Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls you Will Love

Hey there, banana bread fans and cinnamon roll lovers—this one’s for you! Welcome back to Recipes2Gather, where your favorite comfort foods come together in delicious ways. Today we’re baking up something that feels like a warm hug: Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls.

Imagine the cozy, familiar taste of banana bread swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar and topped with a luscious glaze. These rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with flavor—the perfect morning treat or late-night snack. And the best part? They’re easy enough to make from scratch but feel like something special you’d get at a fancy brunch spot.

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Banana bread cinnamon roll with glaze on plate

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls you Will Love


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  • Author: Chef Jennifer
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 912 rolls 1x

Description

Soft, sweet cinnamon rolls swirled with banana bread flavor and topped with a warm vanilla glaze—perfect for breakfast or dessert.


Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm milk
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1/2 cup mashed banana
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 1/23 cups flour

Filling:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup softened butter

Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 23 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Activate yeast in warm milk with sugar.
  2. Add butter, banana, egg, salt, and flour. Knead and let rise 1 hour.
  3. Roll out dough, spread with butter, and sprinkle filling.
  4. Roll, slice, and arrange in greased pan. Let rise 30 mins.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 20–25 mins.
  6. Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over warm rolls.

Notes

To make ahead, refrigerate rolls after slicing. Let rise before baking the next day.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 roll
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

If you’ve fallen for the flavors in our Pumpkin Dump Cake or love cozy desserts like our Cottage Cheese Dessert Recipes, this recipe is going to hit the spot. Let’s get baking!

Key Benefits

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls bring together the best of two beloved baked goods—and they’re full of practical benefits too:

  • Perfect for Ripe Bananas: This is one of the best ways to use up bananas that are too soft for snacking.
  • Soft and Fluffy Texture: Thanks to mashed bananas and warm milk, the dough is tender and light with just the right amount of chew.
  • Naturally Sweet Flavor: Bananas add a mellow sweetness, so you don’t have to overload with sugar.
  • Big-Batch Friendly: These rolls make enough for sharing—and they reheat beautifully for breakfast all week.
  • Totally Customizable: You can make these dairy-free, gluten-free, or swap the glaze for cream cheese frosting.

These rolls also feel right at home alongside other sweet-and-savory favorites like our Cream Cheese Crescent Roll Appetizer or served warm with a cup of Wisconsin Cheese Soup for an indulgent comfort pairing.

Ingredients for Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

These rolls are made with pantry staples and a few overripe bananas to bring that classic banana bread flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients for banana bread cinnamon rolls

To make the dough:

  • You’ll need one packet of active dry yeast, which comes out to about 2¼ teaspoons.
  • 1/4 cup warm milk (110°F)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • Mash up one good, ripe banana—that should give you about half a cup.
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour

Next, prepare the filling:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  • Optional: chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips

Finally, whip up the glaz

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Want to change it up? Add a pinch of nutmeg or swap vanilla for maple in the glaze—just like we tweak flavors in our Cottage Cheese Sauce for Chicken.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

You’ll pull these rolls together in just a handful of easy steps. Here’s how to do it:

Step-by-step banana bread cinnamon roll making
  1. Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and sugar. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, just until it gets nice and foamy.
  2. Mix the Dough: Stir in the melted butter, mashed banana, egg, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, then gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead & Rise: Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes. Tuck the dough into a greased bowl, cover it up, and let it rise for around an hour until it’s soft and puffed up.
  4. Prepare the Filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Shape the dough into a rectangle, spread it with soft butter, and generously cover it with your cinnamon-sugar blend.
  5. Roll & Slice: Roll it up tightly like you’re making a jelly roll, then cut into even slices. Slice into 9–12 rolls and place in a greased baking dish.
  6. Second Rise: Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, until the rolls are golden and your kitchen smells incredible.
  8. Glaze & Serve: While warm, drizzle with glaze and serve immediately.

You can also make these the night before and bake fresh in the morning—just like prepping for a weekend batch of Blueberry French Toast.

Pro Tips and Variations for Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Make these rolls your own with a few fun ideas:

  • Add a Crunch: Chopped pecans or walnuts work beautifully in the filling.
  • Boost the Banana: Add a few banana slices in the center before rolling for extra fruitiness.
  • Switch the Glaze: Go for a maple glaze, cream cheese frosting, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
  • Make Mini Rolls: Roll the dough tighter and slice thinner for bite-sized treats.
  • Freeze Ahead: You can freeze unbaked rolls after slicing—just let them thaw and rise before baking.

For a savory twist, try using the dough base without sugar and pair it with Port Wine Cheese Spread for a sweet-and-savory brunch board!

Serving Suggestions for Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls are the ultimate comfort treat—here’s how to serve them:

  • With Coffee or Tea: Warm and gooey alongside a hot mug is pure magic.
  • On a Brunch Table: Pair with fruit, yogurt, and Cheeseburger Bowls for a full spread.
  • Turn it into dessert: Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a little more glaze for the perfect sweet treat.
  • Pack for Lunches: Pop one in a container for a midday pick-me-up.
  • Holiday Morning Favorite: Make ahead for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter morning—your family will thank you.

And if you love how these taste fresh from the oven, try them with a chilled glass of Shirley Temple Punch for a fun, fizzy pairing.

External Resources on Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

  1. The Kitchn breaks down how to make classic cinnamon rolls with helpful visuals.
  2. Bon Appétit offers tips on banana bread flavor and texture that apply beautifully here.
  3. Healthline explores the health benefits of ripe bananas in baking.
  4. Serious Eats shares expert tips for soft, gooey cinnamon rolls every time.

Conclusion

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are the best of both worlds: the comforting taste of banana bread rolled up in soft, gooey cinnamon swirls. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just want to treat yourself to something cozy, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.

It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and full of warm, familiar flavor. One bite and you’ll see—this isn’t just another roll, it’s a whole mood.

Give them a try and see how quickly they become a weekend favorite!

FAQs

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

Yes! Plan ahead: Prep the rolls the night before, then simply bake them fresh in the morning. Just cover and refrigerate after shaping.

Do I have to use ripe bananas?

Definitely—those super ripe bananas bring all the sweetness and help keep the rolls soft and tender.

Can I freeze these?

Definitely. Freeze baked or unbaked rolls in a sealed container for up to 2 months.

What if I don’t have yeast?

Try using a no-yeast cinnamon roll dough, but note the texture will be more biscuit-like.

How do I reheat leftovers?

Warm in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or pop in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes.

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