Pillsbury cinnamon rolls are known for their ooey gooey, fresh-baked goodness. As the commercials would say, they are an irresistible idea for a Sunday morning and the fastest way to get the kids to the table. Who can forget the Pillsbury doughboy giggling after being poked in his belly at the end of every commercial? Pillsbury cinnamon rolls sound delicious, but for those who have chosen a vegan lifestyle or want to eat healthier, are they really a good choice?
Pillsbury cinnamon rolls are not vegan. They contain whey, a byproduct of cheese production and monoglycerides, which are sourced from animal fats. They are also not healthy as they contain artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils, and GMO’s. Healthier alternatives include Annie’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls with Icing, Immaculate Cinnamon Rolls with Icing, Simple Mills Crunchy Cinnamon Cookies, and Siete Mexican Shortbread Cookies.
In this article, we will discuss the ingredients and nutrition facts of different varieties of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. We will look at what ingredients make them unhealthy and not vegan friendly. And lastly, we will review some plant-based cinnamon roll brands and other healthier alternatives that you can try instead. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Are Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Healthy?
Pillsbury has been around since 1869 when Charles A. Pillsbury bought a share in a Minneapolis flour mill, who later created C.A. Pillsbury and Company in 1872. Through its history, Pillsbury became identified with home baking and developed around 15 varieties of cinnamon rolls. We will discuss 3 of those varieties.
To answer the question if Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls are healthy, that would be a no, they are not. They are also not vegan as they contain animal-based products such as whey, monoglycerides or diglycerides.
Pillsbury Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnamon Rolls
This variety combines the beloved Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal with cinnamon rolls. Ingredients in these are not much different than their original rolls, except they have more calories, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. They also contain a lot of genetically modified corn products, as well as artificial flavors.
Although Pillsbury cinnamon rolls are not vegan, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal surprisingly is vegan.
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour Bleached (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Water
- Sugar
- Palm and Soybean Oil
- Dextrose
- Wheat Starch
- Contains 2% or less of: Baking Powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, baking soda)
- Palm Kernel Oil
- Salt
- Corn Syrup Solids
- Modified Whey
- Cinnamon
- Monoglycerides
- Corn Starch
- Xanthan Gum
- Potassium Sorbate (preservative)
- Polysorbate 60
- Color Added
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
Nutrition Facts (per 1 roll with icing, 44g):
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 4.5g (6% DV)
- Saturated fat: 3g (14% DV)
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 350mg (15% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 24g (9% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: less than 1g (2% DV)
- Sugars: 10g (including 9g added sugars 18% DV)
- Protein: 2g
- Iron: 0.9mg (6% DV)
Grands! Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls with Original Icing
This variety has a long list of ingredients, a lot of which are difficult to pronounce. As the common nutritional phrase goes, “if you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it.” A lot of the same ingredients are found in this variety, with the addition of hydrogenated and fractionated palm oils, which negatively affect heart health.
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour Bleached (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Water
- Sugar
- Palm and/or Soybean Oil
- Dextrose
- Wheat Starch
- Contains 2% or less of high fructose corn syrup
- Baking Powder (Baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate)
- Vital Wheat Gluten
- Hydrogenated Palm Oil
- Cinnamon
- Modified Whey
- Fractionated Palm Oil
- Salt
- Corn Syrup Solids
- Potassium Chloride
- Corn Starch
- Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
- Monoglycerides
- Sodium Alginate
- Xanthan Gum
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Mono and Dyglycerides
- Molasses
- Polysorbate 60
- Brown Sugar
- Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate TBHQ, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate)
- L-Cysteine Hydrochloride
- Corn Syrup
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Yellow 5, Red 40
- Caramel Color
- Beta Carotene
- Annatto Extract (for color)
Nutrition Facts (per 1 roll with icing, 99g):
- Calories: 320
- Total Fat: 10g (12% DV)
- Saturated fat: 4.5g (22% DV)
