If you love the cinnamon roll donuts Krispy Kreme offers, you've got to try these! They're the best Pillsbury cinnamon roll donuts recipe - easy fried (or baked) canned cinnamon roll donuts, no yeast needed! Definitely one of the best canned cinnamon roll hacks, these fried cinnamon rolls are SO good!
If you love this recipe, you've got to try my Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake with Cool Whip, my Sweet Cream Cold Foam Recipe, and my Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins!
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Canned Cinnamon Roll Donuts Recipe - Easy and Decadent!
Where has this recipe been all my life? I'll never make canned cinnamon rolls the normal way again! And you won't either once you try this Pillsbury cinnamon roll donuts recipe. Easy and quick, they're the perfect upgrade for your favorite canned cinnamon rolls and require minimal ingredients!
If you like my Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls or my Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, these are full of that delicious cinnamon flavor but they're way easier! Perfect with a hot cup of coffee or a homemade hot chocolate!
What is a cinnamon roll donut called?
It depends what donut shop you're visiting! The cinnamon roll donuts Krispy Kreme has don't have any special name, but at other places they might be called a Persian roll. They combine the brown sugar cinnamon flavors and textures of a traditional cinnamon roll with the shape and format of a donut. You might also come across variations like "cinnamon swirl donut" or "cinnamon bun donut" depending on where you are.
Is donut dough the same as cinnamon roll dough?
Donut dough and cinnamon roll dough are similar in some ways but have slight differences in ingredients and preparation methods. Although they are made with similar ingredients, donut dough tends to be slightly richer and sweeter compared to cinnamon roll dough. It often contains more sugar and fat, resulting in a softer and more tender texture. Donut batter is typically fried until golden and then coated with sugar, glaze, or other toppings.
Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll Donuts Ingredients
I told you these cinnamon bun donuts were easy! You really only need two simple ingredients! Definitely one of the easiest donut recipes you'll find!
- canned cinnamon roll dough - I use Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. Make sure to hold on to the icing that comes with it!
- canola oil or vegetable oil - for frying. You'll want about 6 cups, or enough to cover the bottom of the pan with 2 inches of oil.
- icing or powdered sugar topping - these cinnamon roll doughnuts are perfectly delicious on their own, but the best way to make them even better is by adding a glaze, or a dusting of powdered sugar!
Equipment
To make these delicious donuts, you'll need a heavy-bottomed pan like a braiser, deep sauté pan, or Dutch oven. I also like to get a wire rack to cool these donuts. The rack is also where you'll pour your vanilla glaze all over the top of the donuts, so you may want parchment paper to place under it.
Instructions for Cinnamon Roll Donuts (Fried Cinnamon Rolls)
The process for frying these canned cinnamon roll donuts is a lot like my Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls -- but these are way easier to prep!
Cut holes in canned cinnamon rolls with a small round cookie cutter. Save the cut rounds to make donut holes!
Heat oil over medium heat until hot, and add donuts and donut holes. Fry until golden brown, then turn.
Continue to fry, then remove from hot oil to a wire cooling rack or paper towels.
Pour donut glaze over warm donuts and allow to set.
Hint: you can use the icing that comes with the cinnamon rolls, or dust your cooked cinnamon roll donuts recipe with powdered sugar. I like to make an easy powdered sugar glaze by combining powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl, which I'll include in the recipe card below!
Baked Cinnamon Roll Donuts - No Yeast
This is a great recipe to get that classic fried donut flavor in an easy breakfast item. But if you'd rather try baked cinnamon roll donuts, you can! Just use your cookie cutter to cut holes in your cinnamon rolls and bake them according to package directions. You can also use a donut pan to make sure they keep that perfect donut shape!
Cinnamon Roll Donuts - Air Fryer Version
You can also make these easy cinnamon roll donuts in an air fryer -- just cut the holes in the middle, then follow the steps in my Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls recipe!
