Best Vegan Cinnamon Rolls (Soft, Gooey, & Fluffy!)

These are quite literally the best cinnamon rolls you'll ever eat (and they just so happen to be vegan). This is the last vegan cinnamon roll recipe you'll ever need. They're soft, gooey, fluffy, and everything you'd want.

How Can Cinnamon Rolls Fit Into A Balanced Diet?

Yes, I help women lose fat sustainably with mostly high protein meals and recipes. HOWEVER, I strongly believe that life is also meant to be enjoyed to the fullest, which means also including fun foods on special occasions. So are cinnamon rolls ideal for a normal morning breakfast? Of course not -- that's where high protein breakfasts are best.

BUT, are they amazing for your kids' birthday breakfast or brunch on Christmas day? Absolutely! And when I do make special desserts and treats, I make them fully from scratch and include my kids to make the whole experience special.

Cinnamon Rolls Feel So Nostalgic

There’s something about the smell of cinnamon rolls baking that immediately transports me to the slow, joy-filled mornings of my childhood—especially Christmas morning (or really any special morning as a family). The scent of warm cinnamon sugar filling bubbling beneath golden brown dough, the soft hum of laughter in the background, and the gentle clatter of plates being set at the table.

Cinnamon rolls weren’t just breakfast; they were part of a tradition, a memory stitched into the fabric of our home. And now, as I stand in my own kitchen, shaping cinnamon roll dough with almond milk and softened vegan butter, I feel the same sense of wonder all over again.

These homemade cinnamon rolls are more than just a treat—they're a moment of nostalgia wrapped in a swirl of cinnamon sugar. And the best part? They're 100% plant-based, made without compromise. Whether you grew up eating the classic version or are discovering the magic for the first time, this vegan cinnamon roll recipe is the perfect way to bring a bit of tradition back into your kitchen.

If you're looking for more desserts to create memories with your family, try out these vegan brownies too!

Ingredients

You'll need these simple ingredients and pantry staples to make the best vegan cinnamon rolls ever.

• all-purpose flour
• granulated sugar
• brown sugar
• vegan butter (my absolute favorite brand is Miyoko's)
• powdered sugar
• unsweetened almond milk
• cinnamon
• vanilla extract
• active dry yeast
• avocado oil
• salt

See recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Vegan Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch

There’s beauty in the slow process of making cinnamon rolls from scratch. In a world that moves at full speed, taking the time to let a moist dough rise in a warm place feels like an act of resistance—a way to reclaim something simple and meaningful.

Whether you're baking these for a special occasion, like a birthday breakfast or holiday brunch, or just want a cozy weekend morning with your family, homemade vegan cinnamon buns are always a good idea.

Start by activating your instant yeast or active dry yeast in a milk mixture made with warm almond milk (at about 110F) or another plant-based milk of your choice like oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. The warm milk helps the yeast wake up and do its job. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it’s nice and foamy—a good guideline that it's ready.

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine everything but the flour—your yeast mixture, avocado oil (or melted vegan butter if you prefer), vanilla extract, and salt.

Add the dry ingredients slowly -- all-purpose flour (or bread flour for a higher protein content and chewier texture). Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Knead a few times until it has some structure but you do NOT need to knead to a window pane texture - that will make the dough harder and bread-like instead of soft and gooey. If the dough is too sticky, add additional flour one tablespoon at a time. You want a moist dough, but not one that clings to everything.

There’s something so satisfying about pressing it out with your hands, then using a rolling pin to shape it into a large rectangle. If you have little hands helping in the kitchen, let them join in. This is what making memories is all about.

Make the filling by combining softened (not melted!) vegan butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Feel free to mix it up here by adding a pinch of pumpkin pie spice or date paste for an autumn twist. You can also add fruit jam or any other filling you'd like in the different seasons.

Starting from the long end, gently roll the dough into a log. If this is your first time making rolled dough, don’t worry. The second time you do it, it’ll feel like second nature.

To slice the rolls cleanly, you can use the dental floss method. Slide the floss under the log, wrap it over the top, and pull tight to create neat, uniform slices without squishing them. Or if you're like me and don't care enough to do that, a knife works just fine. The final cinnamon rolls won't have the perfect edges, but that's all part of the beauty right?

