These Cinnamon Roll Bites are the easiest way to cinnamon roll flavor! Uses homemade or store bought biscuit dough, a great make ahead breakfast or dessert!
Cinnamon, sugar and butter just make everything better, am I right?
I love these little bites, especially as the days get cooler and all you want is some fresh, hot, sugary bread straight from the oven. I also love that they’re so easy, you can make them ahead and quickly finish up and bake them in the morning. That way, you can even bring them still warm and gooey to your colleagues at work.
If you’re willing to share, that is.
I love a good monkey bread made with yeast dough — who doesn’t? But there are days (okay, most of them) that yeast dough can take a little too much time and effort.
This biscuit dough comes together in 5-10 minutes max, and you can easily make the dough ahead, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate until the next morning or whenever you want to bake these bites.
You can also make the dough, prepare your pan, coat your dough balls in the cinnamon sugar, place in the pan and cover with plastic wrap or tin foil and refrigerate until ready to use. Then all you have to do before baking is drizzle with the melted butter and preheat the oven.
They really are so simple that you have no excuse to make them! No excuse not to have warm, sugary, buttery bites of fresh bread coming out of your oven in about 35 minutes. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
*Feel free to substitute bought biscuit dough
for the homemade stuff — it will make things even easier and you shouldn’t need to make any changes to the recicpe!*
*Freezer directions: you can roll your biscuit balls, coat in sugar and place in the pan and then cover and freeze completely. Keep frozen for up to 1 month, then let thaw on the counter at least 30 minutes-1 hour before baking as directed. You may need to increase baking time up to 5 minutes.
*Post and photos updated from September 17, 2014
Cinnamon Roll Bites
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour (whole wheat, all purpose, or a mix)
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter
- 3/4-1 cup cold milk
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Glaze:
- 1/3 cup icing sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk just enough to bring the glaze together
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt (I mix with my pastry cutter).
- Cut the butter into cubes and add to the bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or fork until butter is in pea-sized pieces.
- Stir in milk gradually, adding just enough so that the dough comes together. Bring together in a ball with your hands (if you accidentally add too much milk and it becomes sticky, just add a little more flour).
- *See post above for make ahead directions.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the sides of a 9-10″ pie plate. Place 3-4 tbsp melted butter in the bottom of the pie plate and swirl to coat the bottom.
- In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough into 1″ balls. Dip balls in remaining melted butter and then coat in cinnamon sugar mixture and place in the pie plate.
- Drizzle melted butter over the dough balls in the pan. Bake for 23-26 minutes until biscuits are cooked and butter/sugar mixture is bubbling in the bottom of the pan.
- *If you’re using a pie plate smaller than 10″, it’s a good idea to place a piece of tin foil in the oven under the plate to catch any possible drips.
Nutrition Information
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Kim S says
I LOVED these!!! They are my new favorite cinnamon treat. My husband loved them too.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so happy to hear that!
April says
Made these delicious little bites and they were a hit with the kids ! Super fast and easy when you want something warm and cinnamony from the oven to enjoy with your coffee or for an after school treat. The recipe is going in the keeper book! Thanks for sharing.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks April! I’m so happy to hear that!
Jazz Owen says
I LOVE this recipe! Delicious and easy, turned out perfect. Always a sucker for cinnamon! Thanks so much!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jazz! I’m so glad to hear that!
lauren kelly says
I love having comfort food in the morning! Thank you for a delicious recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Lauren!
Tanya Schroeder says
Wow! I would be such a hero if I made these for my family!
Ashley Fehr says
My family goes crazy for them!
Jen says
I had no problem getting my family out of bed once they smelled this deliciousness! We all loved it!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear that!
Cheryl S says
My family loves this!! Cinnamon, sugar and butter make everything better!!
Ashley Fehr says
I most definitely agree!
Julia says
These cinnamon rolls bites are exactly the type of a treat I’d like to make for my kids now that they are home for the summer. Easy and scrumptious. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Julia!
