Description

These banana bread cinnamon rolls combine the best of both worlds—moist banana bread and gooey cinnamon rolls! Naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting, these rolls are dairy-free, egg-free, and easy to make. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, they’re a healthier alternative to traditional cinnamon rolls with less sugar and fat.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
¼ cup warm almond milk (or any milk of choice)
¼ cup melted coconut oil (or butter)
¼ cup maple syrup (or honey)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ – 3 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon Filling:

½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons melted coconut oil (or butter)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

¼ cup vegan cream cheese (or regular cream cheese)
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon almond milk (or regular milk)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, warm the almond milk until it’s lukewarm (about 100°F).
Stir in the yeast and 1 teaspoon maple syrup. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, mash the bananas and mix with melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture.
Gradually add 2 ½ cups flour, cinnamon, and salt, stirring until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until smooth, adding the remaining ½ cup flour if needed.

Step 3: First Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place until it doubles in size.

Step 4: Make the Cinnamon Filling

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted coconut oil.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a 10×14-inch rectangle.
Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
Roll the dough into a tight log and cut into 10-12 rolls.

Step 6: Second Rise & Bake

Place the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let them rise for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a bowl, whisk together cream cheese, powdered sugar, almond milk, and vanilla.
Spread over warm rolls before serving.

Notes

✅ Make it Vegan: Use non-dairy milk and vegan cream cheese.
✅ Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts in the filling for extra crunch.
✅ Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour with 1:1 gluten-free flour.
✅ Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or fridge for 5 days.
✅ Reheating: Warm rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or bake at 300°F for 5 minutes.
✅ Freezing: Freeze unbaked rolls for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before baking.

Prep Time: 15 min
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll
Calories: 240 kcal
Sugar: 12g
Fat: 6g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 4g