If you’re the type to add apples to just about everything once fall comes around and love the sweet smell of cinnamon filling your kitchen, you’re in the right place. These homemade Apple Cinnamon Rolls are pillowy soft and perfectly spiced. Quick to prep and bake, they deliver all the cozy fall flavor without spending all day in the kitchen.
Jump to:
Homemade cinnamon rolls can sound intimidating, but if you can’t resist an apple dessert and you’re short on time, these Apple Cinnamon Rolls are right up your alley. Made with simple ingredients like flour, dairy-free milk, sugar, vegan butter, yeast, cinnamon, and—of course—apples, they come together easier than your typical from-scratch recipe.
Whether you’re baking for your family or just for yourself, these buns deliver that fresh-baked flavor without the fuss. It’s simple, cozy baking with bakery-style results—all from your own kitchen.
Looking for more apple recipes? Try my Apple Pop Tarts, Caramelized Apple Toast, and Apple Crumble next!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and Comforting: Sweet, spiced apples and soft, fluffy dough come together in a homemade roll that’s surprisingly easy to make—no complicated steps or fancy techniques required.
- Just Right for Weekend Mornings: While these rolls still need a little rise time, the process is straightforward and doable—perfect for weekends when you want something homemade without the hassle.
- Perfect Year Round: Sure, they feel cozy for fall, but these buns are great all year long. With easy-to-find ingredients, they’re perfect for brunch, weekend baking, or anytime you’re craving something warm and homemade.
Ingredients
- Milk and Butter: Dairy-free milk hydrates the dough and helps create a light, fluffy texture. Vegan butter adds richness, moisture, and flavor to the apple sweet rolls.
- Sugars: Granulated sugar feeds the yeast and adds a touch of sweetness to the dough. Brown sugar gives the center its signature gooey texture, while powdered sugar sweetens the frosting and helps make it smooth and spreadable.
- Instant Yeast: Instant yeast speeds up the rise time and works quickly when combined with milk and sugar. You can also use active dry yeast, but allow extra time for the dough to rise.
- Flour: Builds structure by forming gluten when mixed with liquid, helping the rolls rise and hold their shape.
- Apples: The star add-in! Apples bring soft, tart, fruity bites that complement the cinnamon and sugar while adding a touch of texture.
- Chopped Pecans: Add a nutty crunch and a slightly toasted flavor that pairs perfectly with the warm spices and soft, gooey dough.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the filling to prevent it from becoming too runny or leaking during baking and rising.
- Cream Cheese: Brings a creamy, tangy richness to the frosting and balances the sweetness of the rolls with a smooth consistency.
- Salt, Spices, and Vanilla: Salt enhances every layer. Cinnamon adds warmth, nutmeg brings subtle nuttiness, allspice adds depth with a slight pepperiness, and vanilla rounds everything out with a hint of sweetness.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Toasted Nut Topping: Toast extra chopped pecans—or your favorite nuts—in a dry skillet for a few minutes, then sprinkle them on top for added crunch and nutty flavor.
- Caramel Drizzle: Looking for an extra gooey center? Drizzle caramel sauce over the filling before rolling up the dough.
- More Naturally Sweetened: Cut back on the brown sugar and swap in a more natural sweetener like maple syrup, date syrup, or honey for a more wholesome take on this apple cinnamon roll recipe.
- Maple Glaze: Mix powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a splash of dairy-free milk for a smooth, pourable glaze that adds just the right amount of sweetness.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Ready to roll up that gooey filling into soft, fluffy layers? These apple cinnamon buns skip the complicated steps, long rise times, and still deliver seriously good results. Grab your ingredients, your pan and rolling pin, and let’s get baking.
Step 1: Activate the Yeast. Combine room-temperature dairy-free milk with 1 tablespoon of sugar in a bowl, then microwave for about 1 minute. Use a thermometer to check that the mixture reaches 105–110°F. Once it’s at the right temperature, stir in the yeast, cover with a towel, and let it activate for 5–10 minutes.
Step 2: Make and Rise the Dough. Add the flour, sugar, vegan butter, salt, and the activated yeast mixture to a large bowl. Knead the dough until well combined, then cover the bowl with a towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 45 minutes, or until it doubles in size.
Step 3: Cook and Cool the Filling. Finely chop the apples and cook them in a large pan over medium heat with chopped pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and vanilla. Sauté for about 10 minutes until the apples are soft and juicy, then whisk in the cornstarch to thicken the mixture, breaking up any clumps as you go. Transfer the apple mixture to a bowl and place it in the freezer for 10–15 minutes to cool completely before using.
Step 4: Knead and Roll the Dough. Once the dough has risen, place it on a floured surface and knead until it becomes smooth and less sticky, adding more flour as needed. Roll it out into a rectangle, roughly 15” x 10”.
Step 5: Fill. Spread the softened vegan butter evenly over the dough, then layer the cooled apple mixture on top, leaving a ½-inch border.
Step 6: Roll. Gently roll the dough from the long side, then slice into 12 equal pieces.
