By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On April 19, 2023

A homemade Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls recipe that is simple to make and bakes into the best Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls. These from-scratch gluten-free cinnamon rolls are tender and fluffy. They are topped with a buttery cream cheese frosting that makes them irresistible.

What we're covering in this post: Ingredients needed for gluten-free cinnamon rolls, how to make gluten-free cinnamon rolls, tips for making gluten-free cinnamon rolls, working with gluten-free flours, dairy-free options for gluten-free cinnamon rolls, and how to make gluten-free cinnamon rolls ahead of time.

Want more indulgent gluten-free recipes? Indulge in the warm, gooey goodness of Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Cake that's so easy to make and perfect for breakfast or dessert. If you want something with slightly more texture, try this Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread, perfect for toasting or making a delicious French toast. And when you want pancakes, whip up some Gluten-Free Pancake Mix to satisfy your cravings. And if you're a fan of donuts, you can't go wrong with the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Donuts that are baked to perfection and topped with a sweet cinnamon sugar coating. Trust us, these gluten-free recipes are so delicious you won't even know they're gluten-free!

If you're looking for a delicious and unique dessert option, you should definitely try Nothing Bundt Cakes for its mouthwatering flavors and exceptional quality.

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

You guys have been asking me for a Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls recipe. I can't wait for you to have one of these warm cinnamon rolls slathered with buttercream icing or cream cheese frosting.

GF Cinnamon Rolls are a delicious breakfast or brunch treat and are especially amazing for Christmas or other special occasions. 

This cinnamon rolls recipe is based on the same flours I use in my Best Gluten-Free Bread Recipe. If you're in a pinch for time, you might want to make my Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Cake, Gluten-Free Rolls, or Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake. 

If you love cinnamon, try our amazing Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread recipe next.

I've been testing this recipe for gluten-free cinnamon rolls for about two years now, but until I made my gluten-free bread recipe earlier this year, I wasn't quite happy with the flour combination. But now I am excited to say that this is by far the best gluten-free cinnamon roll that I've had to date. I believe I have perfected the gluten-free cinnamon rolls recipe. 

This tested combination of gluten-free flours, sugar, butter, cinnamon, and yeast created a tender, fluffy cinnamon roll that's gluten-free AND it's still tender days after (when reheated).

Why You’re Going to Love These Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

Simple to make - not only are they a breeze to whip up, but they are also incredibly easy to enjoy, as they are designed to be a stress-free indulgence that you can savor without any worries.

Gluten-free - these cinnamon rolls are completely gluten-free, which means that even if you are sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease, you can still relish in the deliciousness without any negative repercussions.

Fluffy and tender - these heavenly treats are the best fluffy cinnamon rolls and are so tender, with a perfect balance of sweetness and spice that will tantalize your taste buds with every bite.

Make them ahead - if you're short on time or just want to plan ahead, you can make the dough in advance to have freshly baked cinnamon rolls whenever you desire.

Freeze well - if you're worried about being unable to consume them all at once, don't worry - you can always freeze them for later, which means you'll have a delightful treat waiting for you whenever you want!

Ingredients in Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

For the Dough: 

Milk - The milk used to proof the yeast should be between 95 and 100°F. You'll also need cold milk to make the icing. Water or non-dairy milk can be substituted. 

Quick Rising Yeast - One packet of yeast is the perfect amount to make this dough rise and get nice and airy. 

Sugar - Some sugar feeds the yeast and gets it working for us. More sugar is added to the dough for sweetness. 

White Rice Flour - This finely milled flour has a neutral flavor.

Tapioca Starch - This flour is a thickener, holding the dough together. 

Millet Flour - I love baking with millet flour! It has a sweet and nutty flavor and a light texture. 

Xanthan Gum - This is a popular additive to gluten-free baked goods because it helps to replicate some of the properties of gluten. 

Baking Powder - The baking powder works with the yeast for additional fluffiness, allowing the rolls to rise. I have not used apple cider vinegar.

Salt - I always add some salt to my baking recipes. It brings out the sweetness.

Butter- Your butter should be melted and cooled to room temperature before adding it to the other ingredients. 

Egg - While eggs aren't always required in bread, it helps a lot in this recipe by holding everything together. 

Vanilla Extract - The flavor of vanilla extract is beautiful with the cinnamon filling. 

Cinnamon Roll Filling - Room temperature butter, white sugar (not light brown sugar), and ground cinnamon bring all of the warm, sweet flavors. 

Icing - I'm sharing two recipes in the recipe card; you can choose your favorite. Buttercream and cream cheese are amazing on these GF cinnamon rolls. You'll need powdered sugar, milk, butter, vanilla extract, and cream cheese if you prefer it. 

Equipment Needed for This Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

Mixing Bowls - Used for combining and mixing ingredients.

Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer - Used to mix the traditional cinnamon roll dough and beat the filling.

Rolling Pin - Used for rolling out the dough.

Pastry Brush - You will use this to brush the dough with melted butter.

9x13 inch Baking pan- Used for baking regular cinnamon rolls. You can use a baking pan or dish.

Parchment Paper - Used for lining the baking dish to prevent the cinnamon rolls from sticking.

Plastic Wrap - The plastic wrap covers the dough and lets it rise.

If you have any questions about making Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls, please leave a comment, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

How to Make Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

1. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and the yeast to your heated milk (or water) and give it a quick stir. Set it aside to proof for 8-10 minutes, but no longer.
2. In a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer and a large mixing bowl), add the white rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch (not flour), millet flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt. See below for other flour options. Turn the mixer on low and mix until all the dry ingredients are combined.
3. Add the remaining ⅓ cup of sugar, a yeast-proof mixture of melted softened butter, egg, and vanilla, and mix for 3 minutes on medium speed.
4. Turn the mixer off, scrap the side of the bowl, and cover the dough with a light towel. Let the dough rise for 1 hour in a warm place. If you are in a colder environment, use your oven in a low or "proof" setting.
5. Once your dough has risen, spray a spoon or spatula with oil and transfer the dough from the bowl to a piece of well-oiled parchment paper or wax paper.
6. Using oiled hands, gently spread the dough into a 10X13 rectangle. The dough will be about ½ inch thick once spread. Do not press on the dough too hard, or you'll release the air pockets.
7. Brush the top of the dough with ¼ cup of melted butter, leaving about ½ inch around the edges butter-free.
8. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the butter.
9. Using the edge of the parchment or wax paper, slowly roll the dough toward you. Continue tucking and rolling the dough toward you until you reach the bottom and have a log.
10. Using an oiled sharp knife, slice the dough log in half, then quarters, and finally, thirds until you have 12 even slices.
11. Transfer the cinnamon roll slices to a well-oiled 9X13 pan using your knife or a spatula. Cover the pan with a light towel and let it rise for 30 minutes. Once the cinnamon rolls have risen, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
12. Bake for 20-22 minutes until the cinnamon rolls start to brown and the center is cooked through.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. Please see the recipe below for the complete ingredient list and instructions.

See, that wasn't so bad. You can honestly have these gluten-free cinnamon rolls rising in no time. Cinnamon rolls have never been a quick recipe, but if you follow my tips below and make this as-is, you'll see that it just takes a little rising time and patience.

Tips For Making Gluten-free Cinnamon Rolls

Heat the milk - Heat your milk to between 95-110 degrees for best results. Any hotter, and you will kill the yeast. If the temperature is too low, the yeast won't grow.

Proof it - Let your yeast mixture proof for 8-10 minutes; no longer! If your yeast sinks and doesn't start to rise, either your yeast expired or is bad, or you didn't bring the milk to the correct temperature.

Hand mixer - You can use a hand mixer, but the dough will be thick. The dough will be sticky and soft. Make sure to use oiled hands when spreading the dough, and don't press too hard on the dough.

Dough rise - Allow the dough to rise for the specified time.

