Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls (and Dairy-Free)

Soft, fluffy gluten-free cinnamon rolls that require no yeast or kneading. Best. Day. Ever! Just watch…

Yes, you read that right, this recipe contains no gluten OR nuts, eggs and includes a dairy-free alternative. Find a better allergy friendly recipe for cinnamon rolls. I’ll wait.

Just kidding, there isn’t one!

I used the tube of cinnamon rolls for a while but with two gluten intolerances in our family, it was time to find a better alternative.

After several attempts, I finally created the perfect combo of gluten-free flour, cinnamon, and sugar to create pillowy soft cinnamon rolls!

How to Make Softer Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

The hardest part about gluten-free baking is keeping the cinnamon rolls from turning out hard or crumbly.

This is where I applied a little of my baking expertise and used Greek yogurt in the dough.

Greek yogurt, like buttermilk, has an acidic nature that keeps baked goods, waffles, and pancakes light and fluffy. (Keep scrolling for the dairy-free option that works the same magic on the dough!)

My predictions proved CORRECT! Not only were these rolls soft but they also came out tall and fluffy. I’d give this recipe an 11 out of 10.

Oh, and if you’re looking for the best gluten-free pancake recipe on the internet, it’s right here.

No-Knead Gluten Free Cinnamon Roll Recipe

So who has time for yeast dough, waiting, kneading, thermometers, and more waiting? Not me! And I’m sure you don’t either.

All I’m asking for is an easy to make cinnamon roll recipe with simple ingredients that I have on hand, and this recipe is the one!

How to Make Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Rise

Instead of yeast, these cinnamon rolls get their rise from the baking soda and baking powder, which speeds up the process and yields soft, tall and heavenly cinnamon rolls FASTER!

How to Make These Cinnamon Rolls Dairy Free

Like I promised, this recipe can be made dairy free by swapping the Greek yogurt with 1 ¼ cups canned coconut milk of your choice plus 3 teaspoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Give the mixture a stir and allow to stand for 10 minutes before adding to the dough.

Swap the regular butter with a vegan alternative or coconut oil and you have dairy-free cinnamon rolls!

When any food allergies or intolerances are present, finding recipes the whole family enjoys is TOUGH. Getting a meal plan down pact makes all the difference and many families have had major success with our dairy and grain-free meal plans. Get the full scope on any one of our family meal plans here.

Can you Freeze Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls?

This is a great recipe to keep on hand for quick breakfasts and you know what that means! Freeze em!

Prepare the dough as directed up to the rolling the dough into a log and slicing. Instead of baking, place the rolls in a zip bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Whenever you’re ready for a warm, soft cinnamon fix, remove the desired amount from the freezer and bake as directed.

Troubleshooting and Tips for the BEST Gluten-Free Dough

#1 Crumbly Dough
If your dough is “crumbly” and you’re not able to roll it out, add a tablespoon (or two, but one at a time) of water. Re-knead, and try again.

The reason for crumbly dough is because of the differences in gluten-free flour mixes. They do not all contain the same ingredients and ratios of rice to starch. Some use white rice, others brown rice, some use corn starch others tapioca or potato… you get the idea.

#2 Dough is “sticking” to the parchment paper when rolling out
The opposite problem of crumbly dough but the culprit is also the gluten-free flour. To fix this, simply add a tablespoon of additional flour, re-knead, and try again.

The best gluten-free cinnamon rolls are always achieved when you follow the recipe, without substitutions, and then troubleshoot.

Perfect Glaze for Your Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

The sweet, shiny glaze is definitely my kids’ favorite part about these Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls and it’s so easy to make! Butter, sugar, vanilla, and water, that’s it!

Next step, is choosing who gets to drizzle the fresh rolls with icing. Anyone else’s kids fight over this job?

More Perfect Cinnamon Breakfast Recipes

You don’t have to stop with these Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls. Or you’re in the mood for cinnamon, I have a lot of other kid-friendly breakfasts that your family is going to love.

• Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
• Homemade Cinnamon Syrup
• Cinnamon Roll Smoothie
• Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake Muffins

With recipes like these, you’re sure to have everyone in the family excited to wake up in the morning!

You can print this recipe below to be ready to make these gluten free cinnamon rolls with your family tomorrow morning!

Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

Servings: 10 rolls

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Soft, fluffy gluten-free cinnamon rolls frosted with vanilla glaze, these taste just like the classic! It's a knead-free recipe you're going to love! Check out the recipe notes to make this recipe dairy-free or using tradidional all-purpose flour. 

4.84 from 48 votes

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Ingredients

Dough:

• 1 ¼ cups plain Greek yogurt*
• 4 tablespoons melted butter*
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
• ½ teaspoon xanthan gum, omit if your flour has it already
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Filling:

• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon melted butter*

Glaze:

• ¼ cup melted butter, see recipe note for a dairy-free version
• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3-5 tablespoons hot water

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 425F, and coat either a muffin tin or a 9-inch-round baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, begin making the dough by mixing the yogurt and 2 tablespoons of the melted butter. Stir in the flour, xanthan gum, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda until absorbed. The dough will look soft and crumbly.
• Move the dough onto a floured work surface and begin to knead with your hands until smooth.
• Form the dough into about a 12×9-inch rectangle, then brush it with the remaining 2 tablespoons of the melted butter.
• In another bowl, make the filling mixture by combining the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Spread it evenly onto the dough leaving a ½-inch border. Push the filling firmly into the dough.
• Starting on the long side, begin to slowly roll the dough into a tight log. If your fingers are sticking to the dough, lightly flour or moisten them with water.
• Pinch the seam to seal the log, and slice evenly into 10 rolls. Place the rolls into your greased baking dish and bake until the edges begin to turn golden brown, about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and move the rolls from the greased dish onto a cooling rack.
• In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, and hot water, stir together until smooth.
• Lightly drizzle the glaze over the hot cinnamon rolls and enjoy!

Notes

If your gluten-free flour already contains xantham gum, omit from the recipe.

How to make this recipe Dairy-Free:

• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons canned coconut milk instead of yogurt
• Use coconut oil or vegan “butter” spread instead of regular butter

How to make this recipe with “Regular” Flour:

• Use 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour instead of the gluten-free flour
• OMIT the xantham gum

Nutrition information is calculated without the glaze.

Equipment

Best Grain-Free Meals on the Planet

Gluten Free Flour

Coconut Oil

Nutrition

Serving: 1 roll | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 127mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 178IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 1mg