These Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls are the best you’ll ever make. They have the perfect texture, and taste remarkably like the real thing, with no gluten required. Your guests won’t even be able to tell that they are eating a gluten-free treat!
Why You’ll Love Them
They have an authentic texture. Gluten-free flour blends tend to create a cinnamon roll with the texture of a biscuit or scone, because they lack the elasticity that gluten provides. However, you can fix this with a magic ingredient: psyllium husk! (More details below.)
They rise like traditional rolls. These gluten-free cinnamon rolls will grow in size and fill the pan, just like traditional recipes do. They also have extra soluble fiber in each bite, so that’s a bonus.
They taste amazing! Since cinnamon rolls tend to be a special holiday treat, I’m sharing all the tricks for making them taste better than the ones you’d buy from a bakery. This includes a caramelized base and a melt-in-your-mouth powdered sugar frosting, but I’ve also included options in the notes, if you prefer to avoid using refined sugar. (We make them with brown sugar and melted butter for Christmas morning.)
They are tested and perfected. If you’ve been disappointed by other gluten-free cinnamon roll recipes, this is the recipe for you. I’ve tested over 30 batches of cinnamon rolls to make sure these are the BEST in both taste & texture. Just be sure to use the exact ingredients called for, and read the substitution notes if you need to make them dairy-free or vegan.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s in gluten-free cinnamon rolls?
- Gluten-free flour blend (I used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour)
- Active dry yeast
- Sugar
- Melted Butter (vegan butter or coconut oil work for a dairy-free option)
- Egg
- Whole Psyllium husk
- Cinnamon
You’ll need to use a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for this recipe to work, and I recommend using Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour (in the blue bag) since that’s what I tested this recipe with.
Curious about psyllium husk? This magic ingredient will take your gluten-free baking to the next level. (It’s a common fiber supplement that I stir into water most mornings!) You can easily find this ingredient at grocery stores in the supplement section, online, or in a health food store. This recipe calls for whole psyllium husks, not psyllium husk powder, so be sure to check your packaging. It should look like ground flax seed, only lighter in color.
How to Make the Best Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls
1. Proof the yeast.
In medium bowl, combine the very warm, but not too hot water (between 105º and 115ºF is ideal), 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 packet of yeast. (This is roughly 2 teaspoons, or 7 grams.)
Let the yeast mixture rest for 5 minutes. It should develop of foam on top, which will let you know that the yeast is good.
2. Mix the psyllium gel.
In a small bowl, combine the psyllium husks and 3/4 cup of warm water. Stir the mixture together until it starts to thicken. If you’ve ever made a flax egg before, it will look similar, but thicker after resting.
Set the bowl aside until you’re ready to add it in.
3. Mix the cinnamon roll dough.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free flour blend, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk well, to make sure the dry ingredients are well mixed.
Next, add in the egg, melted butter, and the yeast mixture once it has developed the foam on top. Stir well, then add in the psyllium mixture. It will be very thick, but keep stirring until the batter looks uniform, with no visible flour remaining.
Gluten-free cinnamon roll dough will be slightly more moist and sticky than you might expect, but the flour will continue to absorb some of the moisture as it rests.
Transfer the bowl of dough to a warm spot to rise for 1 hour. (A “proof” setting in your oven is ideal, but you can also set the bowl on a low-heat heating pad and cover it with plastic wrap if your kitchen is cold.) The dough won’t double in size, but it should expand.
4. Roll the dough.
Once the dough has had the chance to rise, knead the dough to make sure it’s well mixed directly in the bowl. The underside of the dough will be more moist than the top of it is, so it might stick to your fingers slightly. This is okay; don’t be tempted to add more flour.
Transfer the kneaded dough to the center of a large piece of parchment paper on your counter.
Cover the dough with another large piece of parchment paper, then use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 11 by 16 inches in size, and an 1/8-inch thick. The extra layer of parchment on top will prevent you from needing to add more flour to the recipe.
Remove the top piece of parchment paper, then pour the melted butter on top and spread it around the rectangle. Sprinkle on the brown sugar and a generous layer of cinnamon. Leave a 1/2-inch of dough at the top plain, so it will be easier to seal the roll later.
Starting at the bottom of the rectangle, lift the parchment paper with both hands and roll the dough in on itself. Gluten-free dough is relatively fragile, so using the parchment paper will keep it rolling smoothly. Continue rolling up the dough until you reach the other side.
