Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

Name: Cinnamon Rolls Donut
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3½ to 4 cups vegetable oil; 12.4 ounces cinnamon rolls, (8-count canned, (your favorite brand-I used Great Value))

close up shot of Cinnamon Rolls Donut on a backing rack

This Cinnamon Rolls Donut recipe is an easy way to make classic cinnamon donuts at home, combining warm, cinnamon-infused dough with a crispy exterior coated with a gooey sweet frosting. Quick to make and perfect for breakfast or dessert, your family is sure to enjoy every bite!

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Table of Contents

Cinnamon Rolls Donut Recipe Ingredients
Cinnamon Rolls Donuts Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Cinnamon Rolls Donut Recipe
How To Serve Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Donuts
How To Store Fried Cinnamon Roll Donuts
Why Our Cinnamon Rolls Donut Recipe Is The Best
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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More Homemade Cinnamon Roll Recipes You’ll Love
More Recipes to Try

This cinnamon rolls donut recipe makes donuts that are soft and fluffy, with a sticky cinnamon roll frosting that makes every bite even sweeter. They’re basically like eating cinnamon buns for breakfast, but in donut form, and they taste absolutely incredible.

Cinnamon roll dough makes the perfect base for these easy donuts. You can take a simple can of beloved cinnamon rolls and turn them into a brand-new treat that’s ready in minutes. They’re sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!

overhead shot of Cinnamon Rolls Donut on a backing rack

Cinnamon Rolls Donut Recipe Ingredients

Cinnamon Rolls Donut raw ingredients that are labeled

Is there anything sweeter than a recipe that only needs a couple of ingredients? If you agree, you’ll love that this cinnamon roll doughnuts recipe only requires 2 simple ingredients!

You’ll Need:

3½-4 cups vegetable oil
1 (12.4-ounce/8-count) canned cinnamon rolls (Any brand will do – We used Great Value brand)

Cinnamon Rolls Donuts Substitutions And Additions

Your cinnamon roll donuts are pretty easy to make! But you can actually customize them if you want. Here are some ideas:

Canned Cinnamon Rolls: For a homemade touch, you can make your own cinnamon roll dough from scratch using your favorite recipe. A homemade version will work just fine using the exact some steps.

Cream Cheese Frosting: If you’re a fan of creamy toppings, swap the included icing packet with canned cream cheese frosting. This is a great addition if you love tons of frosting on your donuts.

Pecans: Add a crunch by sprinkling finely chopped pecans over the wet glaze frosting. The nutty flavor complements the sweetness of the cinnamon and adds an extra layer of texture to each bite.

Toppings: You can add your favorite toppings to the cinnamon rolls while the frosting is still wet. Beyond chopped pecans, add other chopped nuts, sprinkles, cinnamon and brown sugar, crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal, chopped candy, fresh fruit, or even cooked bacon.

How To Make This Cinnamon Rolls Donut Recipe

This recipe couldn’t be simpler to make. Grab a heavy skillet and let’s get to work making this delicious cinnamon roll donuts recipe. In just a few minutes, your kitchen will be filled with the mouth-watering aroma of fresh cinnamon donuts.

PRO TIP: Instead of full-size donuts, you can use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut all the cinnamon rolls into small pieces the size of donut holes. Cook and frost as directed in the instructions.

STEP ONE: Add the oil to a heavy-bottomed pan. Heat over medium-high until a candy thermometer reads 325°F to 340°F. While the oil is heating, prepare the donuts.

PRO TIP: If you don’t have a thermometer, you will have to gauge the temperature of your oil by sight. Make sure the oil stays very hot but doesn’t smoke or smell like it’s burning. The donuts should bubble and boil when placed in the oil, but they shouldn’t look brown immediately.

STEP TWO: Open the can of cinnamon rolls and separate each one, placing them on a cutting board or clean work surface. Set the vanilla glaze aside. Be careful to keep the cinnamon rolls from unrolling. Once unrolled, use a flat hand to press down each of the cinnamon rolls to slightly flatten them.

press down on each of the cinnamon rolls with icing set aside

STEP THREE: Press through the center of one cinnamon roll by using a large decorator’s tip (for cake decorating), an apple corer, or even a clean water bottle cap. Cut all the way through to remove the center. Set the donut hole aside. Repeat with the remaining cinnamon rolls.

