These Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Rolls are warm, gooey, and topped with a sweet icing. Buttery cinnamon roll dough is combined with crisp apples and a rich cinnamon custard. Cooked long and slow, they’re ooey gooey and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Table of Contents
- Why These Apple Cinnamon Rolls Are So Amazing
- What You’ll Need
- Set It And Forget It! How to Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls in the Slow Cooker
- Tips for Success
- Alternative Icing Options
- Serving Suggestions
- Flavor Variations
- Common Questions About This Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- More Cinnamon Roll Recipes
- Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Why These Apple Cinnamon Rolls Are So Amazing
Cinnamon rolls have a special place in our hearts (and stomachs). With countless recipes like our apple caramel cinnamon rolls, Biscoff cinnamon rolls, and these easy cinnamon rolls with caramel and chocolate chips, they’re our go-to for holiday brunches, weekend breakfasts, and when we just want to make mornings a little more special.
And these slow cooker apple cinnamon rolls are our favorite variation for fall and winter! Sweet, buttery, and full of warm cinnamon spice and crisp apples, they’re seriously to die for.
Not to mention, they’re:
- Created with just eight ingredients.
- A hands-off recipe you can set and forget.
- Great for feeding a crowd.
- Easy to store on the rare chance you have leftovers.
What You’ll Need
Simple and quick is the name of the game around here, and these apple cinnamon rolls are no different! Of course, we could create dough from scratch, but who has time for that?
Instead, we use a few shortcuts to cut down the prep time without negatively impacting the flavor. Here’s everything we use:
- Cinnamon Rolls – Store-bought cinnamon roll dough is our secret weapon to make this recipe a breeze. We love Grand’s cinnamon rolls, but any brand you like best will work.
- Apples – We recommend using baking apples that are just a little tart and perfectly crisp. Sweeter apples such as Gala or Fuji which are meant for snacking are likely to turn to mush as they cook. Our favorite options for this recipe are Honeycrisp and Granny Smith!
- Heavy Cream – This is used to form the base of the custard topping, transforming the cinnamon rolls into a decadent dish far better than anything straight from a can.
- Large Eggs – These are necessary to thicken the custard mixture and help it solidify as it cooks, locking in the moisture and creating a slightly crisp, golden exterior.
- Cinnamon – Our favorite warm spice, cinnamon just screams fall and makes every bite taste like a freshly baked apple crisp.
- Vanilla Extract – Use a high-quality pure vanilla extract in the custard to enhance the rest of the ingredients, adding extra depth and sweetness.
- Condensed Milk – This is poured on top just before cooking for the most succulent cinnamon rolls you’ll ever make.
Set It And Forget It! How to Make Apple Cinnamon Rolls in the Slow Cooker
Unlike traditional cinnamon roll recipes that require hours in the kitchen and complicated instructions to roll out the dough, this version comes together with minimal prep time thanks to a slow cooker!
- Prepare the first layer. Slice each cinnamon roll into quarters, and arrange half of them in a single layer in the bottom of a slow cooker greased with cooking oil spray or butter.
- Continue to layer. Sprinkle the apples on top followed by the remaining pieces of dough.
- Whisk. Add the eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, and vanilla extract to a large measuring cup, and whisk until smooth. Pour the custard mixture over the cinnamon rolls, coating them evenly, and add the condensed milk.
- Bake. Cover the slow cooker, and “bake” the cinnamon rolls until they’re golden brown and fluffy and the custard has set.
- Top. Drizzle the reserved icing packet on top, and serve your apple cinnamon rolls while they’re still warm.
Tips for Success
Just when you think these slow cooker apple cinnamon rolls couldn’t get any better, we’ve got a few tips to guarantee they’re failproof and perfect for you!
- Cut the recipe in half. If you have a smaller slow cooker, you can easily cut the recipe in half to not overcrowd it and ensure the dough bakes evenly. Arrange the cinnamon roll pieces in an even layer, and check on them after three hours as baking times will vary!
