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The holidays are just around the corner and with them all of the parties and festivities. Wow your friends and family at your next brunch with these Gluten Free Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls.

There is something magical about the whole sensory experience of cinnamon rolls, such as Gluten and Dairy Free S’mores Cinnamon Rolls. The aromatic smell that wafts through the entire house, that first warm and slightly gooey bite, the soft, pillowy dough and the soft pillowy dough make them an occasion unto themselves.

Ingredients

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Peanut Butter Frosting

The best part of Gluten Free Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls, other than their irresistible flavor, is the easily accessible ingredients. You will love this recipe for the tender texture, warm and cozy flavors, and the fact you already have almost everything in your pantry.

Butter – Used in both the cinnamon rolls and also the cinnamon filling. Adds richness and moisture.
Oat Milk – Adds moisture and a tender texture to the cinnamon rolls.
Honey – Adds depth of flavor to the banana bread cinnamon rolls while also helping to feed the yeast.
Sugar – Adds sweetness to the yeast rolls while also helping to feed the yeast.
Warm Water – This helps activate the yeast and let it bloom.
Kosher Salt – Enhances all of the flavors of the ingredients.
Bananas – Ripe bananas not only provide natural sweetness to the rolls, but they also help them retain their tender and moist texture.
Gluten Free Flour – Bob’s Red Mill is my go-to flour for both savory and sweet baking.
Brown Sugar – Used in the filling, it adds a slight caramel flavor that pairs well with the bananas.
Cinnamon – The star of every cinnamon roll. I like to use Spiceology spices and seasonings. This chef created company makes all of their products in small batches, guaranteeing the freshest flavors.
Heavy Cream – Helps make the cinnamon rolls extra moist and fluffy. Country Crock Plant Cream is the ideal texture and flavor.
Cream Cheese – Use your favorite Dairy Free cream cheese to create the tangy, nutty frosting that hugs these rolls.
Vanilla Extract
Powdered Sugar – Adds sweetness to the peanut butter cream cheese frosting.
Creamy Peanut Butter – Banana’s best friend. This adds nutty flavor to the tangy cream cheese frosting.

How to Make Gluten Free Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

While there are a few steps to creating these banana bread cinnamon rolls, they’re easy to follow and portions can be prepared ahead of time. These are the ultimate make ahead rolls that will be perfect for your next holiday morning.

Time needed: 3 hours and 30 minutes

Prep
Add the warm water, honey, half of the sugar, and the yeast to a bowl. Stir to combine and allow it to sit for five minutes. It should become slightly bubbly.
Scald
Add the remaining sugar, butter, and oat milk to a saucepan over medium heat. Let the mixture bubble slightly but not come to a boil. Remove from the heat and let it partially cool.
Mix
Mix the banana and in a mixer fitted with a paddle. Add the yeast mixture to the banana mixture and mix to combine. With the mixer still running, slowly pour in the milk mixture.

Mix in half of the flour at a time until all of the flour is just incorporated. The dough will be sticky. Dust the outside of the doughball with flour.
Rest
Place the doughball into an oiled glass bowl and cover it with a towel. Allow it to rest in a warm spot for an hour. It should double in size.
Roll
Mix together the filling ingredients. Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface and begin to gently work it, careful not to press out any of the air bubbles. Roll the dough to about a 9×12 rectangle. Spread the filling mixture onto the dough and roll tightly. Cut it into 9 slices.
Rise
Butter a 9×11 baking dish. Place the rolls into the baking dish and cover with plastic wrap and a towel. Allow them to rise for an hour.
Bake
Remove the plastic wrap and towel. Pour the heavy cream over the top of the rolls and allow them to bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Let cool completely.
Frost
Mix together all of the ingredients for the frosting until smooth and creamy. Frost the tops of the rolls.

Tools

Mixer with Paddle Attachment – Using a mixer with a paddle attachment helps these yeast rolls come together quickly without overmixing.
Plastic Wrap – During the second rise, the combination of plastic wrap and a kitchen towel creates a warm and moist environment.
9×11 Baking Dish – Pick a baking dish that will accommodate the rise of the rolls.
Kitchen Towel – Helps create a warm, clean environment for the two rising periods.

The Secret To Cinnamon Rolls

Introducing heavy cream to your cinnamon rolls is like adding a secret ingredient that takes them to the next level. The cream brings a luxurious tenderness to the rolls’ texture, making each bite soft, moist, and incredibly satisfying. As the rolls bake, the cream works its magic, creating a golden, slightly caramelized exterior that adds a subtle richness to every bite. It’s an insider’s tip to crafting cinnamon rolls that are not just good but exceptional.

How much do we add?

When pouring heavy cream into the pan for cinnamon rolls, you don’t need to entirely submerge the dough. The goal is to provide a generous amount to ensure moisture and flavor enhancement, but not so much that it drowns the dough. Aim to cover about 2/3 of the dough with the cream, leaving some parts exposed.

Substitutions

In addition to being Gluten Free these rolls are also Dairy Free. You can replace the dairy free products with regular butter and heavy cream in this recipe.

In addition, with so many allergens and food sensitivities, I am always looking for ways to make my recipes accessible to everyone. If you or one of your friends or family have a tree nut allergy, the peanut butter in this recipe can be replaced with sunflower seed butter.

In addition to providing its own unique flavor that is a great swap for peanut butter, sunflower seed butter also offers up additional nutrients. It’s rich in protein, vitamin E, fiber, zinc, and iron.

How to Measure Bananas

We’ve all made banana bread or seen recipes that call for half a cup or a cup of bananes. But how much do you actually need when it comes to measuring bananas themselves? When it comes to measuring bananas, a recipe can state whether it’s chopped, or mashed, as in most banana bread recipes. However, they both measure slightly differently! Keep in mind that when addin bananas to a recipe more banana doesn’t equal more flavor. Instead it could leave you with a dense or mushy finished product. Instead, you want to use the ripest bananas possible for the most intense banana flavor.

Here is an easy guide to use the next time you need to measure out fresh banana for a recipe.

1/2 banana: 1/3 cup chopped | 1/4 cup mashed
1 banana: 2/3 cup chopped | 1/2 cup mashed
1-1/2 bananas: 1 cup chopped | 3/4 cup mashed
2 bananas: 1-1/3 cups chopped | 1 cup mashed
3 bananas: 2 cups chopped | 1-1/2 cups mashed
4 bananas: 2-2/3 cups chopped | 2 cups mashed

Top Tip for Gluten Free Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

This cinnamon roll recipe is a great make ahead dish. You can make the rolls up to the point of where they rest in the baking dish. Allow them to refrigerate until you’re ready to bake them. When ready to bake, let them sit at room temperature for at least an hour and then pour the cream on and bake them according to the directions.