Love banana bread? Obsessed with cinnamon rolls? You don’t have to choose. These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls blend the cozy flavor of banana bread with the soft, gooey goodness of classic cinnamon rolls — all wrapped up in a tender yeast dough. With swirls of cinnamon-sugar, thin slices of fresh banana, and a rich cream cheese frosting, this recipe is the ultimate brunch showstopper.

Whether you’re hosting a weekend breakfast, prepping ahead for guests, or just want something extra special for a lazy morning, these cinnamon rolls are worth every minute.

Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Banana-packed flavor: Real mashed bananas in the dough and fresh slices in the filling.
Bakery-worthy texture: Soft, pillowy rolls with gooey cinnamon centers.
Cream cheese frosting: A tangy-sweet finish that melts into warm rolls.
Make-ahead friendly: Assemble the night before, bake in the morning.
Freezer-friendly: Can be frozen before or after baking!

Ingredients

Dough:

1 cup (240 ml) lukewarm milk (120–130°F)
6 tbsp (85 g) unsalted butter
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
4 ½ to 5 cups (540–600 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
1½ tsp salt
½ cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 large banana)

Filling:

4 tbsp (57 g) very soft unsalted butter
½ cup (107 g) packed light brown sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 large bananas, thinly sliced
¼ cup (60 ml) slightly warmed heavy cream (for pouring before baking)

Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese, softened
4 tbsp (57 g) unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups (170 g) powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Make the Dough

Warm the milk: In a saucepan, heat milk, butter, and sugar until butter melts and mixture reaches 120–130°F.
Mix dry ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl, combine 4½ cups flour, yeast, and salt.
Add wet ingredients: Pour in the warm milk mixture and mashed banana. Mix with a paddle until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead: Switch to the dough hook and knead for 6–8 minutes (or knead by hand for 8–10 minutes). Add more flour as needed, but do not exceed 5 cups total.
First rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 to 1½ hours (longer if using active dry yeast), until doubled in size.

Assemble the Rolls

Roll the dough: Roll dough into an 18×12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
Add filling: Spread softened butter over the dough. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over butter. Top with banana slices.
Roll and cut: Roll tightly from the long edge and seal. Cut into 12 equal rolls using a serrated knife or floss.
Second rise: Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch dish. Cover and rise again for 45–75 minutes, until puffy.

Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Pour warm cream over the rolls just before baking.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden. Let cool for 20 minutes before frosting.

Make the Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add powdered sugar in batches and mix until combined.
Beat in vanilla, then spread over slightly warm rolls so it melts into the swirls.

Pro Tips

Use ripe bananas: The riper, the sweeter and more flavorful your dough will be.
Don’t over-flour: Dough should be tacky but not overly sticky. Too much flour makes dense rolls.
Pour cream before baking: It creates an ultra-soft, gooey interior.
Frost while warm: Letting the icing melt slightly into the rolls = bakery-level deliciousness.

Substitutions & Variations

Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
Swap frosting: Use vanilla glaze instead of cream cheese if you prefer.
Make mini rolls: Divide dough into 24 mini rolls for bite-sized treats.
No stand mixer? Mix and knead entirely by hand — it just takes a bit longer!

Storage & Make-Ahead

Fridge: Store frosted rolls in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Freezer (before baking): Freeze rolls after cutting. Thaw overnight in fridge, rise at room temp, then bake.
Freezer (after baking): Freeze individually or the whole tray. Reheat in oven or microwave.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen debating between banana bread and cinnamon rolls — this recipe ends that internal struggle for good. These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls bring together the best of both worlds: soft, fluffy dough with sweet banana flavor, swirls of cinnamon sugar, and a luscious cream cheese frosting that melts right in. Whether you’re prepping for brunch, a holiday morning, or just want to treat yourself, these rolls are the kind of comfort food everyone will remember.

Bake them once, and they’ll become a tradition.