These keto cinnamon rolls are the ultimate comfort food. They taste so good it's hard to believe they are sugar free, grain free, gluten free and come in at only 1.3 net carbs per roll!
How much do I love cinnamon rolls?
Where to begin.
Jump to:
Why I love this recipe
First, the smell.
This beautiful warm smell of cinnamon and baked goodness that fills the house and wraps itself around you like a fluffy warm duvet.
Smelling cinnamon rolls releases my happy hormones, just like stroking kittens does, or sleeping in during the week.
Then, the swirl.
Can it be that the swirl in a cinnamon roll has hypnotic properties? Think about it. Remember how Kaa the snake from the Jungle Book did this swirly-eye-thing to Mowgli and he would be at her mercy? That's what a cinnamon roll does to me. Somehow, I feel magically drawn towards it!
Cinnamon rolls lure me in in, like a wonderful psychedelic maelstrom of promising pleasure. This swirl, it shuts off the logical thinking part of my brain. It has secret come-hither-powers that should never be underestimated.
And lastly, the taste.
The taste! Can you picture biting into a freshly baked cinnamon roll right now? Sinking your teeth into that fluffy, gooey goodness? I bite into a cinnamon roll and it's like I have arrived IN THE NOW.
There are people that meditate for years to achieve this state of enlightenment. I am telling you. There's absolutely no need to travel to India and checking into the silent Ashram. No need to grow a beard or stop cutting your nails.
Bake cinnamon rolls.
Eat them.
Experience their certain je ne sais quoi.
Feel complete. Hallelujah!
My dear sugar free and low carb friends, I have tried many versions of healthified (meaning: no-wheat, no-yeast, no-grains, no-sugar) cinnamon rolls using grain free flours such as almond or coconut flour. They all taste great, but their texture is either too cakey or crumbly to truly resemble the original, badass cinnamon rolls of my youth.
Then I tried this recipe.
Just looking at the close-up above is making me salivate again!
The dough
This keto cinnamon rolls recipe is made using the Holy Grail of Keto dough, which is a truly genius invention using mozzarella cheese.
It was conceived as a pizza base (I am talking about it in detail in my Genius Grain Free Pretzels post). With a few tweaks it makes a brilliant dough for sweet pastry as well.
I'd go as far as saying this: Holy Grail dough (which has become famous as Fat Head dough) is the cleverest brainwave since the conception of low carb eating.
I want to hug the person who thought of combining an Italian cheese with almond flour to create a dough that actually mimics the taste of wheat dough. How could you possibly come up with an idea like this? Was it a coincidence? Someone accidentally dropping flour into melted mozzarella? It's a bit like that person who banged two stones together and created fire. Boom, and the world is a better place.
The dough is a little tricky to handle - thanks to the inherent gooey-ness of mozzarella - but if you follow the instructions in the recipe section below, you should have no problems.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need for low-carb cinnamon rolls:
- Shredded mozzarella - This recipe works best with low moisture pre-shredded mozzarella from the supermarket. Fresh mozzarella contains too much liquid and is too runny. You can also use a (firm) mozzarella block and grate it yourself.
- Almond flour - I used extra fine almond flour. If you are using almond meal or ground almonds, add an additional 2 tablespoons. Or, add one additional tablespoon of coconut flour.
- Cream cheese - should be full fat.
- Egg - large and room temperature
- Baking powder
For the filling:
- Water (or butter) - I preferred the version with water, but both work well.
- Granulated sweetener - I like a golden erythritol monk fruit sweetener blend here, such as Lakanto Gold. It has a taste very similar to brown sugar that works great with cinnamon. You can also use Swerve, xylitol, Bocha Sweet or allulose.
- Cinnamon
For the cream cheese frosting:
- Cream cheese
- Greek yogurt - or use more cream cheese or softened butter
- Vanilla stevia - or powdered sweetener
Instructions
(This section contains step by step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. Find the recipe card with ingredient amounts and nutritional information at the bottom of the post.)
Step 1: Melt the mozzarella in a large bowl. Add the egg and mix.
Step 2: Add the dry ingredients (almond flour, baking powder) and cream cheese to the mixture. Mix with a spatula, then knead until smooth.
Step 3: Form 6 dough balls.
Step 4: Roll into logs...
Step 5: ...flatten, add cinnamon filling and roll up.
Step 6: Cut each roll in half with a sharp knife...
Step 7: ...and place in a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake until golden!
Recipe tips
The dough is a bit tricky to work with. Do oil your hands if you find it too sticky (I used walnut oil). If it cools down too much, just warm it back up to make it easier to handle.
