Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Homemade slow cooker apple cinnamon rolls are great. You can use refrigerated Pillsbury too for a faster family breakfast or brunch. A little like our Crockpot cinnamon roll monkey bread except we are keeping them whole this go around.

You can defrost and use frozen bread dough, refrigerated in a roll or the from scratch version we share below. All are wonderful, just depends on how much time you have.

If you haven’t made Crockpot cinnamon rolls yet you’re in for a real treat. It is just another hack you can use during Christmas or Easter time when you have a large crowd coming over to eat. Set out on the buffet in the morning or for dessert in the evening, it’s one of our favorite Crockpot recipes for families. (affiliate links present)

Homemade Crockpot Cinnamon Rolls

Ok so if you have your own homemade recipe for these by all means you can use that. If not I have instructions for some or you could use our Bisquick cinnamon rolls recipe as well. If using packaged and already made the timing may be a bit less so set your reminder for 1 hour to check.

The amount of time I have to prep determines what I decide to use. Basically this post is to explain how to bake in a slow cooker which really will become a game changer if you haven’t tried it already. I started with making Crockpot rolls without any yeast. They were such a hit that I kept going and going. A winner during the Summer months when you don’t want to turn the oven on.

Homemade Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Ok so the ingredients you are going to need to make these from scratch are below. You will need to set aside a good 2 hours to make these since they need to rise etcetera etcetera. If using refrigerated you would skip, when using Rhodes cinnamon rolls you would need to follow directions on package to defrost.

• 2 c all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• Milk
• Butter
• Salt
• Sugar
• Egg

What to fill homemade cinnamon rolls with;

• Butter
• 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
• Ground cinnamon
• 6 tbsp sugar
• All purpose flour
• 1/2 c apples 
  • peeled, cored, diced very small, optional, could also use 1 c. apple pie filling on bottom and not inside.

Homemade Cinnamon Roll Frosting – you could just use a tub of ready made and melted

• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• Butter unsalted, softened
• Vanilla
• Powdered sugar
• Milk

Crockpot Cinnamon Rolls

These are the directions if you are making your own dough and filling. As far as the inside you could go well beyond what we list here. Other options that are popular would be raisins, dried cranberries, and/or crushed nuts are delicious. I use all three in our pecan sticky buns and OMG are those delicious.

• In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour and yeast. Set aside. In a saucepan, heat the milk, 3 tablespoons butter, sugar, and salt until 120 degrees F.
  • Remove from heat and stir until the butter is melted.
• Add to the flour and yeast. Mix on low using a regular paddle, or by hand. Add the egg. To the dough, add the remaining flour a little at a time until a soft dough forms.
• Increase speed to medium until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, turning once to coat both sides. Cover with a clean dish towel.
• Allow the cinnamon roll dough to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 ½ hours. Punch the dough down and turn out onto a floured surface. Cover and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Combine the filling ingredients until sandy.
• Roll the dough into a rectangle, approximately 20 inches by 10 inches. Sprinkle with the filling mixture, leaving a 1-inch space on one long edge without filling.
  • Starting on the long side, roll the dough up, working it tightly but without pulling the dough too much.

Seal the long edge by pinching it shut. Cut the dough into 12 even slices by cutting the dough in half, cutting those halves in half and then the quarters into three slices each. Line a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker with parchment paper.

Slow Cooker Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls

Whether you are using from scratch dough or packaged refrigerated cinnamon rolls you would use these same steps below to get them prepared. You definitely want parchment paper vs. just using non stick spray so you can lift it right out.

• Spritz the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place the cinnamon rolls into the slow cooker. Wrap a towel around the lid and cover the slow cooker. serve.
• Cover and cook on high for 1 to 1 ½ hours cooking time or until the cinnamon rolls are cooked through.
• While the rolls bake, combine the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla, stirring until well blended.
• Add the milk a little at a time until reaching the desired consistency.

Remove rolls from the Crock pot using the parchment paper to lift. Spread the cinnamon rolls with icing, slice with pizza cutter and enjoy as a Christmas morning treat.

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Rolls Apples

Of course you don’t need to add fruit but you can. One option is to pour a can of apple pie filling on the very bottom on top of the paper. Then when done you can put a plate on top and flip the whole batch over so the fruit is on the top, just a drizzle of frosting can be added but not necessary with this method.

Serve as is or if you have a few pots you can make our slow cooker eggs with this for protein. I mean there isn’t anything you can’t do with these machines y’all.

If you want to use fresh fruit you should peel and then dice 1/2 of a Granny Smith apple and sprinkle that into the filling itself. I mean or you do both if you wanted to. Apple monkey bread or plain are both great choices and won’t leave any leftovers I promise.

If you do find that you have some left over you can save the remaining cinnamon rolls for later or the next day. After they have cooled wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and leave on the counter, not the fridge. Microwave then unwrapped on a plate for about 1 minutes to warmed. The frosting should keep it most and melt again to make them ooey gooey.