Cauliflower Cinnamon Roll Gnocchi
I first introduced my Cauliflower Cinnamon Roll Gnocchi on Instagram back in September 2019, and it quickly became a viral sensation. Since then, it’s been shared and remade countless times, even catching the attention of The Kitchn, who wrote an article about it (you can check it out here). It’s amazing to see how this recipe has resonated with so many people!
This remains one of my most popular and remade recipes to date—and for good reason. It’s gluten-free, made with cauliflower, and perfectly mimics the gooey, sweet center of a cinnamon roll every single time. It’s a great way to sneak in veggies while indulging in something deliciously sweet. There’s a subtle hint of cauliflower, but it’s not overpowering—I promise! Give these a try, and let me know what you think. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram so I can share your creations!
Ingredients Needed to Make Cauliflower Cinnamon Roll Gnocchi
- Cauliflower Gnocchi: I always grab a bag of these whenever I’m at Trader Joe’s. They’re a freezer staple—perfect for when you need something quick and light. I love using them in this recipe or even for an easy lunch or dinner.
- Ground Cinnamon: My go-to is Ceylon cinnamon from Simply Organic for its warm, subtle flavor that works beautifully in this recipe.
- Sugar: I prefer coconut sugar for its rich, caramel-like flavor, but I’ve also made this recipe with white sugar. If you’re vegan, be sure to use a vegan-friendly sugar.
- Frosting: I like to keep the frosting simple—just a mix of powdered sugar and almond milk for a smooth, sweet finish.
How to make air fried cinnamon roll gnocchi
The air fryer is my preferred method for making this incredibly delicious treat. However, if you do not have an air fryer, don’t worry! You can still make this dessert in the oven, and it will still turn out great.
Air fryer method
The air fryer makes these little cauliflower bites so tender but crispy. It’s a texture like no other.
To start, coat the inside of the air fryer basket with a small amount of non-stick spray. Add in the frozen cauliflower gnocchi and fry for 5 minutes at 350F. In the meantime, make your cinnamon and sugar mixture in a small bowl by combining the two ingredients.
After the 5 minutes, the gnocchi will be soft and tender but no where near done. This is how you want them. Remove them from the air fryer and then toss them in the cinnamon and sugar mixture until they are well coated. Place them back in your air fryer and fry them one last time for an additional 10-15 minutes.
While those are frying, make the frosting by combining powdered sugar and almond milk. The key to a thick frosting is using only a few drops of almond milk and a lot of powdered sugar. However, you can play around with it until it reaches your desired thickness.
When the gnocchi’s are done frying for the last time, remove them from the air fryer and drizzle them with your frosting and enjoy!
Oven or Stove top method
This method is the same preparation of the gnocchi but instead of cooking them in your air fryer you will cook them on your stove top or in the oven.
Start by sautéing the frozen gnocchi on stove top in a little bit of coconut or EVOO. The key is to get them nice and soft so that the cinnamon and sugar will stick to them when tossed in the mixture.
Once they are soft and tender, toss them in the cinnamon and sugar mixture and then place them back on the stove top or the oven until done. For the oven, I would suggest baking them at 350F for about 10-12 minutes.
Tips and Tricks for making gnocchi Cinnamon Rolls:
- Thaw the Gnocchi Completely: Popping the gnocchi in the air fryer for 5 minutes, defrosts them perfectly so that the cinnamon and sugar will thoroughly stick.
- Use a Non-Stick Surface: Don’t skip coating your air fryer basket with a non-stick spray. This ensures your gnocchi does not stick.
- Don’t Skip the Cinnamon Sugar Layer: Spread the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly for that classic cinnamon roll flavor in every bite.
- Bake Until Golden: Keep an eye on them while baking; they’re ready when the edges turn golden and the center is cooked through.
- Add Frosting While Warm: Drizzle the frosting on the cinnamon rolls while they’re still warm to let it melt slightly and coat them perfectly.
Other Recipes you make like:
- Cinnamon Rolls Sugar Cookies
- No Bake Cinnamon Rolls
- Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread
- Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- Yeast Free Cinnamon Rolls
Cauliflower Cinnamon Roll Gnocchi
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll Gnocchi
- 1 bag of frozen cauliflower gnocchi from Trader Joe’s
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar or vegan cane sugar
- 3 Tbsp cinnamon
Frosting
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp almond milk (may sub any type of milk or nut milk alternative)
Instructions
- Lightly coat the air fryer with non-stick spray and add in the frozen cauliflower gnocchi.
- Fry frozen gnocchi in air fryer at 350F for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
- After the 5 minute mark, remove the gnocchi from the air fryer and toss them in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Then, place them back in the air fryer for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- In the meantime, make your frosting by mixing the powdered sugar and almond milk until you reach desired thickness.
- Remove cinnamon roll gnocchi from the air fryer and place them on a plate. Drizzle them with frosting and enjoy.
- Cinnamon Roll gnocchi is best enjoyed immediately and does not save well. But if needed, you can store them in an air tight container in the fridge and simply warm them up in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Notes
- Thaw the Gnocchi Completely: Popping the gnocchi in the air fryer for 5 minutes, defrosts them perfectly so that the cinnamon and sugar will thoroughly stick.
- Use a Non-Stick Surface: Don’t skip coating your air fryer basket with a non-stick spray. This ensures your gnocchi does not stick.
- Don’t Skip the Cinnamon Sugar Layer: Spread the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly for that classic cinnamon roll flavor in every bite.
- Bake Until Golden: Keep an eye on them while baking; they’re ready when the edges turn golden and the center is cooked through.
- Add Frosting While Warm: Drizzle the frosting on the cinnamon rolls while they’re still warm to let it melt slightly and coat them perfectly.
