How to make easy cinnamon rolls at home with just 4 ingredients – ooey gooey cinnamon rolls in minutes, no yeast required!
The Easiest Cinnamon Rolls In The World
These magical soft cinnamon rolls take less than an hour to make – from start to finish!
No sitting overnight, no waiting for the dough to rise, and they turn out just as delicious as homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch, without all the work!
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The Best Cinnamon Roll Recipe
Simple
4 Ingredients
Great For A Crowd
Made In 30 Minutes Or Less
You get the best of both worlds with this easy cinnamon roll recipe: the lightening fast method lets you skip the yeast and proofing steps entirely, and the taste and texture will make guests feel like the sticky sweet pastries came straight from the local Cinnabon!
See Also: How To Cook Sweet Potatoes
So what’s the trick to making cinnamon rolls with just 4 ingredients?
It’s actually pizza dough!
You know the pizza dough they sell in the refrigerated section of stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and Wegmans? It can totally be used in place of homemade dough for cinnamon rolls.
You can buy whole wheat or regular, and it’s usually vegan too (although vegans should always check the ingredients to be sure).
Or you can make your own dough at home–I like this vegan pizza recipe–and freeze it for a rainy day.
I even had success when I made the rolls with gluten free pizza dough. (That doesn’t necessarily mean every gluten free pizza dough will work, but it proves it is possible to make them gluten free using the pizza dough trick.)
I haven’t tried the recipe with an almond flour pizza dough and don’t currently have a keto cinnamon roll recipe on the blog (maybe I should make one?!), but you can definitely add cinnamon to the batter of these Keto Muffins and ice them with cream cheese frosting for a fantastic easy peasy low carb version of a cinnamon roll without yeast.
No one should be left out of the cinnamon roll fun!
Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipes
You have many options here!
Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat room temperature 8 oz cream cheese or vegan cream cheese with 4 oz butter spread, 2 cups powdered sugar, and 1 tsp pure vanilla extract. Add a little milk of choice as needed.
Basic Cinnamon Roll Glaze: Mix 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar or sugar-free powdered sugar with 2-4 tbsp milk of choice. Whisk ingredients to form a glaze. Drizzle over rolls with a spoon.
Other Frosting Ideas: Feel free to top the rolls with store-bought frosting, melted almond butter or coconut butter (my personal favorite), or you can even leave them plain for a healthy breakfast that’ll have a similar sweetness to a muffin.
Leftover frosting? Use it on Chocolate Banana Bread
The Easy Cinnamon Bun Trick
This is my favorite trick for easy cinnamon rolls:
Cut slices BEFORE rolling.
After spreading the filling on top of the dough, cut it into slices before rolling up so you won’t have to worry about filling oozing out and getting all over the place.
Once you try it this way, you will never go back to the thread or floss method, because this one simple trick makes the entire process so much easier – not to mention so much less messy!
How To Make Cinnamon Rolls
Start by rolling the dough out on a floured surface (any flour works here).
It too sticky to roll, just add a little more flour of choice, a little at a time. Roll the dough very thinly – just under 1/4 inch works well. Then spread the remaining ingredients on top.
Cut long strips with a knife. Roll each up as tightly as possible, and put the unbaked buns in a greased baking dish. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Bake 20 minutes, then frost as desired.
The recipe was adapted from my Vegan Cinnamon Rolls.
Easy Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 16 oz pizza dough
- 2 tbsp softened butter or coconut oil, or applesauce for low fat
- 3 tbsp sugar, unrefined or sugar sub if desired
- 2-3 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- See post notes above for what types of pizza dough will work. To make the cinnamon rolls: Roll out dough on a floured surface (any flour works, even coconut flour). If dough is too sticky to roll, just add more flour of choice a little at a time. Roll very thinly (just under 1/4-inch is perfect). Spread remaining ingredients on top. Cut long strips, then roll each up as tightly as possible. Put in a greased baking pan. Preheat oven to 400 F. Bake 20 minutes. Frosting recipes are listed above. If you try the recipe, be sure to review or rate it below!View Nutrition Facts
Notes
Have you made this recipe?
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JanP says
Katie,
I’m trying to understand how you are cutting your slices before putting the topping on? How is this less messy?
My brain cannot figure this out! If you had photos I think it would help!
This does sound like an easy and much quicker way to make cinnamon rolls!
Thanks for all the work you do in creating great recipes!