STEP FOUR: Pinch or press the seams on the outer edge of the cinnamon roll together firmly. Otherwise, the cinnamon rolls will come apart when they’re placed in the hot oil.

press the seems on the outer edge of the cinnamon roll togteher

STEP FIVE: Place a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with paper towels. The cookie sheet will catch any oil that drips off the cinnamon roll donuts as they cool.

PRO TIP: You can set the cooked donuts in a 9×13 baking dish lined with paper towels to catch the excess oil.

STEP SIX: Once the oil is hot, gently and carefully set three to four cinnamon rolls into the hot oil. Cook for one to two minutes per side until golden. Use a slotted metal spoon to carefully turn the cinnamon roll over to continue cooking. Keep a close eye on the oil temperature to ensure you don’t burn the donuts. Place the cooked cinnamon roll donuts onto the prepared baking sheet with the cooling rack to drain excess oil. Repeat the process for the remaining donuts and the donut holes.

PRO TIP: To set the dough into the hot oil, pick up one cinnamon roll and allow about half the dough ring to sink into the oil. Then, gently let go and allow the rest of the donut to slip into the pan. Be very careful the hot oil doesn’t burn your fingers! You can also use a pair of tongs, but you’ll need to be extra careful that you don’t squish the donuts.

STEP SEVEN: When all the donuts have been cooked, open the icing packet. Use a knife or offset spatula to spread the icing over the top of the donuts and donut holes.

PRO TIP: If you want to drizzle the icing rather than spread it, you can put it in a small bowl and warm it in the microwave for 15 seconds before pouring it over the donuts.

How To Serve Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Donuts

These fluffy donuts are a treat that you can indulge in any time of day. Breakfast, brunch, snack time, or dessert – anytime is donut cinnamon roll time! Here are some fun serving suggestions:

Serve your freshly glazed deep fried cinnamon rolls stacked on a charming dessert platter, allowing their golden-brown exteriors and sweet aroma to grab everyone’s attention. Dust them with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and accompany them with a piping hot cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of milk. Perfect for an afternoon snack.

Cinnamon Roll Recipes Galore: For a cinnamon-filled pastry platter, try serving these donuts along with other canned cinnamon roll recipes like air fryer cinnamon rolls and pecan caramel cinnamon rolls. Yum!

Turn it Into Something New: Chop up your donuts and serve parfait-style with ice cream or vanilla Greek yogurt, drizzled with a bit of honey or caramel sauce.

Scrumptious Brunch: Take brunch to a whole new level by pairing these glazed cinnamon roll donuts with a variety of your favorite breakfast foods like oven-baked bacon, scrambled eggs, French toast, or an easy breakfast casserole.

Afternoon Book Club Snack: Treat your book club friends to a special donut-filled gathering. Arrange your fried cinnamon rolls on a tiered platter along with finger sandwiches and other yummy pastries. Your friends will be impressed!

Donut Party: For the donut lovers in your life, host a whole celebration centered around homemade donuts! Serve this canned cinnamon roll recipe along with baked pumpkin spice donuts, pumpkin donut holes, applesauce donuts, honeybuns, and even your favorites from your local doughnut shop.

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How To Store Fried Cinnamon Roll Donuts

Like many canned cinnamon roll recipes, these donuts are best when eaten fresh. If you have leftovers, you can save them, but they may not taste as fresh as first made.

MAKE AHEAD: We don’t suggest you fry these ahead of time, but you can prepare the cinnamon rolls by cutting the holes from the centers up to 12 hours before you fry them. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

IN THE FRIDGE: To store leftover Cinnamon Roll Donuts in the refrigerator, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. They will stay fresh for up to 2 days. When ready to enjoy, allow them to come to room temperature.

IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing these cinnamon roll donuts.

