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5 from 5 votes
by Marly
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Ready for a fun twist on classic cinnamon rolls? This vegan sweet potato cinnamon rolls recipe delivers added moisture, flavor, and gorgeous orange hue thanks to sweet potatoes. Whip up this delicious treat in no time with only a few simple ingredients.
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I’m passionate about baking, and these cinnamon rolls? Well, they are a favorite. That’s because adding sweet potatoes makes them extra moist and flavorful, so I think they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
I love adding sweet potatoes to my recipes, such as these sweet potato black bean burgers. And, of course, having these sweet potato cinnamon buns are perfect for breakfast!
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What Makes This Recipe Shine?
- Magical:Add cinnamon swirls to vibrant sweet potato rolls for the perfect treat for any occasion.
- Healthy:Sweet potatoes pack in the nutrients and add subtle flavor to this classic comfort food.
- Crowd Favorite:These yummy rolls will be a favorite at your next breakfast or brunch get-together!
Can’t get enough sweet breakfast ideas? Try these Vegan Cinnamon Rolls, Vegan Chocolate Croissants (ready in minutes), or these delightful Cinnamon Muffins.
Reader Reviews
These were so tasty. Made 2 batches. One white flour and one wheat flour. Equally good. Thanks for sharing!
Wyn
Ingredients & Substitutions
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:
- Sweet potatoes:I use a medium sweet potato. You can find them in the produce section of your grocery store.
- Plant-based milk:I prefer to use soy milk, but you can substitute oat milk or almond milk. You can find these in most grocery stores.
- Vegan butter: Either the health food section or refrigerated section of your grocery store should offer plant-based butters. You can substitute softened coconut oil in a pinch.
- All-purpose flour:I use all-purpose flour for the base of the dough. You can substitute bread dough or even whole wheat pastry flour. If you’re gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend instead.
- Brown sugar:Use light or dark brown sugar to create that irresistible, caramelized flavor.
Marly’s Tips
- Perfect Way To Raise Dough: You can let the dough rise in the microwave. Here’s how! Place a cup of water in a coffee mug or pyrex measuring cup. Heat it for 1 to 2 minutes, add the covered dough, and close the door. This creates a perfect environment for rising dough.
- Get the temperature right: Let your butter set out until it’s room-temperature.
- Assess the dough:Is your dough too dry? Add a tablespoon of milk. Is it too sticky? Add a tablespoon of flour.
- Swirly Time: Roll the dough tightly to create a more even cinnamon swirl without gaps.
Storage Tips
Store cinnamon rolls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 7 days. These can be frozen for up to 2 months. To serve, cook in the microwave until heated through.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Can you use instant yeast for cinnamon rolls?
You can use instant yeast to make cinnamon rolls which is nice because it creates a beautiful rise to your dough. This helps to make homemade cinnamon rolls a bit easier.
Can you make cinnamon rolls without milk?
You can make cinnamon rolls without milk. Use soy, almond, or oat milk to make soft, tender rolls without dairy. In fact, I make sweet potato dinner rolls without milk, and they’re a delicious part of to our dinner routine.
More Cinnamon Recipes
Sure, these sweet potato cinnamon rolls are amazing! Here’s to adding more tasty vegan cinnamon recipes, perfect for breakfast or any time of day, to your routine:
Vegan Cinnamon Bread
130 mins total
Vegan Coffee Cake
45 mins total
Vegan Apple Cinnamon Rolls
130 mins total
Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
140 mins total
I hope you love this recipe for Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls as much as we do!
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Vegan Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls
These sweet potato cinnamon rolls are fluffy, moist, and packed with the flavors of cinnamon and sweet potato. The vibrant orange hue makes them a beautiful treat!
5 from 5 votes
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Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 2 hours hours
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Rising Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 rolls
Calories: 294kcal
Author: Marly McMillen
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Dough
- 1 medium-sized sweet potato (see notes)
- ¾ cup plant-based milk
- 4 tablespoons vegan butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast one packet
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
Cinnamon Roll Filling
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons vegan butter softened
Almond Butter Glaze
- 1 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
For the Dough:
Wash and scrub the unpeeled sweet potato, removing any undesirable areas. Pierce it 3 to 4 times with a knife and cook in a microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. Prick it with a fork. If it’s still firm, cook it for another minute until the potato is tender.
Once the potato is cool enough to handle, chop it into chunks. Place that in a food processor with the milk, vegan butter, and brown sugar. Pulse until smooth.Transfer this to a microwave-safe bowl (or use a saucepan over medium heat) and heat until it's warm to the touch (about 110°F/43°C).
In a large bowl, add the all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, cornstarch, and ground flax seeds. Stir to combine. Pour in the sweet potato mixture and stir to combine. Knead the dough in the bowl for 3 to 5 minutes. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking to the sides of the bowl. Spray the top of the dough with vegetable cooking spray, cover with a kitchen towel, and set it aside to rest for about 15 minutes.
Once the dough is ready, cover a working area with a sheet of plastic wrap. Place the dough on top of the plastic wrap and cover it with another sheet of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to approximately 14×9 inches in size. It helps if you pull the top layer of plastic wrap off the dough and cover it again with the same sheet. It also helps to place an anti-slip pad to keep the dough from sliding as you roll it.
Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place rolls in the prepared pan. Cover with a kitchen towel, and set aside to rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size, about one hour.
For the Filling:
Combine the filling ingredients in a separate bowl. Pour this over the rolled dough, covering all of it except for about a half-inch of the long edge furthest away from you. Starting from the long end closest to you, roll the dough into a log. Cut into 12 evenly sized rolls.
When the rolls have doubled in size, preheat the oven to 375ᵒF/190°C. Place pan in a center rack and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until the rolls are golden in color.
For the Almond Butter Glaze:
While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and almond butter. Once combined add milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach a desired, spreadable consistency.
When the rolls are ready, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for about 10 minutes before adding the glaze. Serve warm.
Store cinnamon rolls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 7 days. These can be frozen for up to 2 months. To serve, cook in the microwave until heated through.
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Notes
A medium sweet potato is approximately 5 inches long and 2 inches wide.
I prefer soy milk for my baked goods, but you can use any unsweetened plant-based milk, such as almond milk.
Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 179mg | Potassium: 163mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 1950IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1.7mg
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!
This post was originally published in 2019 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2021.
How to Make Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls
Here are some of the step-by-step photos to show you how to make vegan sweet potato cinnamon rolls. See the recipe card below for more exact instructions.