The first time I baked these cinnamon rolls, my toddler marched into the kitchen, climbed up on a chair, and announced she was “helping.”
Five minutes later she had flour on her shirt, cinnamon sugar stuck to her little fingers, and a grin that told me she was living her best life. My husband wasn’t far behind, sneaking pieces off the edge and insisting he was “just checking” if they were ready.
That’s the thing about these rolls: They. Don’t. Last. Long.
No yeast, no waiting around, just warm, soft cinnamon rolls on the table before anyone has the chance to get cranky. Honestly, they’ve become one of those recipes that feels like family time baked right in.
Reasons You’ll Be Obsessed with These Rolls
- Quick & Easy
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Super Delicious
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Dough Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Mashed overripe bananas | 3 large |
| Melted vegan butter (unsalted) | 5 tablespoons |
| Self-rising flour | 3 cups |
Filling Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Soft vegan butter (unsalted) | 3 tablespoons |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 ⅓ tablespoons |
| Coconut sugar | ½ to ⅔ cup |
| Fresh banana (sliced) | 1 medium |
Ingredient Notes:
- Self-rising flour is a must, you can’t use almond flour for this recipe
- Make sure your bananas are really ripe
- Any neutral vegan butter works perfectly; I love using Earth Balanc
Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide
1. Get Your Kitchen Ready
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Give it a light spray with cooking oil.
2. Banana Mash
Grab those overripe bananas and mash them with a fork until smooth. I like to pack the mashed banana into a measuring cup and level it off (you want exactly 1⅓ cups).
3. Create Your Dough Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine your measured mashed bananas with the melted vegan butter and self-rising flour. Start stirring with a rubber spatula, and don’t panic when it looks like a crumbly mess at first – that’s totally normal.
4. Bring It All Together
Once things start looking crumbly, lightly oil your hands and gently knead everything into a cohesive dough ball. If it feels too sticky, add a sprinkle of more flour. If dry, add a tiny bit more mashed banana. The dough should be soft but manageable.
5. Roll It Out
Dust your work surface with flour and place your dough on it. Sprinkle a bit more flour on top and roll it into a 12.5 x 10.5-inch rectangle. Don’t stress about perfect measurements.
6. Spread the Magic
Spread your softened vegan butter evenly across the entire rectangle. This is where the magic happens, so don’t skip any corners.
7. Add the Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, whisk together the cinnamon and coconut sugar. Sprinkle this heavenly mixture over the buttered dough and gently press it in so it sticks.
8. Layer in Fresh Banana
Arrange thin slices of your fresh banana in rows across the dough. If you’re using nuts, now’s the time to sprinkle them on and press them gently into the sugar mixture.
9. The Perfect Roll
Starting from the longest edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight cylinder. Take your time here—this is what creates those gorgeous swirls.
10. Slice and Arrange
Using a sharp serrated knife (or unflavored dental floss if you’re feeling fancy), cut your cylinder into 9 equal pieces. Place each roll cut-side up in your prepared baking dish.
11. Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop these beauties into your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and your kitchen smells like pure comfort.
12. Cool and Glaze
Let them cool on a wire rack while you whisk together ½ cup powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of plant milk for a simple glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled rolls and sprinkle with extra nuts if you’re feeling fancy.
Creative Twists & Tricks
- Add a tablespoon of maple syrup to the filling for extra richness.
- Swap cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice for a cozy fall flavor.
- Feeling chocolatey? Fold in mini dark chocolate chips with the nuts.
- These rolls are very forgiving—don’t be afraid to make them your own!
- For make-ahead magic, prep the night before, cover, and refrigerate after step 10. Bake fresh in the morning, adding about 5 extra minutes if starting from cold.
Nutritional Details
Per Serving (Makes 9 rolls)
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 285 |
| Carbohydrates | 52g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fat | 7g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 18g |
Ways to Enjoy Your Creation
- Serve warm with a cup of coffee for the ultimate weekend breakfast
- Pack individual rolls for grab-and-go breakfast throughout the week
- Warm them up and serve with vanilla plant-based ice cream for dessert
- Drizzle with extra glaze and fresh berries for a special brunch presentation
- Cut them smaller and serve as afternoon tea treats
Summing it Up
These rolls are simple, cozy, and a little bit messy—exactly the kind of treat that brings everyone to the kitchen. They taste like banana bread and cinnamon rolls had a sweet little baby, and they’re ready in under an hour.
So grab your bananas, pull out the rolling pin, and make a batch for your crew. Trust me, once you smell them baking, you’ll have the whole family standing in the kitchen waiting for that first bite.
