Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

For those times when you don’t feel like sharing, make my single-serve cinnamon roll recipe. Made with no yeast, no rest time, and no microwave, I love how soft and gooey it turns out! 

Hungry for more single-serve desserts? Try my banana mug cake, single serve oatmeal cookie, and single serve chocolate chip cookie next.

When I want a giant, fluffy, gooey cinnamon roll but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen making a whole batch of cinnamon rolls, I make this single-serve version. It’s just as satisfying, but I can make it on a whim whenever I have a craving.

Table of Contents

1. Why I love this recipe
2. Ingredients needed
3. How to make a single serve cinnamon roll
4. Arman’s recipe tips
5. Storage instructions
6. More cinnamon roll recipes to try
7. Single Serve Cinnamon Roll (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

• A real cinnamon roll. Listen, I love mug cakes as much as anyone, but when I want traditional cinnamon rolls, nothing else will satisfy. This cinnamon roll is legit and has the perfect soft, fluffy texture. 
• Made in one bowl. So prep time and clean up are done before you know it. 
• Fast and easy. This recipe doesn’t use yeast, so you don’t have to wait for the dough to rise, and there’s no chilling time either. The total time to make it is under 20 minutes.  
• No sharing needed. You now have the perfect excuse not to share! Don’t fret, though—it’s easy to make a small batch of two or three if needed.

Ingredients needed

• Self-rising flour. All purpose flour with baking powder and salt already added. This is essential, so make sure you have some, or you can easily make your own. Use gluten-free self-rising flour if needed. 
• Yogurt. I used Greek yogurt, but you can use a dairy-free coconut yogurt to keep this roll vegan. I don’t recommend plain or natural yogurt, as the consistency just doesn’t mix well with the flour.
• Ground cinnamon. A must for any cinnamon roll! If you can, try to find Saigon cinnamon as it has the most intense, warming cinnamon flavor.
• Sugar. Any type of sugar will work, be it white sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, or a sugar-free sweetener. 
• Cooking spray. To spray on the dough for the cinnamon sugar to stick. You can also use coconut oil or melted butter if you prefer.
• Glaze. I made a quick glaze with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a few tablespoons of almond milk. 

How to make a single serve cinnamon roll

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- Prep. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line a baking dish with parchment paper.

Step 2- Make the dough. In a large bowl, combine the flour and yogurt. Using your hands, form it into a dough ball. 

Step 3- Shape. Sprinkle flour on the dough ball and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Form the dough into a rectangle and roll it out approximately 3×6 inches using a rolling pin. 

Step 4- Add cinnamon sugar filling. Spray one side of the dough with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll the dough up from the short end.

Step 5- Bake. Place the cinnamon roll on the pan. Press it down and brush with either water, milk, or oil. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. 

Step 6- Glaze. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Mix the glaze ingredients in a small bowl, adding milk until the desired consistency is achieved. Glaze the cooled cinnamon roll, then serve.

Arman’s recipe tips

• Don’t try microwaving your cinnamon roll. Trust me, it won’t have the proper texture. If you want a microwaved cinnamon roll, make my cinnamon roll mug cake instead. 
• Make two or three rolls. Simply double or triple the ingredients. 
• Enhance the flavor. Swap the cooking spray for melted butter or a thin layer of maple syrup for an even sweeter roll.
• Add mix-ins. Before rolling the dough, sprinkle fresh or thawed frozen blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. 
• Add a cream cheese frosting. Swap the glaze for cream cheese frosting. 

Storage instructions

To store: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

To freeze: Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, then let them thaw overnight in the fridge. 

Reheating: Pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or until warm. 

More cinnamon roll recipes to try

• Blueberry cinnamon rolls
• Protein cinnamon rolls
• Air fryer cinnamon rolls
• Vegan cinnamon rolls
• No-yeast cinnamon rolls