If you’ve ever found yourself dreaming of combining the indulgent sweetness of cinnamon rolls with the comforting familiarity of banana bread, this baked banana cinnamon roll recipe will take you on a delightful journey.
Whether you’re making it for a leisurely weekend brunch or a quick after-dinner indulgence, you’ll find yourself experimenting with the recipe, customizing it with nuts, chocolate chips, or even a drizzle of maple syrup.
This recipe is your ticket to discovering something unexpected, a sweet treat that’s as easy to make as it is hard to resist. It’s comfort food with a twist—no passport required.
Why You’ll Be Hooked!

- I love how the banana makes the dough extra soft, creating the perfect, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- The sweet banana and cinnamon combo is my go-to for a comforting breakfast or dessert, blending two of my favorite flavors.
- I’ve started experimenting with adding a handful of toasted pecans, which gives it that extra crunch and a Southern touch.
- It’s an easy recipe that looks sophisticated, impressing guests without much effort—perfect for brunch.
- The best part? It tastes good. Every. Single. Time.

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand mixer with paddle and whisk attachments
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- 9 x 13 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Sharp knife or dental floss
- Microwave-safe bowl
Ingredients
cinnamon sugar filling
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Dough
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- ⅔ cup mashed overripe banana
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2¼ tsp Rapid Rise yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup milk
cinnamon cream cheese frosting
- 2 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, brown sugar, yeast, cinnamon, and salt, and mix to combine.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the milk and butter together for about 30 seconds until the butter is mostly melted and the mixture is warm but not hot.
- If it's too hot, let it cool before adding to the flour mixture to avoid killing the yeast.
- Add the warm milk mixture and mashed banana to the dry ingredients and beat on low speed, increasing to high until fully incorporated, about 2 minutes.
- Scrape the sides of the bowl, then add another cup of flour and beat until combined.
- Gradually add the remaining cup of flour until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a ball.
- Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and stretchy.
- Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the filling in a small bowl and set aside.
- Once risen, roll the dough into an 18×12 inch rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread softened butter all over the surface of the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top, pressing gently so it adheres.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long edge and pinch the seam to seal.
- Slice into 12 even rolls using floss or a sharp knife, then place them in a parchment-lined 9×13 inch pan.
- Cover loosely and let rise again for about 1 hour, or until puffed and doubled.
- Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until golden brown and fully baked.
- Let the rolls cool slightly while you prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, salt, and vanilla extract together until fluffy.
- Spread the frosting over the warm rolls and enjoy.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for a naturally sweeter and softer dough.
- Don’t rush the kneading—proper gluten development ensures tender and chewy rolls.
- Press the cinnamon-sugar filling into the butter to prevent it from spilling out during rolling.
- Dental floss cuts cleaner rolls than a knife, preserving their shape and swirl.
Nutrition | Value |
Calories | 118kcal |
Carbohydrates | 23.8g |
Fat | 2.3g |
Protein | 1.05g |
Variations To Help You Customize This Dish!
- Nutty Additions: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the cinnamon sugar filling for a crunchy texture and extra flavor.
- Chocolate Lovers: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough or sprinkle them inside the cinnamon roll filling for a sweet twist on the classic.
- Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the rolls once they’ve cooled slightly for an extra indulgent treat.
- Spiced Up: For a spicier kick, increase the cinnamon in the filling or add a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or allspice.
- Maple Syrup Glaze: Replace the vanilla extract in the frosting with maple syrup for a warm, maple-flavored glaze that pairs wonderfully with the banana bread taste.