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 520mg (22% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 53g (19% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
- Sugars: 22g (including 21g added sugars 41% DV)
- Protein: 5g
- Calcium: 30mg (2% DV)
- Iron: 1.8mg (10% DV)
Limited Edition Pillsbury Pumpkin Spice Rolls with Pumpkin Spice Icing
Known as the hallmark of fall, pumpkin spice flavor has even made its way into a Pillsbury cinnamon roll variety. While they may sound tasty, they contain a lot of color additives such as yellow 5, red 40, yellow 6, and blue 1. The safety of these additives is highly controversial, as they have been linked to hyperactivity in children and cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Ingredients:
- Enriched Flour Bleached (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Water
- Sugar
- Palm and/or Soybean Oil
- Dextrose
- Wheat Starch
- Contains 2% or less of: High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Baking Powder (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate)
- Vital Wheat Gluten
- Hydrogenated Palm Oil
- Modified Whey
- Cinnamon
- Fractionated Palm Oil
- Salt
- Corn Syrup Solids
- Potassium Chloride
- Corn Starch
- Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
- Mono and Diglycerides
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Sodium Alginate
- Xanthan Gum
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Polysorbate 60
- Maltodextrin
- Preservatives (potassium sorbate, TBHQ, citric acid, sodium benzoate)
- L-Cysteine Hydrochloride
- Modified Corn Starch
- Gum Arabic
- Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1
- Caramel Color
- Beta Carotene
- Phosphoric Acid
Nutrition Facts (per 1 roll with icing, 99g):
- Calories: 320
- Total Fat: 10g (12% DV)
- Saturated fat: 4.5g (22% DV)
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 520mg (22% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 53g (19% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
- Sugars: 22g (including 21g added sugars 41% DV)
- Protein: 5g
- Calcium: 30mg (2% DV)
- Iron: 2.1mg (10% DV)
- Potassium: 230mg (4% DV)
Are There Vegan Cinnamon Roll Brands?
Vegan-certified cinnamon rolls are not easy to find, but there are brands that make plant-based products like Annie’s and Immaculate Baking.
Annie’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls with Icing
Annie’s specializes in organic, high-quality ingredients without artificial flavors, preservatives, hydrogenated oils or high-fructose corn syrup. The ingredient list is plant-based, but they are not labeled as vegan because of cross contamination with milk.
Ingredients:
- Organic Wheat Flour
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Water
- Organic Palm Oil
- Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda)
- Organic Expeller-pressed Sunflower Oil
- Organic Invert Syrup
- Organic Cinnamon
- Sea Salt
- Xanthan Gum
- Organic Wheat Starch
- Organic Tapioca Starch
- Organic Vanilla Extract
- Organic Rice Extract
- Locust Bean Gum
- Guar Gum
Nutrition Facts (per 1 roll with icing, 99g):
- Calories: 330
- Total Fat: 12g (15.38% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g (22.5% DV)
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg (0% DV)
- Sodium: 770mg (33.48% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 53g (19.27% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g (7.14% DV)
- Sugar: 24g
- Protein: 4g
- Calcium: 0mg
- Iron: 0.5mg
Immaculate Organic Cinnamon Rolls with Icing
Immaculate Baking Company makes plant-based cinnamon rolls with no preservatives, no artificial flavors, and no hydrogenated oils. They are not vegan-certified because of cross contamination with milk, but they are certified organic.
Ingredients:
- Organic Wheat Flour
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Water
- Organic Palm Oil
- Organic Expeller-Pressed Sunflower and Canola Oils
- Baking Powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, baking soda)
- Organic Invert Syrup
- Organic Cinnamon
- Sea Salt
- Xanthan Gum
- Organic Wheat Starch
- Organic Tapioca Starch
- Organic Vanilla Extract
- Organic Rice Extract
- Locust Bean Gum
- Guar Gum
- Natural Flavor
Nutrition Facts (per 1 roll with icing, 99g):
- Calories: 330
- Total Fat: 12g (18% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 5g (25% DV)
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg (0% DV)
- Sodium: 770mg (32% DV)
- Total Carbohydrates: 54g (18% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g (7% DV)
- Sugars: 24g
- Protein: 4g
- Vitamin: A 0%
- Vitamin: C 0%
- Calcium: 2%
- Iron: 4%
Healthier Alternatives to Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls
Simple Mills Crunchy Cinnamon Cookies
If you are a vegan that loves cinnamon and could settle with a cookie instead of a cinnamon roll, these cookies may become your new favorite. They are made with wholesome, plant-powered ingredients, gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, paleo-friendly, and vegan-certified.