Diane says
Me too…I’m thinking that you roll the dough out and then spread the butter, cinnamon and sugar, then cut in strips and then roll each strip up so it forms the roll then put in the pan. At least that’s how my brain is interpretting the process…i could be wrong though…but I’m going to go with it.
Jason Sanford says
Sorry for the confusion! Katie just edited the post to hopefully make it more clear. Diane is correct – spread the ingredients on the dough, then cut strips and roll each. (You could of course still do the typical roll-then-cut cinnamon roll method, but this way is less messy.)
Diane says
Yay! Thank you so much for the quick response!
Jan Short says
Me too
Jenny Kates says
That is how I did it. I also tried the cream cheese frosting. They came out great. Just be careful with the milk usage.
Janis says
Katie, which gluten free pizza dough did you use that worked for you? Thanks!
Jason Sanford says
It works with Wholly Wholesome, which is gluten free and vegan too. There are probably some homemade gluten free pizza dough recipes that would also work here, we just haven’t tried any others with this particular recipe yet.
Jason (media relations)
james says
Awesome post.
Catherine says
Genius! This looks amazing. Love your idea to use pizza dough. Can’t wait to try this.
Cynthia says
How do you apply the filling? Do you spread the butter onto the dough and THEN sprinkle on the cinnamon and sugar as 2 or 3 separate steps? Or do you mix all three ingredients together first and then spread the MIXTURE onto the dough?
Jason Sanford says
Honestly, any of the above will work, so go with whatever is easiest for you!
Jason
Allison says
LOL I got it in my email and of course had to go buy pizza dough immediately, because who can look at such decadent pictures of cinnamon rolls and not then be craving cinnamon rolls? They were as easy to make as your post says and just as delicious. These things are dangerously good!
Nina says
I made these today. They were so delicious and easy.
Rachele W says
This looks amazing and is much simpler. But I use string or dental floss to cut the cinnamon rolls and it doesn’t make any mess whatsoever. Simply roll your cinnamon rolls into the traditional log. Then slide a piece of string or floss underneath in the desired width (2”) and bring the ends together and cross over (like you’re going to tie a knot). Voila. No mess
Barb says
That’s what I’ve done too and agree there’s no mess! It sounds WAY more time consuming and messy to do a strip at a time!
Melissa says
So innovative and clever! I’ve never attempted cinnamon rolls before, but have always wanted to and tend to be a bit intimidated by the recipes, but this recipe is one I think I can manage and am excited and willing to try! It’s pretty incredible how easy/straightforward it seems and I can’t wait to try! Thanks for sharing!
Margaret says
I had been craving cinnamon rolls when I saw your recipe. Since I already had gluten free pizza dough in the freezer, I was set! Unfortunately I let the pizza dough defrost a little too long in the fridge and it had risen and deflated apparently and wasn’t as soft as I would have liked . I will definitely be making these again though…I was thinking that you could use the pizza dough to make a Mardi gras Kings cake! How about experimenting with that?
Jason Sanford says
That sounds so amazing!
Ashley says
Am I reading the cream cheese frosting recipe correct, that you also add 4oz butter to the cream cheese? Could I use brown sugar instead of white for the actual filling?
Jason Sanford says
Yes, and yes that would be fine!
Jason
Wendy says
Do you apply the icing once cooled? I applied mine right out of the oven and it melted and runny. Thanks.
Jason Sanford says
I personally love my icing melted, but if you want it hard/firm so it doesn’t melt into the rolls, then yes you can definitely wait until cool!
Jason
Claudia says
I spread almond butter on the dough for a healthier roll but if you want the buttery taste and smell then go with butter. Love how quick this recipe is and nobody will know it’s pizza dough!
Becky says
I made these this morning. They were so delicious and the kitchen smelled great, too. Love the idea of using the pizza dough.
Erin says
Made for my daughters birthday this morning. What would help is to know how wide to cut the strips. I ended up with too big of rolls and had to cook for longer. But overall turned out well.
Mary says
What dimensions does one roll the dough to?
I get the just-under-1/4″ thickness, but what size rectangle?
And should the strips be, say, 1″ wide?
Jen says
I loved this recipe. I found a can of thin crust pizza dough, and so it was already thin and didn’t require any rolling. I made the cinnamon rolls on a piece of parchment paper so I had no sticking or need for flour. I used 3 T of melted butter and brushed it on the crust. Then I used the mixture of 3T brown sugar and 3tsp cinnamon and sliced before rolling as suggested. Definitely easier! I’ve made this recipe with crescent roll sheets too, but the pizza crust has the best texture and bite. I’ll definitely make this again. I’ve done the powdered sugar icing, and I’ve also used cream cheese frosting from a can from the store. Whatever I have on hand. The brown sugar creates some caramelized edges. And it’s so buttery and tasty.
