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My no yeast cinnamon rolls are light, fluffy, and topped with a sticky vanilla frosting. Ready in 20 minutes, I love that there’s no kneading or proofing required!
Looking for more recipes using my 2-ingredient dough? Try my 2-ingredient bagels, 2-ingredient bread, and 2-ingredient pizza dough next.
Does anyone else typically skip a recipe if it calls for yeast? I know I do.
Now, I consider myself a pretty skilled baker, but rarely do I have the patience or extra time to knead the dough and wait for it to rise (yes, even if it is for hot cross buns!). That’s where my yeast-free cinnamon roll recipe comes in.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Quick and easy. Like my air fryer cinnamon rolls, these cinnamon buns take a fraction of the time to make, yet you’d never guess by how decadent they taste.
- Relatively healthy. I use Greek yogurt in the dough and the frosting, giving them a boost of healthy fats and protein.
- Fuss-free. There’s no activating the yeast, no kneading, and no proofing the dough.
- Gorgeous flavor and texture. Slightly firm and golden on the outside yet undeniably soft and fluffy in the center. I could eat a whole pan by myself!
Ingredients needed
- Self-rising flour. The key ingredient that lets homemade cinnamon rolls rise without yeast. If you don’t have any, you can easily make your own with all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Vanilla Greek yogurt. Any kind works, be it non-fat, reduced-fat, or full-fat. The only yogurt I’d avoid using is “natural” yogurt, which I’ve found makes the dough super sticky and hard to shape. And yes, please use a sweetened one because the dough needs some added sweetness.
- Cinnamon. Use Saigon cinnamon for a bolder, more warming cinnamon flavor.
- Sugar. I used brown sugar for the filling but white sugar for the dough. You can use brown sugar for the dough too, but the dough will be darker.
- Coconut oil. To lightly brush the dough before adding the cinnamon sugar. Melted butter will also work.
For the glaze:
- Confectioners’ sugar. Also known as ‘icing sugar’ or simply powdered sugar.
- Vanilla Greek yogurt. To thicken the frosting.
- Vanilla extract. A must for vanilla glaze!
How to make no yeast cinnamon rolls
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Make the dough. In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and yogurt. Stir until a soft dough forms.
Step 2- Shape. Sprinkle flour on the dough ball, then transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out into a thin (around ½-inch) rectangular shape.
Step 3- Add cinnamon sugar and slice. Brush the dough with oil or butter. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture in an even layer. Roll dough all the way up from one end. Using a sharp knife, slice into 12 pieces.
Step 4- Bake and glaze. Place each roll into a greased baking dish, letting each piece touch. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the edges turn golden. Once the rolls are cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Make them vegan. Swap the yogurt for coconut yogurt, or make my vegan cinnamon rolls instead.
- Avoid overbaking. Remember, the buns will continue to cook briefly as they cool down.
- To make the glaze thinner, add more yogurt or a splash of almond milk.
- Make a cream cheese frosting by whisking together softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and powdered sugar.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
To freeze: Place leftover cooled cinnamon rolls in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge.
To reheat: Microwave the rolls for 30 seconds or reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or until warm.
Frequently asked questions
Honestly, my cinnamon rolls are designed to replicate cinnamon rolls made with yeast, so adding it to this will affect the texture and flavor.
More cinnamon roll recipes you’ll love
- Blueberry cinnamon rolls
- Gluten-free cinnamon rolls
- Cinnamon roll for one
- Keto cinnamon rolls
- Protein cinnamon rolls
No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups self rising flour
- 1 cup Vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup sugar divided
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
For the glaze
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and vanilla yogurt and mix well, until combined. Form the dough into a ball.
- Lightly flour a kitchen surface. Add a tablespoon of flour onto the bowl of dough and transfer to the floured surface. Use a rolling pin, and roll out into a thin (around 1/2 an inch) rectangular shape.
- Brush your melted coconut oil or butter over the top of the dough. Sprinkle with remaining sugar and cinnamon, evenly distributed on top. From one end of dough, slowly roll it up until all the dough is used. Using a sharp knife, slice into 12 pieces.
- Place each piece of cinnamon roll dough into the lined dish/tray. If desired, make sure each piece is sticking together. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes. While it's cooling down, prepare your glaze by mixing your confectioners' sugar with yogurt and vanilla extract. If you want a thinner glaze, add more yogurt. Drizzle over the top of the cinnamon rolls and enjoy immediately.
Nutrition
Originally published September 2020, updated and republished September 2024
These are not only super easy but absolutely delicious!!! I used the high protein vanilla yoghurt which I usually have in the fridge and my sons loved them! Agree with previous comments about them having to touch in the dish, it prevents them from drying out. My craving is wholly satisfied… these will become a regular for our household. Thanks for the wonderful (and easy) recipes!
I cannot find vanilla Greek yoghurt. Can I put vanilla whey protein with greek youghurt?
Hi Arman! I made these and they tastes good but we’re a bit dry. The dough itself fell apart when trying to roll (I got creative and rolled in parchment and squished together) – full fat Greek vanilla yogurt and GF flour with xanthan gum in it but I think may have had something in it that made everything heavier and drier? It did have baking soda in it as well? Would that have affected the recipe? I’m not giving up and going to try another GF flour, just wanted to see if what I did use was the problem. Family still loved them, or were being kind to mom. LOL. Thank you!
If it helps to know I used Bob’s Red Mill Self Rising GF flour – but it did have sugar and baking soda in it. I am seeing people online using Bob’s 1:1 and just adding salt and baking soda – is that a better option for a GF flour for this?
Hmmm Kim- which GF flour did you use? Let me do some troubleshooting for you 🙂
Best no yeast cinnamon rolls recipe EVER!