If you’re looking for a breakfast that feels like a warm bakery treat but takes only minutes to make, these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are exactly what you need. They’re soft, fluffy, and filled with a gooey cinnamon-brown sugar swirl that bakes right into the pancakes—just like your favorite cinnamon roll. Below you’ll find why this recipe works so well, how to make it step-by-step, ingredients, directions, serving ideas, helpful tips, FAQs, and final thoughts. Whether you want a cinnamon pancake recipe, creative cinnamon roll ideas, or easy weekend treats, these pancakes deliver every time.

Why Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

There’s something magical about combining two classic comfort foods: cinnamon rolls + pancakes. Here’s why this recipe will instantly become one of your favorite easy breakfast ideas:

• Bakery flavor at home: These pancakes taste like a cross between cinnamon bun pancakes and soft French toast pancakes.

• Gorgeous cinnamon swirl: The beautiful brown sugar spiral melts into the batter, creating irresistible cinnamon swirl pancakes.

• So simple: You don’t need yeast, rising time, or complicated steps—these are truly cinnamon pancakes easy enough for beginners.

• Kid-approved: Sweet, warm, cozy, and fun to look at—kids absolutely love them.

• Customizable: Add cream cheese frosting, maple glaze, or even top them like French toast cinnamon rolls.

• Everyday ingredients: Flour, butter, cinnamon, sugar—nothing fancy, just comfort.

From Saturday mornings to holiday brunches, this recipe is guaranteed to make breakfast feel special.

‍ How to Make It

The process is surprisingly simple: mix your pancake batter, prepare a cinnamon swirl mixture, and pipe the swirl as each pancake cooks. As the batter bubbles, the cinnamon mixture melts into the pancake, forming those signature spirals. The toppings—whether syrup, glaze, or powdered sugar—are completely up to you.

These pancakes give you everything you love about warm cinnamon sugar pancakes without the work of traditional cinnamon rolls. So if you want cinnamon swirl pancakes easy enough for busy mornings yet impressive enough for brunch, this is the recipe to keep.

Ingredients

Pancake Batter

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tbsp sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 ¼ cups milk

• 1 egg

• 2 tbsp melted butter or oil

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon Swirl

• 4 tbsp melted butter

• ⅓ cup brown sugar

• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Optional Cream Cheese Glaze

• 2 oz cream cheese, softened

• 2 tbsp butter, softened

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 1–2 tbsp milk

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Make the pancake batter:
   In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients; mix gently until just combined.

2. Prepare the cinnamon swirl:
   Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or squeeze bottle.

3. Heat the pan:
   Preheat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it.

4. Cook the pancakes:
   Pour ¼ cup batter onto the skillet. When bubbles form on top, pipe a swirl of the cinnamon mixture starting from the center and moving outward.

5. Flip and finish:
   Flip the pancake gently and cook 20–30 seconds to set the swirl.

6. Repeat and stack:
   Continue with the remaining batter and cinnamon mixture.

7. Make the glaze (optional):
   Whisk cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

8. Serve:
   Drizzle glaze, maple syrup, or powdered sugar over warm pancakes and enjoy.

️ How to Serve

These Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are perfect for any breakfast or brunch spread. Here are some delicious serving ideas:

• Drizzle with homemade cream cheese glaze for real cinnamon roll flavor.

• Add maple syrup for a classic warm finish.

• Top with banana slices, berries, or caramelized apples.

• Sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar for more sweetness.

• Serve with eggs and bacon on the side for a full breakfast plate.

• Pair with coffee, hot chocolate, or a cinnamon latte for the ultimate cozy morning.

These also make a fun dessert-style breakfast, especially for holidays or birthdays.

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

• Use medium heat: Too hot and the swirl will burn before the pancake cooks.

• Melt the swirl mixture completely: It must be smooth to pipe easily.

• Don’t overmix the batter: Lumpy batter = fluffier pancakes.

• Let the swirl sink: Add the swirl after bubbles appear on top for best pattern.

• Flip carefully: The swirl will be sticky, so use a wide spatula.

• Add glaze to warm pancakes: It melts beautifully and tastes like a true cinnamon roll.

• Make ahead: Batter and swirl can be refrigerated overnight.

These tricks guarantee bakery-quality pancakes every time.

❓ FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought pancake mix?
Yes! Simply prepare the mix according to package instructions and follow the swirl steps.

2. Can I make these as mini pancakes?
Absolutely—kids love mini version cinnamon bun pancakes!

3. Can I turn these into French Toast Pancakes?
Yes! Add 1 extra egg and an extra splash of milk for a French-toast-style texture.

4. Can I freeze leftover pancakes?
Yes. Freeze between parchment layers and reheat in a toaster or skillet.

5. Can I make the swirl less sweet?
Reduce the brown sugar or add more cinnamon for a stronger spice flavor.

Final Thoughts

These Cinnamon Roll Pancakes combine everything delicious about warm cinnamon buns and fluffy pancakes into one irresistible breakfast. Whether you’re craving cinnamon swirl pancakes, looking for fun cinnamon roll ideas, or want easy breakfast ideas that impress everyone at the table, this recipe is a guaranteed hit. Sweet, soft, comforting, and simple—this is the kind of morning treat everyone will ask for again and again.

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

These Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are warm, fluffy, and swirled with a gooey cinnamon-brown sugar filling that melts right into the batter. They taste just like cinnamon rolls but cook in minutes on a skillet, making them one of the best easy breakfast ideas for weekends, holidays, or anytime you crave sweet cinnamon bun flavor. Perfect for fans of cinnamon swirl pancakes, French toast pancakes, and cinnamon sugar pancakes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• Pancake Batter
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp melted butter or oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Cinnamon Swirl
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• Optional Cream Cheese Glaze
• 2 oz cream cheese softened
• 2 tbsp butter softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 –2 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Make the pancake batter:
• In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
• Prepare the cinnamon swirl:
• Stir together melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or squeeze bottle.
• Heat the skillet:
• Preheat a nonstick pan or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease.
• Cook the pancakes:
• Pour ¼ cup batter onto the skillet. When bubbles form on the surface, pipe a cinnamon swirl starting from the center and spiraling outward.
• Flip carefully:
• Cook until golden, then flip and cook 20–30 seconds to set the swirl.
• Repeat:
• Continue with remaining batter and swirl mixture.
• Make the glaze (optional):
• Whisk cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
• Serve:
• Drizzle glaze or maple syrup over warm pancakes and enjoy.

Notes

 

For perfect swirls, wait until bubbles appear on the pancake surface before adding the cinnamon mixture.

Use medium heat so the cinnamon swirl doesn’t burn.

Do not overmix the batter; small lumps help keep pancakes fluffy.

Store leftovers in the fridge for 3–4 days or freeze up to 2 months.

You can use boxed pancake mix to save time—just make the swirl and glaze as directed.

Add chopped pecans or caramel for extra cinnamon roll flavor.

For a French Toast Pancakes twist, add 1 extra egg and a splash of milk to the batter.