Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Bake
In my house, we have an undying love for the comforting aroma of cinnamon rolls. I enjoy experimenting with all sorts of creations that not only mimic the same crave-worthy flavors but also offer up health perks.

This dish is based off the popularity of my Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Bake… but for this variation, I swapped out the fruit and infused each bite with the warmth of a glazed cinnamon roll.
Each forkful delivers a gentle sweetness and boasts a soft consistency to warm your bones and soothe your soul. But the pièce de resistance is the decadent cream cheese glaze. It’s the icing on the cake, or rather, the drizzle on the bake.


While this rich, indulgent topper is entirely optional, it truly elevates each square to a whole new level of deliciousness. Plus, it only requires 2 ingredients to make: light cream cheese and maple syrup.
But I also understand that sometimes simplicity reigns supreme. If you’re not into making the glaze, you can easily opt for a dollop of yogurt on top, or perhaps a drizzle of maple or honey and a sprinkling of ground cinnamon and chopped pecans. Whichever path you choose, this Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Bake is heartwarming and heavenly.

Try this Cherry Oatmeal Bake!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 cups almond milk, or any milk of choice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Toasted chopped pecans, optional topping
Cream cheese frosting
- 8 oz light cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- Mist a 9×13 casserole bowl with oil spray. Add the pumpkin puree, milk, vanilla, salt, maple syrup, and eggs (you can crack the eggs right into the casserole dish but be sure to whip them with a fork before mixing into the entire wet batter).
- Mix and mash all the wet ingredients together until it’s as smooth as possible.
- Add the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and mix everything together so the ingredients are evenly distributed. Bake in oven for about 55 minutes. The top should be firm to touch.
- Meantime, make the topping: add the cream cheese and maple syrup into a blender and puree for about 45 to 60 seconds, until smooth. (Makes about 1 ⅓ cups.)
- Remove the oat bake from the oven and let it sit on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes to firm and slightly cool.
- Slice into large squares and drizzle cream cheese frosting over the top followed by a sprinkling of pecans and an extra dash of ground cinnamon, if desired.

