The cinnamon roll, with its gooey, warm swirls and sugary glaze, turns even the most mundane morning into a coziest of treats. It’s one conjoined with sharp winter mornings, steaming cups of coffee, and Christmas breakfasts, but preparing them at home can sound like an overwhelming ordeal complete with a sloppy kitchen. Cinnamon rolls made at home, however, provide a relatively quick escape, with that warm scent and taste of freshly baked goods in a mere 20 minutes. With Pillsbury, Annie’s, and other lesser-known players dominating the shelves, selecting the best one can be daunting.
To make your search easier, we’ve baked and devoured a stack of frozen and refrigerated rolls, judging them on price, preparation ease, texture, and the ideal amount of bread, cinnamon, and icing. Our testing uncovered a variety of choices, from subpar flops to rolls that are almost as good as homemade. Here, we rank 13 store-bought cinnamon rolls, helping you find the ones that bring unadulterated joy with little effort. Let’s get into the cinnamon-sugar world of cinnamon rolls and discover your new breakfast obsession.
The Bottom Tier: Rolls That Fall Short
1. Pillsbury Grands Pumpkin Spice Rolls
Each autumn, pumpkin spice mania takes over the country, spreading joy to some and groans to others. Pillsbury’s Grands Pumpkin Spice Rolls try to ride this seasonal wave by using a season-only filling and pumpkin-spice-flavored frosting. Targeted at “Team Pumpkin Spice,” these rolls assure a holiday twist on the classic, but they fail to deliver.
- Filling lacks strong pumpkin flavor, tasting only vaguely sweet.
- Pillsbury frosting has artificial pumpkin taste, feels disjointed.
- Classic cinnamon roll balance is disrupted.
- Rolls rely too much on sugar and not enough cinnamon.
- Overall, a weak seasonal option, ranking last in the countdown.
For a real cinnamon roll experience, these fall a little short. They’re not bad, but they taste more like a promotional ploy than a carefully made treat. Go with traditional flavors for the better bite.
2. Trader Joe’s Organic Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls
Trader Joe’s Organic Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls, sold in packs of five with vanilla icing, seek a healthier version of the beloved treat. In 2022, the company overhauled its formula, replacing all-organic ingredients such as wheat flour, cane sugar, and cinnamon, according to Trend Hunter. At $4.99, the giant rolls provide affordable indulgence with an environmentally friendly twist.
Even with the organic upgrade, the rolls don’t quite get it. The dough tends to bake dry and comes up short on the rich, comforting flavor that should come from a cinnamon roll, with the vanilla icing tasting flat and uninspired. For a company that prides itself on offering something unique, these rolls fall short on the depth and zing that make a winner bun.
They’re a good choice for budget-conscious organic buyers, but they’ll not meet the desires of those looking for a gooey, flavorful experience. If you’re at Trader Joe’s, you may be better served by other treats in their bakery section.
3. Entenmann’s Cinnamon Swirl Buns
Entenmann’s, a breadline brand since 1898, lends its rich heritage to its Cinnamon Swirl Buns. Priced in eight-packs for less than $10, these pre-baked buns simply need a speedy microwave flash, so they’re an easy option for harried mornings. Thick, frosted swirls on theirs appear to be the real deal, with a good cinnamon scent and a promise of vintage comfort.
- Sweetness of buns becomes overly cloying.
- Texture does not hold up when reheated, turning gooey unpleasantly.
- Noticeable preservative-like aftertaste.
- Overall taste feels processed rather than homemade.
Although they fulfill on convenience and initial attraction, Entenmann’s buns fail to capture that magic of just-baked. They’re a decent bet for a quick fix but lack in flavor and texture compared with the top four.
4. Sister Schubert’s Cinnamon Rolls
Sister Schubert’s Cinnamon Rolls, created from a Southern family recipe, evoke nostalgia. Formulated recently to have 50% more cinnamon and sold in an oven-safe pan, these rolls only need thawing and baking to yield homemade flavor with little effort. The pull-apart roll popularity of the brand places high hopes for this product.
Sadly, the recipe update hasn’t converted devoted followers, who taste the rolls as bland even with the added cinnamon. The outside layers puff up too much when thawing, making the centers small and irregular, which ruins the perfect swirl. Though not a bad option, they don’t have the bright taste and well-rounded texture of a great cinnamon roll.
These rolls are a good choice for those who prefer convenience and Southern tradition, but they are not memorable in an oversaturated marketplace. Those devoted to the original recipe may be particularly disillusioned.
5. Cinnabon Frosting-Filled Cinnapastry
Cinnabon, also known as mall-fresh cinnamon rolls, applies their knowledge to the Frosting-Filled Cinnapastry, an in-store but take-home dessert with icing in the middle. Formed more like a muffin than a typical roll, it employs Cinnabon’s specialty dough to provide a gooey, decadent treat. An expectation of frosting in every bite is a strong commitment to icing fans.
- Performance does not live up to expectations.
- Excessive frosting overwhelms pastry with too much sweetness.
- Cinnamon and dough flavors are drowned out.
- Inconsistent heating: center becomes scalding while exterior stays cold.
- Innovative attempt, but fails to capture the fresh Cinnabon magic at home.
For those loyal to the brand, the Cinnapastry provides a playful diversion, but it is not the traditional roll experience. It’s most suitable for those who love frosting more than anything, though in moderation.
The Middle Ground: Decent but Not Exceptional
6. El Camino Real Bakery Petite Cinnamon Rolls
Found only in Costco, El Camino Real Bakery’s Petite Cinnamon Rolls are packaged in a robust 35-count case for bulk shoppers. Each one-ounce roll has a buttery taste and cinnamon-sugar blend that’s neither too sweet nor cloying. They reheat wonderfully, retaining texture and flavor.
