These are the best gluten free cinnamon rolls ever! They are foolproof, quick, and easy to make. These cinnamon rolls feature a soft pillowy roll, sweet brown sugar filling, and velvety cream cheese frosting! They are so fun for holidays, Christmas morning, birthdays, and more!

Gluten free cinnamon rolls.

I have been gluten free since 2016 and have never had gluten free cinnamon rolls taste this good! I have been trying to perfect this recipe for 3 years now. This recipe is amazing! You will also love these Cinnamon Roll Cookies!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • These gluten free cinnamon rolls are pillowy soft.
  • They are not dry or dense.
  • These taste like the classic cinnamon buns! Just like Cinnabon but gluten free.
  • The cream cheese frosting is so creamy and smooth.
  • Kids and adults love them! Try this Gluten Free Monkey Bread too.
  • Double this recipe if feeding a crowd.
  • We make these for Christmas brunch every year!
  • They can be made in just a couple of hours.
  • This recipe is gluten free and nut free.
  • Check out this Cinnamon Banana Bread for another fun breakfast recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for gluten free cinnamon rolls. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

First, use King Arthur gluten free bread flour. I have tried making cinnamon rolls with other gluten free and had little success. This brand does include wheat starch, but it is processed to remove the gluten. I get very sick when eating gluten and I have no issue with this brand.

Granulated sugar adds sweetness.

Baking powder helps the dough rise while baking. It works with the quick instant yeast.

Sea salt balances out the sweetness.

Thin out the dough with warm water, melted butter, and whole milk. Use heavy cream if needed.

Only one egg is needed! I have not tried to make this recipe vegan.

For the filling, use melted butter, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and ground ginger. Ginger adds a depth of flavor.

For the cream cheese frosting, use powdered sugar, room temperature butter, vanilla, and room temperature cream cheese. The butter and cream cheese must be room temperature. Beat together until creamy.

Gluten free bread flour.
Ingredients for gluten free cinnamon rolls.

Taste & Texture

These gluten free cinnamon rolls are incredibly soft, tender, and fluffy! You would never guess they are gluten free. They truly taste like the cinnamon buns you ate growing up!

They are sweet, bursting with cinnamon, and taste like classic cinnamon rolls.

Kids love them!

How to Make

Step 1

First, make the dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the gluten free bread flour, sugar, baking powder, yeast, and sea salt. Stir together.

Bread flour in bowl.

Step 2

Then, add in the warm water, milk, egg, and melted butter. Mix for 2 minutes or until a thick sticky dough is formed. Spray a spatula with nonstick spray and scrape the dough on the sides of the bowl to the bottom. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Thick dough with paddle attachment.

Step 3

After 30 minutes, remove the bowl from the fridge. Lightly flour a large cutting board and a rolling pin. Place the ball of dough in the middle. Gently roll out into a big rectangle that is approximately 6 inches by 12 inches long.

Ball of gluten free dough.
Rolled out dough.

Step 4

Make the brown sugar filling. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger in a bowl. Spoon the melted butter all over the dough. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on top.

Brown sugar cinnamon roll dough.

Step 5

Use a pizza cutter to cut long strips of dough that are 1 inch wide. This will make 6 long strips of dough. Carefully roll up each strip into a cinnamon roll. Place in a generously sprayed baking dish.

Pizza cutter with dough.
Rolled dough with brown sugar.

Step 6

Once all 6 rolls are placed in the baking dish, place a kitchen towel on top. Place in the oven with the oven light on for 1 hour (the oven will be turned OFF at this point).

Step 7

After 1 hour, the rolls will have grown slightly in size. Remove from the oven and remove the towel. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, bake for 30 to 32 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the mixture is bubbly.

Cinnamon rolls in dish.

Step 8

While the cinnamon rolls are baking, make the cream cheese frosting. Combine the powdered sugar, butter, vanilla and cream cheese in a bowl. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat until creamy.

Cream cheese frosting in mixing bowl.

Step 9

Finally, remove the gluten free cinnamon rolls from the oven. Immediately top with the cream cheese frosting and serve!

Baked cinnamon rolls.
Cinnamon buns with cream cheese frosting.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Follow these tips and tricks to make the best gluten free cinnamon rolls.

First, use the King Arthur gluten free bread flour. It makes the biggest difference! I have tried this recipe with other gluten free flour and it did not work well.

Measure out the yeast. This recipe calls for just under 1 full packet.

For added flavor, I highly recommend adding the ground ginger to the filling.

Do not skip the two rising times. This helps the dough a ton!

Lightly flour the cutting board and rolling pin. This prevents sticking.

