These cinnamon roll bites are honestly one of those recipes I didn't expect to become obsessed with — and yet, here we are. Soft bread cubes tossed in buttery cinnamon sugar, baked until golden and caramelized, then drizzled in a silky vanilla glaze. It's every single thing you love about a cinnamon roll, in bite-sized form, and ready in 15 minutes flat.
I love making cinnamon rolls, but sometimes they truly are time consuming to prepare. These are the BIGGEST hack!! You can make them in your air fryer & they are ready to enjoy in just 10 short minutes! Me & my husband are the kind of people who could always use a little sweet treat after our meals, these cinnamon roll bites are our go-to!
What makes this recipe different from every other cinnamon roll bites recipe you've seen? No yeast. No dough from scratch. No waiting around. I use Sister Schubert soft buns cut into cubes — they're pillowy soft, they toast up beautifully, and they soak up that buttery cinnamon coating like a dream. I tested this a few times tweaking the butter ratio before landing on the perfect balance — enough to coat every piece without making them soggy.
If you love easy, comforting breakfast treats, you're going to want to check out my [Easy Cinnamon French Toast Bake] and [Air Fryer Donuts] too — same kind of vibe, minimal effort, maximum reward.
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How to make these easy cinnamon roll bites (VIDEO)
Why You'll Love this Cinnamon Roll Bites Recipe
- Ready in 15 minutes — literally start to finish, this is a 15-minute situation. Oven or air fryer, either works!
- Only 7 ingredients — all pantry staples you probably already have
- No dough from scratch — Sister Schubert buns do all the heavy lifting, and the result is genuinely soft and amazing
- That glaze though — powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a little melted butter. Simple and so good.
- Crowd-pleasing — perfect for a lazy weekend morning, a brunch spread, a holiday breakfast, or honestly just a Tuesday
Instructions
- Step 1: Cover in butter & toss in cinnamon sugar!
- Step 2: Bake & top with our easy icing mixture!
Scroll down for the full recipe card with the quantities!
When to Serve
- These cinnamon roll bites are perfect for lazy weekend brunches, holiday mornings (Christmas breakfast, anyone?), or any time you want something warm and sweet without any real effort. They also make a great afternoon snack or dessert when you're craving something cozy.
Related
Looking for other quick dessert recipes like this? Try these:
Easy Cinnamon Roll Bites (15-Minute Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1 — Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If you're using the air fryer, no preheat needed — just set it to 350°F.
- Step 2 — Cut the Bread: Cut your soft buns into cubes — I usually cut each bun into fourths. You want them bite-sized but not too small or they'll dry out. Roughly 1-inch pieces is the sweet spot. (WATCH VIDEO BELOW)
- Step 3 — Make the Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix together the 2 teaspoons cinnamon and 2 tablespoons white sugar. That's your cinnamon sugar mix — simple and perfect.
- Step 4 — Coat in Butter: Add your bread cubes to a mixing bowl and pour 2 tablespoons of the melted butter right over the top. Toss to coat every piece.
- Step 5 — Add the Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered bread cubes and toss again until everything is evenly coated. Every cube should have that gorgeous cinnamon sugar coating. (WATCH VIDEO BELOW)
- Step 6 — Bake: Transfer the coated bread cubes to a small baking pan — I love using a round (circular) pan, it looks adorable. Spread them out in a single even layer. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, or air fry at 350°F for 6–8 minutes, until the edges are golden and the cinnamon sugar is caramelized and fragrant. Keep an eye on them — ovens vary!
- Step 7 — Make the Glaze: While the bites are baking, whisk together the 4 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and the remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl. If the glaze is too thick, add a splash more milk. If it's too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. You want it drizzle-able but not completely runny. (WATCH VIDEO BELOW)
- Step 8 — Glaze and Serve: The moment the bites come out of the oven, drizzle the vanilla glaze all over the top. Serve them warm — that's when they're at their absolute best!
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Substitutions
- Sister Schubert buns: Any soft dinner roll works — Hawaiian rolls, brioche buns, or store-brand soft rolls. Avoid crusty bread; you want something soft and pillowy.
