If you’ve ever wanted homemade cinnamon rolls but didn’t want to deal with yeast, rising time, or a complicated recipe these Greek yogurt cinnamon rolls are for you!
They’re soft, slightly sweet, and come together with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. And because they’re made with Greek yogurt, they have a little boost of protein and a super tender texture that works really well for toddlers too.
Whether you’re making these for a slow weekend breakfast, a quick snack, or just something fun to bake with your little ones, this is one of those recipes that feels special without being overwhelming! I've been making them since my oldest was one, and he STILL loves them and loves helping me make them.
Why You'll Love These Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls
- no yeast, no waiting (aka ready in under an hour!)
- made with simple pantry ingredients
- soft texture that’s great for toddlers
- lightly sweet but still feels like a treat
- easy to pair with protein + fruit for a balanced meal
You'd also love my cinnamon roll Greek yogurt donut holes and my cinnamon roll baked yogurt for other simple yet delicious breakfast options!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love These Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How to Make Your Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls
- Hint for the Best Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storing Your Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls
- Tiff's Dietitian Tip
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls (no yeast)
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to make these easy Greek yogurt cinnamon rolls:
Dough:
- all-purpose flour – gives structure and holds everything together
- baking powder – helps the rolls rise and stay light (no yeast needed!)
- salt – enhances flavor
- Greek yogurt – adds moisture, protein, and keeps the rolls soft
- butter or oil – adds tenderness and prevents a dry texture
Filling:
- butter – creates that soft, gooey swirl
- brown or coconut sugar – adds sweetness and caramelized flavor
- cinnamon – gives that classic warm cinnamon roll taste
Icing:
- cream cheese – adds richness and that classic cinnamon roll flavor
- Greek yogurt – lightens the icing and adds a little protein
- maple syrup or powdered sugar – sweetens and smooths the texture
- vanilla extract – enhances flavor
- milk – helps thin the icing to your desired consistency
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Your Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add Greek yogurt and melted butter/oil, then mix until a soft dough forms.
- Step 2: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and roll into a ¼-inch thick rectangle. Spread the butter, sugar, and cinnamon mixture evenly over the top.
- Step 3: Roll into a log, slice into rolls, and place in a greased baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, until just lightly golden.
- Step 4: Whip together icing ingredients until smooth, then spread over warm rolls and enjoy!
Hint for the Best Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls
The biggest thing that makes these soft and fluffy is not overbaking them!
Pull them out when they’re just lightly golden! They’ll continue to set as they cool, and this keeps them from getting dry.
Substitutions
These Greek yogurt cinnamon rolls can easily be adjusted to different food allergies or sensitivities!
- gluten-free - using 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour or oat flour
- dairy-free - use thick dairy-free yogurt (a Greek-style would be best)
- no added sugar - omit the brown/coconut sugar from filling (could even replace with blended dates!) and only use plain Greek yogurt for the icing
Variations
Feel free to add different "fillings" to this dough base or switch up what you top the Greek yogurt cinnamon rolls with!
- add finely diced apples or raisins to the filling for extra fiber
- swap half the flour for whole wheat flour
- use a dairy-free yogurt + butter alternative if needed
- skip the icing and serve with nut butter or yogurt on the side
Check out this cinnamon roll Greek yogurt donut hole version that's even easier to hold with little hands!
Equipment
You don’t need anything fancy for these! Just a mixing bowl, measuring cups/spoons, a rolling pin (or even a cup works), and a baking dish or sheet pan. Parchment paper can help with easy cleanup, but it’s optional.
Storing Your Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls
Store leftover yogurt cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When ready to eat, warm them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to bring back that soft texture. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Just thaw and reheat before serving.
Tiff's Dietitian Tip
Tbh, these are already "balanced" since they have protein from the Greek yogurt! But you can totally make it a bit more balanced by serving with:
- scrambled eggs
- a glass of milk
- fruit on the side
Or even serve the icing as a dip to make it more fun and low-pressure! Opt for just plain Greek yogurt as the icing for toddlers under 2 years old for a lower sugar option.
FAQ
Yes! You can prep and slice the rolls, then store them covered in the fridge and bake when ready. Or bake fully and just reheat before serving.
Absolutely! They’re still delicious on their own or served with yogurt, nut butter, or fruit on the side.
Yes! Let them cool completely, then freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave until warm and soft.
Plain, thick Greek yogurt works best (full-fat will give the softest texture!).
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with these Greek yogurt cinnamon rolls:
Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls (no yeast)
Equipment
- baking dish
- measuring cups and utensils
Ingredients
for the dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour gluten-free if needed
- 2½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt dairy-free if needed
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or oil
for the filling
- 3 tablespoon butter melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar or sub with blended dates for a date paste
- 1½-2 teaspoon cinnamon
for the icing
- ¼ cup cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1-3 tablespoon maple syrup adjust depending sweetness preference, omit for no added sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoon milk as needed for thinning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease or line a baking dish. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Add Greek yogurt and melted butter/oil, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and roll into a ¼-inch thick rectangle.
- Mix filling ingredients and spread evenly over the dough.
- Roll into a log and slice into 6-8 rolls. Place in baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until just lightly golden.
- Whip cream cheese until smooth, then mix in Greek yogurt, maple syrup or powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
- Spread icing over warm rolls and serve.
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