This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
These golden-baked tasty cinnamon roll bites are soft and delicious with that sticky, caramelized brown-sugar filling we all love. They are bite-sized, yet every bit as tasty, fluffy, and gooey as regular cinnamon rolls.
I love making the rolls for brunches and family gatherings along with my easy buttermilk scones, and they are always the first to disappear. Theย recipeย yields about 40 bites, making them perfect for busy mornings, lunchboxes, or snacks throughout the day. Theyโre also freezer-friendly, just like my freezer-friendly pancake muffins.
They are made fromย scratchย and will need time to prove, however, I share a fewย tricksย below for those days youโre running short on time.
โค๏ธ Why Youโll Love Cinnamon Roll Bites
- Fluffy and light rolls.
- Delicious snack.
- Freezer-friendly.
- Great size for lunchboxes and when youโre on the go (like these easy breakfast muffins)
Key Ingredients
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!ย
- Yeast: Fresh or dry.
- Greek yogurt: I prefer 10% fat, but use what you like.
- Egg: Medium-sized. Plus an extra egg for the egg wash.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted and cubed.
- Plain white flour: All purpose flour. I donโt sieve it.
- Filling: I use dark brown sugar, softened butter, and cinnamon (pictured below) to make a simple cinnamon roll filling which caramelizes as it bakes.
Possible Variations
- Plain white flour: Swap for whole wheat flour.
- Maple syrup: Cane sugar, brown sugar, or honey.
- Greek yogurt: Try creme fraiche.
- Eggwash: Milk, coffee, heavy cream, or melted butter.
- Topping: Sprinkle with pearl sugar, sugar syrup, frosting, or powdered sugar.
- Filling: Add chocolate chips, vanilla extract, melted chocolate, Nutella, chopped walnuts, pecans, pistachios, apples, raisins, or sultanas.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Bites
- Prepare the dough: Mix the warm water with the yeast, add yogurt, egg, maple syrup, and salt. Add the flour bit by bit, and knead until you get a soft dough. Cover and let the dough prove for 1 hour.
- Prepare the filling: Mix brown sugar, softened butter, and cinnamon.
- Roll out the dough into a large rectangle about 6 mm (1/4th inch) thick. Spread out the filling on top. Divide lengthwise into three equal sections. Fold up the sections and cut into rolls. Place the rolls carefully onto a lined baking sheet. Cover with a damp towel and prove for 1 hour.
- Brush the rolls with egg wash and bake in a 180ยฐC (356ยฐF) preheated oven for about 10 minutes until golden.
Serving Suggestion
Top the rolls with a simple glaze. To make the glaze, mix a few tablespoons of powdered sugar with a tiny bit of milk at a time until you have a runny consistency.
Sineโs Tips for Success
- Place the rolls finger width apart on your baking sheet, to minimize the filling leaking out.
- Cover the rolls with a damp kitchen towel when proving.
- Be sure not to overproof, as the result can be dry rolls.
I Need a Short Cut!
Use store-bought crescent, puff pastry, or pizza dough to save time and make these rolls in around 25 minutes. And if you like shortcut recipes, my easy puff pastry cookies are not one to miss.
How to Store Leftovers
Keep leftover cinnamon roll bites in an airtight container or zip-lock bag at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or in the fridge for 5 days. Or freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Leave them at room temperature for about 1 hour to thaw completely.
Cinnamon Roll Bites FAQs
The longer you knead it, the less sticky it will become. However, you can add a tablespoon of flour at a time until itโs easier to work with.
It helps make add moisture to the dough, and keeps it tasting fresh for longer.
Heat them in a 100ยฐC (212ยฐF) oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
You can. Try 2ร30 minutes if you are in a rush.
More Suggested Sweet Bakesโฆ
If you make this recipe or any other recipe on Foodbites, then I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment and rating below.
Cinnamon Roll Bites
Equipment
Ingredientsย
Dough
- 50 ml water, lukewarm
- 25 grams fresh yeast, or 7 grams active dry yeast
- 150 grams Greek yogurt
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 50 grams butter, cubed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 350 grams plain white flour
Eggwash
- 1 egg
Filling
- 100 grams butter
- 75 grams brown sugar, dark
- 1.5 tablespoons cinnamon
Instructionsย
- Mix lukewarm water and yeast in a large bowl until the yeast is dissolved.
- Add 1 egg, Greek yogurt, the butter cubes, maple syrup, and sea salt.
- Mix with a wooden spoon.
- Then, add in the flour a little at a time and knead into a soft dough (it will be slightly sticky).
- Cover with a kitchen towel and allow it to rise for 1 hour.
- Mix the ingredients for the filling.
- Roll out the dough into a large rectangle on a sheet of parchment paper about 6 mm (1/4th inch) thick.
- Spread the filling onto the dough.
- Trim the rectangle into three symmetrical sections lengthwise.
- Fold each top and bottom section towards the center so they overlap.
- Pinch the dough with your fingers to seal it shut.
- Repeat with the other two rectangles.
- Thin out the rolls so they are 1 inch wide.
- Cut the long strips into 2-3 cm (1 inch) pieces.
- Arrange the rolls 2-3 cm apart (1 inch) on a lined baking sheet or two with the 'neat' side facing up.
- Cover with a damp tea towel and let them rise for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 180ยฐC (356ยฐF).
- Brush the rolls with egg wash.
- Bake for 10 minutes until golden.
Video
Notes
- If the dough seems too sticky, knead it a bit longer until itโs easier to work with. If that doesnโt help, add a tablespoon of flour at a time.
- Keep the rolls about finger width apart on the baking sheet to prevent the filling from leaking.
- Cover the rolls with a damp kitchen towel when proving.
- For extra cinnamon bun flavor, top the cooled rolls with a simple glaze made with a few tablespoons of powdered sugar and a teaspoon of milk at a time until you have the perfect consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Youโll love these bites! They are perfect with a cup of tea!