Puff Pastry Cinnamon Swirls: Easy and Delicious

Name: Puff Pastry Cinnamon Swirls
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed); 1/2 cup salted butter (softened); 1 cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon orange zest; 1 egg (for egg wash); 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (to sprinkle on top); 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt; 1/4 cup orange juice; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons cream; 1 teaspoon orange zest

If you love cinnamon rolls but do not love waiting around for dough to rise, these Puff Pastry Cinnamon Swirls (No Rise) are about to become your new favorite baking shortcut. Flaky, buttery layers wrapped around a gooey cinnamon sugar filling, finished with a bright orange glaze—these cinnamon swirls hit all the cozy notes without the time commitment.

This is an easy cinnamon swirls recipe you can whip up on a whim. No yeast. No proofing. No stress. Just pure cinnamon-sugar happiness in under 30 minutes. Basically, it’s a quick puff pastry dessert that tastes like you planned ahead (even if you absolutely didn’t).

cinnamon swirls baked on parchment paper

When I made these Cinnamon Swirls for the first time, I was certain the recipe was a complete fail.

The sugary cinnamon butter mixture I spread on the puff pastry basically just melted out of the swirls while baking.

Little did I know that this actually made them perfect. The bottoms were gooey and caramelized. I spooned the buttery goodness from the baking sheet over the top while still hot.

And then I slathered them in a sweet orange glaze. They are perfection. Albeit a little messy. But if you want to eat well, sometimes you have to get your hands dirty.

And if you like these, you'll for sure love these air fryer churros!

You may also want to try these Lemon Ricotta Pancakes or this Thai Fried Chicken and Waffles for a fun brunch idea.

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
What Is My Take on Puff Pastry Cinnamon Swirls (No Rise)
Make It a Meal
Easy Side Dishes
Ingredients
Step By Step Instructions
Expert Tips
Common Questions
Storing Instructions
Recipe
💬 Comments

Why This Recipe Works

Puff pastry does all the heavy lifting, giving you flaky layers with zero effort
• No yeast means no rise cinnamon swirls that bake up fast and fool-proof
• Brown sugar + butter melt into a caramel-like filling
• Orange zest and glaze add just enough brightness to keep things interesting
• The bottoms caramelize beautifully thanks to the melted cinnamon sugar

These puff pastry cinnamon swirls deliver bakery-style results with grocery-store ingredients and minimal prep. If you prefer traditional cinnamon rolls, check out these Homemade Cinnamon Rolls.

Using frozen puff pastry makes this recipe SO EASY. You may also want to try these treats made with frozen puff pastry:

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Went Here 8 This.

What Is My Take on Puff Pastry Cinnamon Swirls (No Rise)

Traditional cinnamon rolls are great—but sometimes you want cinnamon rolls now. That’s where this cinnamon sugar puff pastry version comes in. The puff pastry creates light, crispy edges while the inside stays soft and gooey.

I also love sneaking in orange zest. It doesn’t scream “orange,” but it adds a subtle citrus note that makes the cinnamon pop. Finish them with a quick orange glaze and suddenly these feel fancy enough for brunch, dessert, or a very indulgent afternoon snack.

Make It a Meal

These cinnamon swirls are perfect for brunch spreads or casual entertaining. Serve them alongside something savory to balance the sweetness.

Easy Side Dishes

• Scrambled eggs or a veggie omelet
• Oven Bacon Wrapped Asparagus or Homemade Chicken Breakfast Sausage
• Fresh fruit salad
• Yogurt with honey and granola
• A strong cup of coffee or espresso

Ingredients

The full list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

One of the best things about these cinnamon swirls is how incredibly easy they are to make. You only need a handful of basic pantry and grocery-store ingredients—no yeast, no specialty items, and no complicated prep. Puff pastry does most of the work, turning simple ingredients into flaky, bakery-style puff pastry cinnamon swirls in no time.