These rolls aren’t fancy, but they are good and inexpensive enough to be a pantry staple for cinnamon roll fanatics. The small size is ideal for portion control, although their addictive quality makes it difficult to leave at just one. They find an excellent balance for daily cravings.
For Costco customers, these rolls cannot be beat for value and consistent flavor. Just beware of how easy they are to devour by the dozens.
7. Favorite Day Bakery Cinnamon Rolls (Target)
Target’s Favorite Day Bakery, introduced in 2021, provides Cinnamon Rolls in an easy oven-safe tray of four. They’re meant to be easy: they bake up fast with simple cleanup, and Target recommends adding a pat of butter to keep them extra moist. The cream cheese frosting, cut into a lattice design, provides beautiful presentation.
- Rolls can be too dry without adding butter.
- Frosting is skimpy; when cold, it toughens and flakes off.
- Strong cinnamon flavor and firm texture stand out.
- Reliable choice for a quick, on-the-go snack.
These rolls are a good choice for Target shoppers who want convenience but need a little more TLC to be at their best. Proper preparation reveals a satisfying, though not spectacular, experience.
8. IKEA Kafferep Cinnamon Buns
IKEA’s Kafferep Cinnamon Buns, sold frozen for home preparation, add Swedish pizzazz to the cinnamon roll category. The soft, generous buns have an even cinnamon-sugar filling that is not only rich in flavor but also refreshing. They’re a tasty discovery in IKEA’s food store, paired with their legendary meatballs.
Unlike most rolls, these are finished with sugar flakes rather than creamy icing, which will be a letdown to frosting enthusiasts. Their innovative flavor and texture are strong, but the absence of icing and the requirement for an IKEA outing hold them from the top spots.
For fans of less sweet, Scandinavian-bun-style, Kafferep is a good option. They’re great for adventurous consumers who don’t mind skipping the traditional frosting taste.
The Upper Crust: Rolls That Can Hold Their Own Against Homemade
9. Pillsbury Original
Pillsbury, a name on the kitchen counter since 1869, established the store-bought cinnamon roll with its Original. Sold in five- and eight-can packs, these rolls explode from their signature tube, delivering on nostalgia in the form of sugary cinnamon filling and sticky white icing. They’re a classic for good reason.
- Inconsistency prevents them from ranking at the top.
- Signature swirl missing on some cans.
- Cinnamon flavor sometimes subdued compared to rivals.
- Icing remains a strong highlight.
- Dough lacks consistent lightness expected from the brand.
For many, Pillsbury Original is a nostalgic favorite that still gets the job done. It’s a good option for purists, but it’s surpassed by more consistent brands.
10. Rhodes Bake N Serv Cinnamon Rolls
Rhodes Bake N Serv, established to make home baking easy, provides frozen cinnamon rolls that need thawing and rising before baking. The additional step proves challenging to patience but pays off in terms of light, airy dough and an evenly proportioned cinnamon-sugar filling. The rich cream cheese frosting makes it a done deal.
The preparation time, though not as rapid as pop-and-bake alternatives, provides a nearly homemade texture that’s difficult to surpass. The rolls rise gloriously, providing a fulfilling bite that tastes freshly baked.
If you’re willing to spend some time, Rhodes provides a wonderful experience that competes with scratch-made rolls. They’re ideal for special mornings when you desire something special.
11. Immaculate Baking Organic Cinnamon Rolls
Immaculate Baking’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls are differentiated by a dedication to quality, employing organic ingredients and eschewing artificial flavor or preservatives. The rolls cook up into a sticky, picture-perfect swirl, with cinnamon filling that tastes but is somewhat muted. The backstory, being built around baking for a cause, is endearing.
- Frosting is tasty but melts into a glaze when baked.
- Lacks the thick, creamy texture some may want.
- Uses organic dough with carefully blended flavor.
- Good option for those seeking cleaner ingredients without losing flavor.
These rolls are perfect for clean ingredient lovers who don’t want to compromise on flavor. They’re a strong second-place contender, only missing out due to their milder cinnamon taste.
12. Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls
Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls elevate the brand’s classic recipe with larger, fluffier rolls and a robust cinnamon filling. The dough’s layered texture bakes up puffy and tender, delivering a satisfying bite. The real star, though, is the unmatched icing rich, creamy, and perfectly sweet.
- Consistency issue: some rolls lack the perfect swirl.
- When done right, the rolls are excellent.
- Generous size and strong flavor make them stand out as a breakfast option.
For an indulgent, crowd-pleasing treat, Grands are hard to beat. They add decadence to even the humblest morning, putting them near the top of store-bought rolls.
13. Annie’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls
Annie’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls, under a company established in 1989 with an emphasis on sustainability, take the first spot with their five-star-rated perfection. Organic ingredients create these rolls, which blend strong cinnamon flavor with light, airy dough. The transparent, sugary icing goes along without overpowering.
- Rolls bake well, staying moist even after reheating.
- Brand’s ethical practices add a feel-good factor.
- Compared to rivals (e.g., Immaculate Baking), Annie’s offers:
- More satisfying chew.
- Bolder cinnamon flavor.
For an organic-tasting, flavorful roll with a homemade feel, Annie’s is the final word. They turn any morning into a special treat, securing their title as the greatest store-bought cinnamon roll.
Your Perfect Roll Awaits
From nostalgic classics to organic gems, the world of store-bought cinnamon rolls offers something for every craving. Whether you’re after convenience, bold flavors, or wholesome ingredients, these rankings guide you to the best options. Grab a can, preheat your oven, and let these rolls bring warmth and sweetness to your mornings.
