With a shortcut 5 ingredient dough, no kneading or rise time, and pillowy soft flavor, these Cinnamon Roll Muffins are our new favorite breakfast. Bonus: They have a base of yogurt for extra nutrition!
I love baking with yogurt, and once I realized I could transform the dough I typically use in my Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough into the easiest ever Cinnamon Roll Muffins, I was so darn happy!
Quick Look: Cinnamon Roll Muffins
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Flavor Profile: Just sweet enough cinnamon rolls with tender texture
- Difficulty: Easy, even for baking newbies
- Why to Make: This is an easy way to get the flavor and texture of classic cinnamon rolls with less work and lower added sugars
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT
Table of Contents
This is such a fun toddler breakfast to share that also is festive enough to serve as a Thanksgiving breakfast. The spiral muffins have just enough sweetness and are super tender from the yogurt in the dough—all without kneading.
Why This Recipe Works
With a simple dough that rolls up into cinnamon-stuffed spirals and bakes quickly in a muffin tin, this is the easiest way to make homemade cinnamon rolls when you have only 30 minutes.
I did my best to keep the added sugars low and the cinnamon flavor and pillowy softness of the dough high to please kids and parents alike. (These are also made without eggs, so they are suitable for more families.)
(You may also like my Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes and Donut Muffins).
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to have on hand to make Cinnamon Roll Muffins so you know what to pick up from the store or have ready.
- All-purpose flour: Using this type of flour helps the cinnamon roll muffins bake up light and tender.
- Baking powder: Fresh, active baking powder ensures the dough rises and is pillowy and springy to the touch.
- Sugar: A very small amount of sugar flavors the dough, and granulated sugar works best here.
- Greek yogurt: The dough is made with a base of Greek yogurt so the muffins are satisfying and balanced. You can use yogurt made with whole milk, low-fat milk, or nonfat milk.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter in both the dough and the cinnamon filling.
- Brown sugar and cinnamon: Brown sugar and cinnamon flavor the filling, giving the muffins the classic cinnamon roll taste we want.
TIP: You can make a simple frosting with yogurt, vanilla, and honey or powdered sugar, too.
Your toddler won’t eat? Help is here!
Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent your way!
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Muffins
Here’s a preview of how to make these Cinnamon Roll Muffins so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full information, including the amounts and the timing.
Step 1. Add the dough ingredients to a medium bowl. Mix gently to combine.
Step 2. Roll out the dough into a rectangle. Spread the butter-sugar mixture over top.
Step 3. Roll the dough and slice into pieces.
Step 4. Add rolls to muffin pan and bake.
Step 5. Once baked, remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
Step 6. Mix together frosting ingredients. Drizzle frosting over cooled rolls.
Cinnamon Roll Muffin FAQS
You can make the Cinnamon Roll Muffins up to a day ahead of when you want to serve them, then warm them slightly, add the icing, and serve.
You can if you prefer, though greasing a nonstick muffin pan works super well!
You can either drizzle it on top of the muffins or spread it over the tops. Both work!
How to Store
These are best kept at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped well, and enjoyed within 24 hours of making. After that, warm in the microwave for 15 seconds to soften back to the original consistency.
Best Tips for Success
- I prefer to frost right before serving if possible.
- Greek-style yogurt works best here.
- The dough will be sticky, but rolling out on parchment paper and dusting with flour should be enough to make it easy to work with.
- You can use confectioners’ sugar or honey in the icing.
- Pair with my Cinnamon Apples, Strawberry Smoothie with Yogurt, or Sliced Baked Pears.
More Easy Breakfasts
Breakfast
Favorite Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Muffins
Favorite Cinnamon Muffins
Breakfast
Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes (Easy!)
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please rate and comment below!
Cinnamon Roll Muffins (Quick, No-Knead))
Ingredients
Dough
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1¼ cups plain Greek yogurt (full fat, made with whole milk)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
Filling
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Frosting (optional)
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and grease a standard-size muffin pan.
- Add the flour, yogurt, butter, baking powder, and sugar to a medium bowl. Use a spoon to bring the dough together, then clean hands as needed to make a rough ball of dough.
- Lay out a piece of parchment paper and dust with flour. Place the ball of dough on top and dust with flour. Roll out into a rectangle about ½ inch thick.
- Stir together the filling ingredients in a small bowl and spread over the rolled out dough.
- Starting at 1 long side, roll up into a spiral as tightly as possible. Cut into 12 even slices using a serrated knife. Place each spiral into the prepared muffin tin.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, let cool for a minute, then transfer to a wire rack to cool at least partially. Add the icing, if using, and serve.
Equipment
Notes
- These are best kept at room temperature and enjoyed within 24 hours of making. After that warm in the microwave for 15 seconds to soften back to the original consistency.
- I prefer to frost right before serving if possible.
- Greek style yogurt works best here.
- The dough will be sticky, but rolling out on parchment paper and dusting with flour should be enough to make it easy to work with.
All comments are subject to our Terms of Use.