These Pull Apart Cinnamon Rolls are an irresistible, quick breakfast or brunch treat made with just five ingredients. Using canned cinnamon rolls keeps the process simple, while baking them in muffin cups turns each roll into a soft, gooey, single-serving “monkey bread” muffin. They’re perfect for busy mornings and special enough for holiday brunches.
Table of contents
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Recipe tips
- Additions and substitutions
- What to serve them with
- More easy recipes
There are recipes I like and recipes I truly love—these Pull Apart Cinnamon Rolls fall into the latter category. The concept grew from popular holiday pull-apart rolls and a cherished monkey bread recipe I make on special mornings. Turning canned cinnamon rolls into individual muffin-style monkey bread yields a sweet, shareable breakfast that’s both fast and crowd-pleasing.
I tested several variations—small cubes of cream cheese, chocolate chips, caramel pieces, and plain—and the consensus was clear: they’re all good, but the ones with caramel bits are favorite. The combination of tender cinnamon-swirled dough, pockets of melted caramel, and a final drizzle of cream cheese icing creates a delightful mix of textures: slightly crisp edges, soft centers, and gooey pockets.
Best of all, this recipe is incredibly simple. With five main ingredients and only minutes of hands-on prep, you can have warm, fresh pull-apart cinnamon rolls ready in under 30 minutes. Below are full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, variations, and serving suggestions to make the process foolproof.
Ingredients
For exact ingredient amounts, see the recipe card near the bottom of this post.
- Canned cinnamon rolls – two 12.4-ounce cans (8 rolls per can). Use the standard-size cinnamon rolls rather than the larger variety. I recommend the ones that include cream cheese icing, but original icing also works.
- Unsalted butter – melted.
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Caramel bits – found in the baking aisle at many stores. If you can’t find them, dice soft caramels into small pieces or omit them and use another addition from the substitutions section.
Instructions
Step-by-step photos are shown above to guide you. The concise instructions below walk you through the process.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Cut each refrigerated cinnamon roll into 9 roughly equal pieces and gently pull them apart.
- Place the melted butter in a large bowl. Add the cinnamon roll pieces, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and caramel bits.
- Mix gently with a spatula or your hands until each piece is lightly coated with butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Divide the coated pieces evenly, adding about 12 pieces to each muffin cup so they form a rounded mound.
- Place the muffin tin on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips, then bake for about 12 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown at the edges.
- Let the rolls cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully loosen the edges with a butter knife and transfer each muffin to a serving platter.
- Warm the container of cream cheese icing for 20 seconds in the microwave (remove any metal lid first). Stir briefly and spoon or drizzle the icing over the warm pull-apart rolls.
Recipe tips
- Always place the muffin tin on a rimmed baking sheet. This protects your oven floor if any caramel or melted bits overflow while baking.
- Double the recipe easily. For a larger crowd, prepare two batches—ingredients scale well for holidays or brunch gatherings.
- Pull the dough apart before tossing. Separating pieces first ensures every surface gets coated with butter, cinnamon, and sugar.
- Storage and reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in an air fryer at 400°F for about 3 minutes or microwave for 30–60 seconds until warmed through.
Additions and substitutions
While caramel bits are the author’s top pick, these rolls are versatile. Try any of the following to change the flavor or texture:
- Chocolate chips: Swap caramel bits for 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips for a classic pairing.
- Diced apples: Peel and dice a firm baking apple into 1/4-inch pieces and fold in 1/2 cup before baking for a fruity twist.
- Cream cheese cubes: Slightly firm chilled cream cheese and cut into 1/4-inch cubes; add frozen or chilled pieces so they retain shape while baking for pockets of tangy creaminess.
- Butterscotch morsels: Use butterscotch bits instead of caramel for a buttery, brown-sugar flavor.
If preferred, omit any mix-ins for classic cinnamon rolls with a pull-apart texture.
What to serve them with
These pull-apart rolls are indulgent on their own, but they pair beautifully with savory breakfast items for a complete brunch spread. Try serving with crisp bacon, scrambled eggs or egg muffins, and fresh fruit to balance the sweetness.
More easy recipes
If you enjoy quick recipes made with canned dough, try other simple favorites that use crescent or biscuit dough. These small-batch, make-ahead ideas work well for parties and holidays.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Jalapeno Popper Crescent Rolls
Pull Apart Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Taco Crescent Rolls
Cheesy Pull Apart Rolls
Cheesy Bacon Crescent Rolls
Pull Apart Cinnamon Rolls
Easy, five-ingredient pull-apart cinnamon roll muffins made from canned cinnamon rolls, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and caramel bits. Topped with warmed cream cheese icing for a gooey, bakery-style finish.
Ingredients
- 24.8 ounces canned cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing (two 12.4-ounce cans, 8 rolls each)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup caramel bits
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Cut each cinnamon roll into 9 pieces and pull them apart.
- Melt the butter in a large bowl and add the cinnamon roll pieces.
- Add the sugar, cinnamon, and caramel bits and toss until the dough pieces are evenly coated.
- Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray and add about 12 pieces to each cup.
- Place the muffin tin on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, until golden.
- Remove from the oven and transfer the rolls to a serving tray after about 5 minutes.
- Warm the cream cheese frosting for 20 seconds in the microwave (remove metal lid) and drizzle over the rolls.
Notes
- This recipe doubles easily for a larger group.
- Pulling the pieces apart before coating ensures even coverage of cinnamon, sugar, and butter.
- Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container up to 5 days. Reheat in an air fryer or microwave.
- Swap the caramel bits for chocolate chips, diced apples, cream cheese cubes, or butterscotch morsels if desired.