These easy homemade cinnamon roll bites are made with frozen Rhodes dough, rolled in cinnamon sugar, baked with heavy cream, and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze for the ultimate soft and gooey treat. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this quick cinnamon roll bites recipe comes together fast and tastes even better than the ones from the bakery!
There’s just something extra delicious about cinnamon rolls made from scratch! I had always used the canned cinnamon rolls (you know the ones), but they just weren’t cutting it — the flavor and texture just didn’t compare. After finding this recipe, I’ll never go back. These easy cinnamon roll bites are made with frozen Rhodes dough, coated in rich cinnamon sugar, baked with heavy cream, and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze for irresistibly soft, gooey centers. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy weekend treat, these bite sized cinnamon rolls come together quickly and taste like they came straight from a bakery.
Making these homemade cinnamon roll bites is a breeze! You’ll start by cutting the (partially thawed) Rhodes rolls into bite-sized pieces. Next you’ll coat them in melted butter, then shake them up in a cinnamon sugar mixture until every piece is perfectly covered. If you have little ones at home, they’ll love to help with that step! Once they’re all covered in sugar, let the rolls puff up in the baking dish. After that, your next step is to drizzle them with extra cinnamon sugar and heavy cream, which gives them that ultra-soft, gooey texture everyone loves. Then just pop them in the oven and bake them until they’re golden and bubbling, and finish with a generous drizzle of vanilla glaze while they’re still warm. In just a few easy steps, you’ll have irresistible cinnamon roll bites that are perfect for sharing — or keeping all to yourself.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Roll Bites Recipe
- These easy cinnamon roll bites are perfect for busy mornings, last-minute brunch plans, or when you just want something sweet!
- These homemade cinnamon roll bites bake up soft, fluffy, and perfectly gooey thanks to the heavy cream poured over the rolls before baking.
- Cinnamon roll bites from scratch deliver far better flavor and texture than canned cinnamon rolls, giving you that true bakery-style taste at home.
- These bite sized cinnamon rolls are fun to eat, easy to serve, and great for sharing with family, guests, or little helpers in the kitchen.
- These quick cinnamon roll bites can be prepped ahead of time and baked fresh, making them perfect for holidays, weekends, and entertaining.
- These tasty bites have a sweet vanilla drizzle that makes them irresistible!
Ingredients For Homemade Cinnamon Roll Bites
Cinnamon roll bites
- 20 partially frozen Rhodes rolls
- 8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted divided
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 3-4 Tbsp. heavy cream
How to Make Easy Cinnamon Roll Bites
Step 1: Partially thaw rolls at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. This will keep rolls from sticking to each other. Cut each roll into 4 pieces using scissors.
Step 2: Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Step 3: In a large Ziplock bag add brown sugar, cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp. vanilla, shake to mix well. Set aside.
Step 4: In a large mixing bowl melt 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter. Add roll pieces to melted butter and quickly coat using a large spoon or your hands.
Step 5: Add buttered rolls to Ziplock bag with cinnamon sugar topping. Shake bag to coat pieces thoroughly.
Step 6: Dump coated rolls into prepared baking dish and cover for 30 minutes or until noticeably puffed up.
Step 7: Take remaining cinnamon sugar topping from Ziplock bag and add it to a small mixing bowl with the remaining 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter. Stir well.
Step 8: Once cinnamon roll bites have slightly puffed up, drizzle cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over rolls and then pour 1/2 cup heavy cream in between individual rolls.
Step 9: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake cinnamon roll bites in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until rolls are golden brown and center is done.
Step 10: Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until well combined. Drizzle glaze over warm cinnamon roll bites. Best when served warm.
What to Serve/Pair with this Cinnamon Roll Bites Recipe
With cinnamon rolls, you can never go wrong with a cozy cup of coffee.
I always like to serve my cinnamon rolls with a side of fresh fruit like berries, sliced oranges, or even a fruit salad.
To make these a hearty breakfast option, add a side of crispy bacon or breakfast sausage. You can also add in a side of scrambled eggs!
A dollop of whipped cream or extra vanilla glaze makes these cinnamon roll bites feel extra indulgent.
For a healthier option on the side, serve these cinnamon roll bites with a yogurt parfait.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
If you don’t have Rhodes rolls on hand, you can substitute with any frozen dinner roll dough. Just make sure the rolls are partially thawed before cutting so they’re easy to work with.
For a richer flavor, swap the vanilla extract for almond extract in both the cinnamon sugar mixture and the glaze. It adds a subtle bakery-style twist.
If you’d like a little extra warmth and spice, add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin spice to the cinnamon sugar mixture.
To make these extra indulgent, sprinkle mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or walnuts over the rolls before baking.
For a citrusy twist, add a little orange or lemon zest to the glaze for a bright pop of flavor.
If you prefer a lighter glaze, use milk instead of heavy cream and drizzle lightly over the warm cinnamon roll bites.
Storage & Leftovers
These cinnamon roll bites are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but leftovers can be stored for later. Let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. When ready to enjoy, warm them in the oven or microwave for a few seconds so they’re soft and gooey again.
You can also freeze cinnamon roll bites for up to 2 months. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Reheat in the oven straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes so they’re perfectly warm and soft.
Cinnamon Roll Bites from Scratch FAQs
Can I make these cinnamon roll bites without Rhodes rolls?
Yes! You can use any frozen dinner roll dough, biscuit dough, or even homemade yeast rolls. Just make sure they’re partially thawed before cutting so they’re easy to work with.
How do I keep cinnamon roll bites soft and gooey?
The key is coating the rolls in butter and cinnamon sugar, then pouring heavy cream over them before baking. Reheating leftovers in the oven or microwave for a few seconds also helps keep them soft.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prep them up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours. Then bake them when you’re ready to serve for fresh, gooey bites.
Can I freeze cinnamon roll bites?
Yes — freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes so they’re warm and soft.
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate or nuts?
Definitely! Mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or walnuts are all great additions. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin spice to the cinnamon sugar mixture for extra flavor.
What’s the best glaze for these cinnamon roll bites?
A simple glaze made from powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla works perfectly. You can adjust the consistency for a thinner drizzle or a thicker coating, depending on your preference.
Are these cinnamon roll bites kid-friendly?
Yes! They’re soft, sweet, and fun to pull apart, making them a hit with little ones. Kids can even help shake the rolls in the cinnamon sugar mixture — a fun activity while prepping!
Other Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love
Healthy Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie Recipe
Easy Homemade Cinnamon Roll Bites
Ingredients
Cinnamon roll bites
- 20 partially frozen Rhodes rolls
- 8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted divided
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 3-4 Tbsp. heavy cream
Instructions
- Partially thaw rolls at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. This will keep rolls from sticking to each other. Cut each roll into 4 pieces using scissors.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large Ziplock bag add brown sugar, cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp. vanilla, shake to mix well. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl melt 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter. Add roll pieces to melted butter and quickly coat using a large spoon or your hands.
- Add buttered rolls to Ziplock bag with cinnamon sugar topping. Shake bag to coat pieces thoroughly.
- Dump coated rolls into prepared baking dish and cover for 30 minutes or until noticeably puffed up.
- Take remaining cinnamon sugar topping from Ziplock bag and add it to a small mixing bowl with the remaining 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter. Stir well.
- Once cinnamon roll bites have slightly puffed up, drizzle cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over rolls and then pour 1/2 cup heavy cream in between individual rolls.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake cinnamon roll bites in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until rolls are golden brown and center is done.
- Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until well combined. Drizzle glaze over warm cinnamon roll bites. Best when served warm, enjoy!
