These Cinnamon Roll Bites are the easiest way to get that amazing cinnamon roll flavor, and they’re ready from scratch in just 40 minutes! They’re a delicious treat, perfect for a lazy morning, or a yummy pick-me-up in the afternoon!
Looking for more sweet brunch recipes? Try my easy French Toast Casserole, these Perfect Cinnamon Buns, or this Cinnamon Roll Cake next!
Table of Contents
Cinnamon, sugar, and butter just make everything better, am I right?
We love a traditional cinnamon roll, especially as the days get cooler and all you want is some fresh, hot, sugary bread straight from the oven to warm you up!
I’ve already shared the BEST Cinnamon Buns recipe with you, but I just love these little bites.
This is one of the easiest recipes I’ve made for cinnamon roll treats, so it’s a win-win!
This easy treat is perfect for the holidays, to have them as part of your sweet breakfast spread, or just to snack on!
These bites are very similar to what I use in my Monkey Bread recipe, except the balls are cooked in one layer and there’s no yeast required (less waiting!).
Not using yeast in this recipe means this biscuit dough comes together in 5-10 minutes max, but the flavor and texture are still amazing.
You can even make the dough balls the day before, quickly finish them up, and bake them fresh in the morning.
All of this gives you more time for sleeping and spending time with family on busy holiday mornings, with a warm, cinnamon treat for all your not-so-hard work.
That sounds like a pretty good deal to me 😉
If you love the delicious cinnamon flavors here, you’ll love my Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns and this Cinnamon Roll Cake!
Ingredients Needed:
- Flour: all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or a mix of both will all work well too.
- Baking Powder: a quick-rising agent that will work fast so these bites are on your plate promptly!
- Salt: to enhance the warm, sweet flavors in these sweet treats.
- Butter: unsalted butter is best in this recipe. Make sure it’s cold from the fridge before using it for the biscuits. You’ll need to melt some for the cinnamon sugar coating.
- Milk: whole milk, lower-fat milk, or even dairy-free milk is fine here to help bind the biscuit dough and the glaze.
- Sugar: use a mix of brown and granulated sugar to get a slightly caramelized flavor for the coating.
- Cinnamon: ground cinnamon is the star of the show here.
- Icing Sugar: icing sugar, or powdered sugar, is the base of the sweet glaze.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Bites
This recipe couldn’t be easier! Full instructions are included in the recipe card below.
- Make the dough: stir together the dry ingredients, then add the butter until crumbly. Add just enough liquid so the dough comes together.
- Make cinnamon sugar: In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
- Coat dough balls in the melted butter, then coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture, and place them in the pie plate.
- Bake. Bake until the biscuits are cooked and the butter/sugar mixture is bubbling in the bottom of the pan. Drizzle with glaze before serving.
Cinnamon Roll Bites FAQs
Prep these cinnamon roll bites and keep them in the fridge or freezer, ready to be baked later on.
Fridge: Wrap the little balls of dough tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for 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.
Freeze: You can roll your biscuit balls, coat them in sugar, place them in the pan, cover them with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze them completely. Once frozen, the balls can be stored in a Ziploc bag for easier storage. Keep frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter in a single layer for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before baking as directed. You may need to increase the cooking time by up to 5 minutes.
Keep cinnamon roll bites in an airtight container on the counter for 2 days. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Make sure they’re fully cooled to room temperature before storing them.
Yes! Cool to room temperature and then cover with plastic wrap and foil and freeze up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake, covered, for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Tips and Notes
- Aluminum Foil: If you’re using a pie plate smaller than 10″, place a piece of tin foil in the oven under the plate to catch any possible drips.
- Yield: A single batch will make around 25 bites. You can double it to make enough for a larger crowd, but make sure the dough is the right consistency before making the dough balls.
Cinnamon Roll Bites Variations
- Biscuit dough. You can use store-bought biscuit dough for this recipe if you prefer. It’s an even quicker, easy way to make them, you don’t need to make any changes to the recipe!
- 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 fiber.
- Dairy-Free. You can easily make these Cinnamon Roll Bites dairy-free. Simply swap the butter for non-dairy margarine and the milk for almond or oat milk.
- Flavor the glaze. Add some vanilla extract, lemon juice, or orange juice to the glaze to give it more flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these yummy cinnamon bites with a Cold Brew Coffee or a Peppermint Mocha Recipe for a sweet breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up.
You can even have these cinnamon roll bites for a delicious dessert. Serve them warm and gooey with a scoop of ice cream. Try my Butter Pecan Ice Cream or this Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
More Easy Dessert or Sweet Breakfast Recipes to Try
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.
- Cut the butter into cubes and add them to the bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or fork until butter is in pea-sized pieces.
- Stir in the milk gradually, adding just enough so that the dough comes together. Bring the dough together in a ball with your hands (if you accidentally add too much milk and it becomes sticky, just add a little more flour).
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 10-inch pie plate or baking dish, or line it with a piece of parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Roll the dough into 1″ balls. Dip the balls in the remaining melted butter, coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture, and place them in the pie plate.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the dough balls in the pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the biscuits are cooked and the butter/sugar mixture is bubbling in the bottom of the pan.
- Make the glaze by combining the icing sugar and milk in a small mixing bowl.
- Remove the balls from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before drizzling the glaze over the balls. Serve hot or cold.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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gigi says
They look so yummy, i’m going to try them today! But one thing; can i use powdered sugar instead of icing sugar?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Gigi! They are the same thing. Enjoy!
April Perdue says
Should you refrigerate leftovers?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi April! Leftovers? LOL! Just kidding! No need to refrigerate the leftovers. Enjoy!
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!