Leah says
I watched the video after I had already put the balls in the oven and I’m wondering about the part when you rolled them in the butter before rolling in the sugar mixture but that isn’t in the recipe. My dish turned out really bitter, do you think that could have been the problem? Thanks!
Ashley Fehr says
The ingredients are the same and I make the recipe both ways, so that wouldn’t give them a bitter flavour. I’m sorry that happened!
Lindsay says
Hey! I just made this and the dough is like really bitter. Would it help to put sugar in the dough? Or make the balls smaller? Thanks!
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Lindsay! That’s honestly something I’ve never heard before. The dough is regular, plain biscuit dough, so it won’t be sweet but it’s definitely not bitter. The amount of sugar the dough is coated in should definitely give you a sweet result!
Leah says
I also had them turn out bitter…like there was too much baking powder and salt, or baking soda. I followed your recipe exactly, but didn’t get the results I was expecting.
Susan says
Can you bake them a day ahead?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, they’re easily reheated!
Lucy says
You’re right, Ashley! Cinnamon, sugar and butter make everything perfect. We’re in rainy season now. These cinamon rolls and a cup of hot tea are perfect in a rainy day.
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
These are perfect for a rainy day! Thanks Lucy!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
My mom used to make a breakfast very similar to this and it was totally my favorite!! I haven’t had it in years and I’m super excited to try this one, Ashley!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah! Every time I make it I can’t get enough!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Oh wow does this look AMAZING! I love how this is like monkey bread, but in cinnamon roll form. And I love that it’s completely homemade, too! What a fun breakfast or dessert!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes totally! It’d be so easy to use store bought dough but I find biscuit dough comes together so quickly, there’s no need!
Sarah says
I noticed that your recipe says to put the 3-4 tbsp of butter in the pie plate, then dip the biscuits in the cinnamon/sugar; your video shows you dipping the biscuits into the butter and then rolling them in the cinnamon/sugar without putting the 3-4 tbsp of butter in the pie plate. Which way do you typically make them? Maybe this discrepancy is accounting for those who say there is too much butter? (Mine are in the fridge waiting to be baked in the morning, so we will see how they turn out–they look delicious!)
Ashley Fehr says
I didn’t show the adding of the butter in the pie plate in the video but I did do it. The video is just to be used as a guide, the recipe is always the way I make them. I hope you enjoy them!
Dorothy Walker says
These are very easy to make but I found there is way too much butter. The bottom was literally soaked in butter. I definitely will make them again but I will use less butter.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Dorothy! That’s too bad! I have never found there to be any extra butter in the pan actually — they always are slightly crispy around the edges because of the sugar. Feel free to change it up as you see fit!
Beverly says
Yes I found it to have way too much butter as well…
Trinity says
I love this recipe! But is it possible that for the glaze, that you would be able to replace the powdered sugar with something else? Thanks!
Brynn bass says
I use powder sugar and milk and just keep adding them together until it is a thin consistency and it tastes wonderful!!
Neeli says
Hi Ashley, I wanted to stop by and let you know that I tried your recipe for cinnamon roll bites a while back and they were delicious. My daughter and I made them for breakfast and we had a great time. One question, though, can I cut down the butter to about 1/2 a cup without compromising the taste and texture? These were tasty, but 1 cup of butter for me was a bit too rich and I would love to make them again. Thanks for the great recipe.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Neeli! I’m glad to hear that! You would really need to substitute the butter with something. I’ve used margarine before. The butter in the biscuits would be difficult to replace, unless you found a completely different biscuit recipe that uses something other than butter (though I’m not sure what, because that’s what makes a biscuit a biscuit!). The butter that you melt to dip the balls in could likely be replaced with another oil or margarine, but you need something to get the sugar to stick and to crisp them up. I hope that helps!
Neeli says
Thanks for responding so quickly to my question. I will make this recipe again by cutting down on the melted butter and see how that works. I don’t want to replace the butter with another fat, although I love my lard biscuits, too. Either way, this recipe is still delicious and something that I look forward to making again.
