If you love cinnamon rolls, but are looking for a plant-based option that is sugar-free, vegan and gluten-free, then you will love this recipe! These dairy free cinnamon rolls are very easy to make, require just 5 ingredients, no yeast and are nutritious and delicious.
Traditional cinnamon rolls require yeast, butter and all purpose flour, but this version is made with whole food ingredients. Plus, since they don't require any yeast, you do not need any baking skills to make them.
With a soft dough and sweet and generous cinnamon filling, these sugar-free cinnamon rolls are perfect to accompany a nice afternoon tea. With a short rest period, the rolls come together quickly and easily.
These vegan cinnamon buns are healthy, dairy free, gluten free and refined sugar free. No fancy tools needed.
Why You'll Love These Dairy Free Cinnamon Rolls
- Whole food ingredients: The best thing about these rolls is that they are made with just 5 ingredients - oat flour, yogurt, dates, agave, and ground cinnamon. They still taste sweet thanks to the dates, but you can feel good about eating them.
- Soft and tender: The cinnamon roll dough is made from just a few ingredients and the result is soft and tender rolls that you'll love!
- Packed with sweet cinnamon filling: You can't make delicious cinnamon rolls without cinnamon filling. This recipe uses dates to add sweetness without the refined sugar.
- Short rest period: Most traditional cinnamon roll recipes require a long rest period because of the yeast. You will only need to rest the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Great for the holidays, brunch or any time: While warm cinnamon rolls are great for any time, they are a delicious addition to Christmas morning or special occasions.
Ingredients You Need
The best thing about this dairy-free cinnamon rolls recipe is that it comes together with just a few simple ingredients.
- Vegan Plain Yogurt: Yogurt gives the dough a soft texture. Use a vegan, creamy plain yogurt. It should be unflavored and without sugars or sweeteners. I use a coconut-based vegan yogurt, but you can use another type of dairy-free yogurt such as soy or almond-based yogurt.
- Oat Flour: Double check that the oat flour is gluten free. Although oats in their natural state do not contain gluten, they are usually processed along with other cereals or grains that do have gluten.
- Agave (optional): I use agave to sweeten the dough a little. But you can skip it or replace it with any other sweetener like maple syrup, coconut sugar, etc.
- Dates: Dates add natural sweetness and many nutrients to these cinnamon rolls. If you can't find Medjool dates, you can use any other variety of dates, keeping in mind that you will probably need more, since other dates tend to be smaller.
- Ground Cinnamon: The star ingredients in cinnamon rolls giving them the classic cinnamon flavor.
Homemade Oat Flour
If you can't find gluten-free oat flour or already have oats at home, you can make your own flour easily. Place the oats in a blender or food processor. Make sure the blender or food processor is completely dry before adding the oats. Blend for a few seconds to achieve a very fine flour. Sift the oat flour to discard any larger pieces that may remain.
How to Make Vegan Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls
Homemade cinnamon rolls come together in just a few quick and easy steps!
- Soak the dates: Pit the dates and soak them in a bowl of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes or until soft.
- Make the dough: In a small bowl, use a wooden spoon to stir together the yogurt, oat flour and agave, until well combined. Use your hand to form the dough into a ball. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes.
- While the dough is resting, prepare the filling: Place the dates in the bowl of a food processor along with 3 tablespoons of soaking water. Process until smooth and homogenous. Add the ground cinnamon and process until combined.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C.) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough: Flour a piece sheet of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Place the dough ball on the surface and use a rolling pin to roll out the dough into a rectangle.
- Make the cinnamon rolls: Spread the date paste mixture over the entire surface of the dough. Roll up the dough and cut into 8 pieces. Place the cinnamon rolls on the prepared baking sheet, cut side up, as shown in the photos.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Serve the gluten-free cinnamon rolls warm or at room temperature.
Quick and Easy Glaze for Cinnamon Rolls
If you want to make a glaze to top these gluten free vegan cinnamon rolls, you can make an easy frosting by mixing 2 tablespoons yogurt with 1 teaspoon agave and 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice.
You can also use a dairy-free cream cheese frosting, if desired.
Storage and Make Ahead
Store leftover dairy free cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can make them in advance and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Other Vegan Snacks and Treats
Did you try these delicious dairy-free cinnamon rolls? Leave a recipe review below.
Dairy Free Cinnamon Rolls (5 ingredients, gluten free)
Ingredients
- 4 Medjool dates pitted
- ½ cup plain vegan yogurt unsweetened
- ¾ cup gluten-free oat flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Soak the pitted dates in a bowl of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes or until soft.
- In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, oat flour and agave until well combined. Use your hands to roll the dough into a ball. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C.) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- While the dough is resting, prepare the filling. Place the dates in the bowl of a food processor or blender along with 3 tablespoons of soaking water. Process until smooth and well combined. Add the ground cinnamon and process until combined.
- Flour a piece of parchment paper or a silicone mat and roll the dough into a rectangle.
- Spread the date paste mixture over the entire surface. Roll up the dough and cut into 8 portions. Place the cinnamon rolls on the prepared baking sheet, cut side up, as shown in the photos.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
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