Use your fingers to pinch the roll closed, then use a sharp knife (or use unflavored dental floss) to slice the rolls. You should get roughly 10 rolls from this recipe.
5. Let them rise again.
Grease the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and arrange the rolls in the pan. You can also use two 8 inch cake pans instead.
Place the pan back in the same warm spot, to allow the rolls to rise for a second time, about 1 more hour. They should grow in size and start to fill up the pan. When you have 20 minutes left on the second rise, preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Extra Delicious Tip: Pour 3 tablespoons of melted butter into the bottom of the baking dish, making sure to grease the sides of the pan, too. Sprinkle roughly 2 tablespoons of sugar over the butter, then arrange the sliced cinnamon rolls on top. As they bake, the butter and sugar will caramlize on the bottom of the cinnamon rolls, making them extra delicious.
6. Bake.
Once the rolls are done rising, bake them at 350ºF for 25 minutes, until the tops look dry. They won’t become quite as golden brown as normal gluten-containing cinnamon rolls, but they should grow in size and fill the pan as they bake.
Remove the pan from the oven and let the cinnamon buns cool for 10 minutes.
7. Frost.
While the cinnamon rolls cool, mix together the icing. Stir together the melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and water to make a melt-in-your mouth glaze. Or, you can use your favorite cream cheese frosting, or try cashew frosting for a naturally sweetened option.
Serve the cinnamon rolls right away after frosting, or let them rest until you’re ready to serve. They are delicious at room temperature, too! Be sure to transfer them to the fridge and cover tightly if you don’t serve them within 2 hours, though.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want cinnamon rolls that are similar to the kind made with all-purpose flour, then yes, the psyllium husk is the magic solution. If you don’t mind a cinnamon roll that has more of a biscuit consistency, you can use an extra egg as a substitute for the psyllium gel. (The egg will replace the 3 tablespoons of psyllium plus the extra 3/4 cup water you would mix it with.)
Yes, of course! Simply use coconut sugar as a swap for the other granulated sugars in this recipe. The resulting rolls will look a little darker than traditional cinnamon rolls in this case, but they will still taste delicious. For a naturally sweetened frosting, try cashew frosting, or simply drizzle them with a little warm maple syrup before serving.
Do not use almond flour or coconut flour in this recipe, as this recipe relies on the starches found in gluten free blends (like tapioca starch or potato starch). This recipe was developed using Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour, so that will give you the most fool proof results, but you can also experiment with using another gluten-free baking blend. Be sure that the blend you use includes xanthan gum for the best results, and keep in mind that other brands will taste different. (King Arthur’s brand measure for measure blend is not as delicious, in my opinion.) If you prefer to use a regular GF flour, be sure to add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum for every cup of flour you use.
Yes, you can mix this dough together in the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, if you prefer. It’s not necessary, though! After the first rise, you should be able to knead the dough with your hands, with just a little bit of the dough sticking to your fingers, and that will give you the same results as using a stand mixer.
You can easily replace the melted butter with vegan butter or melted coconut oil. (Use refined coconut oil for zero coconut flavor.) To replace the egg, use 1 extra tablespoon of psyllium husk plus an extra 1/4 cup of hot water when you mix together the gel.
You can prepare this gluten-free cinnamon roll recipe ahead of time by mixing the dough, letting it rise, and then rolling the cinnamon roll into a log. Tightly wrap the log with parchment paper or plastic wrap, and let it chill in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you are ready to bake the cinnamon rolls, slice them and arrange them in the pan. They will probably need to rise for double the amount of time in that case (likely 2 hours) since the dough is cold, and then you can bake as directed. (I have not attempted to freeze these, so I can’t comment on how that will work yet.)
Looking for more gluten-free recipes? Try Gluten-free Pretzels, Almond Flour Cookies, Almond Flour Pizza Crust, or my favorite Oat Flour Pie Crust.
Amazing Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls
These gluten-free cinnamon rolls taste like the real thing! They have the same texture as the kind made with gluten, so if you’ve been disappointed with other gluten-free recipes, you are going to love these.
Servings:
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Frosting
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
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Add 1 cup of very warm water to a medium bowl, and sprinkle in the 1 teaspoon of sugar, and the packet of yeast. Set it aside to proof, about 5 minutes. A foam should develop on top, which will let you know that the yeast is good. (If no foam develops on top after 5 to 10 minutes, you might want to try a different batch.)
