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These 30-minute cinnamon rolls are a total game-changer. They utilize a secret simple ingredient that cuts the prep time of these cinnamon rolls drastically and requires no rising!

horizontal image of cooked cinnamon rolls drizzled with icing

These 30-minute cinnamon rolls only require 8 simple ingredients and require no rising of the dough. You may be thinking, “how is this possible?”. Well, the trick is that we aren’t making our dough from scratch, and instead using a secret special ingredient to speed things up…canned biscuits!

overhead image of ingredients for cinnamon rolls

Here’s What You Need to Make These Cinnamon Rolls:

  • Canned Biscuit Dough: Believe it or not, some varieties of canned biscuit dough are accidentally vegan. Check out Pillsbury’s southern homestyle original or their buttermilk biscuits, as well as Annie’s and Immaculate Baking Co.
  • Powdered Sugar: The powdered sugar in this recipe is used to make the cream cheese frosting. If you don’t have powdered sugar, you can make your own by processing granulated sugar in a high-speed blender with some corn starch. Check out this recipe here.
  • Vegan Cream Cheese: The cream cheese in this recipe is used to make the frosting. We love to use cream cheese when making frosting because it gives it a great flavor and adds an extra zing. We like to use Kite Hill cream cheese, but any vegan cream cheese will do the trick!
  • Vegan Butter: We use vegan butter for two components of these 30-minute cinnamon rolls– for the cinnamon sugar filling and for the cream cheese frosting. Stick butter works best, and we really enjoy using either Earth Balance or Country Crock Plant Butter.
  • Cinnamon & Sugar: To fill these cinnamon rolls, we use a blend of ground cinnamon and light brown sugar. We like to use the Wholesome brand of light brown sugar since it’s organic and vegan.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a nice depth of flavor to our cream cheese frosting.
  • Lemon: A little splash of lemon helps round out and balance the flavor of the frosting.

Want More Recipes Like This?

Make sure you tag us on Instagram @sweetsimplevegan and @consciouschris and hashtag #sweetsimplevegan if you recreate any of our recipes, we love to see your photos!

overhead image of cooked cinnamon rolls drizzled with icing
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overhead image of cooked cinnamon rolls in pan

30-Minute Cinnamon Rolls (8-Ingredients)


  • Author: Jasmine @ Sweet Simple Vegan
  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 8 cinnamon rolls
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

These 30-minute cinnamon rolls are a total game-changer. They utilize a secret simple ingredient that cuts the prep time of these cinnamon rolls drastically and requires no rising!


Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 (8-count) tube refrigerated canned biscuits* (see notes)

Filling

  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons softened vegan butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 3/4 cup organic powdered sugar
  • 2 ounces vegan cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Almond milk, as needed

Instructions

  1. If you are using an oven, preheat the oven to 375˚F and line or grease a medium to large baking dish and set aside. Refer to #* for Air Fryer cooking directions. We used a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, but you could really use any medium to large oven-safe dish that you would like. If you are using an air fryer, directions are down below.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the filling, mix well, and set aside.
  3. Flour a clean work surface. Open the can of biscuits and place the biscuits onto the board in 2 rows of 4, being sure they are all overlapping each other like the photo above.
  4. Using a floured rolling pin, gently roll all of the dough into a rectangle, about 1/2″ thick and 9×12-inches in size. It does not have to be perfect! If there are holes in the middle, you can cut pieces from the outer edges and transfer that dough to cover the holes, using almond milk to water as a “glue” to get them to stick as needed. 
  5. Using a spatula, evenly spread the filling over the dough.
  6. Roll up the dough (from the long edge) into a tight log, and then place them seam-side down. Using a sharp knife or string, cut the log into 8 even pieces. 
  7. Oven-Baked: Arrange the cut rolls evenly onto the prepared baking dish. Bake in the oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
  8. Air Fryer: These rolls double in size, so only place a few in the air fryer at a time, depending on the size. Bake at 350°F for 6-7 minutes. Keep in mind that the first batch in the air fryer will take the longest. The subsequent batches will bake 1-2 minutes faster, so check on them regularly to prevent burning.
  9. While the rolls bake, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, sift in the powdered sugar (to prevent clumps) and then add in the remaining ingredients. Whisk together until smooth. Add in almond milk as desired if you would like a thinner frosting.
  10. When the cinnamon rolls are finished, allow them to cool for about 5 minutes and then generously drizzle with the frosting (we used it all). If necessary, you can use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the frosting. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Canned Biscuits – Believe it or not, some varieties of canned biscuit dough are accidentally vegan. Check out Pillsbury’s southern homestyle original or their buttermilk biscuits, as well as Annie’s and Immaculate Baking Co.
  • Store these cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in a cool and dry area on the counter for 1-2 days. We suggest warming these up before eating them so that they soften up and taste “fresh” again.
  • We have not tested this recipe with fresh biscuits, only with canned. Therefore, we are unable to recommend any variations in cooking times or methods. 
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven or Air Fryer

Keywords: air fryer, baked, cinnamon rolls, frosting, cream cheese, sweet, dessert, biscuit, 30 minute

Nutrition facts label provided by Nutri Fox.

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links, which simply means that we earn a commission if you purchase through those links, but your price remains the same. Thank you for supporting Sweet Simple Vegan!

Meet The Bloggers

hey there! we’re jasmine & chris.

Hi, we’re Jasmine and Chris! We share fresh and fun recipes to show you that vegan cooking is easy, approachable and delicious. When we’re not blogging, you will probably find us enjoying live music, tending to our backyard garden or playing with our dogs Berry and Louie

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8 Comments

  1. Made these Christmas morning – was a HUGE hit with the family! Thank you! Love your videos too!

  2. How delicious it looks, I’ll make this recipe right now!
    Thanks for sharing. Greetings!