- Prevent the bottom of the rolls from burning. Due to the fact that all slow cookers are different, baking times and temperatures will vary. So, in order to prevent the bottom of your rolls from burning, we recommend placing a piece of aluminum foil or
parchment paper in the bottom of the slow cooker. - Create dairy-free apple cinnamon rolls. To make this recipe dairy-free, just substitute the heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk, and swap out the sweetened condensed milk for coconut-sweetened condensed milk. They’ll have all the decadent flavor we love with none of the dairy!
Alternative Icing Options
To keep things simple we use the icing that comes with the cinnamon roll dough, but that doesn’t mean you can’t switch things up! Try swapping it out with different options like:
- Buttercream Icing
- Maple Icing
- Vanilla Icing
- Caramel Icing
Serving Suggestions
Feel free to enjoy these slow cooker apple cinnamon rolls on their own as a sweet breakfast or dessert. Or, enjoy them as part of a complete spread with options like:
- Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits
- Crinkle Phyllo Easy Spanakopita Recipe
- Turkish Poached Eggs with Cottage Cheese
- Easy Eggs in Purgatory
Flavor Variations
If you want to create an absolutely showstopping recipe that looks and tastes like you spend all day in the kitchen, try some of our favorite variations!
Ice Cream. Serve these apple cinnamon rolls warm alongside a cold, creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn this scrumptious breakfast into an irresistible dessert!
Carmel Sauce. Nothing says fall like the classic combination of apples and caramel sauce. Drizzle it on top for an out-of-this-world combination.
Chopped Nuts. These will add a bit of crunch and flavor to the rolls, making them even more unforgettable! Pecans or walnuts are our favorite additions but feel free to experiment with whatever nuts you like best.
Common Questions About This Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Technically, any kind of apples can be used. However, we highly recommend using baking apples like Granny Smith as they have a slightly tarter flavor that pairs well with the decadent custard sauce and icing and a sturdier texture that prevents them from turning to mush when they cook.
Technically, you don’t have to, but the skin can be a bit difficult to chew. Therefore, removing it allows for decadent, easy-to-chew bites. We prefer to peel them, but the choice is up to you!
Yes! Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, and keep them stored at room temperature for up to three days or in the fridge for five days. Or, freeze your baked cinnamon rolls for up to two to three months. To eat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight, and just warm them up in the slow cooker, microwave, or oven. They’ll taste good as new!
You’ll know your apple cinnamon rolls are done when they’re fluffy and have a slightly dark golden brown appearance on top. Be sure to keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t burn!
More Cinnamon Roll Recipes
Need more easy cinnamon roll recipes in your life? We’ve got you covered with these great recipes!
- Baklava Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls
- Caramel Macchiato Cinnamon Rolls
- Pistachio Walnut Cinnamon Rolls
- S’mores Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 3 cans Grand’s cinnamon rolls
- 2 cups ~2 small apples, peeled and chopped small (Honey Crisp or Granny Smith)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Reserved icing
- Optional: vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Slice the cinnamon rolls into quarters, reserving the pre-made icing.3 cans Grand’s cinnamon rolls
- Butter the bottom and sides of the slow cooker or use non-stick cooking spray (*See note below). Arrange half the cinnamon rolls in a single layer at the bottom.
- Add the apples, and top with remaining cinnamon roll pieces.2 cups ~2 small apples, peeled and chopped small (Honey Crisp or Granny Smith)
- In a large measuring cup, whisk the eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the custard over the cinnamon rolls.Add the condensed milk.4 large eggs, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- Cover, and cook on high for 3-4 hours or until the custard is set and the top of the rolls are light golden brown.
- Once cooked, drizzle with the reserved icing. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream, if desired!Reserved icing, Optional: vanilla ice cream for serving
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These came out very dry. If you are going to serve this it needed either a munch more icing or another suce
I just finished making these and am literally eating it as I type. SO GOOD! I did not read the comments before making it and I didn’t even think about the can size of the cinnamon rolls. Mine were 13 oz. each and I used 3 cans, as per the recipe. Honestly, I am glad I didn’t see the comments prior because I think having another 12 oz. of “bread” in there would have been too much. The only things I will change next time is to use less egg so that these will be more gooey and not quite so firm/dense and will probably go with 3 cups of the apple instead of 2. Great recipe!
