How these cinnamon roll waffles came to be: Over the years, breakfast-for-dinner has become a bit of a tradition in our house. We’ve made every waffle variation you can imagine: classic, whole wheat, chocolate, you name it. But for my husband’s birthday this year, I wanted something that felt special. Something nostalgic. Something that didn’t just taste good, but felt like a celebration.
And instantly, I was transported back to the local fair – walking past food stalls, the air thick with the smell of warm dough and cinnamon sugar, biting into a fresh, gooey cinnamon bun straight from the oven.
That’s when the idea hit me:
What if I could turn that fairground cinnamon roll into waffles?
And just like that, these Vegan Cinnamon Roll Waffles were born.
They have all the cozy, gooey, cinnamon-swirled flavour of a classic cinnamon bun, but they’re quicker, easier, and made entirely plant-based. No yeast. No rising time. No complicated rolling. Just mix, cook, drizzle, and enjoy.
With the help of my trusty Breville 4 waffle iron, they come together in about 30 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for birthday breakfasts, Easter brunch, holiday mornings, or honestly… just a random Tuesday when you need something extra comforting.
If you love cinnamon rolls but don’t love waiting for dough to rise, this recipe is going to be your new favourite.
Why You’ll Love These Vegan Cinnamon Roll Waffles
These fluffy vegan waffles are layered with cinnamon sugar goodness and topped with an optional dairy-free cream cheese drizzle. They deliver everything you love about a cinnamon bun — in crisp, golden waffle form.
- Completely dairy-free and egg-free
- No yeast required
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Perfect for brunch gatherings
- Easier than traditional vegan cinnamon rolls
- Customizable with or without cream cheese topping
These waffles strike the perfect balance: crisp edges, fluffy interior, and a rich cinnamon drizzle that soaks into every little waffle pocket.
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Bun Waffles
- Serve fresh: These are best enjoyed right off the waffle iron.
- Don’t skip the drizzle: It transforms a basic waffle into a cinnamon roll experience.
- Hosting brunch? You can keep waffles warm in a 200°F oven while finishing the batch.
- Make it extra indulgent: Add chopped pecans or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Perfect For:
- Easter brunch
- Birthday breakfasts
- Holiday mornings
- Breakfast for dinner
- Cozy winter weekends
- Potlucks and special occasions
These vegan cinnamon roll waffles are proof that you don’t need eggs, dairy, or hours of prep time to create something truly special.
Sometimes the best recipes aren’t about reinventing the wheel — they’re about turning a favourite memory into something new.
And if your house smells like a fairground bakery while they cook?
Even better.
Cinnamon Roll Waffles Vs. Cinnamon Buns
These cinnamon roll waffles are so much easier than making standard cinnamon buns and honestly, just as good. Consider subbing these as a dessert option for your next holiday gathering if you’d rather not start your morning with such a sweet indulgence. There’s no waiting for yeast to rise, no rolling out dough, no cutting or baking. These cinnamon roll waffles come together so quickly and are simply indulgent served warm with the Cream Cheese Topping.
If you love cinnamon buns or cinnamon rolls, you’re sure to love these. Plus, you can experiment with healthier flours if you want to cut the sugar. Have you made these? Let me know what you think?
Click the stars below to rate the recipe. Enjoy!
Vegan Cinnamon Roll Waffles
Ingredients
For the Waffles
- 1 tbsp ground flax
- 3 tbsp water
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups non-dairy milk
- ⅓ cup vegan butter melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon Drizzle
- 6 tbsp vegan butter melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
Optional Cream Cheese Topping (optional)
- ¼ cup vegan butter softened
- 100 grams vegan cream cheese (approx half a standard sized, 8oz tub)
- 1½ cups icing sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the Waffles
- Make the flax egg. In a small bowl, whisk together the ground flax and water. Let sit to thicken while you prepare the remainder of the waffle ingredients.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and cinnamon. Now pour in the non-dairy milk, melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir to combine and then gently stir in the flax egg.
- Cook your waffles in a pre-heated waffle iron to desired doneness. This varies depending on the size of your waffle iron, but we usually use about ½ cup of batter per waffle and cook ours about 6 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the Cinnamon Drizzle and Cream Cheese Topping (if using).
Prepare the Cinnamon Drizzle
- Using a whisk or stirring vigorously, thoroughly combine all of the Cinnamon Drizzle ingredients in a separate bowl.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Topping (optional)
- Using an electric mixer, beat the softened vegan butter and vegan cream cheese together until creamy and smooth in a large bowl. Then beat in the icing sugar and vanilla extract until well combined.
Assembling Your Waffles
- To your cooked and plated waffles, brush on the Cinnamon Drizzle so it evenly coats your waffles. If using the Cream Cheese Topping, you can either spoon or drizzle this over top of the cinnamon-coated waffles. Best served warm.
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