Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (2024)

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5 from 5 votes

2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

by Marly

15

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Ready for a fun twist on classic cinnamon rolls? This vegan sweet potato cinnamon rolls recipe delivers added moisture, flavor, and gorgeous orange hue thanks to sweet potatoes. Whip up this delicious treat in no time with only a few simple ingredients.

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (1)

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I’m passionate about baking, and these cinnamon rolls? Well, they are a favorite. That’s because adding sweet potatoes makes them extra moist and flavorful, so I think they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

I love adding sweet potatoes to my recipes, such as these sweet potato black bean burgers. And, of course, having these sweet potato cinnamon buns are perfect for breakfast!

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What Makes This Recipe Shine?

  • Magical:Add cinnamon swirls to vibrant sweet potato rolls for the perfect treat for any occasion.
  • Healthy:Sweet potatoes pack in the nutrients and add subtle flavor to this classic comfort food.
  • Crowd Favorite:These yummy rolls will be a favorite at your next breakfast or brunch get-together!

Can’t get enough sweet breakfast ideas? Try these Vegan Cinnamon Rolls, Vegan Chocolate Croissants (ready in minutes), or these delightful Cinnamon Muffins.

Reader Reviews

These were so tasty. Made 2 batches. One white flour and one wheat flour. Equally good. Thanks for sharing!

Wyn

Ingredients & Substitutions

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:

  • Sweet potatoes:I use a medium sweet potato. You can find them in the produce section of your grocery store.
  • Plant-based milk:I prefer to use soy milk, but you can substitute oat milk or almond milk. You can find these in most grocery stores.
  • Vegan butter: Either the health food section or refrigerated section of your grocery store should offer plant-based butters. You can substitute softened coconut oil in a pinch.
  • All-purpose flour:I use all-purpose flour for the base of the dough. You can substitute bread dough or even whole wheat pastry flour. If you’re gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend instead.
  • Brown sugar:Use light or dark brown sugar to create that irresistible, caramelized flavor.

Marly’s Tips

  • Perfect Way To Raise Dough: You can let the dough rise in the microwave. Here’s how! Place a cup of water in a coffee mug or pyrex measuring cup. Heat it for 1 to 2 minutes, add the covered dough, and close the door. This creates a perfect environment for rising dough.
  • Get the temperature right: Let your butter set out until it’s room-temperature.
  • Assess the dough:Is your dough too dry? Add a tablespoon of milk. Is it too sticky? Add a tablespoon of flour.
  • Swirly Time: Roll the dough tightly to create a more even cinnamon swirl without gaps.
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (2)

Storage Tips

Store cinnamon rolls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 7 days. These can be frozen for up to 2 months. To serve, cook in the microwave until heated through.

Frequently-Asked Questions

Can you use instant yeast for cinnamon rolls?

You can use instant yeast to make cinnamon rolls which is nice because it creates a beautiful rise to your dough. This helps to make homemade cinnamon rolls a bit easier.

Can you make cinnamon rolls without milk?

You can make cinnamon rolls without milk. Use soy, almond, or oat milk to make soft, tender rolls without dairy. In fact, I make sweet potato dinner rolls without milk, and they’re a delicious part of to our dinner routine.

More Cinnamon Recipes

Sure, these sweet potato cinnamon rolls are amazing! Here’s to adding more tasty vegan cinnamon recipes, perfect for breakfast or any time of day, to your routine:

Vegan Cinnamon Bread

130 mins total

Vegan Coffee Cake

45 mins total

Vegan Apple Cinnamon Rolls

130 mins total

Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

140 mins total

I hope you love this recipe for Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls as much as we do!

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (7)

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Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (8)

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (9)

Vegan Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls

These sweet potato cinnamon rolls are fluffy, moist, and packed with the flavors of cinnamon and sweet potato. The vibrant orange hue makes them a beautiful treat!

5 from 5 votes

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Course: Bread

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 2 hours hours

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Rising Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 rolls

Calories: 294kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Dough

  • 1 medium-sized sweet potato (see notes)
  • ¾ cup plant-based milk
  • 4 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast one packet
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds

Cinnamon Roll Filling

  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons vegan butter softened

Almond Butter Glaze

  • 1 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk

Instructions

For the Dough:

  • Wash and scrub the unpeeled sweet potato, removing any undesirable areas. Pierce it 3 to 4 times with a knife and cook in a microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. Prick it with a fork. If it’s still firm, cook it for another minute until the potato is tender.

  • Once the potato is cool enough to handle, chop it into chunks. Place that in a food processor with the milk, vegan butter, and brown sugar. Pulse until smooth.Transfer this to a microwave-safe bowl (or use a saucepan over medium heat) and heat until it's warm to the touch (about 110°F/43°C).

  • In a large bowl, add the all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, cornstarch, and ground flax seeds. Stir to combine. Pour in the sweet potato mixture and stir to combine. Knead the dough in the bowl for 3 to 5 minutes. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking to the sides of the bowl. Spray the top of the dough with vegetable cooking spray, cover with a kitchen towel, and set it aside to rest for about 15 minutes.

  • Once the dough is ready, cover a working area with a sheet of plastic wrap. Place the dough on top of the plastic wrap and cover it with another sheet of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to approximately 14×9 inches in size. It helps if you pull the top layer of plastic wrap off the dough and cover it again with the same sheet. It also helps to place an anti-slip pad to keep the dough from sliding as you roll it.

  • Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place rolls in the prepared pan. Cover with a kitchen towel, and set aside to rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size, about one hour.