- White sugar: Brown sugar works great and adds a deeper, almost caramel flavor to the cinnamon coating. Highly recommended swap!
- Salted butter: Unsalted butter works fine — just add a tiny pinch of salt to the cinnamon sugar mix to balance the sweetness.
- Milk (in the glaze): Any milk works here — oat milk, almond milk, dairy-free milk. The glaze will still set up perfectly.
- Vanilla extract: A tiny pinch of cinnamon added to the glaze instead is a fun variation. Or use almond extract for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Powdered sugar: There's no real substitute for powdered sugar in the glaze — it's what creates that smooth, drizzle-able consistency.
- Oven baking: You can 100% air fry these instead. 350°F, 6–8 minutes, check at 6. Every air fryer runs a little different.
- Dairy-free version: Use vegan butter (like Earth Balance) and any non-dairy milk in the glaze. The result is just as good!
Equipment
- Mixing bowl — for tossing the bread cubes with butter and cinnamon sugar!
- Small round baking pan or 8x8 baking dish — a round pan looks adorable for serving
- Small whisk or fork — for the glaze
- Air fryer(optional) — a great alternative to the oven; cuts cook time slightly!
Storage
- Counter: Best eaten the day they're made, ideally warm from the oven. If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 1 day.
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They will firm up a little as they cool.
- Reheat: Microwave for 15–20 seconds until warm. You can also pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes to crisp the edges back up slightly.
- Freezer: I don't recommend freezing these — the soft bread texture doesn't hold up well after thawing. Make them fresh; they only take 15 minutes!
Top Tips for Success
- Use soft bread — this is not the time for crusty sourdough. Sister Schubert buns are my go-to because they're already perfectly soft and slightly sweet. That texture after baking is everything. A crusty roll will dry out and get tough.
- Don't skip tossing the bread in butter first. The butter goes on before the cinnamon sugar — this is important. It acts as the glue that makes the cinnamon sugar stick evenly to every single piece. If you add the sugar first, it won't coat properly.
- Watch them at 8 minutes. These bake fast — 8 minutes is usually perfect in my oven, but every oven is a little different. You want the edges golden and the cinnamon sugar caramelized, not burnt. Pull them the second they look golden.
- Adjust the glaze to your liking. I tested the glaze ratio a few times — the 1 tablespoon of butter in the glaze is the secret weapon. It makes it richer and gives it a slight shine instead of just a plain powdered sugar drizzle. If your glaze is too thick, add a tiny splash of milk at a time. Too thin? A little more powdered sugar.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, any soft dinner roll or brioche bun works great in place of Sister Schubert buns. The key is using soft bread — something like Hawaiian rolls, brioche, or soft store-brand dinner rolls. Avoid anything crusty or dense, as it will dry out during baking and won't have that pillowy texture.
Yes, any small pasta shape works well in this recipe. Acini di pepe, orzo, ditalini, and stelline are all great substitutes. Orzo is slightly larger, so give it an extra minute or two of cook time to absorb the broth fully.
Yes, the air fryer works perfectly for this recipe — set it to 350°F and cook for 6–8 minutes, checking at 6. Every air fryer runs a little differently, so keep an eye on them after the 6-minute mark. The edges will get slightly crispier than the oven version, which is honestly amazing.
These cinnamon roll bites are honestly best made fresh since they only take 15 minutes — but you can prep the cinnamon sugar mixture and glaze ingredients ahead of time so assembly is even faster. If you have leftovers, reheat in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in the air fryer at 300°F for a couple of minutes.
Yes, brown sugar works great and is actually a delicious swap! It gives the cinnamon coating a deeper, more caramel-like flavor. Use the same amount (2 tablespoons) as a 1:1 replacement.
Glazes can vary based on the exact amount of powdered sugar and the type of milk you use. If it's too thick, just add a tiny splash of milk at a time and whisk until you reach a drizzle-able consistency. If it's too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. The 1 tablespoon of melted butter in the glaze also helps it come together smoothly.
FOOD SAFETY
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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