I’ll never forget the first time I tried making gluten-free cinnamon rolls. I was so excited, convinced I’d nailed it—until I pulled them out of the oven. They were dry, crumbly, and nothing like the soft, gooey rolls I grew up eating.
It was frustrating, but I refused to accept defeat. After countless tweaks and a few kitchen disasters, I finally cracked the code.
These cinnamon rolls? They’re everything a cinnamon roll should be—soft, fluffy, packed with buttery cinnamon filling, and topped with a rich cream cheese glaze.
The best part? You don’t need any fancy ingredients—just good, simple pantry staples. So, if you’ve been missing that warm, homemade cinnamon roll experience since going gluten-free, trust me, this recipe will bring it back.
Tips & Variations
✅ Dairy-Free? Swap the butter for coconut oil or a plant-based alternative, and use dairy-free cream cheese.
✅ No Tapioca Starch? Cornstarch or arrowroot powder works just as well.
✅ Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, let them sit at room temp for 30 minutes before baking.
✅ Want Extra Gooey Rolls? Add 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or coconut cream) over the rolls before baking for extra moisture.
Serving & Presentation Tips
- For a bakery-style touch, sprinkle a little cinnamon on top after glazing.
- Serving for a crowd? Double the batch and use a larger pan.
- Freeze for later: Once baked, let them cool, wrap individually, and freeze. Just warm them up when needed!

The Best Damn Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 8–10 rolls 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Soft, gooey, and full of cinnamon goodness—these gluten-free cinnamon rolls are just as good (if not better) than the regular kind.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups (300g) gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum)
- ¼ cup (40g) tapioca starch (helps with stretch)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup (120ml) warm milk (dairy or unsweetened almond milk)
- ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- ⅓ cup (75g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil)
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened (or dairy-free alternative)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, tapioca starch, yeast, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add the wet ingredients. Pour in the warm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Stir until the dough starts to come together.
- Knead gently. Gluten-free dough doesn’t behave like regular dough, so don’t expect it to be stretchy. Use a spatula or lightly floured hands to bring it together into a soft dough.
- Let it rise. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it sit in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until puffy.
Step 2: Make the Filling
- Mix the filling. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Soften the butter. Make sure it’s spreadable but not melted.
Step 3: Shape the Rolls
- Roll out the dough. Lightly flour a piece of parchment paper and roll the dough into a 10×12-inch rectangle.
- Spread the filling. Gently spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top.
- Roll it up. Use the parchment paper to help roll the dough into a log. (Tip: Gluten-free dough can be fragile—go slow and use gentle pressure.)
- Slice the rolls. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut 8–10 even pieces.
- Arrange in a baking dish. Place them in a buttered or parchment-lined 9-inch pan.
Step 4: Second Rise & Bake
- Cover and rise. Let the rolls sit for another 30 minutes to get puffier.
- Preheat the oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake. Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until lightly golden on top.
Step 5: Make the Glaze & Serve
- Mix the glaze. Beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle generously. Pour over warm rolls and let it melt into the swirls.
- Enjoy! Best served warm with a cup of coffee or tea.
Notes
Can be made dairy-free. Best eaten fresh but can be frozen.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including rising time)
- Cook Time: 22–25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg