Soft & Fluffy Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

Name: Soft & Fluffy Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups powdered sugar; 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; 4 ounces butter, room temperature; 3 tablespoons butter, softened; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 2 tablespoons cinnamon; 4 1/3 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour with xanthan gum (divided; we use GF Jules); 1 package active dry yeast (2 teaspoons); 1 cup milk (skim, whole, or dairy-free all work); 1 cup mashed, cooked potato; Prep note: Peel and cube a potato. Boil 15–20 minutes until soft, drain, then mash with a fork. If preparing ahead, store in the refrigerator.; 5 tablespoons of butter or dairy-free butter, cut into pieces; 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 large eggs; Canola oil or oil of choice for greasing pan and plastic wrap

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls Ingredients

Cinnamon Rolls

All-purpose gluten-free flour with xanthan gum (I use GF Jules)
1 package active dry yeast
Milk (skim, whole, or dairy-free all work)
Mashed, cooked potato
5 tablespoons of butter or dairy-free butter, cut into pieces
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Salt
Eggs
Oil of choice for greasing the pan and plastic wrap

Filling

Butter, softened
Brown sugar
Cinnamon

Frosting

Powdered sugar
Cream cheese, room temperature
Butter, room temperature

How to Make Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls (Step-By-Step)

Prep the pan and filling

Generously grease a 13×9-inch baking dish or pan with canola oil (for half a recipe, use a 9×7 pan or pie pan). Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon, stirring them together with a fork. Set aside.

Start the dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the gluten-free flour and the yeast. Set aside.

Warm the wet mixture

In a medium saucepan, heat and stir together the milk, mashed potato, butter, granulated sugar, and salt until warm, about 120–130°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, it’s warm enough when the butter just melts.

Mix

Add the warmed mixture to the flour-yeast bowl along with the eggs.
Using an electric mixer (paddle attachment if using a stand mixer), mix on low–medium for 30 seconds, scraping the bowl as needed. Then mix on medium–high for 1 minute until well combined and smooth.

Add the remaining flour and knead

Switch to the dough/kneading hook if using a stand mixer. Add the remaining flour gradually (for example: 1.5 cups, then 1 cup, then 1/3 cup), mixing just until a soft, pliable dough forms. Do not overmix.
Dough cues: It should be well combined, soft and pliable, and not sticky. Depending on your climate, you may not need the final 1/3 cup; go by feel.

Roll it out

On a silicone rolling mat (no extra flour needed) or a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into an 18×12-inch rectangle. Aim for even thickness. For half a recipe, roll to a 12×9-inch rectangle.

Fill and roll

Spread the softened 3 tablespoons of butter over the rectangle.
Sprinkle the brown sugar–cinnamon mixture evenly, leaving a 1-inch strip unfilled along one long side.
Starting from the long side with filling, tightly roll into a spiral. Pinch the seam to seal.

Cut and arrange

Slice into 12 equal pieces (about 1 1/2 inches thick). For extra-large rolls, cut into 9 pieces (about 2 inches thick). For half a recipe, cut into 6 pieces.
Arrange in the prepared pan, ensuring the sides of the rolls are ever-so-slightly coated with the pan’s oil.

Rise

Cover the pan with a well-oiled piece of plastic wrap and then a clean kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until nearly doubled in size. A kitchen cabinet or unheated oven can work well.

Bake

As the dough nears the end of its rise, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Remove covers and bake 30–35 minutes until golden brown and the center reaches about 200°F.

Cool and frost

Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan, if desired. Spread frosting over the warm rolls. Serve and enjoy!
Best served warm and on the day of baking.

Make-Ahead (Rise Today, Bake Tomorrow)

Make the dough, shape the rolls, and complete the 1-hour rise.
Keep the pan covered with well-oiled plastic wrap plus a layer of foil and refrigerate up to 18 hours.
Before baking, bring to room temperature on the countertop for 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 350°F. Remove foil and plastic wrap and bake as directed.

Frosting

In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and well combined. A stand mixer makes this process quick and easy.

Soft gluten-free cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven

Tips for Gluten-Free Success

Use a blend with xanthan gum: The structure matters; GF Jules is a great choice. If your blend doesn’t include xanthan gum, the dough will be fragile.
Don’t over-flour: The dough should be soft and pliable, not stiff. Too much flour leads to dry, crumbly rolls.
Cut cleanly: Unflavored dental floss or a very sharp knife helps slice without squishing the spiral.
Dairy-free swaps: Use dairy-free butter and your favorite unsweetened dairy-free milk. For frosting, use dairy-free cream cheese or make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and a splash of milk plus vanilla.
Cross-contact caution: If you’re baking for someone with celiac disease, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free where needed, and avoid shared utensils/surfaces with wheat flour.

FAQs for Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

Are Pillsbury cinnamon rolls gluten-free?

No. Pillsbury’s classic refrigerated cinnamon rolls contain wheat and are not gluten-free. As of recent product lines, Pillsbury does not offer a gluten-free refrigerated cinnamon roll.

Do Annie’s cinnamon rolls have gluten?

Yes. Annie’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls with Icing are made with wheat flour and are not gluten-free. Annie’s does offer some gluten-free products in other categories, but their cinnamon rolls are not one of them.

Does Cinnabon have anything gluten-free?

Cinnabon does not offer gluten-free cinnamon rolls or baked pastries. While beverages may not contain gluten ingredients, there’s a high risk of cross-contact in their bakeries. If you must avoid gluten, it’s safest to skip their baked goods.

What Pillsbury products are gluten-free?

Availability changes over time and by region. Pillsbury’s refrigerated doughs (cookies, rolls, crescent rolls) generally contain wheat. Some Pillsbury mixes and frostings have been labeled gluten-free at various times (for example, certain Funfetti cake mixes and select canned frostings), but offerings can change. Always check the current packaging for a “gluten-free” label and review the ingredient list; contact the manufacturer if you need confirmation for medical reasons.

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Yield: 12 Rolls