Amazing gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe 12 soft rolls

March 7, 2026
Written By Eleanor Vance

Eleanor "Ellie" Vance is the heart and soul behind DeliceRecipe.com, dedicated to bringing deliciously easy recipes to every American home. Growing up with a rich tapestry of culinary influences from her grandmother's European traditions and her mother's American classics, Ellie developed a profound love for cooking and sharing food. After a successful career in marketing and communications, she channeled her passion and professional skills into creating DeliceRecipe. Her mission is to demystify cooking, making it an enjoyable and accessible experience for home cooks of all skill levels. Ellie meticulously develops and tests every recipe, ensuring they are not only bursting with flavor but also simple to follow using everyday ingredients. She believes that delicious meals shouldn't be complicated, and her approachable style and practical tips have made her a trusted culinary guide for countless American families.

Are you absolutely craving that gooey, buttery comfort of a classic cinnamon roll, but the thought of wheat flour sends you running? I totally get it! For years, I thought soft, fluffy, **yeast risen gluten free cinnamon rolls** were just a myth. But here at DeliceRecipe, Eleanor Vance’s core belief is that soul-satisfying food should always be accessible and reliable, even without gluten. Trust me on this one—we cracked the code. This isn’t just another sticky GF bake; this is the ultimate **gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe** designed to achieve that traditional, pillowy softness we all remember. Get ready for the **softest gluten free cinnamon rolls** you’ve ever managed to pull apart!

Why This is the Best gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe for Soft and Fluffy Results

The biggest headache with any **gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe** is beating that gritty, dense texture that plagues so many alternative flour bakes. We aren’t aiming for cake-style fluffiness; we want that true, satisfying chew of a great breakfast bun! That’s why the blend matters so much. You absolutely must use a high-quality, all-purpose gluten free flour that already contains xanthan gum. If you try to skip that binder, you’ll end up with crumbly disasters, not the **softest gluten free cinnamon rolls**.

This recipe is also unique because it respects the yeast. We aren’t just dumping everything in one bowl! Getting that beautiful rise is key to the air pockets that deliver the final softness. I’ve compared dozens of techniques, and this method gives you the **Best gluten free cinnamon rolls** hands down. When you compare it to my pumpkin bread recipe, you’ll see a similar attention to gentle mixing.

Expert Tips for Fluffy gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe Dough

Now, here’s where the contrast comes in. If this were wheat dough, you’d knead it until it was smooth and elastic, right? Forget that! Gluten free dough doesn’t develop gluten, anyway. Our goal is just combined. Once you mix the flour in, stop! If you overmix it, you risk making the final product tough. Your dough will look wetter and softer than wheat dough—that’s normal. It won’t feel like a bouncy ball; it’ll feel more like a very thick batter. Don’t be tempted to add cup after cup of extra flour just because it’s sticky. That stickiness is what keeps them tender!

Gathering Ingredients for Your gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe

Okay, let’s get serious about ingredients, because this is where we build flavor and texture right from the start. To make these **gluten free sweet rolls** truly amazing, you can’t just swap brands willy-nilly! We need specific things to wake up that yeast and give us a perfect lift. You’ll need soft butter, large eggs, white sugar for the dough, and that crucial warm milk. Don’t forget the filling ingredients—dark brown sugar makes such a difference against the cinnamon.

When it comes to the flour, this is non-negotiable: use a good quality gluten free all-purpose blend that already contains xanthan gum for structure. I know, I know, it seems like an extra step, but skipping the gum is the main reason GF dough fails! If you’re looking for tips on other ways to make amazing coatings, my ideas for cookie icing might give you some creative frosting inspiration down the line.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your gluten free sweet rolls

When you’re assembling your shopping list, pay close attention to the milk temperature. It needs to be warm, around 110°F, for the yeast to bloom happily. If it’s too cold, the yeast sleeps; too hot, and you cook it! Dead yeast equals flat rolls, and we can’t have that.

If you are heading down the substitution path for **dairy free gluten free cinnamon rolls option**, you’ll want a very firm vegan butter substitute for rolling out the filling, and a good quality non-dairy cream cheese if you plan on using the frosting recipe! Keep everything else the same, and you’ll find these **gluten free yeast rolls for breakfast** are still fantastic, just without the dairy.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Yeast risen gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe

Alright, here’s where the magic happens! Don’t panic when you read the instructions; we take this slow and gentle. Remember, unlike traditional dough, we aren’t going to be tossing this around. We are nurturing it! Following these exact steps is how we guarantee that wonderful rise needed for **yeast risen gluten free cinnamon rolls**.

First, make sure your yeast is bubbly—no foam, no go! Once that’s ready, you mix in your softened butter, sugar, and eggs. Then, we slowly introduce the dry ingredients. I always tell my friends: treat this dough like it’s made of tiny, delicate shortbread cookies that need to stick together, not like a strong bread dough. We mix until it just comes together into a shaggy mass, cover it up really well, and let it sit somewhere warm for just under an hour and a half until it looks puffy. It will never get super taut like wheat dough, but it should have gained some volume.

Managing the First Rise and Rolling the gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe Dough

When the dough is done rising, that’s when you need your parchment paper ready. Dust it generously with more gluten free flour—seriously, don’t skimp here, folks. Gently ease the dough out onto that paper. You are going to use your hands, maybe a rolling pin if you are feeling brave, to *press* the dough into a rough 12 by 16-inch rectangle. It might tear a little; just patch it up gently. Remember, we are aiming for consistency over perfection!

Next, take that buttery cinnamon filling you prepared and spread it everywhere! Don’t be shy; this is the flavor bomb. When you roll it up, start tight on one long side. If you need inspiration on cutting methods, I’ve experimented with some really fun shapes, like you can see on my Christmas tree cinnamon rolls tutorial. Use dental floss to slice the log into 12 even pieces. Lay those beauties into your greased 9×13 pan right away.

Baking and Achieving Perfect golden brown gluten free cinnamon rolls

After you’ve nestled them in the pan, cover them loosely again. They need one more little nap—a second rise—for about 30 minutes. This last puff is crucial for that soft texture. Go ahead and crank your oven to 375°F while they’re resting so it’s piping hot when it’s time!

Bake them for 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for that light golden color on top. Be careful not to overbake these, though! Since they are gluten free, they dry out faster than you think. Pull them when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out *mostly* clean with some moist crumbs attached. That slight dampness means they are gorgeously tender inside.

Making the Best cream cheese frosting for gluten free rolls

A cinnamon roll isn’t truly finished until it’s drowning in that tangy, sweet, glorious topping, right? When you’ve put this much effort into getting the **Best gluten free cinnamon rolls** texture, we can’t mess up the finish! Gritty frosting would just ruin the whole vibe. The secret to achieving the **Best cream cheese frosting for gluten free rolls** is really simple: make sure your fats (the cream cheese and butter) are perfectly softened, but not melty. We want them whipped, not liquid.

Start by beating those two components until they are impossibly smooth—like velvet. Then, only *then* do you slowly introduce the sifted powdered sugar. Sifting stops lumps before they even start, which is so important here! Once it’s almost mixed, you add vanilla and just a splash of milk or cream. Add that liquid one teaspoon at a time! If you dump it all in, you’ll end up with runny glaze, and we want a thick, luscious blanket to pour over those warm, fluffy buns. If you want to see my deep dive on getting frosting perfect every single time, check out my guide to the perfect cream cheese frosting here. This is what separates a good roll from a truly exceptional **gluten free comfort food recipe**!

Storage and Make ahead gluten free cinnamon buns Tips

I know sometimes the idea of waking up early to get **yeast risen gluten free cinnamon rolls** done feels like too much, especially during the holidays. That’s why I’m thrilled to share my secrets for the **Make ahead gluten free cinnamon buns**! This recipe is perfect for prepping the day before, which means all you have to do in the morning is preheat the oven.

Once you have cut your rolls and placed them snugly in that greased 9×13 pan, cover the whole thing super tightly with plastic wrap—I mean, really seal those edges. Pop the whole pan into the refrigerator. You can let them chill out there for up to 12 hours. They will still do a slow, cold proofing while they rest.

Now, here is the only adjustment you have to remember: if you bake them straight from the fridge, they will be quite cold in the center. So, you need to add about 5 to 10 extra minutes to that bake time mentioned earlier. Keep an eye on them, though! You still don’t want them to get dark brown.

What about leftovers? Because these rolls are so wonderfully moist due to the combination of flours we used, they keep really well. Store any leftover frosted buns in an airtight container at room temperature for about two days. If you need them to last longer, the fridge is fine, but they dry out a little faster there, so always reheat them! A quick 15 seconds in the microwave brings back that incredible soft texture we worked so hard for. It’s honestly just like they came right out of the oven, making them excellent for reheating the next day, much like my super moist pumpkin bread.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Your gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe

Even though we’ve made this **gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe** as foolproof as possible, sometimes baking throws a little curveball! Don’t panic if things look a little different than expected; we can usually fix it right up. If your rolls baked up super dense and heavy, nine times out of ten it’s because the dough didn’t get warm enough for that second rise. These **fluffy gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe** need heat to puff up!

Did you try to frost them while they were almost piping hot? If your cream cheese frosting turned out too thin and runny, that’s an easy fix! Just stick it in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up, or aggressively beat in a half cup more of sifted powdered sugar. Trust me, I’ve done it! I’ve also learned that cutting corners on greasing the pan leads to tragedy.

If your beautiful buns decided to glue themselves to the bottom of your 9×13 pan, that means the pan wasn’t greased quite enough, or you didn’t use that layer of parchment paper underneath the rolls as insurance. For next time, make sure you oil that pan well, or use parchment as a sling for easy lifting!

Frequently Asked Questions about this gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe

Can I use a different gluten free flour blend in this gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe?

That’s a fantastic question! Since flour blends vary so much, results can look different. The short answer is yes, you absolutely can try a different blend, and I talk all about this in my guide on baking with alternative flours. However, this recipe hinges on having that binder—xanthan gum. If your new blend *doesn’t* have xanthan gum listed in the ingredients, make sure you add about one teaspoon to the dry mix yourself. That little bit of gum is holding everything together for us, preventing a total collapse!