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In another separate bowl, combine the 3 tablespoons of psyllium husk with ¾ cup of very hot water. Stir well, and set it aside. (The husk will thicken up significantly, forming a gel.)
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk well to mix the dry ingredients, then add in the egg, melted butter, and the yeast mixture, after the foam has developed on top. Add in the psyllium husk gel, and mix well, until the dough looks thick and relatively uniform.
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Place the bowl of dough in a warm place (like in an oven on a “proof” setting, or on a low-heat heating pad) to rise for 1 hour. The dough will not double in size, but it should expand.
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When the dough is finished rising, knead it in the bowl for 2 minutes. The underside of the dough will feel slightly sticky, so don’t be surprised if it sticks to your fingers a bit. (Don’t add more flour, though. You should be able to wipe the dough off the tips of your fingers and drop it back into the bowl.)
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Place a large piece of parchment paper on the counter, and set the dough in the center. Cover the dough with another large piece of parchment paper, so it won’t stick to your rolling pin, then roll it out into a large rectangle, about 11 by 16 inches in size. (Roughly ⅛-inch thick.)
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Add the filling to the rectangle, leaving about a ½-inch at the top untouched, so it will be easy to seal the roll later. Spread on the melted butter first, followed by the brown sugar and cinnamon. Use the parchment paper under the dough to help roll it up into a long log, starting with the bottom (longest side) of the rectangle and moving your way up to the top. The parchment paper will prevent the dough from breaking as you roll. Once you reach the top, pinch the roll closed at the seam. Cut the log into 10 equal pieces.
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Prepare a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish by spraying it with oil. Or, you can created a caramelized bottom by spreading 2 tablespoons of melted butter into the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle 2 extra tablespoons of sugar over the butter, then arrange the cinnamon rolls on top of the sugar, in a single layer in the pan. The butter and sugar on the bottom will caramelize as the cinnamon rolls bake, creating a delicious bottom-side to the rolls. Place the pan back in a warm spot to rise for 1 more hour. The cinnamon rolls should grow in size, but not necessarily double.
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Preheat the oven to 350ºF for at least 20 minutes in advance, so the oven comes to the proper temperature. When the cinnamon rolls are done with the second rise, place them in the preheated oven to bake for 25 minutes. Gluten-free rolls don’t brown the same way gluten flour does, so they won’t be golden brown, but they should feel dry to the touch and spread to fill the pan. Remove them from the oven and let them cool for at least 10 minutes while you mix the frosting together.
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To prepare the frosting, combine the melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and water. Stir well, until the frosting looks smooth. You can add an additional teaspoon of water, if needed, to thin out the texture. Spread the frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls, then they are ready to serve. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
• You can find whole psyllium husk in the supplement section at most grocery stores, or you can order it online or find it at a vitamin or health food store. Be sure to look for the word “whole” when purchasing this, as it also comes in a powdered form that is more concentrated. It should look similar to ground flax seed, only lighter in color.
• I used white and brown sugar in this recipe to make them more like the traditional version we make for Christmas morning. If you prefer to use natural sweeteners all year round, feel free to swap them for coconut sugar. (You can even make “powdered” coconut sugar by blitzing it in a high-speed blender!)
• For dairy-free cinnamon rolls, swap the melted butter for melted coconut oil. I highly recommend using refined, or expeller pressed, coconut oil, so it won’t add a coconut flavor to your cinnamon buns.
• For a vegan cinnamon roll, make the dairy-free swap above, and replace the egg with a powdered egg replacer, like Bob’s Red Mill egg replacement. You could also use 1 more tablespoon of psyllium husk + 1/4 cup of warm water as an egg substitute. The texture is slightly more gummy without the egg, but still tasty. Look for granulated sugar that is labeled organic, to make sure it is vegan friendly.
• The caramelized base and frosting are inspired by Paula Deen. My family has made her original gluten-filled recipe for years! Also, a big shout out to The Loopy Whisk, who has an awesome post on using pysllium husk in gluten-free baking. I was about to give up on having delicious GF cinnamon rolls before I thought to add in psyllium husk!
Nutrition
Calories: 416kcal, Carbohydrates: 68g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 55mg, Sodium: 295mg, Potassium: 111mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 35g, Vitamin A: 452IU, Vitamin C: 0.02mg, Calcium: 93mg, Iron: 2mg
If you try this gluten-free cinnamon roll recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like them.