Ashley Fehr says
No problem Neeli! I hope it works out well! I’d love to hear back after your try it 🙂
Anne Marie says
I found this recipe on your site the other day and I have literally made them everyday. My children love them and eat them for breakfast as well as snack, my husband loves them with a coffee and I’ll pop one in my mouth when ever I get a chance. I have even sent them into my kids teachers as a little treat and have heard nothing but praise for how delicious they are! I did add a little sugar and about a teaspoon of cinnamon to the flour mix just to give it another little pop but these are the most delicious and easy treat ever!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Anne! I’m so glad to hear they’re a hit!
Alison says
OMG! I just made these (not for the first time). I didn’t have any biscuits but I had a tube of cinnamon rolls so I used them. Wow! So good! I mixed the icing that comes with them In with what I make and it turned out so yummy!
Ashley says
I can imagine that would be so good!
Laura Hess says
If I use canned biscuit dough, how many biscuits would I need for this recipe and how many cinnamon bites would I get out of each biscuit? Cut them in fourths? It’s hard to tell from the picture just how big each “bite” is….
The recipe sounds delicious!
Ashley says
I usually roll them into about 1″ balls. Probably 4-5 out of one biscuit would be good! My biscuit recipe usually makes about 10 biscuits — I’m not sure how many biscuits come out of one package? There is plenty of sugar mix though if you have extra biscuits — you could definitely do another pan!
Sondy says
I had bout 1/2 of the sugar mixture left. Should it be sprinkled over the top before baking?
Ashley says
You could do that! I don’t think it could be a bad thing. I would just make sure there isn’t too much sitting around the balls because I think it would get quite sticky in the oven if you don’t also add more butter. Or you could also add more butter! Lol
Joelle says
Hi! So i tried this recipe out and I formed the dough into a ball but once they were baked they flattened out. Do you know where I could have gone wrong? Thanks so much!!
Ashley says
Do you mean you formed the dough into multiple balls? I would guess that you could maybe use a smaller pan and they would bake up more instead of spreading out. I would also make sure your dough is the right consistency and not too soft. Hope that helps!
Lynda Schelling says
A bunt pan works best for keeping their shape.
trever says
did you make sure that you for sure added baking powder
Gemma says
Hello! I love the idea but need to make them soon! Could I Make the mix and put it in the fridge for 30 mins to a hour? Please awnser 😀
Ashley says
I’m sure that would work! I would just add the butter just before baking.
Christine says
Made this with my daughter for Christmas Morning. We prepared everything on Christmas Eve and refrigerated overnight. On Christmas morning I realized that we forgot to use the brown sugar and that my husband bought baking soda instead of powdered sugar (don’t ask). I went ahead and sprinkled the brown sugar on top of the balls and popped them into the oven. Without powdered sugar, we omitted the glaze. The house smelled amazing as our girls opened their gifts. We enjoyed these very much and my girls want them again for New Years day. They were much better than I was expecting. Rather than tasting like a biscuit with cinnamon and sugar, it tasted like a really delicious coffee cake. We did not miss the glaze at all. Highly recommend!
Ashley says
Thanks Christine! My husband often comes home with unexpected things when I send him shopping! Glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Carole says
Made these for the breakfast club at school, only difference is we added raisins and the kids just love them! Huge Hit!!! Thank you for the awesome recipe.
Ashley says
I’m so glad! Thanks Carole!
PJ says
I was wondering what to make for sunday brunch tomorrow and the link for these popped up on my FB feed, so cinnamon bites it is 🙂 was thinking Id really spruce it up by adding bacon – either baking it with the rolls or sprinkling on top after they have cooked. Either way I’m drooling thinking about these morsels of cinnamon luciousness!
Ashley says
Baking would be awesome with these! I hope you like them!
Theresa says
I was wondering if you think I could replace the butter with coconut oil? Or may half butter and half coconut oil. What do you think?
Ashley says
Do you mean to substitute the butter in the biscuits or melted on top? Or both? To be honest, I’ve never baked with coconut oil. I’m not sure how flaky the biscuits would be if you used coconut oil in the biscuit dough, it might work! As for the top, I’m not totally sure how it would work, but I don’t think it would change things too much. Sorry I can’t help you more!
