Name: Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 2/3 cups King Arthur Gluten-Free Bread Flour; 1/3 cup granulated sugar (40 grams); 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1/4 oz); 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 1/4 cup warm whole milk; 1 cup warm water; 2 eggs (room temperature); 6 tablespoons salted butter (melted); 1/2 cup butter, VERY soft (113 grams/1 stick); 1 cup brown sugar (200 grams); 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean powder; Pinch salt (less than 1/8 teaspoon); 3 cups powdered sugar (360 grams); 1/3 cup heavy cream (or more, as needed); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; Tiny pinch salt (less than 1/8 teaspoon); 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (like Philadelphia), softened (226 grams); 4 tablespoons butter, softened (56 grams); 2 cups powdered sugar (240 grams); 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; Pinch salt (less than 1/8 teaspoon)

Nothing beats the smell of fresh cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. These are not just any cinnamon rolls—they’re a dreamy, Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe that’s fluffy, rich, and packed with that classic cinnamon-sugar goodness. You're gonna love how soft and tender they turn out, even without traditional gluten!

A single cinnamon roll sits on a small white plate, featuring a soft, light brown spiral dough base with visible cinnamon filling swirls. The roll is topped with a thick layer of creamy white icing that drips down the sides, partially melting and pooling slightly at the base. The cinnamon roll has a bite taken out of one side, showing the moist, fluffy interior. In the background, there is a metal baking pan filled with additional cinnamon rolls covered in the same white icing. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with part of a white cloth and a fork visible near the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to tell you, this Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen. After quite a few trial and error attempts with gluten-free dough, I finally nailed a method that produces rolls as soft and pillowy as traditional ones—without the gluten. Seriously, it’s a game-changer for anyone living gluten-free who still dreams of luscious cinnamon rolls!

Incredible Softness: The flour blend and technique come together to create rolls that stay tender and fluffy every time.
Rich Cinnamon Filling: A perfectly balanced sweet and spicy filling ensures each bite is packed with flavor.
Versatile Frosting Options: Choose between a classic cream cheese frosting or a simpler glaze to suit your mood.
Great for Special Occasions: Impress your guests or treat yourself with a dessert that looks and tastes like it belongs in a bakery.

The image shows a close-up view of a group of cinnamon rolls, each with two main layers. The bottom layer is the golden-brown roll, showing visible cinnamon swirl patterns that add a dark brown texture. The top layer is a thick, white, creamy frosting that covers the rolls unevenly, giving a soft and smooth look. The cinnamon rolls are placed side by side, filling the entire frame, and the background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe relies on a few key ingredients that ensure your gluten-free cinnamon rolls rise beautifully and taste delicious. Knowing why each ingredient is important helped me tweak this recipe to perfection, so I'll share some of those tips here to help you shop smart and bake confidently.

Flat lay of a small mound of pale off-white gluten-free bread flour, a small white bowl filled with golden granulated sugar, a few scattered beige instant yeast granules, a small pile of coarse kosher salt crystals, a small heap of light beige baking powder, a small white bowl of warm creamy whole milk, another small white bowl of warm clear water, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl with melted golden salted butter, a smooth mound of very soft pale yellow butter, a small white bowl filled with dark golden brown sugar, a small heap of warm brown ground cinnamon, a tiny white bowl with fine vanilla bean powder, a small pinch of fine salt, a small white bowl filled with bright white powdered sugar, a small white bowl of pale cream heavy cream, a tiny white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small slab of soft creamy white full-fat cream cheese, a soft mound of light yellow butter, another small white bowl of bright white powdered sugar, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, and a small pinch of fine salt placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

King Arthur Gluten-Free Bread Flour: This specific blend is essential for structure and softness—substituting it can change the texture dramatically.
Instant yeast: The yeast gives those rolls a lovely rise and airiness, so don’t skip or replace it with baking soda.
Baking powder and salt: They balance out the dough’s flavor and help with rise.
Warm whole milk and warm water: The liquids activate the yeast and hydrate the flour for tender dough.
Eggs: Provide richness and help with binding — make sure they’re at room temperature for best results.
Salted butter (melted and softened): Adds flavor and moisture throughout the dough and filling.
Brown sugar and ground cinnamon: The heart of the filling, creating that perfect sweet-spicy combo.
Purple vanilla bean powder (optional): Gives an aromatic hint that takes these rolls from good to gourmet.
Cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract: The classic ingredients for a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to tweak according to your taste or dietary needs. I often swap out the frosting for a quick vanilla glaze when I’m short on time or try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit into the cinnamon filling for a fun twist.

