Sugar Free Chai Cinnamon Roll Recipe (Keto, Vegan & Gluten-Free)

I love yeasted dessert breads and cinnamon rolls are one of my absolute faves. This healthy, sugar free cinnamon roll recipe puts a modern twist on a traditional cinnamon roll by adding the chai frosting, but the spices can be easily adjusted to suit your taste. These high fiber cinnamon swirled rolls are soft, moist and gooey. They rival any traditional sweet roll and make a special holiday breakfast without the belly ache or sugar crash that would follow a normal sweet roll breakfast.

Detox Desserts Flour Swaps don’t rise with yeast so we always have to add leavening in recipes that rely on yeast for lift. Although it’s not necessary, I add yeast because the structure and flavor of the dough does change. Yeast adds the distinct aromas and flavors we associate with bread and any proper cinnamon roll will include yeast. Don’t worry if you’re sensitive to yeast, these rolls still come out great without it. They are quick and easy to make at home without fussing about the perfect water temperature for your yeast or waiting hours for the dough to rise.

This recipe is an adaptation from a long time patient, handed down from her grandmother, and framed in her kitchen. Her family was VERY skeptical about a detoxed version of granny’s rolls but thankfully they were open minded enough for a taste test. It was a resounding win! The entire family loved them and said they’d all eat the detoxed version anytime.

The Detox Desserts Flour Swap makes it easy to turn these cinnamon rolls gluten-free and promotes healthy digestion. The psyllium husk (Flour Swaps) and inulin (Egg & Sugar Swaps) help feed and increase friendly gut bacteria. Plenty of good flora in your intestines builds a strong immune system and has digestive benefits. Whole psyllium husk also binds waste and toxins in the intestines and helps clear them from the body. This easy recipe for sugar free cinnamon rolls is not only free from the unhealthy ingredients found in traditional dessert but it’s actually gently detoxifying to the body…double win!

The plant soluble fiber in the psyllium husk and digestive resistant fiber in the inulin work synergistically to slow down digestion. Slowed digestion and nutrient absorption helps provide more blood sugar stability throughout your day which can keep you feeling full and satisfied. This also keeps energy levels consistent and prevents the sugar crash one would experience with a traditional, carb-loaded cinnamon roll.

I’ve tested this sugar free cinnamon roll recipe with Whole-Grain and Grain-Free Flour Swap a few times. The Whole-Grain rolls will have a few extra slowly digesting carbs, a chewy, soft texture, and a hearty flavor that comes from the buckwheat. The Grain-Free Flour will provide the lowest carb version, is ultra soft and moist, with a slightly sweeter, nutty flavor. I love this recipe using both flours (1 cup Whole-Grain plus 1 cup Grain-Free Flour to equal the full 2 cups of Flour Swap the recipe calls for) because it creates a flavor and texture profile most similar to the traditional sweet roll.

For the majority of my patients, I’m an advocate of balanced macronutrient meals. Here is an easy way to choose your Flour Swap to create a balanced macro meal that incorporates dessert. We’ll use dinner as an example. If your dinner consists of just protein and veggies, I recommend eating dessert made with Whole-Grain Flour Swap to serve as your healthy carb source. Conversely, if you already had a carb with dinner (quinoa, sweet potato, beans, etc), I would recommend the Grain-Free dessert so you don’t overeat carbs at that meal. Easy, right?!

Balanced macro meals are the best thing you can do to keep your metabolism firing optimally, create blood sugar stability and keep you feeling full and satisfied throughout your day (or night). If you’re a diabetic or need to stay in ketosis, always bake using the Grain-Free Flour Swap.

4. Press the dough into a large rectangle about ¼ “ thick on top of wax or parchment paper (this makes it easier to roll).

5. Mix together the cinnamon topping ingredients. Add hot water a little at a time until it’s smooth and spreadable. Spread evenly on the dough.

6. Start from the long end of your rectangle and tightly roll the dough lengthwise. Slice your rolls into 10 equal pieces and arrange in the greased pie dish. Give them a gentle press so they are the same height and close together.

7. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 35-40 minutes.

8. Remove from the oven and loosen the foil to vent the rolls but don’t completely uncover (we don’t want them to dry out).

9. While they are still very warm, mix together the frosting ingredients adding hot water slowly until a smooth spreadable frosting consistency is achieved. Drizzle your chai frosting on top of the warm rolls making sure to saturate all the crevices.

10. Allow them to sit uncovered until room temperature before covering tightly to store in the fridge. Reheat before serving.

11. Store covered in the fridge for up to 7 days or wrap tightly and freeze for long term storage.

For best taste, texture and health benefits, refrigerate all Detox Desserts overnight before indulging.