Easy, Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls (BEST EVER!)

Name: Easy, Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 120 min
Ingredients: 4 ½ cups (680g) King Arthur Gluten-Free Bread Flour; ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar; 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast ((1 packet)); 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 ¼ cup (295ml) water (warm); 1 cup (236ml) whole milk (warm); 2 large eggs; 6 tablespoons (85g) butter (melted); 1 cup (200g) brown sugar; 2 tablespoons cinnamon; 8 tablespoons (113g) butter (melted); 8 ounces (226g) cream cheese (softened); 4 Tablespoons (56g) butter (softened); 1 ⅓ cup (160g) powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 cups (340g) powdered sugar; 1/3 -1/2 cup milk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; pinch of salt

These gluten-free cinnamon rolls are big, fluffy, and SOFT! Plus thanks to a secret ingredient, they’re so easy to make!

I have been a gluten-free food blogger for over 10 years and never shared a gluten-free cinnamon roll recipe until now!

I tested and re-tested this recipe to get it just right. I am so proud of this recipe and I hope you love it too!

A serving spatula taking gluten-free cinnamon rolls out of the pan

Are you ready for the BEST gluten free cinnamon rolls of your life?

I haven been eating gluten-free since 2012 and have tried dozens of gluten-free cinnamon rolls over the years. I’ve finally perfected my recipe and I’m so excited to share it!

This gluten-free dough is made with King Arthur gluten-free bread flour, which makes all the difference in creating a soft texture and lightly chewy dough.

Trust me when I say these cinnamon rolls are JUST as incredible as regular cinnamon rolls. They’re big. They’re fluffy. They’re soft and never dry! They really are the real deal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A tested & perfected recipe! I tested and re-tested this recipe to get these cinnamon rolls just right
Big, fluffy, and SOFT
Make-Ahead option – can be made the day before and baked in the morning
Easy to make with gluten-free bread flour

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cinnamon Rolls

overhead shot of gluten-free cinnamon rolls

Gluten-free bread flour: THIS IS THE SECRET INGREDIENT! I’ve been loving using this gluten-free bread flour, which contains wheat starch that is completely gluten-free. It’s easy to shape and yields a similar texture to traditional bread. It’s great for sweet breads, rolls, and any other gluten-free bread dough! I also use this flour in these gluten-free crescent rolls.
Water and milk: I prefer whole milk for these cinnamon rolls. It gives the dough a richer flavor!
Sugar: You need white granulated sugar in the dough, both for flavor and to feed the yeast.
Baking powder: Any baking powder will work for this recipe! It’s an important ingredient that helps create a light, fluffy gluten-free cinnamon rolls dough.
Instant yeast: Instant yeast can be added right into the dry ingredients. It doesn’t need to be mixed with warm water to create a yeast mixture. Be sure to get this type rather than active dry yeast!
Eggs: Eggs create a rich, soft dough. For best results with these gluten-free cinnamon rolls, use large, room temperature eggs.
Butter: Like the eggs, the butter creates a rich and flavorful dough. I recommend using salted butter for this recipe. It provides the best depth of flavor!
Salt: I like to use fine sea salt for this gluten-free cinnamon rolls recipe!
For the filling: I love a classic, easy filling with brown sugar, cinnamon and butter!

For more gluten-free special breakfast recipes, try this gluten-free coffee cake, gluten-free blueberry muffins, gluten-free scones and gluten-free baked donuts.

Dairy-Free?

These cinnamon rolls can easily be made dairy-free. You can use dairy-free milk in place of the milk. I like using Elmhurst Unsweetened Cashew milk in place of whole milk. It has a similar fat content to whole milk, and doesn’t have any added gums or stabilizers that could interfere with the rise/crumb of the rolls. I also use vegan butter in place of the butter.

How to Make Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

Make the Dough

how to mix together gluten free cinnamon roll dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the gluten-free flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, salt, and baking powder. Mix to evenly combine.

With the mixer running on low, slowly add the water, milk, eggs and melted butter. Turn it up to medium speed and mix for 3 minutes until very smooth. The dough will resemble thick cookie dough. This is normal!

how to roll out gluten free cinnamon roll dough

Use an oiled spatula to scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl.

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes. (Refrigerating the dough makes it easier to roll out.)

Turn out the gluten free cinnamon buns dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball.
Sprinkle with a little flour, then roll the dough out into a 15×15-inch square.

