Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine the comforting flavor of classic banana bread with the soft, gooey texture of cinnamon rolls. These swirled delights are filled with cinnamon-sugar and banana goodness, making them perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dessert. Moist, flavorful, and topped with a creamy glaze, they’re a creative twist on two beloved treats.

ingredients

Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.

all-purpose flourripe bananaswarm milksugaractive dry yeastyolksunsalted buttermelted buttersaltcinnamonbrown sugarground nutmegcream cheesevanilla extractpowdered sugar

directions

Warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C) and stir in the sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.

In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas and add the egg yolks, melted butter, and salt. Mix well.

Add the yeast mixture to the banana mixture and stir to combine.

Gradually add the flour and knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic, about 8–10 minutes.

Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1–1.5 hours.

In a separate bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the filling.

Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle.

Spread softened butter over the surface and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Tightly roll the dough into a log and slice into even rolls.

Place the rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let them rise again for 30–45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown.

While baking, prepare the cream cheese glaze by beating softened cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth.

Spread the glaze over the warm rolls before serving.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields approximately 12 rolls.Preparation time: 25 minutesRising time: 2 hoursBaking time: 25–30 minutesTotal time: 3 hours

Variations

Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the filling for crunch.

Mix mini chocolate chips into the dough for a chocolate-banana combo.

Use maple extract in the glaze for a deeper flavor.

Swap the glaze for a drizzle of caramel or peanut butter.

Add a layer of mashed banana to the filling for extra moisture.

storage/reheating

Store rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.Freeze unfrosted rolls for up to 2 months; thaw and reheat before glazing.To reheat, microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry?

Yes, just skip the proofing step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients.

Can I make these overnight?

Yes, assemble the rolls and let them rise in the fridge overnight. Bake the next morning.

Why is my dough too sticky?

Add flour a tablespoon at a time until it becomes manageable, but avoid over-flouring.

Can I make this without a stand mixer?

Yes, knead the dough by hand—it just takes a little extra effort.

What if my bananas aren’t ripe?

Bake them at 300°F (150°C) for 15–20 minutes with the peel on to speed up ripening.

How do I prevent gaps in the swirl?

Roll the dough tightly and avoid overfilling with butter or sugar mixture.

Can I use gluten-free flour?

Yes, but the texture may be slightly different—use a 1:1 gluten-free blend.

What’s the best way to mash bananas?

Use a fork or potato masher until smooth with some small lumps.

How sweet are these rolls?

They’re mildly sweet like banana bread with a rich glaze and sugary swirl.

Can I skip the glaze?

Yes, or dust with powdered sugar for a lighter finish.

Conclusion

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are a heavenly fusion of two favorite baked goods, offering all the moist richness of banana bread with the sweet, spiced swirl of a cinnamon roll. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or reheated with a warm glaze, they’re sure to become a new comfort food favorite.