If you love the cozy flavor of banana bread and the soft texture of homemade cinnamon rolls, this recipe brings the best of both together. These banana bread cinnamon rolls use mashed ripe bananas to create a naturally sweet dough that bakes up fluffy, soft, and packed with warm cinnamon flavor.
Jump to RecipeThey’re perfect for weekend brunch, cozy baking days, or using up overripe bananas sitting on the counter. The dough is soft, the cinnamon sugar filling creates that classic swirl, and a simple cream cheese frosting melts right into the warm rolls.
Why These Banana Cinnamon Rolls Are So Good
There are many homemade cinnamon rolls out there, but adding bananas creates something special.
Here’s why these banana cinnamon rolls stand out:
- Mashed bananas make the dough extra moist and fluffy
- The cinnamon sugar filling creates a gooey center
- They bake into soft bakery-style cinnamon rolls
- Perfect recipe for overripe bananas
- Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
These soft banana cinnamon rolls taste like a mashup of banana bread and classic cinnamon buns.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Dough Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
Using ripe bananas is important because they add natural sweetness and help create that soft dough texture.
Cinnamon Sugar Filling
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup softened butter
This filling creates the signature cinnamon swirl that makes every bite warm and sweet.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
This frosting turns the rolls into banana cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting, making them rich and indulgent.
How to Make Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Prepare the Banana Dough
In a large bowl, mix warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes slightly foamy.
Add mashed bananas, sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Knead and Let the Dough Rise
Knead the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes until smooth. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and allow it to rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
This step is key for creating fluffy banana cinnamon rolls.
Roll and Add Cinnamon Filling
Roll the dough into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
Spread softened butter across the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly over the surface.
This creates the classic cinnamon sugar filling.
Shape the Cinnamon Rolls
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log.
Slice into about 10 to 12 rolls and place them into a greased baking dish.
Allow the rolls to rise again for about 30 minutes.
Bake Until Golden and Fluffy
Bake the rolls at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 to 30 minutes until they turn lightly golden.
Your kitchen will smell incredible.
Cream Cheese Frosting for Banana Cinnamon Rolls
While the rolls bake, whisk together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
Spread the frosting over the warm rolls so it melts into every swirl.
This creates the classic banana cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting texture that makes them irresistible.
Pro Tips for Soft Cinnamon Rolls
These tips help make the best banana cinnamon rolls recipe:
- Use very ripe bananas for stronger flavor
- Make sure milk is warm but not hot so yeast activates properly
- Don’t add too much flour or the rolls may become dense
- Allow enough rise time for soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls
Common Cinnamon Roll Mistakes
Even experienced bakers sometimes run into issues.
Here are a few common mistakes:
Dough too sticky
Add flour slowly while kneading.
Rolls not rising
Your yeast may be inactive or the milk too hot.
Filling leaking out
Roll the dough tightly to keep the cinnamon swirl intact.
Common Cinnamon Roll Mistakes
Even experienced bakers sometimes run into issues.
Here are a few common mistakes:
Dough too sticky
Add flour slowly while kneading.
Rolls not rising
Your yeast may be inactive or the milk too hot.
Filling leaking out
Roll the dough tightly to keep the cinnamon swirl intact.
Easy Variations to Try
Once you master the basic recipe, you can experiment with different flavors.
Some fun ideas include:
- Maple banana cinnamon rolls with maple glaze
- Chocolate banana cinnamon rolls with chocolate chips
- Nutty banana rolls with chopped walnuts or pecans
These variations keep the recipe interesting.
How to Store Banana Cinnamon Rolls
If you have leftovers, store them properly to keep them soft.
Room temperature:
Store in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days.
Refrigerator:
They will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Warm them slightly before serving to restore their soft texture.
Can You Freeze Banana Cinnamon Rolls?
Yes. These rolls freeze very well.
You can freeze:
- fully baked rolls
- unbaked rolls before the second rise
Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
What to Serve with Banana Cinnamon Rolls
These banana cinnamon rolls for brunch pair well with:
- hot coffee
- fresh fruit
- scrambled eggs
- yogurt parfait
They’re perfect for weekend brunch gatherings or cozy breakfast mornings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these overnight?
Yes. After shaping the rolls, refrigerate them overnight and bake the next morning.
Can I make them without yeast?
A quick version can be made using baking powder, but yeast produces the best fluffy texture.
Why are my cinnamon rolls dense?
This usually happens if too much flour is added or the dough didn’t rise long enough.
Final Thoughts
These banana bread cinnamon rolls from scratch are a delicious twist on two classic baked treats. The mashed bananas add moisture and sweetness, while the cinnamon filling and cream cheese frosting create that comforting homemade flavor.
Whether you’re baking for brunch, using up ripe bananas, or simply craving soft banana cinnamon rolls, this recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite.
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast.Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes slightly foamy.
- Add the following ingredients to the bowl:mashed bananas, granulated sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla extractWhisk until the mixture becomes smooth and well combined.Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough begins to form.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface.Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl and cover with a kitchen towel.Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.This step helps create soft and fluffy banana cinnamon rolls.
- Once the dough has risen, place it on a lightly floured surface.Using a rolling pin, roll it into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
- Spread ¼ cup softened butter evenly across the dough.In a small bowl, mix:brown sugarground cinnamonSprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
- Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log.Use a dough scraper or knife to cut the log into 10 to 12 rolls.Place the rolls evenly inside a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cover the baking dish with a towel and allow the rolls to rise again for about 30 minutes.The rolls will become slightly puffy.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until they become lightly golden on top.Your kitchen will smell amazing.
- In a medium bowl, combine:cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milkWhisk until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm banana bread cinnamon rolls.Allow the frosting to melt slightly into the rolls before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for better sweetness and flavor.
- Do not overfill the dough with flour or the rolls may become dense.
- For overnight cinnamon rolls, refrigerate the shaped rolls before the second rise and bake the next morning.