How do I ensure my gluten free holiday breakfast recipes are truly soft?

This is my favorite thing to talk about because soft rolls are the goal! You have to manage two things: temperature and baking time. Make absolutely sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start mixing things—cold ingredients will make the dough dense. Then, for the bake time, trust your eyes more than the clock. If you take them out when they look done but still feel slightly springy, the residual heat finishes the cooking without making them dry. That’s the trick for our **gluten free holiday breakfast recipes**!

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast for these gluten free yeast rolls for breakfast?

Yes, you certainly can! Instant yeast is often faster and a bit more forgiving, especially when working with alternative flours. If you choose instant yeast, you can skip step one entirely—no need to ‘proof’ it in warm milk. Just toss the instant yeast right in with your dry ingredients (the flour, salt, and baking powder) and proceed with the recipe when you mix the wet ingredients. It’s a wonderful shortcut when you need quick **gluten free yeast rolls for breakfast**!

Estimated Nutritional Information for One gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe Serving

Now, I know some of you are keeping track of macros, and that’s totally fine! Knowing what’s in our food helps us enjoy it even more, right? I pulled together the estimated breakdown for one of these beautiful, oversized **gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe** servings based on the ingredients we listed. Remember, because we are dealing with alternative flours and a generous amount of homemade frosting, these numbers reflect a truly indulgent **comfort food recipe gluten free** treat!

Please keep in mind that these figures are just an estimate. Exact values can change slightly depending on the specific brand of gluten free flour blend you choose or the exact amount of frosting you decide to slather on—and frankly, I hope you are generous with the frosting!

  • Serving Size: 1 roll
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Sugar: 45g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Sodium: 300mg

See? All those wonderful fats and sugars are what make these rolls taste so undeniably decadent! That’s what we want for our special occasion **gluten free brunch ideas**, isn’t it? Enjoy every single bite!

Share Your Homemade gluten free cinnamon swirls

There is truly nothing that makes me happier than knowing one of my tried-and-true recipes found its way into your kitchen and made somebody’s day a little sweeter! These **gluten free cinnamon swirls** are a labor of love, and I just can’t wait to hear how they turned out for you. Did they achieve that promised softness? Did the kids devour them before breakfast was even officially served?

Please, please don’t be shy! Head down to the comments section below and leave a rating for the recipe—a simple star rating helps other bakers who are nervous about tackling **gluten free baking for breakfast** feel more confident. Tell me your tweaks, share your wins, or ask any lingering questions that popped up during your process!

And if you managed to snap a photo of those sticky, frosted beauties fresh from the pan, I would absolutely love to see them! Tag me on social media so I can admire your work. When we share our successes, we make this whole community stronger. If you loved this recipe, I think you’d also adore my recipe for easy blueberry scones for another wonderful **gluten free brunch idea**. Happy baking, everyone!

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Softest Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Follow this reliable recipe for making soft, fluffy, yeast-risen gluten free cinnamon rolls that taste just like the traditional version. This recipe includes a simple, rich cream cheese frosting.

  • Author: ellievance
  • Prep Time: 30 min
  • Cook Time: 25 min
  • Total Time: 165 min
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar plus 1 teaspoon for yeast
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups high-quality gluten free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for filling)
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar (for filling)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for filling)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (for frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 12 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (for frosting consistency)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and the active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until combined. Add the yeast mixture and mix well.
  3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour blend, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Form the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Gluten free dough will not knead like wheat dough.
  5. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 60 to 90 minutes, or until it has nearly doubled in size.
  6. Prepare filling: While the dough rises, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl until it forms a paste. Set aside.
  7. Roll out the dough: Lightly dust a large piece of parchment paper with gluten free flour. Gently press or roll the dough out into a rough 12×16 inch rectangle. The dough will be delicate.
  8. Fill and roll: Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border on one long edge. Starting from the opposite long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log.
  9. Cut the rolls: Use unflavored dental floss or a sharp, floured knife to cut the log into 12 equal rolls. Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
  10. Second rise: Cover the pan loosely and let the rolls rise again in a warm place for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°F during this time.
  11. Bake: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown and cooked through.
  12. Make the frosting: While the rolls cool slightly, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter until smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk or cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach a spreadable consistency.
  13. Frost and serve: Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the warm cinnamon rolls.

Notes

  • For the softest texture, use a high-quality gluten free flour blend that contains ingredients like sorghum or millet, and make sure it includes xanthan gum.
  • If you need dairy free gluten free cinnamon rolls, substitute the butter with a firm vegan butter stick and use a non-dairy cream cheese for the frosting.
  • You can make these ahead: Assemble the rolls, place them in the pan, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours before the final rise and baking. Add 5-10 minutes to the bake time if baking directly from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 roll
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 45
  • Sodium: 300
  • Fat: 24
  • Saturated Fat: 15
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 55
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 5
  • Cholesterol: 75

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