These healthy cinnamon rolls are made with whole grain spelt flour. Low in sugar, yeast-free, and less sugar than the classic version!
Oh man, I'm excited today.
Excited to share my latest, awesome, low sugar creation with you, that is. Healthy cinnamon rolls!!!!
I've made this recipe countless times over the years, always trying to make sure it's perfect. My husband and kids are gaga over these, and I too am thrilled with them.
Most cinnamon roll recipes are full of sugar and/or yeast, neither of which I handle well.
As usual, my indomitable craving turned into a full-blown, tunnel-visioned objective, which ultimately led to today's deliciousness.
How To Make Healthy Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients Needed
Recipe Steps
First, you make the dough. Stir together the dry ingredients, then add in the applesauce until mixture looks 'pebbly'. Finally, add in the remaining wet ingredients to make a dough.
Knead and roll out the dough.
Spread the dough with butter and sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar. Then, roll the dough up, jellyroll-style.
FAQs
Can you make these gluten-free?
Is there a substitute for the applesauce?
Baking tips
The bake time is particular, so watch it carefully.
At 12 minutes, the bread is puffed, and the insides are doughy to the point of almost being undercooked, which is not necessarily a bad thing. As they sit for a minute or two, this improves.
At 13 minutes, they are 98% fully cooked, but still doughy. I like mine at about 12.5 minutes. 🙂
Important Notes
There is NO added sweetener in the dough portion of this recipe and only a modest amount of coconut sugar in the filling.
This is a smaller batch recipe, suitable for about 3-4 people. Like I've mentioned before, small batch and single serve treats work better for us!
For my husband, I make a glaze with organic powdered sugar and milk, but the kids and I generally eat these naked.
Frosting Ideas
Go the old-fashioned route with a mixture of powdered sugar and milk. See this recipe for better details.
Grind some coconut sugar to a fine powder in a coffee grinder and mix with milk for a healthier version of the above.
Spread some coconut butter on top.
Skip the frosting and dunk your roll in your favorite tea or some Homemade Walnut Milk.
Healthy Cinnamon Rolls - NO Yeast!
Ingredients
FOR THE ROLL:
- 1 cup whole spelt flour about 148 grams
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5-6 Tablespoons milk of your choice
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
FOR THE CINNAMON SUGAR FILLING:
- 4 teaspoons softened butter or coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
FOR THE ROLL:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the applesauce so that the mixture looks 'pebbly'.
- Stir in four tablespoons of milk, vanilla, and vinegar, adding extra milk as needed. The dough should all be moist, but NOT sticky. If it happens to get too sticky, just add a bit more flour.
- Knead the dough a bit until it is smooth.
- Form a ball and cover the dough with a bowl for five minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- After the dough has rested, divide it into four.
- Roll out each piece into an oval shape. It should be about 1/8-1/4 inch thick.
- Spread each piece with one teaspoon of butter or coconut oil (if using).
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture equally onto each piece (you can save a bit for the top if you like).
- Carefully roll the dough, jellyroll-style.
- Cut each roll in half.
- Place the rolls into a small oiled baking dish (sprinkle with any remaining cinnamon sugar).
- Bake for 12-13 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Shared with: Busy Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Full Plate Thursday, Hearth and Soul
Heidi Bruner
These look incredible and I love that it makes a small batch! Can i use GF Flour?
Lauren
Sorry for the delay Heidi, I'm not sure on the GF flour, as I've not tried. I'd love to know if you try it and how it goes though!
Ellen
I am definitely making these soon, maybe tomorrow for breakfast 🙂
Lauren
I hope you like them Ellen!
Patti
Thank you for all your hard work on creating these AND for Sharon your recipe. They look AMAZING. Yum!! ?
With an intolerance for spelt, is there another flour substitute that you could recommend?
PA
Lauren
Hi Patti,
Whole wheat works as well. I'm not certain about any gluten-free flours though.
Laura
I love the way your excitement and joy pops off the page. Probably about about fast as these delicious looking cinnamon rolls pop into hungry mouths 🙂
Lauren
Haha! I am excited about these. I've wanted to make a healthy cinnamon roll for so long! 🙂
Walter D.
Honestly, these are unbelievable. I am a lover of cinnamon rolls and these blew me away! These are the healthiest cinnamon rolls in existence and they still taste like my mom's gooey sweet decadent treats! From all the cinnamon roll addicts in the world thank you for this recipe..
Celina
These were super tasty. I was actually able to use a combination of oat flour and unbleached, unprocessed all-purpose flour for this and it worked out just fine for me. Thank you so much for this healthy version!!
Lauren
That's great Celina, I'll have to try it with oat flour sometime!
Priya
Hi Lauren,
These look delicious, would a 1/4 cup of oat flour and a 1/4 cup of spelt combined work? Or would you suggest sticking to spelt?
Could I add a little sugar to the dough too?
Thanks,
Priya
Lauren
Hi Priya,
I think the combo would work, and yes, you can add a bit of sugar to the dough if you like. I hope you like these if you try them, they're my hubby's favorite!
Ileana
Love the recipe but was wondering if there any substitute for the applesauce?
Lauren
You could try pumpkin or pear puree.
Tammy
Love these mini rolls! They looks so yummy and easy to make too!
Lauren
Thanks, Tammy! They're a favorite around here too.
Nonurbeezwax👽
I want mum, I want💖😋 and I HATE the cinny👽
Olivia
can i use all purpose flour? and if i use greek yogurt instead of applesauce then i omit the vinegar? thank you so much
Lauren
So, you're I've tried plain yogurt, but not Greek. Greek is thicker, which will reduce the moisture, but you may be okay, as all-purpose wouldn't need as much moisture. Does that help? And yes, you should be okay to eliminate the vinegar in that case. Let me know how it goes?
Kat
What can I substitute for spelt flour?
Lauren Goslin
Whole wheat or whole wheat pastry should both work!