This looks delicious. I love pumpkin but my husband doesn’t. Can you taste the pumpkin in this recipe? Thanks!
Hi Nancy. The pumpkin flavor isn’t prominent, but that being said, if your husband doesn’t like the taste of pumpkin, you can replace it with 1 cup applesauce or 2 ripe mashed bananas. It may taste a bit less like a cinnamon roll, but the cinnamon will still shine and with the added cream cheese drizzle, it will still be totally delicious!
Another option: You can swap in canned sweet potato purée (or even cooked and mashed fresh without the skin) or puréed yams if that makes any difference with your husband’s taste preferences. Please let us know if you decide to try the recipe with any of these swaps—we’d love to hear your thoughts.
—Team Joy
Hi Joy I made this for breakfast this morning. My husband & I really enjoyed it. Followed recipe exactly as written.I was a little worried in the beginning as to when I put it all together in bowl (which I preferred) & then poured in casserole dish it was watery. But not to worry though the oatmeal soaks up the almond milk & turned out fine.I also decided to just spread out the glaze on the remaining oatmeal & just warm up in microwave as needed. Delicious!
Hi Carol. I’m so happy you and your husband enjoyed it! Feel free to try some of my other oatmeal bake recipes, too. My Chocolate Oatmeal Bake is a favorite in my house. The Peaches and Cream Oatmeal Bake is a tasty spin and there’s also my original Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Bake. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I have made both the peaches and cream and also the cinnamon roll bake, both were delicious. For the drizzle on the cinnamon roll I used 2 tbsp cream cheese and 2 tsp maple syrup and whipped it up to a creamy texture. There was enough for 3 pieces. Also on the peaches and cream I use a tablespoon of sugar free Polaner’s peach preserves–it was yummy. I have made them both 3 times also swapping out peaches for blueberries.
Hi Nancy. Thanks for your comments. All of your tweaks sound delicious! We’re so glad you’re enjoying Joy’s recipes and we appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us!
—Team Joy
So delicious and easy to make 🙂
Hi Katie. We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe and found it easy to prep! Feel free to try the other cozy oatmeal bake variations Joy has on her site:
• Peaches and Cream Oatmeal Bake
• Chocolate Oatmeal Bake
• Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Bake
• Cherry Oatmeal Bake
—Team Joy
This looks so good! Do you think it would work with sugar free maple syrup?
Hi Kristina! Yes, it’ll work with sugar free maple syrup!
It smells wonderful! I just took it out of the oven after 55 minutes but it still looks mushy and didn’t spring back so I put it in for another 10 minutes and covered the top pan with foil so it’s not over browned. The top looked well baked. Does waiting 5-10 minutes for it to cool firm it up?
Hi Judy! This bake is naturally soft (it’s more of a tender, oatmeal-style texture vs. a springy cake), but it will firm up as it cools. Letting it sit for 5–10 minutes is key—it helps everything set and makes it easier to slice. If it still seems a bit too mushy after resting, giving it that extra 5–10 minutes in the oven (like you did, loosely covered with foil) is the perfect move. Ovens can vary, so a little extra time is totally normal! Sounds like you handled it exactly right—hope you love it once it sets up!— Eliza (Team Joy)
So delicious. I’ve been looking for a good bake and this is it!! I did a few of my own add ins to make it a little more hardy. I freeze single serving sizes, just grab one and go. Thanks Joy for always coming through for us!
Hi Robyn. We’re so happy that you love this recipe and that you made it your own with some add-ins (also, great idea to freeze for future meals)! Joy loves it when readers write in to share that that her creations have helped make life a little easier…and tastier!
—Team Joy
Looks so good and can’t wait to try it! Is the cream cheese frosting included in the 200 calorie count per serving? I
Hi Mary! The nutrition provided is for one square without cream cheese glaze. Add 35 calories per tablespoon of glaze. Enjoy! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Delicious recipe! Wondering if I can use vegan cream cheese for the topping
Hi Jane — absolutely!
It was delicious! Easy to make as well. I found the topping made a whole lot more than needed though. Next time I will reduce the ingredients to 4 oz of cream cheese and 1/4 cup maple syrup, but otherwise it was wonderful. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Cindy! Thank you for your glowing review! Noted about the topping! So glad you loved this one. — Eliza (Team Joy)
from a novice cook: 🙂
Is the baking time reduced for 1/2 recipe?
I see the ingredients are cut in half, but no adjustment to pan size or baking time.
Thanks for any additional info on this!
Hi Kim! Great question. Yes, if you’re halving the recipe, it’s best to use a smaller baking dish so the oat mixture isn’t spread too thin. An 8×8 or 9×9 pan works well for half the batch. Just keep an eye on it a little earlier than the full recipe (check it at the 50 minute mark); the bake time will likely be slightly shorter since the layer is thinner. Enjoy!
How do you store cream cheese icing. If not using right away. Thankyou
Hi Rose! For the cream cheese icing (just light cream cheese mixed with maple syrup), you’ll want to store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to use it, just give it a quick stir. If it firms up (which is normal), let it sit on the counter for a few minutes to soften. If you prefer a looser, drizzlier consistency, you can stir in a tiny splash of milk or water — start with just ½ teaspoon and add a touch more only if needed. Hope you enjoy every cozy bite! — Eliza (Team Joy)
I can’t wait to make this. I’ve made your oatmeal apple and put cranberries in as well and also I made it (because of the Holiday) with egg nog, extra nutmeg. Five Xs, Soooooo yummy. Thank You Joy
Lili Eckholm
Hi Lili! Oh my gosh, your message made me smile! I LOVE how you’ve been riffing on the baked oatmeal…and adding cranberries, nutmeg, and eggnog for the holidays sounds so deliciously festive! I can’t wait for you to try this cinnamon roll version — it’s warm and swirly in just the right way. Thanks for baking along with me and bringing your own delicious twists! xx
Looks delicious! Can this be made the night before and baked the next morning?
Thanks
Hi Joanne! Because this recipe uses baking powder, it’s best not to fully mix the batter and let it sit overnight — once it gets wet, it starts activating, which can affect the finished texture.
Easy options:
1. Prep ahead by mixing the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients (including baking powder) in another. Cover and refrigerate both, then combine and bake in the morning.
2. Or bake it completely the night before, let it cool, cover, refrigerate, and reheat (covered) in the oven right before serving.
Hope that helps — and I’m so glad you’re making this one!! xx
My picky daughter likes this. She has early morning soccer practice and I feel good about sending this with her for an after practice breakfast.
Dawn, this makes me SO happy to hear!! And major win when a picky kid approves! Love that you’re sending it as an after-practice breakfast—such a perfect, feel-good refuel. Thanks for sharing! xx