Use enough brown sugar to cover the rolled out dough.

Use a pizza cutter to make the long strips of dough.

During the second rising time, the cinnamon rolls will not double in size. They will grow slightly. Do not worry.

Bake until the edges are golden but not brown.

Beat the cream cheese frosting until super creamy.

Add the frosting while the rolls are still hot.

Gooey cinnamon roll.

How to Serve & Store

Serve these gluten free cinnamon rolls hot and fresh! They are best eaten as soon as possible.

We make these for Christmas and serve with bacon, quiche, breakfast burritos, and hot chocolate.

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature.

Try these Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls too! For more ideas, check out these Gluten Free Breakfast Ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Pillsbury cinnamon rolls gluten free?

No, Pillsbury is not gluten free.

Are Pillsbury cinnamon rolls dairy free?

No, they are not dairy free.

What can I use instead of all purpose flour in cinnamon rolls?

Instead of all purpose flour, use gluten free bread flour. It works just as well.

What’s the best gluten free flour blend to use?

Use gluten free bread flour for the best texture.

Can you reheat them?

Sure! The best way to reheat cinnamon rolls is baking in the oven. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit to reheat.

Gluten free cinnamon bun.

Equipment Needed

Hand Mixer: Use this hand mixer for the cream cheese frosting.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer: This gluten free cinnamon roll recipe needs a stand mixer for the dough.

Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: These are my favorite mixing bowls for baking.

Staub Baking Dishes: I love these baking dishes!

Check out all of my kitchen favorites!

You May Also Like

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Join my exclusive Facebook Group for a behind the scenes look. I would love for you to follow along!  Check out these Breakfast Recipes for more great ideas!

Gluten free cinnamon rolls.
At a Glance:
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Rising Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

These gluten free cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, tender, and sweet! They taste like classic cinnamon rolls. Top them with homemade cream cheese frosting for a delicious breakfast or brunch!
5 from 3 votes
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Ingredients

6 servings

Cinnamon Rolls

Brown Sugar Filling

  • 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger, optional

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

Instructions 

  • First, make the dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the gluten free bread flour, sugar, baking powder, yeast, and sea salt. Stir to combine.
  • Then, add in the warm water, milk, egg, and melted butter. Mix for 2 minutes or until a thick sticky dough is formed. Spray a spatula with nonstick spray and scrape the dough on the sides of the bowl to the bottom. Cover with plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, remove the bowl from the fridge. Lightly flour a large cutting board and a rolling pin. Place the ball of dough in the middle. Gently roll out into a big rectangle that is approximately 6 inches by 12 inches long.
  • Make the filling. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger in a bowl. Spoon the melted butter all over the dough. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on top.
  • Use a pizza cutter to cut long strips of dough that are 1 inch wide. This will make 6 long strips of dough. Carefully roll up each strip into a cinnamon roll. Place in a generously sprayed baking dish.
  • Once all 6 rolls are placed in the baking dish, place a kitchen towel on top. Place in the oven with the oven light on for 1 hour (the oven will be turned OFF at this point).
  • After 1 hour, the rolls will have grown slightly in size. Remove from the oven and remove the towel. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, bake for 30 to 32 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the mixture is bubbly.
  • While the cinnamon rolls are baking, make the cream cheese frosting. Combine the powdered sugar, butter, vanilla and cream cheese in a bowl. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat until creamy.
  • Finally, remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven. Immediately top with the cream cheese frosting and serve!

Notes

  • I have tried this recipe using other types of gluten free flour, but none of them comes close to the King Arthur gluten free bread flour.  I do not recommend using any other brand or flour.
  • PLEASE NOTE: this brand of gluten free bread flour contains wheat.  The wheat starch has been processed in a way that allows the FDA to still classify this as gluten free.  I am very gluten intolerant and have enjoyed this flour for over a year now.  Please proceed at your own risk.
  • Measure out the yeast.  It is just under 1 full packet.
  • The ground ginger adds a delicious flavor to the filling!  It is optional but highly recommended.
  • Be sure to use enough gluten free bread flour on the cutting board and rolling pin to prevent sticking.
  • Each long strip of dough will be 1 inch thick and about 12 inches long.
  • These cinnamon rolls will not double in size while rising.  Do not worry!
  • Bake until the edges are lightly golden.
  • Top with cream cheese frosting while still hot.  This allows the frosting to become melted and even more creamy.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Calories: 537kcal, Carbohydrates: 73g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 89mg, Sodium: 597mg, Potassium: 147mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 38g, Vitamin A: 796IU, Vitamin C: 0.02mg, Calcium: 101mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Addison LaBonte
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American

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