You also might like this gluten-free pizza crust, gluten-free cinnamon sticks or gluten-free breadsticks.

Make the Filling/Shape the Rolls

gluten free cinnamon roll being rolled up

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon.
Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Spread the melted butter for the filing over the dough. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar all over the dough. Using a pizza cutter, cut the square into twelve 1.25-inch wide strips of gluten-free cinnamon roll dough. Roll each dough strip up into a cinnamon roll.

Place in the prepared baking dish.

Rise/Bake the Rolls

gluten free cinnamon rolls rising then baked

Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Place in a relatively warm place and allow the rolls to rise for 45-60 minutes or until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 350F. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the rolls are slightly golden brown.
Set the rolls aside to cool for 15 minutes or until just slightly warm to the touch.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Gluten-free cinnamon rolls frosting ingredients on a countertop

Powdered sugar: Any powdered sugar will work for these gluten-free cinnamon rolls!
Cream cheese: Be sure to set your cream cheese out and allow it to soften to room temperature before making the frosting. This will ensure the frosting is smooth and clump-free.
Butter: I recommend using salted butter for this recipe. It provides the best depth of flavor!
Vanilla: I prefer using real vanilla extract for this cinnamon roll frosting.

cream cheese frosting and cinnamon rolls being frosted

In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese on high speed until smooth and creamy.
Add the butter and beat until smooth and combined, then beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla until combined.
Using a knife or icing spatula, spread the icing over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy your fluffy cinnamon roll!

Maple Glaze Option

These cinnamon rolls are also delicious with a maple glaze instead of cream cheese frosting! For the glaze mix together 2 cups powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon maple flavoring, 4-6 tablespoons milk, 2 tablespoons melted butter and a pinch of salt until smooth.

Make-Ahead/Storage Instructions

MAKE-AHEAD/OVERNIGHT RISE: These cinnamon rolls can be assembled the day before and baked the following morning. Make the gluten-free cinnamon rolls as you normally would, following the steps through the “Make the Filling/Shape the Rolls” section. Cover the rolls tightly and refrigerate for 8–12 hours. (16 hours max. 8–12 hours is best, but 16 hours is okay if absolutely needed. Do not exceed 16 hours.) The next morning, remove from the refrigerator and allow to rise on the counter for 30-45 minutes before baking. Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes.

STORAGE: Store these homemade gluten free cinnamon rolls in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap for up to three days. If the cinnamon rolls have cream cheese frosting, I store them in the refrigerator.

gluten-free cinnamon rolls in a baking dish

FAQs

Can i use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour instead of bread flour?

This gluten-free bread flour really is the secret ingredient for amazing gluten-free cinnamon rolls. Unfortunately, other flour blends like gluten-free 1:1 baking flour won’t yield the same results.

Can I make these gluten-free cinnamon rolls dairy-free?

King Arthur Gluten-Free Bread Flour is a wonderful alternative to the all-purpose flour that is traditionally used in cinnamon roll recipes. For best results, use a recipe that’s specifically designed for gluten-free cinnamon rolls. Most of the other ingredients will be the same as traditional cinnamon rolls, but the proportions and process will be slightly different.

What is the best yeast for gluten-free baking?

Instant or rapid-rise yeast is best for gluten-free baking. Unlike regular yeast, this yeast doesn’t need to be activated in warm water before being used in a recipe. You can just pour it in with the dry ingredients and continue to the next step.

Expert Tips & Tricks

GLUTEN-FREE BREAD FLOUR: This gluten-free bread flour is key for these gluten-free cinnamon rolls to turn out correctly. Other gluten-free flour blends will not work in it’s place.
DAIRY-FREE: For dairy-free, gluten-free cinnamon rolls, I like to use Elmhurst Unsweetened Cashew milk. It has a similar fat content to whole milk and doesn’t have any added gums or stabilizers that might interfere with the rise/crumb of the rolls. You can also use vegan butter in place of the butter, and make the frosting with dairy-free cream cheese. My favorite brand is Kite Hill.
I prefer the paddle attachment instead of the dough hook attachment for gluten-free bread. It tends to knead gluten-free dough more evenly!

I also use this same flour/dough recipe in this amazing, gluten-free monkey bread!

Hi, I'm Erin!

BS Food Science,

MS Nutrition

I believe you can make amazing, gluten-free food with everyday ingredients that everyone will enjoy. I'm here to share my tried-and-true recipes with you!

Read about Erin