With all your favorite cinnamon roll flavors, but a fraction of the effort, these gluten free cinnamon roll muffins are a family treat! With wholesome ingredients, lower sugar than its cinnamon roll counterparts, and even some gut healing collagen….these gluten free muffins are a mom’s best friend! Better still, they can be made dairy free too!
These little beauts have been on regular rotation since I nailed the recipe. I have one daughter who is OBSESSED with all things cinnamon rolls…and I needed something that was a bit less effort to put together.
From the get go…I never tried to make these extra healthy…just healthier. I get some serious flack from my children if I try to make something too healthy. While my taste buds have definitely changed…they want to be like everyone else. Sigh. I try, I really do!
True story. When asked what their mother’s favorite food is? They all answer, “salad.” LOL!! While I love me a good salad, I probably wouldn’t put it as my favorite food ever…it’s just really good! I like too many foods to pick a favorite anyways. But I digress!
I see this recipe as a perfect treat for a special day or holiday….or really anytime you want to treat someone!
See my notes below on how to make this work for your family…and remember I am here to answer any questions! Leave a comment and ask away!
Can I Sub Different Gluten Free Flours?
- Loads of people use pre-mixed gluten free flour blends for ease and convenience. While they should all function in this recipe (omit the xanthan gum if yours already has it), there is differences in taste and textures with Every.Single.Brand! I have tried a lot! My two favorites are Bob’s 1 to 1, and Pamela’s.
- Grain free? You could replace the rice flours with cassava flour to keep it grain free
- Refer to my Gluten Free Flours Tips page on making your substitutions, or leave a comment and I will help you figure it out!
Can I Make These Muffins More Low Carb?
Most definitely!
- Here is one low carb streusel topping you could try, or another. OR simply replace the brown sugar with an equal amount erythritol and a 1/2 teaspoon of molasses. The texture of the streusel will not be identical, as low carb sweeteners do not caramelize like regular sugar.
- Replace all the sugar in the muffins with some Lankanto Monk Fruit Sweetener, my favorite non GMO erythritol.
The flours will be trickier and I would have to experiment with MORE almond and some amount of coconut.
Cinnamon Roll Muffins Frosting Ideas
Honestly, these are so darn good, no additional topping is necessary in my opinion. But here are ideas you could try:
- Cream Cheese Frosting (no brown butter necessary in this case, up to you)
- Maple Glaze
- Vanilla Glaze or Buttercream Options @ Mama Knows Gluten Free
Additional Healthy Gluten Free Muffins To Try:
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Hemp Muffins
- Paleo 5 Minute Muffins
- Paleo Banana Muffins
- Grain Free Chocolate Banana Muffins via Recipes to Nourish
- Easy Paleo Orange Muffins via All the Nourishing Things
Gluten Free Cinnamon Roll Muffins Recipe:
If you try these sinfully addictive muffins, be sure to come back and leave a comment!
Gluten Free Cinnamon Roll Muffins
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter or softened coconut oil
- 1/2 cup organic sugar or use any favorite granulated sugar, I like using part Lankanto Monk Fruit
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup kefir regular or dairy free. Could also use 1/2 cup any yogurt.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry:
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup rice flour
- 1/2 cup brown rice flour
- 1/2 cup collagen use 'tessa10' for additional 10% off
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon xantham gum or guar gum
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Streusel:
- 1/4 cup rice flour or any gluten free flour
- 1/4 cup organic brown sugar or palm sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter or coconut oil, or vegan butter
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and prepare a 12 muffin tin.
- First make the streusel topping. Partially melt the butter, or use it extremely soft, then simply mix all ingredients together. Scrape out into a small bowl, and set aside.
- Continuing in the same mixer bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add in the eggs, scraping the sides if necessary, then the kefir and vanilla.
- Add in all the dry ingredients, slowly increasing the speed to beat the batter for several minutes until pale yellow, and slightly fluffy.
- Place about 3-4 tablespoons of batter into the bottom of each muffin space. I use my favorite muffin scoop for ease and consistency. Scoop about a teaspoon of the streusel mix into the center (mixture should be soft so it is a bit easier to swirl). Using a butter knife, gently swirl and stab to disperse the filling a bit.
- Now add another dollop of batter on top of the streusel. Divide the reaming filling over the tops of the all the muffins, gently swirling again if desired.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 20-22 minutes until the muffins are get and golden.
- Let rest a few minutes before enjoying. These store well at room temperature for multiple days...IF they last that long!
Nutrition
My kids just love cinnamon roll muffins and your healthy ideas are an awesome welcome. They are definitely on my do list because kiddos are struggling with weight issues.
These are so moreish!!! I made mine with coconut sugar and also replaced rice flours with cassava and a little coconut flour for a grain-free version and that still worked a treat.
Made these a few days ago and omg, they turned out absolutely delicious! My kids love them very much! I made them in jumbo muffin cups and baked them for about 20 minutes. They really do remind me of cinnamon rolls. I was thinking they may be good with some small diced apple pieces added in.
Thank you, Tessa, for sharing this wonderful recipe! Pinned!
Yay Annette! They are a little too good…I have a hard time keeping my mitts out of em!
This looks amazing, and I can’t wait to try it. Thank you so much! I’ve pinned it and added it to my collection on Mix.
What a yummy gluten-free treat! I love their size too, not too big, just right. Can’t wait to make!
That icing!! Yum!! I’ve been using so much almond flour lately, such a great alternative! What a great idea to sneak in other things like kefir here too! Definitely adding these to my list to bake!
Those are so tasty, my daughter asked to make them again.
Cinnamon rolls are a special special treat in our house – I can not wait to make these cinnamon roll muffins. And since they are healthier AND easier to make, I might actually make these more often. Thank you SO much!
Love cinnamon rolls – I made these yesterday and they were sooo good! Love that they are a healthier version!
Oh my! I am trying not to eat any sweets… what are you doing to me? ? I have got plenty of home-made kefir. When they get old, the best way to use them up is in baking! They make baked goods so soft and fluffy.