Tools You’ll Need

Nothing fancy required here—just a few everyday kitchen tools:

Non-stick baking sheet – helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning
Parchment paper– makes cleanup easy and helps with caramelization
Chef's knife– for clean, even slices
Wire cooling rack– allows the cinnamon swirls to cool without getting soggy

Step By Step Instructions

Step1: Preheat the oven to 350F degrees

Step2: Combine the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest in a bowl and mix to combine. (Mix thoroughly to combine into a paste.)

puff pastry sheet on a floured cutting board

Step3: Lay the puff pastry flat on a lightly floured surface.

Step4: Spread the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the puff pastry.

Step5: Gently roll up the edges and continue rolling, as lightly as you can. You may need to lightly moisten the edges with water or a but of egg wash to make them stick.

Step6: Using a sharp knife, cut the rolled up pastry in 1 to 1 ½" pieces.

Step7: Place the cut pieces on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. This is important as without the parchment paper, the cinnamon sugar will adhere to the pan you're using.

raw cinnamon swirl sprinkle with coarse sugar and salt

Stgep8: Brush the tops of the pastry with the egg wash, then sprinkle with the coarse sugar and sea salt.

cinnamon pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Step9: Bake the cinnamon swirls for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. The cinnamon sugar mixture will have leaked into the pan, but that it ok.

close up of cooked cinnamon swirl with glaze o n top

Step10: Remove and spoon the melted cinnamon sugar mixture from the pan over the top of the cinnamon swirls. Let cool for 5 minutes and place on a wire rack to finish cooling.

**They can be warmed slightly in a toaster oven if you prefer a warm pastry.

Step11: The bottom will be perfectly caramelized with the cinnamon, sugar and butter mixture. Drizzle with the orange glaze and serve.

How to Make Orange Glaze

orange juice and powdered sugar in a bowl

Combine the orange juice, orange zest, cream and powdered sugar in a bowl and mix to combine.

**Make sure the powdered sugar has been sifted or mix well to eliminate lumps. Otherwise you end up with a lump glaze.

(No Rise) crispy Puff Pastry Cinnamon Swirls

Expert Tips

If the cinnamon sugar mixture is too soft, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to allow it to firm up. It's easier to spread when it's more firm.
If the puff pastry does not stick together when rolling, use a touch of water or egg wash to wet the edges.
Spoon the melted cinnamon sugar butter over the top of the cinnamon swirls right after they come out of the oven.
Let the cinnamon swirls cool slightly (5 minutes) before removing them from the baking sheet.
Make sure the powdered sugar has been sifted or mix well to eliminate lumps. Otherwise you end up with a lumpy glaze.
If the glaze is still lumpy, place it in a blender or food processor for a few seconds to smooth it out.
They can be warmed slightly in a toaster oven if you prefer a warm pastry.

Common Questions

Can I make Cinnamon Swirls in advance?

Yes, these can be made ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days (before glazing). When ready to serve, heat them briefly in a toaster oven until warm and drizzle with orange glaze. The orange glaze should be stored in the fridge.

Can I skip the orange glaze?

Absolutely—but it adds a really nice contrast to the sweetness.

photo of 4 cinnamon swirls on brown paper

Storing Instructions

Store leftover cinnamon swirls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate them for up to 4 days. For the best texture, warm them slightly before serving.

Freezing Cinnamon Swirls
These freeze beautifully—both before and after baking.

To freeze before baking: Arrange the unbaked cinnamon swirls on a baking sheet and place directly in the freezer for about 3 hours, or until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, let them thaw at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, then bake according to the recipe instructions.

To freeze after baking: Freeze the baked cinnamon swirls using the same method. To reheat, warm them in a toaster oven until heated through, about 2–3 minutes. Make the orange glaze fresh and drizzle it over the top just before serving for the best flavor.

Did you make these Puff Pastry Cinnamon Swirls? Rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how they turned out!