Irresistible Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

If you love banana bread and cinnamon rolls, this recipe brings the best of both worlds into one incredibly soft and flavorful treat. These Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls are rich in banana flavor, lightly sweetened, and finished with a warm cinnamon swirl that melts right into the dough.

Perfect for brunch, holidays, or cozy weekends, these rolls are a comforting twist on a classic favorite—and a great way to use up ripe bananas.

Ingredients

Dough

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
1/2 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)

Filling

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons softened butter

Optional Cream Cheese Glaze

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Add mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, egg, and salt. Mix until smooth.
Gradually add flour and mix to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

2. Make the Filling

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
Once dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture.

3. Roll and Cut

Starting from the long edge, roll the dough into a tight log. Slice into 12 even rolls.
Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.

4. Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake rolls for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown on top and cooked through.

5. Make the Glaze (Optional)

While rolls cool slightly, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Drizzle over warm rolls before serving.