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.
I’ve included more tips for prepping ahead and baking later down below if you’re interested!
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 😉
Tips for making these Cinnamon Roll Bites even easier:
Feel free to substitute store bought biscuit dough for this homemade dough
for the homemade stuff — it will make things even easier and you don’t need to make any changes to the recipe!*
How to prep these Cinnamon Roll Bites ahead:
Make ahead and refrigerate:
You can prep these Cinnamon Roll Bites up to the point of baking, and then wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator up to one week.
Biscuit dough stores perfectly in the fridge, so this is a great recipe to prep ahead for a weekend brunch or treat.
Make ahead and freeze:
You can roll your biscuit balls, coat in sugar and place in the pan and then cover with plastic wrap and foil and freeze completely.
Keep frozen for up to 3 months, 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
Biscuit dough
- 2 cups flour (whole wheat, all purpose, or a mix)
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup cold butter
- ¾-1 cup cold milk
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup butter, melted
Glaze:
- ⅓ 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. Lightly grease a 10" pie plate or baking dish.
- 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 remaining butter over the dough balls in the pan (you can. Bake for 20-25 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.
Notes
- flour: I’ve made this recipe with 100% whole wheat flour before and it turns out great! It’s a great way to add more fibre.
- biscuit dough: Feel free to swap the homemade biscuit dough for store-bought to make these even quicker.
- non-dairy options: you can make these Cinnamon Roll Bites dairy free by swapping the butter with non-dairy margarine and swapping the milk for almond or oat milk.
Nutrition Information
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Terry Timmons says
Just made these this morning and the taste was great, but the balls were cakey instead of roll texture. Did I do something wrong or is that what is expected?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Terry! Glad you enjoyed them! No the texture is like a biscuit dough. Not sure what could of caused it to be cake like.
JoAnn Harvey says
Could I use gluten free flour in this recipe instead of the all purpose flour?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi JoAnn, I haven’t tested it myself but you probably could use a 1:1 substitute. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Christine says
Good, easy recipe. I’ll make them again but with much less butter. My Joy of Cooking biscuit recipe calls for 4-6 Tbsp of butter so I’ll go with that and then only 1/2 cup melted for dipping. I spooned on about half the left over melted butter and they were soaked. They are going to be very stodgy butter balls when they cool!
The Recipe Rebel says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Christine! Thank you for this kind review!
Linda says
If I use Rhodes frozen bread, thawed and roll into balls do I have to have the bread raise first?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Linda, I’ve only tested the recipe as written, so I can specifically say if using a different product. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Rozi says
Just put balls in the oven right now. So simple and easy to make. Can’t wait to eat them!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hope you enjoy them Rozi!
Turtle says
I just made these and we’re disappointed that they turned out crumbly and bread-like. What could I have done wrong?
Kimberley says
Trying this one out RIGHT NOW – I’ll be back with pictures 🤩😍
The Recipe Rebel says
Hope you enjoyed it Kimberley!
Nicole says
I followed both the recipe and instructions to a tee and they turned out beyond expectation. My boyfriend is still raving about them hours later. So, soooo delicious!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Nicole! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Nancy says
Anxious to try these and that’s my question I have for you…can I make these ahead of time but not bake them till the next morning? My family that’s coming in will love these I’m sure!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Nancy! Yes you can! I have a whole section in the blog post on how to Make Ahead and Refrigerate. Hope this helps!
Nancy says
Love this recipe! Was wondering if I could use canned biscuits and cut them up to roll in to balls in place of making the biscuits from scratch? Thought it could save me even more time in the kitchen.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Nancy! Feel free to substitute store bought biscuit dough!
Shelby says
I was craving something cinnamon-y and WOW these hit the spot!! They remind me of the “monkey bread” my mom used to make for me growing up. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Shelby!
Amelie says
These were so good! I made this for school because we got to pick any recipe
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Amelie!
Amy C says
I used frozen sweet dough and it was perfect. I also added some cream cheese to the icing but that is just a personal preference. Thank you for the recipe.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Amy!
Jeanette says
Delicious and easy. It was the best way to start our weekend. Thanks for this yummy recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jeanette!
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!