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 (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)

There's something utterly magical about waking up to a warm, gooey batch of cinnamon rolls, and with this Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, you don't have to miss out just because you're avoiding gluten. These rolls are pillow-soft and bursting with cinnamon goodness — perfect for treating yourself or impressing guests without the gluten worries.

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’ve tried so many gluten-free cinnamon roll recipes that came out dry or crumbly, but this one? It’s a game changer. The dough is soft, stretchy, and easy to work with, leaving you with rolls that pull apart just like the classic version you remember.

Unbelievably Soft Texture: Thanks to King Arthur’s gluten-free bread flour, these rolls stay tender and fluffy without falling apart.
Generous Cinnamon Filling: The perfect balance of brown sugar and cinnamon means every bite is full of warm, spicy sweetness.
Customizable Toppings: You can choose between a classic cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze to match your mood or occasion.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Whether you want to freeze them or prep the dough the night before, this recipe is flexible and convenient.

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

What really makes this Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe stand out is the thoughtful combination of ingredients that create a dough that’s soft but not sticky, sturdy enough to roll, yet tender once baked.

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 is the heart of the dough — trust me, don’t swap this one out. It holds the rolls together while keeping them soft.
Instant yeast: Makes for a quick and reliable rise with less fuss.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness and richness.
Baking powder: Adds a little extra lift for that fluffy texture.
Warm whole milk & water: The warmth activates yeast, while milk adds tenderness and flavor.
Eggs: Help bind everything and keep the rolls moist.
Butter (melted and softened): Adds richness to the dough and helps with spreading the filling.
Brown sugar & ground cinnamon: The classic filling flavors you want lots of in every roll.
Powdered sugar, heavy cream, cream cheese, vanilla extract: These come together into either a luscious frosting or glaze, your choice!

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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 the things I love most about this Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is how adaptable it is. After making it a few times, I started playing with different fillings and frostings to suit my family's preferences—and you can too!

Variation: I sometimes swap the classic cinnamon filling for a combination of melted butter, chopped pecans, and maple syrup—it's delicious and gives a lovely crunch.
Dairy-Free Option: Try swapping the butter for a dairy-free margarine and using coconut cream in the frosting to make it vegan-friendly (though the texture may vary slightly).
Extra Spice: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar mix adds a warm complexity that's great for autumn mornings.

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

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by warming your milk and water until they're pleasantly warm to the touch (around 110°F). Mix in the yeast and give it about 5 minutes to bloom—it should get foamy on top. Meanwhile, whisk together the gluten-free flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a big bowl. Add the eggs, melted butter, and the yeast mixture, and mix it until a smooth dough forms. It’ll be a bit stickier than traditional wheat dough, but that’s okay! Resist the urge to add more flour—this dough is meant to be soft.

Step 2: First Rise

Cover your dough bowl with a clean kitchen towel and set it somewhere warm for about an hour. It should puff up nicely, almost doubling in size. This resting period is where the magic happens, allowing the yeast to work its magic and create those soft, airy rolls.

Step 3: Roll & Fill

Lightly flour your surface with gluten-free flour and gently roll out the dough into a rectangle about 10x15 inches. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface, then sprinkle on your cinnamon and brown sugar mixture—don’t be shy here; generous filling equals happier rolls. Roll it up tightly like a jelly roll, then slice into 12 even rolls.

Step 4: Final Rise & Bake

Place the sliced rolls into a greased baking dish and cover again to rise for about 30 minutes while you preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Let them cool for a bit before adding your frosting or glaze.

Top Tip

I've learned a few things over the many batches I’ve made that really help perfect this Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. These tips will save you from common pitfalls and boost your confidence with the dough.

Trust the Flour: I used to try swapping in other gluten-free flours and ended up with crumbly rolls; stick with King Arthur gluten-free bread flour for the best results.
Don't Over-Flour the Surface: The dough is naturally sticky, but adding too much flour when rolling will make the rolls dry—use just enough to prevent sticking.
Keep Butter Soft For Filling: Using very soft but not melted butter makes spreading easier and keeps the filling nicely gooey.
Don’t Skip the Final Rise: That 30-minute second proof gives you rolls that are light and fluffy, so be patient—it’s worth the wait!

How to Serve Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

gluten free cinnamon rolls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For me, nothing beats a thick smear of cream cheese frosting on top while the rolls are still warm. Sometimes I toss a few chopped pecans or a dusting of cinnamon powder over the frosting for that little extra touch. If you want something lighter, a drizzle of simple powdered sugar glaze works beautifully.

Side Dishes

I love pairing these cinnamon rolls with freshly brewed coffee or a big cup of chai tea to complement the warm spices. For a brunch spread, add some fresh fruit salad or yogurt parfaits for a nice balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like serving these cinnamon rolls stacked on a tiered cake stand to make them feel fancy. Or, bake them in individual ramekins for personal servings—perfect for gifting or a cozy breakfast-in-bed moment!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These rolls stay nicely soft in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, but I usually pop them in the fridge if I want them to last longer—up to a week.

Freezing

I often freeze fully baked rolls—unwrap and cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container or freezer bag. When you want a treat, just thaw overnight and warm in the oven for about 10 minutes.

Reheating

To reheat, I like wrapping the rolls in foil and warming them at 300°F for 10-15 minutes. This keeps them moist without drying out. You can also microwave them for a quick 20 seconds, but the oven method gives better texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute a different gluten-free flour?

For this Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, I strongly recommend using King Arthur Gluten-Free Bread Flour. It’s specially formulated to mimic the texture of wheat bread flour, so swapping it can result in rolls that are too crumbly or dense.

Why is my dough sticky? Is it supposed to be?

Yes! Gluten-free dough tends to be stickier than traditional wheat dough. Resist the urge to add lots of flour, as this can make your rolls dry. Use just a little flour for dusting the surface to roll out the dough.

Can I make the rolls ahead and bake them later?

Absolutely! After rolling and slicing the dough, you can cover the cinnamon rolls and refrigerate them overnight. The next morning, allow them to come to room temperature and rise for about 30 minutes before baking. This makes for an easy, fresh breakfast with minimal morning effort.

What frosting do you recommend for these cinnamon rolls?

I’m a big fan of the cream cheese frosting included in this recipe for a rich and tangy finish. However, if you prefer something lighter, a simple powdered sugar glaze with vanilla is a great alternative that still complements the cinnamon flavor beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Making this Soft Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe was a joyful journey for me, and I hope it becomes your go-to as well. It’s genuinely satisfying to have such a soft, comforting cinnamon roll that's gluten-free without compromise. Trust me—you deserve to start a morning (or any day!) with a warm, homemade cinnamon roll, and now you have the perfect recipe to do just that.