Banana Bread Batter Cinnamon Buns (no knead recipe)

Name: Banana Bread Batter Cinnamon Buns (no knead recipe)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 360 ml whole milk (warm); 2 tsp instant yeast; 50 g castor sugar; 120 ml vegetable oil; 250 g bananas (mashed); 600 g flour (divided, plus more for rolling dough); 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp salt; 115 g browned butter; 213 g brown sugar; 2 tsp cinnamon powder; 2 bananas (sliced); 1 large overripe banana (mashed); 30 g butter (melted); 30 g oil; 75 g brown sugar; 1 egg; 30 g yogurt; 1 tsp vanilla; 100 g flour; 1/2 tsp baking powder; Pinch of salt; 120 g cream cheese; 50 g icing sugar; 120 ml heavy cream; 2 tbsp browned butter; Pinch of salt; 1 banana sliced

Fluffy and soft, these cinnamon buns are so rich and delicious. Stuffed with a banana bread batter and cinnamon butter, topped with more sliced bananas and brown butter cream cheese glaze they are indulgent but so worth it!

This recipe hit like a bolt of lightning. I had the idea and didn’t waste time, looked at my no knead cinnamon roll dough and tweaked the recipe with my easy banana bread recipe and decided to make them put a ring on it so it was official. I was blown away by these buns. They are literally the BEST I have made. So soft, fluffy, buttery and delicious. Also, if you don’t like bananas you might want to skip this recipe. There is banana in the dough, sliced bananas middle before rolling, bananas in the the banana bread batter, and more sliced bananas on top. You might think it is too much banana but the cinnamon and the bread cuts through it all and it is perfect. So without any time to waste let us get to it.

What is banana bread?

Banana bread is a type of sweet bread but also considered to be a cake that is made from overripe mashed bananas. It is considered to be a bread as it is most often than not baked in a loaf tin, there is no yeast in the recipe hence it is also known as a quick bread. It can be made with many flavor options like walnuts, chocolate chips, orange zest etc. It is a great way to use up the overripe and leftover bananas form the fruit basket. Check out my easy banana bread recipe for more information.

What are cinnamon rolls?

Cinnamon rolls are a sweet pastry made with a buttery brioche like bread dough that is layered with a cinnamon butter, rolled into a log and cut into pieces before baking. Commonly it is frosted with a cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze/icing.

What is the difference between a cinnamon bun and a cinnamon roll?

A cinnamon rolls is thinner than a cinnamon bun. Also, cinnamon rolls are mostly baked individually but cinnamon buns are baked in a way that they are pull apart – this not a fact before you come for me but I have read it in a few blogs. To be honest the ingredients are the same and the filling is the same as well.the method of making the sweet treat doesn’t change.

What ingredients are needed to make banana bread cinnamon buns?

For the dough we need, all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, instant yeast, sugar, salt mashed banana, vegetable oil, milk and pumpkin spice. For the filling we need brown butter, brown sugar, cinnamon powder, salt, sliced bananas. For the banana bread batter we need mashed banana, brown sugar, butter, oil, egg, vanilla, yogurt, flour, salt, baking powder. For the glaze we need cream cheese, brown butter, heavy cream, icing sugar and vanilla.

What equipment is needed to make banana bread cinnamon buns?

I have used a large mixing bowl and rubber spatula to make the dough. For the filling we need a bowl and whisk to combine the ingredients and same goes for the frosting. I have made the frosting by hand but you can use an electric beater if you like. To make the banana bread batter we need a mixing bowl and whisk. The buns are baked in a 9×13 baking tray in the oven.

How to make banana bread cinnamon buns?

For the dough: In a large bowl combine the warm milk granulated sugar and yeast. Allow to sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vegetable oil, mashed banana until combined. Add 4 cups of flour and stir until combined. The dough will be sticky and that is okay. Cover with a dish towel and set in a warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, the mixture should be very puffy and at least doubled in size. Stir in the remaining 1 cup of flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until totally combined. It should form a dough.

For the filling: Brown the butter and allow to cool. Once cooled, add the brown sugar, cinnamon powder and stir. Add the mashed banana and stir well. Slice the bananas and set aide.

For the banana bread batter: In a blender add the bananas, eggs, yogurt, butter, oil, sugar, vanilla and blend until smooth. Alternatively you can mash the bananas with a fork until smooth as well. Pour into a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon. Whisk together until combined and smooth.

Make the rolls: Preheat the oven to 180℃. Grease a 9×13 baking tray. Turn out dough onto a well floured surface and press it into a rectangular shape. If it is overly sticky, sprinkle generously with additional flour until it’s easier to handle. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough into a large rectangle about 12 inches by 24 inches. Spread the cinnamon filling over the dough leaving an edge on the longer edge. Slather on the banana bread batter and spread it evenly. Off the slices bananas on top. Using a pizza cutter cut the dough into 12 even strips. Roll up each strip into a little cinnamon roll and place in the baking tray, repeat until done. Cover with plastic wrap and allow them to rise for 30 minutes. Bake for 25 minutes or until nice and golden brown on top and around the edges.

For the glaze: While the rolls are baking, making the glaze by combining all the ingredients together until smooth. You can place this in the fridge and it will firm up and become a frosting however I prefer it as a glaze. Ice rolls the second they come out of the oven. Add more bananas on top and allow them to sit for 15 minutes before serving. Delicious!

Serving these banana bread cinnamon buns?

They are best served warm with the glaze on top. I would suggest serving them with a glass of milk or coffee but honestly they are delicious on its own. You can serve them for breakfast or brunch. Doesn’t mean you cannot serve it for tea or enjoy it as a midnight snack.

Storing the leftover banana bread cinnamon buns?

The leftovers can be stored in zip lock bags or in air tight containers in the fridge for 1 week. You could also freeze these buns for up to 2 weeks. When ready to eat let them come to room temperature and then warm in the microwave for at 30 seconds minimum.

Looking for more cinnamon roll recipes?

FAQ:

Why are my cinnamon rolls not fluffy?

This could be because of many reasons, the yeast did not activate (either because the milk was too hot/cold or it has expired), he dough didn’t get enough time to proof (this depends on the weather and temperature, if you live in a colder climate it will take longer to proof, in a hotter and more humid climate it will take lesser time to proof) or you over baked them.

Why are my cinnamon rolls always dry?

They are over baked or the oven temperature is to hot.

Why did my homemade cinnamon rolls come out hard?

They were over baked and the yeast did not bloom well enough, hence the dough was not proofed long enough.

Do you roll cinnamon rolls tight or loose?

Tight. We always want to roll the dough tight to get clean edges of the cinnamon filling.

Can I make them vegan or dairy free?

Swap the butter for a dairy. Free butter spread and you are good too go. As for the cream cheese frosting use your favorite cream cheese substitute to make it.

Now that we have covered how to make this No knead banana bread cinnamon bun recipe, you can have a look at the recipe video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more fun recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on pinterest & instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.