Storage
You can store these cinnamon roll donuts (fried or baked) in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap for up to 3 days. I haven't tried freezing them, but if your sweet tooth is anything like mine, they probably won't last that long anyway!
Top Tip
Be sure to let your oil heat up fully before adding your canned cinnamon roll donuts -- you want them to start frying as soon as they hit the oil, and it may take a full 5 minutes or more for the oil to heat up. I recommend using a cooking thermometer to check the oil temperature before you add your donuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
While both cinnamon rolls and donuts are delicious sweet treats, they are distinct from each other in terms of their dough, preparation methods, and textures. Cinnamon rolls have a soft, bread-like texture with a swirl of cinnamon and sugar running through the pastry, while donut dough is typically enriched with sugar, butter or oil, and eggs, resulting in a softer and sweeter texture compared to cinnamon roll dough.
Yes! The cinnamon roll donuts Krispy Kreme offers are available on Sundays at select Krispy Kreme shops.
I used Pillsbury cinnamon roll dough for these delicious fried or baked donuts! But you can use any canned cinnamon roll dough that you like. These cinnamon rolls by Immaculate Baking Co. are a fantastic vegan option!
These would be delicious with a cup of coffee like Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte (Starbucks Copycat), or alongside a plate of Air Fryer Hash Browns or my Fruit Charcuterie Board!
And if you love these, try my Cinnamon Cupcakes or my Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls!
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this canned cinnamon roll donut recipe? Try these:
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
- dutch oven or sauté pan
- tongs
- small round cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 1 can cinnamon rolls - reserve icing as possible topping
- vegetable oil - for frying
- cinnamon roll icing, powdered sugar glaze, or dusted powdered sugar - for topping (see notes)
Instructions
- Remove cinnamon roll dough discs from can and place on a cutting board. Use a small round cookie cutter to cut holes in each.
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pan to 360℉, about 5 minutes.
- When oil is hot, use tongs to drop donut and holes into the oil and fry until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Remove donuts to a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Top donuts with icing that comes with canned cinnamon rolls, or top with a powdered sugar icing (see note) or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Video
Notes
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Nutrition
Last Updated on September 5, 2023 by Chenée Lewis
Ned
Oh these are so yummy! I'm thinking about making these again but when we go camping next week. Thank you!
Chenée Lewis
They'd be such a fun camping treat!
Nikki
Oh wow, so delicious…I love special treat recipes that are this easy to make! Thank you for sharing!
Chenée Lewis
I'm so glad you liked them! 🙂
Gabby
These look so quick and easy! Definitely going to be making these but I already know we'll love them.
Casey
Such a yummy and easy treat! The kids gobbled these right up!
Chenée Lewis
I do too whenever I make them! 🙂
Elizabeth
What an ingenious idea to make donuts out of premade cinnamon roll dough! Such an easy and delicious shortcut. These would be gobbled up pretty quickly in my house!
Nikki
Simple ingredients and simple to make, these cinnamon roll donuts are a simply irresistible treat.
Chenée Lewis
You got that right! 🙂 Thanks!
Nathan
I can see this becoming a dangerous recipe for me... So easy to make but the results are absolutely fantastic! What an innovative way to use cinnamon roll dough too!
Chenée Lewis
It's very tempting!
TAYLER ROSS
We made these donuts for breakfast this morning and OMG were they good! A new go-to breakfast treat for sure!
Chenée Lewis
Yay! They're so easy too!
dana
Easy, delicious, and perfect for lazy weekends where you want a nice treat!
Chenée Lewis
Absolutely! so glad you liked them!
Kim
I baked these in a donut pan and they came out perfect. Such a great idea! Thank you!
Chenée Lewis
What a great idea! Thanks!
Andrea
Love this recipe so much. It's super easy and the grandkids are going to love making and eating these.
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! I love this recipe too!
Casey
I've never had a cinnamon roll donut, but this post has me drooling. Can't wait to try it!
Tara
Oh how fun! I love how you made these doughnuts with canned cinnamon rolls. So easy and so many ways to cook them!