Sarita says
Can i prepare these say friday afternoon and bake them saturday morning?
Thank you.
Ashley says
That sound be fine! I’d just make sure you cover them well and leave off the melted butter til you want to bake.
Bianca says
What milk do you recomend using foe the recipe?
Ashley says
As a rule, I use 1% for everything. But any kind of milk would work, even non dairy milk!
Dana says
I love cinnamon buns too and these look so cute!!! and much easier for small snacks, or if you’re having people over.I often bake GF now so I will try this with my gluten-free flour mix. I love that these are quick and easy too!
Thanks for sharing, I’m sooo looking forward to giving these a try!
Ashley says
Thanks Dana! They went over really well here!
Paula says
This looks wonderful and I want to try this ~ it’s definitely something my family would like. Melanie, can you tell me what the icing sugar that the glaze calls for? Thanks!
Ashley says
Thanks Paula! Icing sugar is just powdered confectioner’s sugar 🙂
SANDI says
WHAT IS ICING SUGAR AND HOW DO YOU MAKE IT?
Ashley says
Icing sugar is a powdered sugar. I’m not sure how you would make it. If it’s not something you have available you can always swap out the glaze for one you’re more familiar with.
Gia says
This looks so good!!
Pinned it: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/246079567114829465/
Ashley says
Thanks!
Val says
These look marvelous! Thank you for the recipe!
Val
Ashley says
Thanks Val!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
What a brilliant way to make monkey bread so much quicker and easier! This looks fantastic … my tummy is grumbling!! 😀
Ashley says
Thanks Shelley!
Faith says
Can you use canned biscuit dough and say pinch off and roll into small balls ? What time and temperature alterations would be needed ?
Ashley says
You could definitely use canned biscuit dough! I wouldn’t make any changes to the baking time or temp at all 🙂
Kim S says
I just made this using the large buttermilk dinner rolls in a can. I cut them in half, then cut the halves into 3 equal triangles. Followed the rest of the recipe, but used heavy cream (because I had some to use up) and a splash of vanilla with the powdered sugar for the glaze. Came out perfect and delish!! Quick and easy peasy! Now..to not eat half the dish myself 😉
Ashley says
I’m glad you liked them!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Definitely could devour a massive bowlful of these cinnamon roll bites right now.. they look like the ultimate delicious sweet snack food!
Ashley says
They are so good fresh out of the oven! Thanks Thalia!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Ashley this is an awesome idea! I love cinnamon rolls but I love hand-held, bite-sized versions of desserts even more. I’ll have to pin this and try it one chilly afternoon for sure! 😀
Ashley says
Definitely! They’re so quick and easy 🙂
Shinee says
I love cinnamon rolls, and these mini ones are just too cute!
Ashley says
Thanks Shinee!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Girl, you are making me hungry and I am in bed and tooooo lazy to go get food right now 🙂 These bites look decadent and amazing!
Ashley says
Hahaha, I hate it when that happens! I’m also browsing at the wrong times! Lol. But thanks 😉
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
These are adorable, Ashley! I am a sucker for cinnamon rolls and mini bites coated in cinnamon and brown sugar is such a fun idea! Love that they come together easily too!
Ashley says
Thanks Kelly! I think the easy part is my favorite part. Lok
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
My goodness, restrain me before I dive into this whole dish! I’m not a huge fan of cinnamon rolls, but I love these little bites. I would probably snack on these all day!
Ashley says
Ashley, I can’t believe you’re not a fan of cinnamon rolls! I can’t say the same, but these are definitely up there 🙂
Melanie @ Garnish & Glaze says
Such a good idea to use a biscuit dough! I love cinnamon rolls but they take so long to make so this is perfect.
Ashley says
Thanks Melanie! Sometimes you just can’t wait! Lol
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Oh yes! They look so good. Seem fairly simple too. Love cinnamon.
Pinned.
Have a great Wednesday Ashley!
Ashley says
Thanks so much Melanie! They are super simple — I love anything warm and cinnamony that I can make ahead and bake in the morning!