Variation: Adding a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts gives a great crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the soft rolls.
Dairy-Free Option: Try coconut milk instead of whole milk and a dairy-free butter to make these vegan-friendly.
Spice it up: Mix in a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom with the cinnamon for a spiced seasonal feel.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Wake Up the Dough with Warm Liquids and Yeast

Start by warming your milk and water until they're comfortably warm (think bath water temperature). Mix in the instant yeast and sugar; within 5 minutes, you should see the mixture bubble slightly—that’s your yeast waking up and ready to work its magic. Patiently waiting here pays off because active yeast means fluffy rolls.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients and Combine

While your yeast gets active, whisk together the gluten-free bread flour, salt, baking powder, and a touch of vanilla bean powder if using. Then add the eggs and melted butter to the wet ingredients and slowly combine with the dry ingredients. The dough will be sticky—that's how it should be for soft rolls.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Cover your dough with a damp towel and set it in a warm spot for about an hour. You'll know it's ready when the dough has visibly puffed and looks light and airy. This rise is key to that soft texture we're aiming for.

Step 4: Roll Out and Fill with Cinnamon Goodness

Lightly dust a surface with gluten-free flour and roll your dough into a rectangle about 10x15 inches. Spread the super-soft butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle a mixture of brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of salt on top. For fun, I sometimes add a hint of vanilla bean powder here too. Roll it up tightly, starting from the long edge.

Step 5: Slice and Set for the Final Rise

Using a sharp knife or dental floss, slice your roll into 12 equal pieces. Arrange them close-packed in your greased baking pan. Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes—this last rise is what makes them really soft and fluffy when baked.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Delicious

Bake your cinnamon rolls at 350°F (175°C) for about 35 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they should be golden but not dark brown. The aroma alone will have you ready to dive in immediately.

Step 7: Frost or Glaze and Enjoy!

Let the rolls cool slightly before frosting. Whether you opt for the creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting or a simple vanilla glaze, spreading it on while warm helps it melt into every soft nook. Believe me, this final touch makes all the difference.

Top Tip

From many batches and plenty of taste tests, I’ve learned the best way to get truly soft gluten-free cinnamon rolls is in the handling and timing. Here are a few tips I swear by:

The Right Flour: Don’t substitute your gluten-free bread flour. King Arthur’s blend gives the right balance of absorbency and elasticity.
Warm Your Ingredients: Room temperature eggs and warm liquids help the yeast activate more reliably.
Be Patient with Rising: Don’t rush the rise times. Your rolls will be denser if they don’t get that proper proof.
Don’t Skip the Butter Layers: The double butter treatment—both in dough and filling—keeps rolls moist and flavorful.

How to Serve Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

gluten-free cinnamon rolls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it classic with just a drizzle of extra cream cheese frosting or vanilla glaze. Sometimes for a touch of color and crunch, I sprinkle chopped pecans or a few dried cranberries on top. It adds a lovely festive flair without overpowering the cinnamon flavor.

Side Dishes

Pair your cinnamon rolls with a cup of rich coffee or spiced chai for a cozy brunch. On special mornings, I love serving them alongside fresh fruit or a light yogurt parfait to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holidays, I arrange these rolls in a circular shape on a cake stand and dust lightly with powdered sugar for a "cinnamon roll cake" effect. Tucking in some edible flowers or fresh mint leaves around makes for a surprisingly elegant presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days—though honestly, they rarely last that long in my house! If you want to keep them softer longer, storing them in the fridge wrapped well works too, but I recommend gently warming before serving.

Freezing

This Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe freezes beautifully. After baking and cooling completely, I wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap, then place all rolls in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months and thaw quickly overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

When reheating, I pop the rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm them in a low oven (300°F) covered with foil to avoid drying out. Then add fresh frosting or glaze for that fresh-baked feel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular gluten-free flour instead of King Arthur Gluten-Free Bread Flour?

This recipe is specifically tested with King Arthur Gluten-Free Bread Flour because it provides the right texture and elasticity needed for soft rolls. Using other gluten-free flours may yield denser, crumblier results, so I recommend sticking to this flour for the best outcome.

How do I ensure the yeast activates properly in gluten-free dough?

Using warm (not hot) milk and water, along with room-temperature eggs, helps activate the yeast efficiently. Also, letting the dough rest in a warm, draft-free place will encourage yeast to do its work. Patience during rise time is key!

Can I make these cinnamon rolls dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the whole milk with a dairy-free alternative like coconut or almond milk, and use a dairy-free butter substitute. For frosting, you can try a vegan cream cheese or simply a powdered sugar glaze with nondairy milk and vanilla.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover gluten-free cinnamon rolls?

To keep them soft and moist, reheat leftovers briefly in the microwave (20-30 seconds) or in a low oven (300°F) covered with foil. Adding fresh frosting or glaze after warming really brings them back to that fresh-baked experience.

Final Thoughts

Making this Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe felt like rediscovering a favorite classic all over again, but this time, safe for gluten-sensitive friends and family. The joy of sharing warm, fluffy cinnamon rolls without compromise is something I hope you get to experience too. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll be your go-to recipe whenever cinnamon roll cravings strike!