Ingredients:
- Nut and Seed Blend (almonds, flaxseeds)
- Tapioca Starch
- Organic Coconut Sugar
- Organic Palm Shortening
- Arrowroot
- Organic Cinnamon
- Baking Soda
- Sea Salt
- Vanilla Extract
- Cream of Tartar
- Rosemary Extract (for freshness)
Nutrition Facts (per 4 cookies, 29 g):
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 9g (12% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g (13% DV)
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 110mg (5% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 16g (6% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
- Total Sugars: 6g (Includes 5 g added sugars 10% DV)
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin D: 0mcg
- Calcium: 37mg
- Iron: 2mg
- Potassium 120mg
Siete Mexican Shortbread Cookies
Another vegan alternative to cinnamon rolls, they are crunchy cookies sweetened with cinnamon that are grain-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and of course vegan.
Ingredients:
- Grain Free Flour Blend (Almond Flour, Tapioca Flour, Arrowroot Flour, Cassava Flour, Chickpea Flour)
- Coconut Oil
- Coconut Sugar
- Avocado Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Sea Salt
- Cinnamon
- Baking Soda
- Orange Peel Powder
- Vanilla Extract
- Jasmine Tea Extract
Nutrition Facts (per 5 cookies, 30g):
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 120g
- Total Carbohydrate: 17g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 5g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin D: 0mcg
- Calcium: 6mg
- Iron: 0mg
- Potassium: 73mg
Keto Bakes Frosted Cinnamon Roll Dough Mix
If you cannot pass up those ooey gooey cinnamon rolls for cookies, and don’t mind rolling up your sleeves to bake some yourself, this dough mix might be worth a try. It is full of plant-based ingredients like non-GMO almond and coconut flour, flaxseed meal, and aluminum-free baking powder.
It does however call for adding animal products like butter, eggs, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Although I have not tried myself, those ingredients may be substituted with vegan alternatives like Earth Balance butter, ground flax seeds for eggs, and coconut milk for cream.
Ingredients:
- Non-GMO Blanched Almond Flour
- Cinnamon Filling Packet (Non-GMO erythritol, cinnamon, pure stevia extract powder)
- Non-GMO Erythritol
- Organic Coconut Flour
- Flaxseed Meal
- Frosting Packet (Popsweet (Non-GMO xylitol, non-GMO erythritol, pure stevia extract powder) Natural Vanilla Flavor)
- Aluminum Free Baking Powder
- Xanthan Gum
- Himalayan Pink Salt
Nutrition Facts (per 1/9 portion, 42g):
- Calories: 140
- Total Fat: 10g (13% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 1g (5% DV)
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 110mg (5% DV)
- Total Carbohydrate: 24g (9% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 5g (18% DV)
- Total Sugars: 1g
- Sugar Alcohol: 16g
- Protein: 5g
- Vitamin D: 0.1mcg (0% DV)
- Calcium: 40mg (2% DV)
- Iron: 0.5mg (2% DV)
- Potassium: 100mg (2% DV)
Final Thoughts
As delightful and delicious Pillsbury cinnamon rolls sound, they are not a good choice if you are vegan or want to eat healthier. They contain a lot of unhealthy ingredients and do not align with vegan, keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, or GMO-free lifestyles. Fortunately, there are lots of other alternatives that are not only healthy but also support dietary restrictions, as I have listed in this article. Giving up on those yummy cinnamon flavored treats is no longer the only option.
Related Questions
Are Pillsbury cinnamon rolls dairy-free?
No, all Pillsbury cinnamon rolls contain milk products from whey.
Are Pillsbury cinnamon rolls gluten-free?
No, all Pillsbury cinnamon rolls contain gluten from enriched bleached flour and wheat starch.
Do Pillsbury cinnamon rolls contain GMOs?
Yes, all Pillsbury cinnamon rolls contain GMOs from corn products and soybean oil.
Are Pillsbury cinnamon rolls keto-friendly?
No, Pillsbury cinnamon rolls contain about 9g sugar and 24g carbohydrates.