Name: One-Bowl Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas); 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey; 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (or butter); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour); 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional); 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1-2 tablespoons almond milk (or milk of choice)

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These soft, gooey, and delicious cinnamon rolls combine the best of banana bread and cinnamon rolls in one easy recipe. A comforting treat for breakfast or dessert, made with minimal ingredients in one bowl!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls offer the perfect marriage of two beloved classics. The familiar comfort of banana bread meets the irresistible swirl of cinnamon rolls, creating a unique treat that's surprisingly simple to make. The recipe requires just one bowl, minimizing cleanup while maximizing flavor. Whether you're looking for a special weekend breakfast or a cozy dessert, these rolls deliver warm, aromatic satisfaction with every bite. Plus, they incorporate fruit and can be made with wholesome ingredients like maple syrup and applesauce, making them a slightly more nutritious option than traditional cinnamon rolls.

Ingredients

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

Ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture, creating that distinctive banana bread flavor profile. The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your rolls will be. Those brown-spotted bananas on your counter? They're perfect for this recipe.

Maple syrup or honey acts as a natural sweetener that complements the banana flavor beautifully. Either option adds depth and complexity beyond what regular sugar would provide.

Unsweetened applesauce helps keep these rolls moist without adding extra fat. It's a clever ingredient that enhances the fruit flavor while contributing to the soft texture.

Coconut oil gives these rolls richness and helps create that tender texture. It can be substituted with butter if you prefer a more traditional flavor profile.

Vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor. Even a small amount elevates all the other ingredients in the recipe.

Ground cinnamon is essential for authentic cinnamon roll flavor. It appears in both the dough and the filling, creating layers of warm spice throughout each bite.

Baking soda serves as the leavening agent, helping the rolls rise and achieve their fluffy texture.

All-purpose flour provides structure to the dough. If you have dietary restrictions, a good quality gluten-free flour blend can work as a substitute.

Coconut sugar or brown sugar gives these rolls their classic sweet filling and caramelized notes. The unrefined nature of these sugars adds more complexity than white sugar would.

Walnuts add optional texture and nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with banana and cinnamon. They can be omitted for those with allergies.

Powdered sugar creates the sweet glaze that gives these rolls their finished look and extra touch of sweetness.

Almond milk thins the glaze to the perfect consistency. Any milk will work here, so use what you have on hand.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch (or similar size) baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Add the maple syrup (or honey), applesauce, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
In the same bowl, add the baking soda, salt, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and flour. Mix until a thick dough forms.
In a small bowl, combine the coconut sugar (or brown sugar) and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon for the swirl. Set aside.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a ¼-inch thick rectangle. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with chopped walnuts if desired.
Carefully roll up the dough from the long edge into a tight log. Slice into 8-10 rolls and arrange them in the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and firm to the touch.
While the rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar and almond milk to make the glaze.
Once the rolls are done, remove from the oven and drizzle with the glaze.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 8 servings of banana bread cinnamon rolls. Each serving contains approximately 220 calories, making it a relatively reasonable treat compared to traditional cinnamon rolls. The preparation takes about 10 minutes, with a cooking time of 35 minutes, for a total time of 45 minutes from start to finish. These rolls are perfect for a weekend breakfast when you have a bit more time in the morning, or as a delightful after-dinner dessert.

Variations

Chocolate Chip Banana Rolls: Add ½ cup chocolate chips to the cinnamon-sugar filling for a decadent chocolate twist.

Nutty Banana Rolls: Enhance the optional walnuts by adding ¼ cup to the dough itself, along with the filling, for extra texture and nutrition.

Peanut Butter Banana Rolls: Spread a thin layer of natural peanut butter over the dough before adding the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a classic flavor combination.

Spiced Banana Rolls: Add ¼ teaspoon each of nutmeg and cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a more complex spice profile.

Cream Cheese Frosted Rolls: Replace the simple glaze with a cream cheese frosting by beating 4 oz softened cream cheese with ¼ cup powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla.

Whole Grain Version: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and nutrition.

Tropical Twist: Add ¼ cup of shredded coconut to the filling and replace the vanilla extract with coconut extract.

Storage/Reheating

These banana bread cinnamon rolls can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. The rolls can also be frozen for up to 3 months, either as a whole batch or individually wrapped for convenient single servings.

To reheat refrigerated rolls, microwave for 15-20 seconds or place in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through. For frozen rolls, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or reheat from frozen in a 300°F oven for 15-20 minutes.

For the best taste and texture, you may want to add a fresh drizzle of glaze after reheating, as the original glaze tends to absorb into the rolls during storage. A small pat of butter on top of a warm roll can also refresh the flavor and moisture.

FAQs

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the rolls the night before and refrigerate them unbaked. In the morning, let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. Alternatively, you can bake them ahead and reheat as needed.

How ripe should my bananas be for this recipe?

The riper the better! Bananas with plenty of brown spots or even mostly black peels will provide the best flavor and natural sweetness. They'll also be easier to mash into a smooth consistency.

Can I make these rolls gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Look for one that contains xanthan gum for the best texture results.

What if my dough is too sticky to roll out?

If your dough is very sticky, add a bit more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it's workable. You can also chill the dough for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.

Can I use a different sweetener in place of maple syrup or honey?

Yes, you can use agave nectar, date syrup, or even regular sugar (though you may need to add a bit more moisture if using granulated sugar).

Why didn't my rolls rise much during baking?

These rolls don't rise as dramatically as traditional yeast-based cinnamon rolls since they use baking soda instead of yeast. They'll have a denser, more banana bread-like texture.

Can I add other fruits to this recipe?

Yes! Finely chopped apples or a handful of berries can be added to the filling. Just be aware that very juicy fruits might make the filling runny.

How do I know when the rolls are done baking?

The rolls should be golden brown on top and firm to the touch. You can also insert a toothpick into the center of a roll – it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.

Can I make these vegan?

These rolls are already dairy-free if using plant-based milk for the glaze. The recipe uses coconut oil instead of butter, and the only non-vegan ingredient might be honey, which you can easily substitute with maple syrup.

What if I don't have a rolling pin?

A clean wine bottle, glass water bottle, or even a tall drinking glass can work as a substitute for a rolling pin. You can also press the dough out with your hands on a floured surface.

Conclusion

These One-Bowl Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls represent the perfect fusion of two beloved treats, offering the comforting flavor of banana bread in the irresistible format of a cinnamon roll. With their simple preparation and minimal cleanup, they're accessible to bakers of all skill levels, while still delivering impressive results that will delight family and friends alike.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility. Whether served warm for a weekend breakfast, packed in lunchboxes as a sweet treat, or enjoyed with afternoon tea, these rolls fit countless occasions. The recipe also welcomes customization—add chocolate chips, experiment with different nuts, or adjust the spices to make them uniquely yours.

By combining fruit with classic baking ingredients, these cinnamon rolls offer a bit more nutritional value than traditional versions while sacrificing none of the satisfaction. The next time you're faced with overripe bananas, consider skipping the standard banana bread and try these rolls instead—they might just become your new favorite way to use up those spotted bananas on your counter!