Becky says
What oven temp did you bake the rolls on and for how long??
Sue says
I love the flavor of these rolls! However mine came out like little volcanos. I will definately try again.
Emily says
I made the rolls and when I took them out of the oven they were still raw. I made 2 batches of the filling and that worked perfectly .
Megan says
This will be my first attempt at making cinnamon rolls. Can anyone tell me what size pan I should use? How tight should I pack the rolls in the pan? Thanks!
MominTX says
Place the finished rolls barely touching and I make sure the seams are touching my pan edge. Leave a little “growth” room so they bake well…if packed too tightly together, they’ll be raw. 😉
Jen says
Great recipe. Turned out great. Mine were a little too done on the bottom but I think it’s because I used a dark pan — my fault. I would’ve liked a little more explicit direction for a novice baker (spread softened butter with a knife all over… cut into 9-13 strips… roll with cinnamon on the inside…place all buns together in the pan…). But very good.
Debbie says
I tried making these with a can of Pillsbury Pizza Crust and it didn’t work out very well. We still ate them of course drizzled with icing. There was very little expansion of the dough in the cooking process so they were small and a little crispy. I read another person’s comment that sounded like she used the same type of dough and it worked well…but she didn’t roll her dough and I still did. Maybe I’ll try it that way again. The only way I can seem to find a ball of dough is in the freezer section and then I still have to wait for it to thaw. Love the idea of these being quick.
Kristen says
I love how simple this recipe is and am anxious to try it this weekend. I think my local pizza store will sell me pizza dough.
Jamie Salyer says
Mine turned out chewey 😭 I used the pizza dough from a can. Is that where I went wrong? Could rolling it out too much cause this?
Marianna Massad Alter says
Can I prepare cinnamon rolls and refrigerate overnight until ready to pop in the oven? If so, should the dough be room temperature before I bake it? Thanks!
Sarah says
I only have multigrain pizza dough at my house and want to make for NYE, will that work?
CCK Media Team says
That should be fine! 🙂
Lowrie Beacham says
Just had a try at these. Made my own pizza dough, not favoring a grocery run on an icy Sunday afternoon. The only problem I encountered was that in the oven, the buns rose up in the middle, looking like a medieval artist’s depiction of the Tower of Babel. Result was that the tower was overbaked by the time the rest was done. Next time (Oh yes, there *will* be a next time) I will add more sugar to the filling; and I may add some raisins, my own favorite. But cutting in strips, though my wife was sceptical, for me was a winner.
Next has got to be banana chocolate cookie bars. Alas, one grandson is allergic to peanuts, so I’ll hide the product–always assuming I don’t need to hide it, anyway!
CCK Media Team says
Thank you so so much for making them 🙂
Virginia says
These were very tasty. I would have liked to have known what length and width to cut the pizza dough. My rolls ended up small and skinny and also rose up in the middle like ancient Thai monuments.
Diane says
Can I prepare cinnamon rolls and refrigerate overnight until ready to pop in the oven?
Angelica P. Corona says
want to make keto tortillas. could you show me how? Thanks.
s.s books says
Could you use you one of your pizza dough recipes?
Mandy says
These cinnamon rolls are so good!!!!! I have never worked with yeast before so wanted to make a recipe without yeast to make sure they’d turn out good. And they did! Perfect for breakfast or dessert 🙂
Lindsay says
Very easy. I’m a fan of this shortcut. Mine were a little chewy. Maybe not the best cinnamon rolls ever (could have been my dough) but they were tasty enough!
haze says
this was amazing! i used margarine instead of butter (as i’m vegan), then sprinkled across the sugar, then the cinnamon! i baked these for 17 minutes with a fan-forced over. thanks for the winning recipe, katie!
Diane says
I’m looking forward to trying this but my experience with pizza dough has been when you roll it out, it springs right back. Is there a trick to this?
Anita says
Can’t wait to make them looks delicious 😋 thank u
Janice says
Made the rolls for Easter, so easy and delicious. Will definitely make these again.
CCK Media Team says
Thank you so much for making them!
Cathy says
Love this recipe I have used it time and times again and it never fails absolutely love it thankyou.
CCK Media Team says
Thank you so much for making them 🙂