Place the 12 slices into a greased baking dish or onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Now it’s time for the second rise. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let them puff up in a warm place for 30–45 minutes. This step ensures you get the fluffiest, best ever vegan cinnamon rolls.

Preheat your oven to a low heat (around 350°F). Bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes, or until they’re golden brown on top and smell like absolute heaven. The edges should be slightly crisp, but the centers will stay soft and gooey.

While they bake, make the icing. Powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond milk make a deliciously thick glaze that melts beautifully over warm cinnamon rolls. It’s the finishing touch that takes these from great to unforgettable.

A Vegan Version That Doesn’t Miss a Beat

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need eggs or dairy to recreate the classic. With ingredients like almond milk, vegan butter, and all-purpose flour, you're making something both indulgent and aligned with your values.

This is the perfect vegan cinnamon rolls recipe to share with loved ones. It makes your home smell like a dream, brings people to the kitchen like a magnet, and invites you to slow down and savor. Whether it’s the first time you’re baking these or a new tradition, these fluffy vegan cinnamon rolls are here to create warm, lasting memories.

So go ahead. Tie on your apron, set out your large bowl and rolling pin, and let yourself fall into the rhythm of stirring, rising, and rolling. Let the flour dust the counter, the laughter echo through your kitchen, and the smell of cinnamon fill every corner of your home. Because the best memories are made from scratch.

And these? These are the best cinnamon rolls you’ll ever have—vegan or not.

Equipment

I love my 9x13 ceramic baking dish that's pictured above. It was decently priced and very high quality. I use it for everything from cinnamon rolls to lasagna.

For more cooking accessories, bakeware, and appliances, make sure to check out my favorites!

Make-Ahead Tips & Storage

If you're planning for the next morning, you can assemble the rolls the night before. Let them rise in the fridge overnight covered with plastic wrap then bake when you wake up. It's a lifesaver for special occasions or slow Sunday mornings.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic bags. Reheat on low heat in the oven or microwave to restore that fresh-baked softness. They’re also freezer-friendly—just flash-freeze on a tray, then store in a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, defrost and warm them up, then top with a little extra frosting if you'd like.

Top Tip

Don't over-knead. You want some gluten structure, but don't bring it all the way to passing the window pane test or you'll end up with a more bread-like cinnamon roll that's harder and less soft and gooey. Kneading it until it still will break apart when you pull away a piece keeps them super soft but they still have enough structure to rise and become fluffy.

Seasonal & Holiday Variations

These vegan cinnamon rolls are endlessly customizable to reflect any season or celebration. Here are some fun, festive ideas to inspire your next batch:

Fall & Thanksgiving:

• Add pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice to the dough.
• Use a maple syrup glaze or maple cream cheese frosting.
• Fill with sautéed apples and cinnamon for an apple pie twist.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for crunch.

Winter Holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.):

• Add orange zest and dried cranberries to the cinnamon sugar filling.
• Top with a white vanilla bean glaze or a touch of edible glitter.
• Swirl in a bit of vegan chocolate spread or peppermint extract.
• Use a star-shaped pan or arrange rolls in a tree shape for Christmas morning.

Valentine’s Day:

• Add beetroot powder or juice to the dough for a natural pink hue.
• Swirl in raspberry jam or strawberry preserves before rolling.
• Cut into heart shapes with a cookie cutter before rising.

Spring & Easter:

• Use lemon zest and juice in the glaze for brightness.
• Fill with strawberry compote or lavender sugar.
• Add pastel sprinkles or coconut flakes on top for decoration.

Summer:

• Fill with fresh blueberries or blackberries.
• Top with a coconut cream glaze.
• Serve chilled with vegan vanilla ice cream for dessert-style rolls.

Halloween:

• Add black cocoa to the dough or filling for a dark, spooky look.
• Use orange-tinted glaze and sprinkle with crushed chocolate cookies.

Fourth of July:

• Use a berry medley filling (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries).
• Decorate with a simple vanilla glaze and red, white, and blue sprinkles.

Birthday or Special Occasion:

• Add rainbow sprinkles inside the filling or on top.
• Glaze with vegan cream cheese frosting and more sprinkles.
• Insert a birthday candle in the center of the pan after baking.

These creative variations make it easy to adapt this perfect vegan cinnamon rolls recipe for any event. They’re a delicious way to celebrate the seasons—and they make every moment feel just a little more special.

Recipe