Sweet cinnamon rolls paired with savory bacon make a delightful treat: Bacon Cinnamon Rolls. With just two ingredients, this recipe is quick and simple, perfect for busy mornings or an easy brunch.
This recipe relies on store-bought cinnamon rolls, making it fast and fuss-free. Adding cooked bacon to each roll gives a delicious sweet-and-salty contrast that elevates ordinary cinnamon buns.
Enjoy these as a baked dessert or serve them at brunch. If you like combining bacon with sweet treats, try other bacon-forward desserts and snacks for variety.
What’s in this post: Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
- Why This Recipe Works
- Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
- Pro Tips
- FAQ’s
- More Cinnamon Roll Recipes
- Bacon Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Why This Recipe Works
- Only two main ingredients. Using refrigerated cinnamon rolls removes the need to mix dough, proof yeast, or use a stand mixer.
- Quick to prepare—ready in minutes with minimal hands-on time.
- The contrast of sweet cinnamon and salty bacon delivers a delicious flavor combination.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated cinnamon rolls. Any brand of canned cinnamon rolls works.
- Center-cut bacon. Use your preferred bacon; center-cut is a good choice for rolling.
The complete ingredient list appears in the recipe card below.
Variations
- Homemade cinnamon rolls. Substitute your favorite homemade roll recipe if you prefer from-scratch dough.
- Extra frosting. If you like more icing than the package provides, top with cream cheese frosting or a maple glaze.
- Turkey bacon. Use turkey bacon for a leaner option; it won’t crisp exactly the same but still tastes great.
How to Make Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1. Cook the bacon in a skillet for about 3–4 minutes per side, until it’s cooked through and beginning to crisp.
Step 2. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease. Pat the top of each slice with an additional paper towel if needed.
Step 3. Open the cinnamon roll tubes and unroll each roll on a clean surface. Lay one slice of bacon over each unrolled cinnamon roll.
Step 4. Re-roll each cinnamon roll with the bacon strip tucked inside, shaping it like a pinwheel. Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish or pie pan and bake according to the package directions until golden brown.
Step 5. After baking, spread the included frosting over the warm rolls while they’re still in the pan so it melts slightly into the swirls.
Step 6. Sprinkle a few teaspoons of the remaining chopped bacon over the frosted rolls for extra texture and flavor. Serve warm.
Pro Tips
- Cook bacon first. Frying the bacon ahead lets you blot away excess grease so the rolls don’t become soggy.
- Crispy but flexible bacon. Aim for bacon that’s crisp yet still flexible enough to roll; overcooking will make it brittle.
- Avoid overbaking the rolls. Follow the package time and watch for a golden color so the rolls stay soft and tender.
FAQ’s
These are best enjoyed fresh, but you can refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic. Reheat briefly in the microwave or oven before serving.
Yes. Assemble the rolls with bacon the night before, cover and refrigerate, then bring to room temperature and bake in the morning. If baking from chilled, add 1–2 minutes to the bake time as needed.
Any canned or refrigerated cinnamon roll brand works—store brand, Pillsbury, or your favorite. The sweet-and-salty flavor shines with any option.
Unroll each prepared cinnamon roll into a rectangle, place bacon on top, then roll it back up like a pinwheel by hand—no rolling pin needed.
They pair nicely with eggs and fresh fruit for a balanced brunch spread.
More Cinnamon Roll Recipes
- Cinnamon Roll Bunnies
- Easy Cinnamon Roll Pie
- Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls
- Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie
- Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Try these Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls for a tasty twist, then return to share a review and rating.
Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 pkg Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls (12 ounces – 8 count)
- 10 slices Center Cut Bacon
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a skillet 3–4 minutes per side until cooked through and starting to crisp.
- Transfer bacon to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess grease and pat dry.
- Open the cinnamon roll package and unroll each roll onto a work surface. Lay a bacon slice on each unrolled roll.
- Re-roll each cinnamon roll so the bacon is inside, forming a pinwheel.
- Place the prepared rolls in a greased baking dish or pie pan.
- Bake according to the cinnamon roll package instructions until golden brown.
- While the rolls bake, chop any remaining bacon to use as a topping.
- Spread the included frosting over the warm rolls and sprinkle with chopped bacon.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
These are best served fresh. Refrigerate leftovers up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 263 kcal; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Sugar: 9 g; Sodium: 487 mg.