1:1.

      Reply
  24. Jaime says

    July 23, 2013 at 11:40 pm

    5 stars
    I made these pancakes when my neice and nephew came to visit and they loved it. My nephew asked if he could mail a pancake back to his mother. lol!

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      July 24, 2013 at 8:00 am

      Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed them Jaime!

      Reply
    • Kay says

      June 18, 2023 at 10:47 am

      5 stars
      These pancakes came out perfect.

      Reply
  25. Michele says

    June 18, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    We had pancake night tonight and I did your cinnabon pancakes as a surprise. It was a hit! They were very tasty. My kids wondered why I was being extra particular about what they ate today but they figured it out once they saw dinner! Thanks for the fun recipe.

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      June 20, 2013 at 7:44 pm

      I’m so glad they liked them! These are one of those “on occasion” dinners…

      Reply
  26. Claire says

    June 18, 2013 at 9:06 am

    5 stars
    I LOVE these pancakes. So much easier than cinnamon rolls. I didn’t have the cream cheese but managed to make a still delicious syrup with rice milk, butter and powdered sugar. Thanks for this recipe!

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      June 20, 2013 at 7:45 pm

      Fabulous swap for the syrup!

      Reply
    • Alana Demayo says

      October 28, 2021 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      I didn’t have regular cream cheese so I used strawberry cream cheese instead wasn’t sure how strawberries would mix with the cinnamon, but it was delicious. Pancake recipe rocks! Thanks so much!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. All Meat and Veggie Paleo Chili Recipe says:
    June 21, 2015 at 11:19 am

    5 stars
    […] I just remembered how awesome my perfect pancake recipe is and my Cinnabon pancakes. Sigh. Maybe I’ll have to cheat once in a while or make my own version and […]

    Reply

Hi! I'm Laura.
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, mom of three, and the woman behind the world’s best pancakes—here to help you ditch the mealtime drama with recipes your family will actually eat.

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