These soft, fluffy Gluten Free Orange Rolls are filled with a bright orange-cinnamon filling and finished with a simple orange glaze. They make a delightful addition to any breakfast or brunch spread.
Gluten Free Orange Rolls were originally posted on May 5, 2021 and have been updated with a new filling, icing, photos, and video.
I’m a big fan of cinnamon rolls — my ultimate gluten free cinnamon rolls are famous for good reason. But I didn’t want to stop at cinnamon: orange adds a bright, citrusy note that pairs beautifully with brown sugar and cinnamon. I adapted my gluten free sweet dough and created a filling that blends orange zest and juice with cinnamon for a nostalgic, irresistible roll.
What You’ll Need to Make Gluten Free Orange Rolls
These orange rolls are assembled the same way as classic cinnamon rolls—only the filling and icing change. Once the sweet dough has chilled in the fridge, assembly is quick. The key ingredients are:
- Gluten Free Sweet Dough — this recipe uses a half batch of the sweet dough to yield a good number of rolls. If you already have dough chilled, you’re ready to go.
- Butter — for the filling and a small amount in the icing.
- Cinnamon — it enhances the orange and gives a familiar, comforting flavor similar to classic canned orange rolls.
- Cream cheese — a little in the icing makes it creamy without being too heavy.
- Heavy cream (optional) — pouring hot cream over the rolls before baking increases gooeyness and keeps them extra soft.
- Fresh orange juice and zest — both brighten the flavor so the rolls taste fresh and citrusy.
Here’s How to Make Orange Cinnamon Rolls
- Make the sweet dough. Combine the dough ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and knead 5 minutes on medium-high. Scrape into the bowl, cover, and proof until doubled. Refrigerate overnight (or at least several hours).
- Make the filling. Beat together butter, light brown sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, and salt until spreadable.
- Assemble the rolls. Knead the chilled dough briefly and roll into a rectangle. Spread the filling evenly and roll tightly from the long side into a log. If it softens too much, freeze the log for 10–15 minutes to keep the shape. Cut into rolls — 16 small (about 1-inch) or 8 large (about 2–3 inches) — and arrange in a greased 9×13-inch pan. Cover and proof until nearly doubled.
- Bake the rolls. For extra gooeyness, pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) hot heavy cream over the risen rolls before baking (optional). Bake at 350°F: about 25–30 minutes for smaller rolls, 30–35+ minutes for larger rolls, until golden and cooked through.
- Make the icing. Whisk together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, orange zest, orange juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Ice and serve. As soon as the rolls come from the oven, spread half the icing over them so it seeps in and keeps them moist. After 10–15 minutes, spread the remaining icing over each roll and serve warm.
Orange Rolls FAQs
Yes. Freeze unbaked shaped rolls in their pan well wrapped with plastic and foil for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then proof and bake. Baked rolls can be wrapped individually and frozen up to three months; reheat gently in the microwave or thaw in the fridge.
They capture that classic flavor but use fresher ingredients and extra icing for a better homemade result.
Yes — you can make purely orange rolls, though cinnamon complements orange beautifully and adds depth.
More Gluten Free Sweet Dough Recipes
- Ultimate Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls
- Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread
- Fluffy Gluten Free Yeast Donuts
- The Ultimate Overnight Gluten Free Monkey Bread
- Gluten Free German Stollen
- Gluten Free Cinnamon Knots
- Gluten Free Beignets
- Bakery Style Gluten Free Apple Fritters
- Gluten Free Mexican Conchas
- Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns
- Gluten Free Cinnamon Roll Wreath
- Gluten Free Panettone Babka (Panebabka)
- Gluten Free ‘Ohana Pineapple Bread (Disney copycat)
- Gluten Free Brioche au Chocolat (Chocolate Custard Rolls)
- Air Fried Gluten Free Yeast Donuts
- Gluten Free Chocolate Babka
- Gluten Free Kolaches
Give your breakfast a citrusy lift with these Gluten Free Orange Rolls. Their bright orange flavor and tender texture make them a cozy favorite any time of year.
Gluten Free Orange Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Gluten Free Sweet Dough, recipe follows
Cinnamon Orange Filling
- 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
- ½ cup (113g) butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Orange Icing
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp (28g) butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- 1¼ cups (156g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp (28ml) fresh orange juice
Gluten Free Sweet Dough
- 1¾ cups (245g) gluten free bread flour blend
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tbsp plus ¾ tsp (12g) instant yeast
- 1 tbsp (5g) whole psyllium husks (or 1½ tsp psyllium husk powder)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (180ml) whole milk
- 6 tbsp (85g) butter, very soft
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
Optional for Baking
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream, heated (optional)
Instructions
Make the Dough
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Combine all dough ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and knead on medium to medium-high for 5 minutes. Scrape into the center of the bowl, cover, and proof 2–3 hours until doubled. Refrigerate at least 6–8 hours, preferably overnight.
Make Filling
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Combine filling ingredients in a bowl and beat until spreadable. Set aside.
Assemble Rolls
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Knead dough on a lightly floured surface and roll to about ¼–½ inch thick (roughly 12×16 inches). Spread filling, leaving a ½-inch border along the bottom. Roll tightly into a cylinder. If it warms, cut and chill the log for 10–15 minutes. Cut into desired thickness: 16 one-inch rolls or 8 larger rolls.
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Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan with a little space between each. Cover tightly and proof until nearly doubled, 30–60 minutes depending on room temperature. Preheat oven to 350°F toward the end of proofing.
Bake the Rolls
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If using, pour ¼ cup (60 ml) hot heavy cream over the risen rolls before baking for extra gooeyness. Bake about 25–30 minutes for smaller rolls, 35–40 minutes for larger rolls, until golden and cooked through.
Make the Icing
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While the rolls bake, whisk icing ingredients until smooth.
Ice Orange Rolls and Serve
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Immediately after removing from the oven, spread half the icing over the rolls so it soaks in and keeps them moist. After 10–15 minutes, spread the remaining icing and serve warm.
Notes
Freezing: Unbaked rolls can be frozen in a well-wrapped pan for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then proof and bake. Baked rolls freeze well wrapped individually; avoid long fridge storage as it can dry them out.