Step 7: Rise Again and Bake. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the apple rolls in a baking dish, cover with a towel, and let them rise for another 45 minutes in a warm area. Once puffy, bake for 30–35 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Step 8: Frost and Serve. In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth. Once the rolls have cooled slightly, spread a generous dollop of frosting over each one, and dig in!
Storage Directions
- Storage: Keep leftover apple sweet rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap, place them in a resealable freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: For best results, place them on a pan and cover with foil. Then, reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave individual rolls for 20–30 seconds for a quicker option.
- Make Ahead: To prep in advance, assemble the rolls and refrigerate them overnight. Let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. You can also freeze unbaked rolls—just thaw them overnight in the fridge, then bring them to room temperature before baking as directed.
Serving Suggestions
These warm and gooey apple pie cinnamon rolls are best eaten hot and fresh out of the oven! Whether you’re serving them for Sunday brunch or a slow morning at home with family, they disappear fast. So if you’re looking to round out your meal before everyone digs in, here are a few fun and easy ways to serve them up:
- Make it decadent with a scoop of vegan ice cream , a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a cozy cup of coffee or hot chocolate on the side.
- Create a DIY cinnamon roll bar with toppings like whipped cream, chopped nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chips—perfect for brunch or a family breakfast.
- Make it part of a wholesome morning spread and serve it alongside a healthy banana split, vegan oatmeal, or a vegan full English breakfast.
Expert Tips
- Prep the Apples Right: Cooking the apples before adding them to the dough intensifies the flavor and helps them bake faster in the oven. Just make sure they’ve cooled down before assembling—the hot apple mixture can compromise your dough.
- Rolling and Cutting: Roll the dough tightly (but gently!) to keep the filling in and create those signature swirls. For clean, even slices, use unscented dental floss instead of a knife.
- Dough Consistency: The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. If it’s sticking to your hands, sprinkle in a bit more flour. If it feels too dry, add a splash of dairy-free milk or water to add some moisture back.
Recipe Video
Recipe FAQs
It’s easy—look for golden edges and a fully cooked center. You can also insert a toothpick into the dough. If it comes out clean, they are ready to come out of the oven.
If your dough doesn’t rise, it’s usually due to inactive yeast or a room that’s too cold. Your best bet is to start fresh with new yeast and make sure the dough is rising in a warm, draft-free spot.
More Delicious Cinnamon Roll Recipes
Apple Cinnamon Rolls
These Apple Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with gooey spiced apples. They’re quick to prepare, full of cozy flavor, and perfect for any time of year. Whether you’re baking for brunch or just want a sweet treat, these homemade rolls are always a hit.
Ingredients
For the yeast
- ¾ cup dairy-free milk
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 packets instant yeast 4 ½ teaspoons
Dough
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour 480 g + more for dusting
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup room temperature vegan butter 120g
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 3 medium apples chopped finely
- 1 handful chopped pecans
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch nutmeg allspice, and salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- ⅓ cup room temperature vegan butter
Frosting
- 1 cup vegan cream cheese
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Combine room-temperature dairy-free milk and a tablespoon of sugar in a bowl and microwave them for about 1 min. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature and ensure that they are between 105-110*F.
Once you have reached the desired temperature, add the yeast to the mixture. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it sit for 5-10 minutes so the yeast can activate.
To a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, butter, salt, and the activated yeast mixture. Start kneading the dough until everything is well combined.
Once you’ve created your dough, cover the bowl of dough with a towel and leave it in a warm place for 45 minutes, until the dough has doubled in size.
While the dough is rising, begin making the apple filling. Finely chop the apples, then add them to a large pan over medium heat and add the chopped pecans, sugar, spices, and vanilla. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the apples soften and release their juices. Then add the cornstarch and whisk it through the apple mixture until it thickens. Make sure to break up any clumps
Note: don’t add the butter to the pan of apples. You will be spreading that on top of the dough instead.
Transfer the apple mixture to a bowl and place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to allow it to cool off. You don’t want to add the apples to the dough when they are too hot.
After the dough has doubled in size, take it out of the bowl. Sprinkle a clean surface with flour and place the dough on top. Knead the dough using your hands until it becomes less sticky. Add extra flour, a little at a time, if needed.
Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough into a rectangular (about 15 x 10 inches long).
Spread the room temperature vegan butter on top of the dough, then spread the apple mixture evenly on top, leaving about ½ an inch border around the perimeter.
Gently roll the dough starting from the longer side. Slice the dough into 12 equal-sized pieces. I find that using dental floss works best for slicing (make sure to use unscented floss).
Transfer the rolls to a pan. Cover them with a towel and place them somewhere warm for 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350*F.
Once the rolls have grown in size, place them in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are golden.
While the rolls are baking, whisk together the frosting ingredients.
Once the rolls have cooled off, add a large dollop of frosting on each roll and dig in!
Notes
- Use dental floss to cut the dough clean, even rolls without squishing the layers.
- Cool the apple filling before assembling to avoid deflating the dough.
- Make ahead-friendly! Assemble and chill overnight, then bake fresh in the morning.
Nutrition
Calories: 423kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 6gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 2gSodium: 375mgPotassium: 129mgFiber: 4gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 85IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 2mg
