After lots and lots of testing, I’m dubbing this the Best Paleo Cinnamon Roll for One! It’s slightly chewy in texture, subtly sweet, and bursting with buttery cinnamon flavor. And heads-up, if you feel like sharing with your sweetie, it’s big enough to do so.
Certain days just call for a cinnamon roll, the way some days require mittens and others call for umbrellas. Now, as true as that is, it’s also true that food “can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison” (quote by Ann Wigmore), so even when a cinnamon roll just seems to be in order, I’m a much happier girl whipping up this paleo version than grabbing one at the mall. Not only do I feel better about my choices, but bonus, there’s no ensuing sugar crash.
I’ve had a paleo cinnamon roll on my “to-make” list for forever now (ok, more like a solid year, basically ever since I saw Detoxinista’s lovely version here). Of course along with being able to cross a recipe off my “to-make” list comes several rounds of testing. In coming up with this recipe, I tried various paleo-friendly flours, including coconut, arrowroot, tapioca, and almond, in just about every combination you can think of. I also tried using a whole egg versus using an egg white or just a yolk. In the end I went with an almond flour/tapioca base with just a little flaxseed meal added in to give it a bit of chewy texture, and a single egg yolk for richness and moisture.
Now, I’m not saying that this grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free version of a cinnamon roll is an exact replica of Cinnabon, but honestly, it’s pretty darn delicious. The tapioca and flaxseed meal do lend a slightly chewy texture (if it’s eaten while still warm!) and it’s full of buttery cinnamon flavor. The sweetness level is spot-on, being perfectly sweet, but not overly so.
I came up with the frosting component knowing full well that if I didn’t, I’d have requests for it. But if I’m being totally honest, I have to admit that my preference is to forgo the frosting and instead top the still-warm cinnamon roll with a pat of grass-fed butter instead. It’s bliss.
Another thing I like to do with this recipe is transform it into a “sticky bun”. I add 1 tablespoon of chopped walnuts or pecans to the filling and when it’s out of the oven, drizzle a little Paleo Salted Coconut Caramel Sauce on top (if you happen to have some on hand). A drizzle of maple syrup or honey would do the trick too.
Is there a regular recipe you’d like a paleo version of?
- ½ cup (60 g) almond flour
- ¼ cup (30 g) tapioca starch
- 1 tablespoon golden flaxseed meal
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch ground mahlab (optional)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon plain, unsweetened almond “milk”
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- ½ tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
- Slightly scant ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon coconut butter, melted
- 1 to 2 teaspoons plain, unsweetened almond "milk"
- ½ teaspoon pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven to 350F; grease a small baking dish with clarified butter.
- Whisk together the almond flour, tapioca starch, flaxseed meal, coconut sugar, salt, baking powder, and mahlab in a medium bowl.
- Whisk together the egg yolk, milk, oil, and vanilla in a small bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir to combine.
- Spoon the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap; fold the plastic wrap over the top of the dough, and press the dough out into strip about 11 to 12 inches long by 2 to 3 inches wide.
- Stir together the filling ingredients and spoon that onto the strip of dough.
- Start at one end of the strip of dough and use the plastic wrap to roll it up into a cinnamon bun shape.
- Transfer the cinnamon bun to the prepared baking dish, press it down to flatten slightly, and bake 20 minutes.
- Stir together all ingredients for the frosting and spoon on top of the warm cinnamon bun.
- Serve while still warm.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
More paleo recipes like this, please —
Sign me up! I so wish this were on my plate this morning–it looks amazing!
Such a great combination of ingredients! I love baking with almond flour, it has the best flavor. And that touch of mahlab is awesome!
Ohhhh yum! I don’t think I could share :)
I love how you’ve refashioned this recipe with thoughtful and nourishing ingredients Faith. And I think I like that this delicious roll is just for one too :) Your photos are lovely – serene and evocative.
I love a recipe like this for when I don’t want to share :)
I love cinnamon rolls, but my hips don’t. This sounds like the perfect compromise. I don’t think I’d be sharing it either. Will the recipe double easily?
Karyn, Yes, this doubles very easily! To double the dough, you can use 2 large egg yolks or 1 large egg. Hope you enjoy it if you give it a try!
Nothing beats a warm cinnamon roll straight out of the oven. Nice to have a healthy, single serving recipe to cure those cravings.
I’m so wishing this cinnamon roll would show up for breakfast! Best of all, it means I don’t have to share :).
I think you read my mind. <3
It’s pure perfection! Love that it’s paleo-i-fied :) And I agree… just a schmear of butter on top would be awesome.
This is SO perfect!! I want this for breakfast now! The almond meal/ tapioca combo sounds wonderful for the bun’s consistency.
I see the introduction of mahlab here!
I for one am a sucker for frosting on a fresh from the oven hot roll and would do that, though love your idea of the sticky buns. Very imaginative and I love the texture I see in the photos of the cinnamon roll. Thanks Faith, will be giving this a try soon. Pinned!
Kevin, Yes! Mahlab is one of my favorite “secret” ingredients to take a recipe to the next level (here’s tons more mahlab inspiration on my blog if you’re interested; I use it in mostly sweet, but also a few savory recipes: http://www.anediblemosaic.com/?s=mahlab). BTW, I’m looking for one more thing to include in the package I’ll be sending (from a local market that’s open on the weekends), which is why I haven’t mailed it yet. I’m so excited…can’t wait for you to try mahlab! <3
You’re too sweet, looking forward to it!
Mmmm, the inside looks scrumptious! Want!!
I love that this is a single-serve recipe and something that I can pass on to my mom to make for herself in the mornings. Looks so tempting!
I have a cinnamon roll almost every Saturday down at the coffee shop but I hardly ever made them at home. We’ve been cutting back a lot BUT I’m loving that this is a Paleo version! Making this soon!
This is the coolest thing ever. Nothing beats cinnamon buns for breakfast. The thought that they could be healthier is pretty cool. Plus this is just so darn pretty.