Oil your knife - Use an oiled knife when cutting the dough log into 12 pieces. If you want larger cinnamon rolls, cut the dough log into 9 equal cinnamon rolls instead of 12.

Use specified sugar - I have not tested this gluten-free cinnamon roll recipe using coconut sugar or other sugars, but if I do I will update this post.

Tips for making perfect gluten-free yeasted dough

Ensure you have time - Working with dough takes time. That's also one of the most important lessons about baking with yeast: yeast takes time to grow. Remember that if the environment is cooler, the yeast will continue to grow, although it will grow much slower. On the other hand, extremely high temperatures or extremely low temperatures will kill the yeast. 

Temperature matters - Working with the dough when it's cold is easier. If you have enough time, place the raw dough in a tightly sealed container and put it in a freezer for at least 30 minutes before you start working with it. When the dough is about 50% larger than when it started rising, you can consider it fully risen. The dough will also become overly soft and start to get pock-marked before it doubles in size. 

Enough moisture - Another great tip for making the perfect dough is moisture content. If the dough isn't moist enough, the yeast won't grow as it thrives in a wet environment. That's why you should always cover the shaped dough with oiled plastic wrap as it rises. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Store Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls?

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.

Can I Double This Recipe For Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls?

Yes, if you have a large stand mixer, you can double this gluten-free cinnamon roll recipe! If you don't have a stand mixer, you can make two batches one after another to ensure your ingredients are evenly combined. 

What Variations Can I Make To These Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls?

Here are some variations of the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll recipe that you could try:

• Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls - Add pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice to the filling mixture. Top with cream cheese frosting.
• Apple Cinnamon Rolls - Add grated apple and cinnamon to the filling mixture. Top with caramel icing.
• Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls - Add chocolate chips and cocoa powder to the filling mixture. Top with chocolate glaze.
• Lemon Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls - Add blueberries and lemon zest to the filling mixture. Top with cream cheese frosting and fresh blueberries.
• Nutella Cinnamon Rolls - Spread Nutella on top of the filling mixture before rolling up the dough. Top with hazelnut icing.

These are just a few examples, but you can get creative and come up with your own unique flavor combinations as well. Just make sure that any ingredients you use are gluten-free if you want to keep the recipe gluten-free.

Can I Freeze GF Cinnamon Rolls?

Once you are done baking your gluten-free cinnamon buns, you can cool them completely and freeze them before adding the frosting. To reheat them, try letting the defrost at room temperature until they're no longer frozen in the center, and then sprinkle them with some water. You can reheat your gluten cinnamon rolls in a 275°F oven. 

Why Isn’t My Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Dough Rising?

Working with dough takes time. Ensure you cover your dough properly to avoid drying it out and wait for it to rise. 

Why Did My Gluten-Free Cinnamon Buns Come Out Dense?

If your gluten-free cinnamon buns come out dense, you either added too much flour during shaping or didn't let the dough rise long enough before baking. 

Why Are My Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls So Dry?

One of the reasons could be that your gluten-free cinnamon rolls were overbaked. If this is not the case, they could be too dense. But don't worry, because the more cinnamon buns you make, the better they turn out!

How Do You Work With Gluten-Free Flours?

When working with or measuring gluten-free flour, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level.

Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour. The best method really is to weigh the gluten-free flour.

I've included weight measurements for the flours in the gluten-free cinnamon roll recipe card below.

What Substitutions / Replacements Can I Make in This Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls?

Milk - You can use any type of milk you prefer in this recipe, such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk.

Yeast - If you don't have active dry yeast, you can use instant yeast instead. Just remember that the rising time may be shorter with instant yeast.

Sugar - You can use any type of sugar, such as coconut or brown sugar. I have not tried these yet.

Cinnamon - You can adjust the amount of cinnamon to your liking or use other spices, such as cardamom or nutmeg, for a different flavor.

For diet-specific adjustments, view the next questions.

How Do You Make Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls?

