These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls combine two beloved classics into one irresistible treat! Soft, pillowy rolls infused with sweet ripe bananas, swirled with cinnamon sugar, and topped with crunchy nuts create a breakfast or dessert that’s truly unforgettable. The familiar comfort of banana bread meets the indulgent swirl of cinnamon rolls in this crowd-pleasing recipe that will fill your kitchen with the most amazing aroma.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Two Favorites in One: If you’ve ever had to choose between banana bread and cinnamon rolls, now you don’t have to! This recipe brilliantly combines both classics.
Uses Up Ripe Bananas: Got spotty bananas sitting on your counter? This recipe transforms them into something extraordinary instead of making the same old banana bread.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare these rolls the night before and bake them fresh in the morning for a special breakfast without the early wake-up call.
Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, add nuts or leave them out, choose your favorite frosting option—these rolls adapt to your preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Almond Milk: Creates the perfect moisture base for our dough. You can substitute with any milk you prefer.
Vegan Butter: Adds richness to both the dough and filling. Regular butter works too if you don’t need these to be dairy-free.
Yeast: The magic ingredient that gives our rolls their delightful fluffiness. Make sure it’s instant/fast-acting for best results.
Cane Sugar: Sweetens the dough and activates the yeast. The slight caramel notes complement the banana perfectly.
Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
Ripe Banana: The star ingredient! Provides natural sweetness, moisture, and that unmistakable banana bread flavor. The riper, the better.
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of our rolls. Using some whole wheat pastry flour adds a nutritional boost without compromising texture.
Cinnamon: The warm, spicy notes that make these rolls irresistible. Don’t skimp here!
Banana Slices: Thin slices nestled in the swirls provide pockets of pure banana goodness throughout each roll.
Walnuts or Pecans: Add wonderful texture contrast and nutty flavor. They’re optional but highly recommended.

Variations

Different Frosting Options

Try a cream cheese frosting for tangy richness, a simple powdered sugar glaze for classic sweetness, or a maple glaze for fall flavors.

Fruit Additions

Add a handful of blueberries or chopped strawberries to the filling for a fruity twist.

Spice it Up

Include nutmeg, cardamom, or a pinch of cloves along with the cinnamon for complex flavor.

Chocolate Lover’s Version

Sprinkle mini chocolate chips in with the cinnamon sugar filling—banana and chocolate are natural partners!

How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Warm the almond milk and vegan butter until melted but not boiling (about 110°F). Sprinkle yeast over the mixture and let it activate for 10 minutes until foamy. Stir in sugar, salt, and mashed banana. Add flour gradually, stirring until a soft dough forms. Knead briefly on a floured surface until smooth.

Step 2: First Rise

Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for about an hour until doubled in size.

Step 3: Roll and Fill

Roll the dough into a rectangle about 12×20 inches. Spread with melted butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Arrange banana slices evenly across the surface and sprinkle with chopped nuts.

Step 4: Shape the Rolls

Roll the dough into a tight log, starting from the long edge. Cut into 1½-2 inch sections using a serrated knife or floss. Place rolls in a buttered baking dish.

Step 5: Second Rise and Bake

Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar and additional nuts. Cover and let rise while preheating the oven to 350°F. Bake for 28-35 minutes until golden brown.

Step 6: Frost and Serve

Let cool slightly before adding your choice of frosting. Serve warm for the ultimate experience!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Perfect Bananas: Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best flavor in the dough.
Don’t Rush the Rise: The secret to fluffy rolls is patience during rising. Find a warm spot in your kitchen for optimal results.
Dental Floss Trick: Use unflavored dental floss instead of a knife to cut perfect rolls without squishing them.
Even Filling Distribution: Spread the filling ingredients all the way to the edges but leave a small strip bare along one long edge to help seal the roll.
Overnight Option: Make these rolls the night before and refrigerate after cutting. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and rise slightly before baking.

How to Serve

Breakfast Spread

Serve these rolls warm as the centerpiece of a special breakfast or brunch alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, and coffee.

Dessert Delight

Warm a roll slightly and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an incredible dessert experience.

Holiday Morning

These rolls make any holiday morning extra special—perfect for Christmas, Easter, or birthday celebrations.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep rolls covered at room temperature for 2-3 days. They’re best when fresh but will still be delicious when gently reheated.

Freezing

You can freeze the shaped, unbaked rolls in their pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to a month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then let rise at room temperature for about 1-2 hours before baking.

Reheating

Warm individual rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or cover the whole pan with foil and heat in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make these without banana slices in the filling?
Absolutely! The mashed banana in the dough provides plenty of banana flavor on its own. You can skip the slices and still have delicious banana-flavored cinnamon rolls.

How do I know when my dough has risen enough?
The dough should roughly double in size and feel soft and puffy. If you gently press it with your finger, the indentation should remain for a moment before slowly filling back in.

Can I use regular milk and butter instead of the dairy-free options?
Yes! This recipe works perfectly with traditional dairy ingredients if you don’t need a dairy-free version. Use the same measurements for cow’s milk and regular butter.

My rolls aren’t rising well. What went wrong?
Check the expiration date on your yeast—old yeast won’t activate properly. Also, ensure your milk mixture wasn’t too hot (which kills yeast) or too cold (which won’t activate it). The ideal temperature is around 110°F, feeling warm but not hot to the touch.

Final Thoughts

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls represent the best of both worlds—the comforting flavor of homemade banana bread wrapped in the indulgent swirl of a cinnamon roll. Whether served for a special breakfast, brunch with friends, or as a sweet ending to dinner, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles to the table. Don’t be intimidated by working with yeast—the process is forgiving and the results are truly worth it. Give these a try the next time you spot bananas turning spotty on your counter!

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe