Vegan Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
If you’re dreaming of pillowy-soft, bakery-style Vegan Cinnamon Rolls but want something totally plant-based and dairy-free—trust me, these are about to become your go-to treat! Each swirl is warm with gooey cinnamon and brown sugar, all tucked into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth dough. Finish with a glossy vanilla glaze and you’ve got brunch perfection or an irresistible sweet snack. These vegan cinnamon rolls are a celebration of classic comfort flavor, minus any animal products—and I just know you’ll fall in love with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Anyone can whip up Vegan Cinnamon Rolls with this easy lineup of ingredients. Each item here plays a crucial role: from fluffing up the dough to crafting that fragrant cinnamon swirl and decadent glaze. Embrace how simple, everyday kitchen staples add up to one unforgettable treat!
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for a soft, tender dough that bakes up beautifully fluffy and light.
- Active dry yeast: Gives the rolls their essential rise and airy texture; make sure it’s fresh for the best results.
- Unsweetened almond milk (warm): Adds moisture and a gentle nutty note—warming it kickstarts the yeast.
- Coconut oil (melted): Infuses richness and softness, but feel free to swap for vegan butter if you prefer.
- Cane sugar: Sweetens the dough just right and feeds the yeast for a great rise.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and strengthens the dough’s flavor.
- Brown sugar (packed): Delivers gooey, caramel notes inside every swirl, creating that signature cinnamon roll filling.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice, bringing warm, sweet, and cozy flavor to each roll.
- Vegan butter (softened): Helps the cinnamon sugar filling stick and adds luscious richness.
- Powdered sugar: Blends into a smooth, classic glaze that melts over the warm rolls.
- Almond milk (for glaze): Thins the glaze to your desired drizzle—start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed.
- Vanilla extract: Perfumes the glaze and adds a touch of nostalgia to every bite.
How to Make Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Begin by combining your warm almond milk, cane sugar, and active dry yeast in a large mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 5–10 minutes. You’ll know things are working when the surface becomes foamy and fragrant. This simple step ensures your Vegan Cinnamon Rolls are airy, not dense, every time.
Step 2: Form the Dough
Once the yeast has woken up, add in your melted coconut oil and salt. Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, a cup at a time, until a soft dough begins to form. Knead for 5–7 minutes, either by hand or with a dough hook, until your dough is smooth and elastic—this step develops gluten for irresistible chewiness!
Step 3: First Rise
Transfer your kneaded dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot. After about one hour, your dough should double in size, ready to take on that signature cinnamon swirl.
Step 4: Make the Filling
While the dough rises, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. This is the heart of every Vegan Cinnamon Roll; those sugary, spiced layers become melty and aromatic in the oven.
Step 5: Shape and Fill the Rolls
Punch down your risen dough, then roll it out onto a floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread the softened vegan butter all over, right up to the edges. Sprinkle every inch with your cinnamon sugar mixture. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log and slice into 9–12 rolls—use a sharp knife or even unflavored dental floss for the neatest cuts.
Step 6: Second Rise
Arrange the slices in a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise again for another 30 minutes. This step guarantees soft, puffy rolls with an even crumb once baked.
Step 7: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the Vegan Cinnamon Rolls for 20–25 minutes, until they turn a beautiful golden brown and your kitchen smells absolutely incredible. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
Step 8: Glaze
While the rolls are still a bit warm, whisk together the powdered sugar, almond milk, and vanilla extract to make a luscious glaze. Drizzle generously over the rolls, letting that sweet sheen soak into every swirl. Try to resist diving in right away… or don’t!
How to Serve Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Garnishes
Dress up your Vegan Cinnamon Rolls with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon on top, a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts, or a dusting of orange zest for a citrusy twist. A little finishing salt can also make the sweet notes pop—get creative to match your cravings!
Side Dishes
Pair these warm rolls with fresh berries, a creamy non-dairy yogurt, or even a crisp fruit salad. For an extra cozy brunch, serve them with a hot mug of coffee or a chai latte—heaven in every combination!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try baking the rolls in a pie dish and serving “cinnamon roll wedges,” or presentation-style in a cast iron skillet for a rustic vibe. Layer rolls on a cake stand for a celebration brunch centerpiece, or tuck them into a bakery box for a thoughtful, homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store fully cooled Vegan Cinnamon Rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge up to 5 days. The glaze may absorb slightly but the rolls stay perfectly soft and flavorful.
Freezing
These rolls freeze beautifully! Place baked and cooled rolls (without glaze) in a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly in foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then add fresh glaze before serving.
Reheating
To revive that “just-baked” warmth, pop individual rolls in the microwave for 20–30 seconds, or gently reheat a batch in a 300°F (150°C) oven, loosely covered with foil, until warmed through. A fresh splash of glaze never hurts!
FAQs
Can I prepare Vegan Cinnamon Rolls the night before?
Absolutely! Prepare the rolls up to the second rise, cover, and let them rise overnight in the fridge. In the morning, let them come to room temperature for 30–45 minutes and bake as directed for ultra-fresh cinnamon rolls with minimal morning effort.
What plant-based milk is best for this recipe?
Unsweetened almond milk is my favorite for its mild flavor, but oat or soy milk are great nut-free alternatives. Pick whatever tastes best to you—and remember, slightly warm milk helps activate the yeast.
Can I make these gluten-free?
You can try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend made for yeasted baking, but results may vary. The texture may be less chewy, but you’ll still get delicious cinnamon-sugar flavor!
How do I keep the filling from leaking out?
Rolling the dough tightly and making sure the filling is evenly spread helps a lot. Some filling will inevitably bubble out (that’s part of the charm), but lining your pan with parchment paper makes cleanup easy!
What’s the secret to fluffy Vegan Cinnamon Rolls?
It all comes down to giving the dough time to rise and using warm (not hot) liquids to activate your yeast. Kneading well and baking as soon as the rolls finish their second rise guarantees soft, pillowy rolls every time.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for the perfect Vegan Cinnamon Rolls, this recipe is your answer. Satisfying, fragrant, and oh-so comforting, these rolls are meant to be shared and savored with those you love. Give them a try and get ready to surprise yourself with just how scrumptious and simple a homemade plant-based treat can be!
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Vegan Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 9–12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Indulge in these delicious Vegan Cinnamon Rolls for a sweet and satisfying treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert. These rolls are dairy-free and bursting with cinnamon flavor, topped with a sweet glaze.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup cane sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons softened vegan butter
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons almond milk (for glaze)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm almond milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until foamy. Add coconut oil, salt, and gradually mix in flour to form a dough. Knead until smooth. Let rise for 1 hour.
- Filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll out dough, spread vegan butter, sprinkle cinnamon sugar, roll up, slice into rolls.
- Place rolls in a dish, let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes.
- Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, almond milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over warm rolls.
Notes
- You can make the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight.
- For a nut-free version, use oat or soy milk.
- Coconut oil can be swapped with vegan butter.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