You can use salted or unsalted butter instead of the water in the cinnamon filling, which gives the rolls a nice buttery taste. I made a few using butter, then decided to just dissolve the sweetener in water as the rolls are very high in fat already. The choice is yours!
If you do not have vanilla-flavoured stevia, add a bit of vanilla extract to your frosting.
If you don't have extra fine almond flour and are using almond meal or ground almonds, add an additional 2 tablespoon of almond meal/ground almonds or 1 tablespoon of coconut flour so the cinnamon rolls keep their shape.
Another option to make the rolls is to roll out the dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper into a large rectangle. Spread the cinnamon filling on top, roll into a log and cut into slices.
FAQ
Yes. You can prepare the dough a day or 2 ahead and store it in the fridge. Let it come to room temperature before baking.
Use ¼ cup or 30 grams of coconut flour in place of the almond flour. Or, use a blend of sesame seed and sunflower seed flour.
Try keto caramel and crushed pecans.
This is a yeast free recipe. But you can add a sprinkle of instant active yeast for yeast flavor.
Serving suggestion
Keto cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed warm, when they are soft on the inside and with the most tender crunch on the outside.
Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 10 - 15 seconds.
Storage
Refrigerator: Should you have any leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. Store for up to 1 week.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight, then reheat in the microwave. Or, warm in the oven or air fryer (180C / 350F for 3-5 minutes).
Related recipes
Try my other fathead dough recipes:
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Keto Cinnamon Rolls
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary. ***As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 175 g shredded mozzarella (see notes!) (1 ½ cups)
- 80 g almond flour (extra fine) (¾ cup)
- 2 tablespoon cream cheese
- 1 egg room temperature
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
For the filling:
- 2 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoon granulated sweetener
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
For the frosting:
- 2 tablespoon cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon greek/full fat yoghurt
- 2 drops vanilla stevia
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 180 Celsius/360 Fahrenheit.
- Melt the mozzarella and cream cheese in a non-stick pot over a low heat or in a microwave (1 ½ minutes, stirring half way through). Take off the stove and/or make sure the cheese is melted, but not bubbling.
- Stir in the egg.
- Now add the almond flour and baking powder. Start to combine using a fork, then use your hands to make a ball of smooth dough. This can be easier if you lightly oil your hands first.
- Divide the dough into 6 balls of 50g each.
- Form long rolls (40cm), then flatten out with your hands. Make the dough as thin as you can.
- Prepare your cinnamon filling: boil water, then stir in the sweetener and cinnamon. Spread the cinnamon paste over the flattened dough rolls.
- Roll each into a bun and cut sideways in half. Now you have 12 buns which you place on a non-stick baking sheet or in a pie dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- While the rolls are in the oven, prepare the frosting: Mix cream cheese, yoghurt and stevia. Spread over the warm rolls and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and purchase a product as a result, I may make a small commission. This money goes towards the running costs of the site. Thank you for supporting Sugar Free Londoner.
Julia
Why mozzarella? I've never seen it in a sweet recipe before and I'm just wondering why and what it does.
Katrin Nürnberger
It mimics chewy yeast dough using low carb ingredients. You cannot taste the mozzarella.
Sarah
Does dunking them in hot black coffee when they're a little past their best count as reheating? Works for me! Great recipe
Evelyne
Very tasty. I will make this recipe again
Alison
These taste so much like ‘real’ ones !! I rolled the dough out in one piece between 2 pieces of baking paper that were about the same size as a baking tray. I used a trick I saw on another recipe for rolling out this type of dough : roll the dough roughly to the size of the bottom sheet of baking paper and then fold each edge of the bottom sheet about 1 inch on all sides & over the top of the dough. Then put the top piece of baking paper on again and roll the dough and it will squeeze right up into the folds giving you a perfect rectangle which you can then spread with the cinnamon goo and roll up. 🙂
Jann Simpson
Can I substitute anything for the dairy? These look amazing but Im dairy free
Katrin Nürnberger
I don't know you if there's a dairy free mozzarella that melts as well as real mozzarella. You'd have to test it. Sorry I can't help!
Malika
Hi,
Have you tried developing a cinnamon roll recipe with sweet white lupin flour?
I'm thinking it might be a winner, but my experience is in baking cookies, I'm not that experienced with cakes, breads and rolls...
Katrin Nürnberger
I have just bought a bag of Lupin Flour and want to start experimenting with it. So watch that space!
Leland
Could these be made with yeast ?
Katrin Nürnberger
You could add some yeast for flavour but since they are mozzarella based you're not get that much of a rise out of them.