For the Filling:

  • Combine the filling ingredients in a separate bowl. Pour this over the rolled dough, covering all of it except for about a half-inch of the long edge furthest away from you. Starting from the long end closest to you, roll the dough into a log. Cut into 12 evenly sized rolls.

  • When the rolls have doubled in size, preheat the oven to 375ᵒF/190°C. Place pan in a center rack and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until the rolls are golden in color.

For the Almond Butter Glaze:

  • While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and almond butter. Once combined add milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach a desired, spreadable consistency.

  • When the rolls are ready, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for about 10 minutes before adding the glaze. Serve warm.

  • Store cinnamon rolls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 7 days. These can be frozen for up to 2 months. To serve, cook in the microwave until heated through.

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Notes

A medium sweet potato is approximately 5 inches long and 2 inches wide.

I prefer soy milk for my baked goods, but you can use any unsweetened plant-based milk, such as almond milk.

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 179mg | Potassium: 163mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 1950IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1.7mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

This post was originally published in 2019 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2021.

How to Make Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls

Here are some of the step-by-step photos to show you how to make vegan sweet potato cinnamon rolls. See the recipe card below for more exact instructions.

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (14)
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (15)
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (16)
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (17)
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (18)
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (19)
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream for cinnamon rolls? ›

Heavy Cream: Using heavy cream will produce the most deliciously gooey cinnamon rolls (think Cinnabon level gooey) so this is recommended. However, half and half, coffee creamer, whole milk or coconut cream will also work.

Should sweet potatoes be soaked before baking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

Which of the following are common mistakes made when preparing cinnamon rolls? ›

We spoke to some baking pros about common mistakes to avoid if you want the ultimate tray of cinnamon rolls.
  • You didn't use quality cinnamon for the cinnamon rolls. ...
  • You killed the yeast. ...
  • Not kneading the cinnamon roll dough enough. ...
  • Overmixing is as bad as undermixing. ...
  • Your cinnamon roll dough was under proofed.
Mar 10, 2023

What happens if I use milk instead of heavy cream? ›

You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe. This substitute is especially useful in cooking, but it may alter the texture of baked goods and will not whip as well as heavy cream.

Why pour milk on cinnamon rolls before baking? ›

Julie Clark, the blogger behind the website, notes that after years of research, she discovered that the key to getting perfectly gooey rolls is to “pour heavy cream over the cinnamon buns before baking. THIS is the secret ingredient and what makes the rolls rich and gooey.”

Is it better to wrap sweet potatoes in foil when baking? ›

Wrapping sweet potatoes in foil helps in a few ways. It prevents the exterior of the tuber from drying out and overheating too quickly, which would minimize enzymatic activity; it also results in a more evenly cooked texture.

How long can you leave sweet potatoes soaking in water? ›

Types of Potatoes to Soak

"Sweet potatoes can also be peeled and stored in water for up to 24 hours."

Why is my sweet potato hard after cooking? ›

If the potato is still firm when squeezed, that means it needs to cook more. Baked sweet potatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat for 2 minutes in the microwave, at 400°F in the air fryer for 5 minutes, or at 400°F in the oven for 10 minutes.

Why are my cinnamon rolls not light and fluffy? ›

There are a lot of variables that go into the consistency of dough, even down to the weather and humidity. But the most common reason cinnamon rolls don't turn out fluffy is because the dough didn't have enough time to rise.

Why did my homemade cinnamon rolls come out hard? ›

Don't Overbake Cinnamon Rolls

Overbaked cinnamon rolls are tough and chewy instead of light and pillowy. Since it can be a bit tricky to know when rolls are fully baked, use a digital thermometer. Bake cinnamon rolls until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches between 190°and 200°F.

What happens if you let cinnamon rolls rise too long? ›

Can cinnamon rolls rise for too long? Yes definitely! If you let your cinnamon rolls rise for too long you can over-proof them. This can lead to dense rolls or rolls that collapse after baking.

Should cinnamon rolls be touching in pan? ›

Place the cinnamon rolls into your prepared pan, with little room between each roll and ½ inch from the edge of the pan. Lightly press down on each roll so that the edges of each roll barely touch each other, and improve their round form if needed.

Should I leave cinnamon rolls out overnight? ›

Instead of letting the rolls rise at room temperature and baking them, you'll cut and arrange the rolls in the baking pan, tightly cover them with plastic wrap, immediately transfer them to the fridge and let them rest overnight. (Do not leave them out at room temperature for any longer than needed.)

How do I substitute dry milk for heavy cream? ›

If you find yourself short on heavy cream but you happen to have powdered milk in your pantry, try using it to give your dishes some added thickness and creaminess. One or 2 tablespoons of powdered milk can help to thicken sauces and soups that have a liquid base of something other than cream.

What is the difference between milk and heavy cream in baking? ›

Heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are best for recipes that require a thick and creamy texture, or for making whipped cream. Whole milk: Use whole milk in recipes that call for milk or when you want to add richness and flavor to a dish without making it too heavy.

Can I substitute milk for heavy cream in biscuits? ›

If you are going to substitute a non-cultured liquid into your biscuits, I'd strongly recommend using low-fat milk, or even whole milk, instead of cream. Both will give you a more pleasant biscuit, with just the right amount of fat that you'll still want to slather the inside with butter.

Can butter milk replace heavy cream? ›

Buttermilk doesn't whip and has a much lower fat content than heavy cream (meaning it makes stuff lighter and fluffier than heavy cream does). With a bit of know-how, you can substitute buttermilk or heavy cream for each other in a lot of cases.

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