You’ll never need another vegan cinnamon roll recipe ever! This is hands down the best vegan cinnamons rolls recipe out there. Perfect for holidays, brunches, and more! Soft, fluffy, and gooey, it’s everything you want in a cinnamon roll.
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Have you ever missed cinnamon rolls after giving up dairy and/or eggs and then you’re just like, OMG I would love a really great homemade vegan cinnamon roll recipe?
Well, my friend, you’re in luck!
These simple, classic flavor vegan cinnamon rolls are everything that you’ve been missing. They are easy to make, just a few ingredients, and of course, they hit all the checkboxes for the best cinnamons rolls ever, vegan or not with the perfect cinnamon roll icing.
Cinnamon rolls are a tradition for our Christmas morning breakfast, but we make them so many other times throughout the year!
So what are you waiting for, grab a bowl, the ingredients, and let’s go!
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Why These Cinnamon Rolls Will Win You Over
Soft and Fluffy
There’s something that everyone wants from cinnamon rolls, and while flavor is a given, what people ultimately want in a cinnamon rolls is when you bite into it, it’s soft and fluffy with a bold cinnamon gooey inside texture.
The dough has been enriched with non-dairy butter to create a phenomenal dough that turns into something truly special with each bite when cooked. There’s no way you won’t smile when you take a bite!
Easy to Make
We know that baking, especially yeasted dough, can be really intimidating to some. We have worked really hard to make sure that this recipe is as simple as possible, so if you’ve ever wondered how to make cinnamon rolls, but been intimidated, don’t worry with this recipe.
And what’s even easier is that this you can make this ahead, making it the perfect option for brunches and holidays when you need to worry about one less thing on the day of your event. With the option to make overnight cinnamon rolls, there’s no reason not to make these!
It Works
Recipes working is always important to us because we don’t want you to waste your time or money. However, we really like cinnamon rolls so we spent of a lot of time perfecting this recipe.
In fact, we have more sweet and savory cinnamon roll type recipes (over 30!) than any other vegan site, so we know that it truly works in a variety of settings and conditions.
Notes on Ingredients
Flour
We are using all-purpose flour for the recipe. We like to test and use this flour because it’s easily accessible, budget friendly, and everyone usually has it on hand.
Substitute:
Bread flour will also work in a 1:1 substitute with no other changes needed. It will lead to a chewier cinnamon roll because of the higher protein level.
Whole Wheat flour can also be subbed 1:1 but need another tablespoon on non-dairy milk added because it absorbs more liquid. Also note that whole wheat flour has a more natural taste that will alter the ending flavor of these cinnamon rolls compared to all-purpose flour.
Spelt flour usually needs a tablespoon less flour, but not always. Because of the higher protein for this flour, it will result in a more dense cinnamon roll, and have a similar issue in taste as the whole wheat flour.
We do also have a gluten free vegan cinnamon roll recipe if you are looking for those!
Yeast
We are using active dry yeast for this recipe.
Substitute: You can also use instant yeast with no other changes needed to be made.
We do also have a no yeast vegan cinnamon roll recipe if you are looking for an even faster recipe that doesn’t need any rise time. Note: these are not as soft and fluffy without the yeast.
Non-Dairy Milk
The truth is any non-dairy milk will work; however, we really like to use a soy milk because it has a higher protein content. We have personally found that the higher protein in the non-dairy milk helps the structure of the dough at the end.
Substitute: You can also use water instead of non-dairy milk but note in that non-dairy milk we are using the sugar to help jump start the yeast. It also helps because of the fat in the milk that you can’t get from water.
Non-Dairy Butter
You want to choose a non-dairy butter that lists oil as the first ingredient, not water. We personally use the Country Crock plant based avocado oil sticks. We have used these for dozens of recipes and it mimics dairy-based butter beautifully.
Other must try vegan cinnamon rolls recipes and inspired recipes:
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Easy, Classic Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For activating the yeast
- 1 ¼ cups dairy free milk, warmed, 110°F (300g)
- 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast (1 package = 2 ¼ tsp)
- 1 tsp cane sugar
For the Dough
- ¼ cup cane sugar (50g)
- ¼ cup vegan butter, melted, but not hot (55g)
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 ¼ cup all purpose flour (390g)
For the Filling
- ½ cup dark brown sugar (105g)
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tablespoon vegan butter, softened
For the Cinnamon Roll Icing
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted (170g)
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 2-4 tablespoon non-dairy milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- For the Yeast Mixture: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 1 ¼ cups warm dairy free milk, 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast, and 1 teaspoon cane sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until it becomes bubbly/frothy. To the milk mixture, add ¼ cup cane sugar, ¼ cup melted vegan butter, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon salt. Whisk together.
- For the dough: To a large bowl, add 3 ¼ cups flour. Pour the liquid ingredients into the bowl and, using a spatula, combine ingredients well. The dough will be sticky. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle a little more flour on top and knead for 3-4 minutes (sprinkling flour as needed) until a dough ball forms.
- Once ball is formed, grease the same bowl with oil or more vegan butter and place the dough ball back into the bowl. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft free spot until doubled. Check after 1 hour, but depending on surrounding temperature, it could take up to 2 hours.
- Once doubled in size, punch dough down and pull out and lay it out on a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll dough into an approximately 20 x 14" rectangle.
- For the filling: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup brown sugar and 2 tablespoon cinnamon. Carefully spread 2 tablespoon softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a ½ inch border around the ends. Then evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the butter.
- Next, roll up your cinnamon rolls. There are 2 ways you can do this.Method 1: Cut First, Then Roll – Using a pizza cutter, make evenly cut lines along the longest side so you end up with 12 strips. Roll each strip up individually. Method 2: Roll First, Then Cut- Tightly roll cinnamon rolls into log from the longest side up. Once completely rolled, place seam side down. Cut into 12 even sized pieces.
- Place cut rolls into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and cover. Let rise for 45-60 minutes in a warm place. Rolls should be slightly touching each other with this rise. While waiting to rise, preheat to 350°F(175°C). Once heated and risen, bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden on top.
- For the Cinnamon Roll Icing: In a small-medium bowl, add the 1 ½ cups powdered sugar. Add in ⅛ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoon non-dairy milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Whisk together. Add more non-dairy milk, ½ tablespoon at a time until desired consistency. Spread across cinnamon rolls after they've cooled for at least 10 minutes.
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
https://makeitdairyfree.com/gluten-free-vegan-cinnamon-rolls/Unfortunately no, however you can use our vegan gluten free cinnamon roll recipe.
Yes. You can make this recipe 2-3 days in advance and store in the fridge once cooled.
Alternatively, you can make the dough and instead of allowing to sit on the counter to rise, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for up to 2 days. Then remove and proceed with the recipe.
One final option is to make the recipe until the rolls are just placed in the baking dish, then cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge overnight. The next morning, let come to room temperature and rise, then place in oven.
Yes. Double all the ingredients as instructed. When you have your dough formed together, cut it in half and shape into a ball. Place each ball in a separate greased bowl. Proceed with the recipe, doubling the filling and glaze as well.
Yes. Let cinnamon rolls cool completely and then stored in a freezer safe container or bag. Let thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight. We prefer to icing after thawing.
Truly the best!!! So easy to make, and my non-vegan family loved them too! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
That is wonderful to hear! We’re so happy to know that the whole family was able to enjoy them. Thank you so much for giving the recipe a try!
My husband is lactose intolerant and I made these for him. Needless to say he DEVOURED the first one he had. My house was around 70° when I set the dough to rise. I found that by sticking the bowl in the oven with the light on, made it warm enough for the dough to rise in an hour. I will be making these again, thank you so much for sharing a successful dairy free option.
This is such a great story! We are so happy to hear that not only was the recipe a hit but that you’d also be making it again! Thank you so much!
Indeed the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had (vegan or not). Thank you.
Awww thank you so much! We truly appreciate you trying out the recipe!
Worlds best cinnamon rolls! I’d give more stars if I could, have made multiple times and decided to add an orange zest twist to the glaze that was to die for during our last bake! wish there was a cookbook, I’d buy one for me and one each for my friends! I tell everyone that they can’t go wrong with an Andrew Bernard recipe!
Wow, thank you so much for this incredibly kind message! We are thrilled to hear how much you love the vegan cinnamon rolls and that you have made them multiple times. The orange zest twist in the glaze sounds absolutely amazing and like the perfect addition!
THIS IS THE BEST CINNAMON ROLL RECIPE EVER!!! It turned out SUPER-DELICIOUS, Thank you so much <3 for sharing this amazing recipe! Big fan of you guys
Aww thank you! We’re honored that you consider ours to be the best! We truly appreciate you trying out the recipe.
I’ve tried recipes with eggs, but this one is the best. The dough is soft, delicious, and easy to work with. Thank you!
So glad to hear that!