Made this recipe for after church social hour this morning early, it is DELICIOUS to say the least the only thing that is not correct is the “prep time” , there is no way you can prep this in 5 minutes, I bake a lot and it took me 30 minutes. All in all it is delicious, did serve hot with vanilla ice cream. If the prep time would have been more accurate I would have given it 5 stars.
So glad to hear it was a hit! Sorry for the confusion with the prep time. We have adjusted to reflect the correct time. Thanks for your feedback! xo, Alia & Radwa
I did the oven recommendation and it definitely needs to go longer than 30-40 minutes. It was still dough when I took it out but the top was cooked
Oh no! You can loosely cover it and continue to bake it until the center is cooked!
What size cinnamon rolls? I could only find the 12 oz rolls not the grands
Hi, they are 17.5 cans. You can do 4 cans of the 12 oz rolls!
How did you come up with the nutrition? Is it per bite? There’s no way a serving has 70 calories and 3g of sugar….haha
lol, oops! Just adjusted the nutrition facts!
I’ve made this recipe multiple times and it is amazing!! So simple and easy and delicious!
Glad you love this recipe! xo, Alia & Radwa
can we just bake in oven? if so , what times would we use?
Yes, you can, however, this is a 7-qt slow cooker, so a 13×9 will be a little too small. You have 2 options. Either you reduce the recipe and use 2 cans of cinnamon rolls, or the batch will make one 13×9 and an 9×9. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes!
Slow cooker is a 7 qt, sprayed the bottom/sides and lined the bottom with parchment paper as directed. Cooked for less than 3 hours when it started to smell burnt. Finished cooking 3 hrs, was burnt around sides and raw and soggy in the middle. Disappointed, as the ingredients are not cheap. Dumped it in the trash.
We’re sorry to hear this, Sharon! What size can of cinnamon rolls did you use?
You mention icing but I don’t see anything in the ingredient list or the instructions for making the icing. Am I missing something somewhere?
We use the icing that comes with the cinnamon rolls. You can make your own by mixing 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract!
I had a really hard time with this recipe. I had my slow cooker on high for 4 hours and put foil at the bottom like I was told and my rolls were highly undercooked. any help ono this would be welcomed.
Oh no! Sorry to hear that happened! What size slow cooker did you use?
I used an insta pot that had a slower cooker option. What should I do for an insta pot with this recipe?
You can cook on high pressure for 28-30 minutes!
I used an insta pot. But I’m wondering how I can adjust this recipe for an insta pot.
Could you sub the short time on High, for maybe Lower overnight?
Excellent recipe, however the cook time was to long. I cooked just less than 3 hours and it was slightly over cooked. However I added a Carmel sauce that made it wonderful. Not into the icing.
Followed directions exactly. Dry, doughy, tasteless. Will not make again
I prefer frozen cinnamon rolls to refrigerator cans. any suggestion how to adapt for those?
Yes, you’d probably have to thaw them according to package instructions first!
Do the left overs need to be refrigerated?
Yes, and reheat back in the oven or in the microwave!
Hello I have an insta pot how long and what temp should I use for this recipe?
Any help with adjusting recipe for a 2qt. slow cooker? Thanks!
You can reduce the measurements by 1/3rd!
What could you use instead of the sweetened condensed milk
are you looking for a dairy free option? You can use sweetened and condensed coconut milk!
Can you cook it on low for 6-8 hours/overnight?
We personally have not tried, if you decide to give it a try, we don’t recommend doing it overnight just so you can keep an eye on it!
What’s the best way to make this in an instant pot?
If you want to make this in an instant pot – Assemble the ingredients in a bundt pan (you will have to reduce to 2 cans cinnamon rolls), cover with aluminum foil. Add 1/2 cups water to a 6qt instant pot. Lower the bundt pan inside. Seal the valve and cook on high for 25 minutes.
Can you make this with milk instead of heavy whipping cream? I don’t have heavy whipping cream and everything is closed but to it being Christmas.
Yes, milk works if that is all you have on hand. Otherwise, evaporated milk, canned full-fat coconut milk, and half and half are great options too!
One of my first few recipes and I absolutely loved it! super simple and through, I do think that it was too many eggs used for the sauce! but other than that it was amazing