HOW TO REHEAT: If you didn’t frost your donuts, you can place them in the oven, wrapped in foil, for 5-10 minutes at 350°F to warm them up again. Otherwise, we suggest you simply allow your donuts to come to room temperature before enjoying a second time.

Why Our Cinnamon Rolls Donut Recipe Is The Best

From their irresistible aroma to their heavenly taste, there’s so much to love about these easy cinnamon roll donuts.

Reasons We Love This Recipe:

The Mouth-watering Smell: As the donuts fry to golden perfection, they fill your house with the most wonderful smell. Before you’ve even finished cooking your donuts, bellies will be grumbling and kids will be crowding around the kitchen to have the first taste/

Easy Preparation: This recipe takes only minutes to prepare and cook. Anyone can make this, and that’s truly a reason to love this recipe!

Homemade Goodness, From Canned Dough: Even though this recipe begins with canned cinnamon rolls, the end result has a real, homemade taste that you’ll love to eat!

close up shot of Cinnamon Rolls Donut stacked on top of each other

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake these donuts instead of frying them?

While frying is the traditional method for making Cinnamon Roll Donuts, you can experiment with baking them if you prefer a lighter option. Bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

Can I use a different glaze for these donuts?

Yes, you can get creative with the glazes and toppings for your Cinnamon Roll Donuts. Try experimenting with different flavored glazes, such as maple or cream cheese.

Can I make mini donuts instead of full-size ones?

Absolutely! Simply cut the cinnamon rolls into smaller pieces to make mini donuts. Adjust the frying time accordingly, as mini donuts will cook faster than full-size ones.

Can I make these donuts gluten-free?

Yes, you can make gluten-free Cinnamon Roll Donuts by using gluten-free cinnamon roll dough or adapting a homemade gluten-free dough recipe.

Can I use a different type of oil for frying?

Yes, you can use any type of oil suitable for frying, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. Choose an oil with a high smoke point for best results and adjust the frying temperature accordingly.

Can I make these donuts without icing?

While the icing adds a delicious finishing touch to the donuts, you can certainly skip it if you prefer. Serve the donuts plain or dust them with powdered sugar for a simpler option.

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Cinnamon Rolls Donut

5 from 7 votes

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings

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Ingredients

3½ to 4 cups vegetable oil
12.4 ounces cinnamon rolls, 8-count canned, (your favorite brand-I used Great Value)

Instructions

Add the oil to a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Use a thermometer to properly gauge the temperature (340°F to 350°F is the target range). While the oil is heating, prepare the donuts.
Unroll the can of cinnamon rolls and separate each cinnamon roll, being careful to keep the cinnamon rolls themselves from unrolling. Once unrolled, slightly press down each of the cinnamon rolls. Set the icing aside.
Press down the center of the cinnamon roll by using a large decorator’s tip (for cake decorating), an apple corer, or even a clean water bottle cap to cut out the center. Set the donut hole aside. Repeat removing the remaining cinnamon roll centers.
Pinch or press the seams on the outer edge of the cinnamon roll together (it will pull apart if it is not sealed).
Place a cooling rack over a baking sheet lined with paper towels to place the cooked cinnamon roll donuts on to drain the excess oil.
Once the oil reaches the desired temperature, carefully add 3-4 of the cinnamon rolls. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until golden. Use a slotted metal spoon to carefully turn the cinnamon roll over to continue cooking. Keep a close eye on the temperature to ensure you don’t burn the donuts. Place the cooked cinnamon roll donuts onto the prepared baking sheet to drain excess oil. Repeat the process for the remaining donuts and the donut holes (my favorite part).
When all the donuts have been cooked, open the icing packet and, using a knife or offset spatula, spread the icing over the donuts and donut holes.

Notes

Instead of full-size donuts, you can simply cut all the cinnamon rolls into donut holes. Cook and frost as directed in the instructions.
You can also use a 9×13 baking dish lined with paper towels.
If you want to drizzle the icing rather than spread it, you can put it in a microwave-safe bowl and warm it in the microwave for 15 seconds before pouring it over the donuts.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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