Janet Mcara
Does using white stevia drastically change the taste of the cinnamon buns?
Katrin Nürnberger
I'm not sure what you mean with white stevia. I'm guessing you have a granulated stevia sweetener? The answer to that would be yes, from my experience stevia based sweeteners have more of a metallic aftertaste which I personally find stronger and "less like sugar" than erythritol monk fruit sweetener blends.
The important thing is to find a sweetener that you personally like using!
Ellie
Just wow! I don't know how you do it, but your recipes are amazing! I have been doing keto since the early 90's when it was called the Atkins diet. I have tried many, many recipes, all of which were rated as 5 star or close to it. Almost all of them were awful! I have thrown out more than I have eaten. Then I found your site. Honestly, I started out making just 1/4 of the first recipe I tried, assuming that it would go in the garbage. It was amazing! It is my go to recipe for chocolate bombs now. These cinnamon rolls are also amazing! I am sold. You should be famous in the keto world! So very grateful to have found your site. I will be telling everyone how amazing your recipes are!
Katrin Nürnberger
Thank you so much for your kind words and support!
Merja
These are the best Cinnamon Rolls I have ever tried! Thank you!
Karen
Have tried the cinnamon but not fond of it. Can you suggest another filling I could use please
Katrin Nürnberger
You could try adding keto caramel and crushed pecans.
Tetyana
Can I use spelt flour instead of the almond flour?
Katrin Nürnberger
That may work, but I have not tried it.
Mila
Hello:) How much ground almonds would I need to use if I used it instead of almond flour? Thanks
Katrin Nürnberger
Hi Mila, add 2 additional tablespoons if you're using ground almonds.
Mila
Thank you so much for replying
Kim
Can you make this with coconut flour instead of almond? I'm allergic to almonds. Thanks!
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, although you should use only about 1/3 the amount stated for almond flour. Coconut flour absorbs more moisture than almond flour, that's why you need less.
Samaramom
I tried this last night for the first time and since I was tripling it probably measured wrong since my "dough" was extremely gooey! I just spread it out on a lightly oiled parchment paper and sprinkled the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top. I baked it flat until it was firm enough then I rolled it into the roll shape and cooked it for a few more minutes. I took a low carb stevia sweetened chocolate bar and melted it with a little cream for the frosting. THIS "DOUGH" IS THE BEST KETO DOUGH EVER! I have been experimenting for over a year and am VERY, VERY. PICKY about my desserts. I will now try it for pizza "dough". THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
Ashley Dubolsky
These look amazing! I’m wanting to make a batch for my church’s sunrise service but it’d be too early to make them the morning of. Could I make them the night before and stick them in the fridge? Could ai reheat them in the oven the morning of? If so, what temperature should I reheat them at and for how long?
Thanks!
Ashley
Katrin Nürnberger
Hi Ashley, I would bake them the night before, then either keep them covered on the counter overnight or in the fridge. Then reheat at 180C / 350F for 3-5 minutes depending on whether they are room temperature or fridge cold.
Ashley Dubolsky
Thanks so much!
Ashley
Jacqueline Leitch
Hi, thanks for sharing this fab recipe. I’ve made this a few times already! They’re so good! I was just wondering whether these buns can be stored in the freezer? Thanks.
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, you can freeze them!
Shelley Ruff
Can I pre make the dough and freeze?
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, absolutely!
Aimee Nurmi
What could i use instead of cream cheese please? Cream? Or sour cream?
A x
Katrin Nürnberger
You could try sour cream, that would be the most similar to cream cheese. Make sure it's firm and not liquid.
Denise E Rodriguez
Do you think it would work to roll this out as one big piece of dough, spread the cinnamon mixture out, roll it up, and THEN cut it into slices to make the rolls? Or is the dough too sticky for all that? (Could roll between two pieces of parchment, perhaps?)
Katrin Nürnberger
Hi Denise, yes, that would work too.
Tracy
I did 1 big roll. Cut with pastry cutter, then slightly rolled each one between my hands to get rid of the flat edge roundeing shape.
I also substituted the almond flour with cashew flour. Turned out great
Pat Kaufman
Can’t wait to try this!
Teresa Stowe
Not bad. I added a few pecan pieces to a few of them. And if you have the urge for some comfort foods. I used monk fruit both golden and white. Golden in the filling and I added white to the topping. I think I’ll add white to the mixture next time. But, seriously not bad coming from a sugarholic.
Juanita
Hi Katrin,
I've just found you and, boy, am I glad!
