Easy Vegan Cinnamon Bun Bites
Jul 14, 2018 • Updated Apr 21, 2025
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These vegan cinnamon bun bites are made with wholesome nuts, naturally sweetened with dates and raisins, and perfectly spiced with a warm cinnamon mixture. They’re a delicious treat that’s both nourishing and indulgent! Plus, they’re gluten-free and free from artificial flavors or refined sugars, making them a great choice for everyone – vegan or not!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Easy Cinnamon Bun Bites
The Pillsbury kitchens knew exactly what they were doing with those cinnamon rolls wrapped in tubes – the ones that practically give you a heart attack when they pop open! They were undeniably delicious with that golden brown exterior and aroma I can still smell to this day but I can’t and don’t really want to eat those anymore.
And guess what? You can still have a sweet breakfast even if you’re vegan! Like my hot cross bun vegan baked oatmeal or homemade cereal bars. This is the best recipe for easy cinnamon bun bites that has all the flavour and none of the processed ingredients!
This recipe packs in all the cozy flavours of a traditional cinnamon roll into easy, bite-sized pieces. The secret? Just the right blend of spices. These mini cinnamon rolls come together fast, require no baking (seriously!), and are made with wholesome, plant-based ingredients. Next time you want a sweet breakfast or snack, these little bites paired with a hot or cold matcha latte will hit the spot.
Ingredient Notes
Here are a few notes on the key ingredients for these cinnamon bun bites! Jump to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe and exact measurements.
- Raw almonds: Add a subtle nuttiness and help bind everything together.
- Raw walnuts: Bring a rich, buttery texture while packing in some healthy fats.
- Pecans: Lend a naturally sweet, almost caramel-like depth that pairs perfectly with cinnamon mixture.
- Cinnamon: Brings that warm, spiced flavour that makes these bites taste just like traditional cinnamon roll recipes – adjust to your heart’s content!
- Vanilla extract or half vanilla bean pod: Enhances sweetness and rounds out the natural flavor of these little bites.
- Medjool dates: The natural sweetener that holds everything together with a soft, chewy texture.
- Golden raisins: Add a little extra chew and mild sweetness to balance out the nuts. Regular raisins will work if that’s all you have.
- Coconut butter: A creamy, slightly sweet topping that mimics that classic powdered sugar icing moment.
How to Make Cinnamon Bun Bites
Step 1: Add the nuts to a food processor or blender and pulse (or blend) until they break down into a fine, crumbly texture. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and pulse a few more times to evenly mix.
Step 2: Add in the dates, raisins, and vanilla, then pulse until the mixture starts to pull away from the sides and sticks together when pressed between your fingers. If it feels too dry, add a little hot water, extra dates, or a spoonful of nut butter, maple syrup, or coconut oil. If it’s too wet, mix in more nuts – almonds work best since they’re drier.
Step 3: Taste the batter and make sure it is cinnamon-y enough for you. Feel free to add additional spices too! Nutmeg and cloves are great additions.
Step 4: Roll dough mixture into bite sized dough balls or flatten into thin ribbons and coil them into equal pieces to resemble cinnamon rolls.
Step 5: Drizzle with melted coconut butter mixed with a splash of vanilla extract for that classic cinnamon sugar mixture topping.
Step 6: Store on parchment paper as this can get sticky! If storing in the fridge, cover with plastic wrap to keep fresh.
Secrets to Success
- Processing the nuts until they’re finely ground ensures a smooth, cohesive mixture. Be careful not to over-process into nut butter – texture matters here!
- If this is your first time making these, try experimenting with extra cinnamon or warm spices like nutmeg and cloves for even more flavour.
- If your cinnamon bun bites get too firm in the fridge, let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating. For a quicker fix, place them in a bowl over a pot of steaming water for a minute or two to soften them up.
- For the perfect texture, press a small amount between your fingers – if it crumbles, pulse longer. Still not holding? Knead to release the nuts’ natural oils or add a splash of warm water or a mashed date for better binding.
Serving Tips
- These easy cinnamon rolls are perfect treats on their own, but they also pair well with a drizzle of heavy cream-style coconut yogurt or a dusting of brown sugar for extra sweetness.
- For a festive touch, make this easy recipe for Christmas morning and serve them warm in a baking dish with a cup of spiced tea!
- Use them as a topping for smoothie bowls, vegan yogurt, or oatmeal.
Storage Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze them for up to three months.
- When freezing, arrange them in a single layer to prevent sticking.
Recipe FAQs
The easiest way is to roll them into balls, but if you want a cinnamon roll look, roll the mixture into thin ribbons and coil them up.
Yes! You can swap out the almonds, walnuts, or pecans for other nuts like cashews, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts. Just keep in mind that some nuts (like cashews) are creamier, while others (like almonds) are drier, so you may need to adjust the consistency by adding a little more moisture if needed.
If you’re not a fan of raisins, you can leave them out or replace them with extra dates for sweetness. Dried mulberries, chopped figs, or even unsweetened dried cranberries can also work as substitutes.
You can definitely try! Protein powder absorbs moisture so you may need to add an extra date or a teaspoon of warm water to keep the mixture from getting too dry.
Sure! Mix coconut butter and a little maple syrup and vanilla extract in a small bowl and drizzle over the top. You could also blend soaked cashews with plant-based milk for a creamy, cream cheese-style frosting.
More Cinnamon-Inspired Treats
If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know what you think with a star rating and comment below! Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Easy Vegan Cinnamon Bun Bites
Ingredients
Ingredients
- ¼ cup raw almonds
- ¾ cup raw walnuts
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon more as you like
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or half vanilla bean pod
- 8 medjool dates pitted
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- a teaspoon of hot water if needed
- coconut butter to top
Instructions
- add your nuts to your food processor or blender and process until it becomes broken down. add cinnamon and pulse a few more times to evenly distribute.
- add your dates, raisins and vanilla and pulse until mixture begins to pull away from sides of your machine and can easily stick together if you squish the mixture between your fingers. if the mixture is too dry, you can add a little hot water, additional dates or nut butter/coconut oil. if the mixture is too wet, add additional nuts (I recommend almonds which are drier)
- taste the batter and make sure it is cinnamon-y enough for you. feel free to add additional spices too! nutmeg and clove are great.
- roll into balls or roll flat into fettucine-like ribbons and roll into cinamon bun shapes
- drizzle with melted coconut butter + splash of vanilla extract mixed, for that icing look on top
- Store on parchment paper as this can get sticky!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