To make these gluten-free cinnamon rolls dairy free, you can use water in place of the milk and dairy-free butter in place of the butter.

If you make the cream cheese frosting instead of the buttercream frosting, use dairy-free cream cheese.

How Do I Make These Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Egg-Free?

Many readers have successfully used Bob's Red Mill egg replacer for egg-free and gluten-free cinnamon rolls. 

How Do I Make Vegan Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls?

If you combine the egg and dairy-free recipes for your gluten-free cinnamon rolls, you will get rid of all ingredients that derive from animals, and you will get vegan cinnamon rolls. 

What Can I Serve My Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls With?

Here are some serving suggestions for gluten-free cinnamon rolls:

• Frosting - You can top your cinnamon rolls with a frosting of your choice. Cream cheese frosting, vanilla glaze, or caramel sauce are popular options.
• Fresh fruits - Pair your cinnamon rolls with fresh fruits like berries or sliced bananas to balance the sweetness.
• Coffee or tea - Enjoy your cinnamon rolls with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy breakfast or afternoon snack.
• Ice cream - Warm up your cinnamon rolls and serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
• Nuts - Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts over the top of your cinnamon rolls for a crunchy texture.

Which Yeast Is Best For Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls?

Active dry yeast and instant yeast are the most common types of yeast used for baking. Both types are gluten-free! I recommend using Red Star Quick·Rise instant yeast or Fleischmann’s RapidRise yeast.

What To Do If Gluten-free Cinnamon Roll Dough Is Too Sticky?

Add one tablespoon of flour if your GF cinnamon roll dough appears too sticky. If the dough is still too sticky, add one tablespoon at a time until the dough becomes tacky. 

Are Cinnamon Rolls Gluten-Free?

No. Only cinnamon rolls that are specifically made according to a gluten-free recipe are gluten-free. 

What Gluten-free Flour To Use For Making Gluten-free Cinnamon Rolls?

This recipe works best with the combination of flours I designed the recipe with. I've also tested this recipe with off-the-shelf gluten-free flour blends.

The following blends work well with this recipe but yield slightly different results.

• 2 ½ cups Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour (Not the Gluten Free All Purpose Flour) + omit the xanthan gum from the recipe
• 2 ½ cups King Arthur Gluten Free Flour
• 2 ½ cups Namaste Gluten Free Flour  + omit the xanthan gum from the recipe

If you bravely use a different flour mix, you do so without me properly testing it. Leave me a comment if you do, and let me know how the gluten-free flour blend worked. 

Can I Make A Gluten-free Cinnamon Roll Mix In Advance?

You can make this gluten-free dough the night before and bake it in the morning. Let the rolls rest and rise for 30 minutes, then cover the tray and place it in the fridge. Before baking, allow the rolls to sit out at room temperature for 2 hours. 

Baked gluten-free cinnamon rolls can also be frozen. When you want to enjoy a cinnamon roll, pull one or more out and let them thaw. Heat in the microwave or toaster oven, and enjoy! My girls actually put the frozen rolls directly into the microwave. The icing melts that way, but they don't seem to mind! 

What Toppings Can I Place On My Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls?

See the recipe card for two simple recipes. You can make a vanilla buttercream or a vanilla cream cheese frosting. Both are deliciously drizzled over these rolls. Make extra if you like a lot of icing on your cinnamon rolls. 

Gluten-free cinnamon rolls can taste as good as non-gluten-free ones and be just as fluffy. You just need a good cinnamon roll recipe (like this one!), quality ingredients, and the patience to let your cinnamon rolls rise.

If you love cinnamon rolls, you might want to try these Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Donuts. For a grain-free option, try these Paleo & Keto Cinnamon Rolls. Please let me know if you have any questions about these gluten-free cinnamon rolls. For another classic breakfast, try my Gluten-Free Pop Tarts.

Did you make these gluten-free cinnamon rolls? Please leave a comment below and let me know what you thought. Did you make 12 cinnamon rolls or 9 big cinnamon rolls?