I have questions about substitutions for a couple of ingredients:
1) I have MANY, MANY sweeteners on hand - but none of them are liquid. What powdered sweetener can I sub for liquid Stevia? I've tried to Google it and only get ads for powdered sweeteners...which I have in abundance!
2) I always have Heavy Cream on hand (yup, live in the States) but almost NEVER plain yogurt. In fact, that can be a bit hard to find if you're rural since the stores like to stock the yogurt that's been ruined by the addition of sugars and candies. May I sub Heavy Cream 1:1 for the yogurt?
Thank you.
Juanita
Katrin Nürnberger
Liquid sweeteners I like are the Lakanto Maple Syrup, Sukrin Fibre Syrup and So Nourished sugar free pancake syrup and the NOW stevia glycerite. Best sub for plain yoghurt is Greek yoghurt. You could sub cream, but this would depend on the recipe - you'd be adding more fat and this may affect the texture of bakes. Though probably fine in mousses, frostings etc.
Julie
I would try subbing sour cream for the plain yogurt. I works well in a lot of the recipes I have made.
Ingrid P
Hello Juanita, I too have no liquid sweetners in my pantry. I would try powdered sweetner. You can do it yourself if you have a coffee/nuts/herb grinder.
Hope that helps.
Karen de Wet
Perfect recipe, truly wonderful results. Hold a lot of appreciation and respect for your know how and recipes. Very grateful too - thank you!
Sandra Flanagan
Your recipes look fantastic! I am planning to make you Keto Almond bread tomorrow (too late tonite). I will leave feedback on that particular page. These cinnamon rolls will be my next adventure & I will also let you know how the do for me. I am interested in your Keto Bread made easy cookbook, but would only want it in hands-on copy. If it's only available as a download, I guess I'll just keep coming back to your site for my recipes. LOL Thank you for using grams in your recipes, I find them much more accurate.
Katrin Nürnberger
Glad you are enjoying the website!
Hope
Great recipe, thanks a lot! That dough is a revelation!
A couple of tips for others trying it - I found that my (slightly blunt) knife squished one side of the rolls so they came out a bit like cones! Bit more faff but I'd recommend cutting the dough into strips before you roll 🙂
Then secondly I'm only a month or so into keto and still have a bit of a sweet tooth, and for me these measurements were low on sweetness. I ended up doubling the amount of granulated sweetener in the filling, and the Stevia in the frosting. Also for me the yoghurt taste was strong so next time I might reduce it or lose it completely.
Thanks again for this recipe - I'll be returning to it a lot and trying others too, you've made it much easier to stick to this lifestyle
Marg
Your instructions say to melt the mozzarella and cream cheese together, but in the video I see it is added separate and not melted.
I melted them together and it seemed fine.
Also if you can't use all the frosting at one time, can you put it in the fridge covered for a few days?
Great recipe. They taste good.
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, both ways work just as well. And you can store the frosting for about 3 days 🙂
Christie
These are very good! I like them cold too!
Shell
Hi! Would this recipe work with vegan mozzarella and cream cheese?
Katrin Nürnberger
Other readers have tried it and said that it works 🙂
Randelle Niski
Katrin,
Merry Christmas!! Thank you for such an amazing recipe!
How did you make your cream cheese frosting so smooth? No matter how much I whisked the cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla extract, and Swerve, mine still has lumps.
Wishing you a prosperous Mew Year!
Katrin Nürnberger
Merry Christmas and happy new year to you too! I think some brands are just firmer than others and can end up a little lumpy. But an electric mixer should be able to sort it!
Angela Callick
If your cream cheese is fridge cold it can be very difficult to get a smooth finish, letting it come to room temperature first can make a huge improvement
Diane
Hi,
Are you able to prepare these ahead of time? Wondering if I can make the rolls, then bake Christmas morning.
Katrin Nürnberger
I would probably make them now, freeze them and then defrost on the 24th. And heat them up in the oven on the 25th. But you can also prepare them a day ahead and then bake from scratch on the 25th. Just make sure they are at room temperature before you put them in the oven, so they rise well.
Jadzia
Hi I was wondering if I were to change the almond flour for oat flour, should I change any ingredients or the measurement?
Katrin Nürnberger
The internet says you can replace it 1:1, although I have never tried it 🙂
Lucy
Do you have a substitute for Almond flour/meal?
Most of your recipes call for that but we are nut free. I have tried some of your coconut flour recipes with success, thanks
I would like to try some other flours just to get away from the coconut flavour.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Katrin Nürnberger
You can use sunflower seed meal or sesame seed flour instead of almond flour. It is a 1:1 substitution. I just buy the seeds and grind my own.