The 12 Best Store-Bought Cinnamon Rolls, According to a Recipe Developer and Busy Mom

Grands Cinnamon Rolls with Buttercream Frosting Baked

Whether you are planning a Sunday brunch, a lazy weekend breakfast in bed, or just looking for a quick and easy weeknight dessert, cinnamon rolls are here for you.

Of course, it's hard to beat homemade cinnamon rolls, but in today's busy world, who has time for all that kneading, rolling, rising and waiting? Luckily your local grocery store has some tasty ready-to-bake (or ready-to-eat) cinnamon rolls.

Because I'm not an avid baker, but also happen to love cinnamon rolls, I'm somewhat of an expert in this matter. As my family can confirm, if a cinnamon roll is served at my table, it's definitely not homemade. I went through all the store-bought options I could find—canned, frozen and made in-store—to find the best store-bought cinnamon rolls. Here are the dozen worth trying.

Related: 19 Best Cinnamon Roll and Sticky Bun Recipes

What kind of cinnamon rolls can I buy at the grocery store?

If you haven't gone looking in a while, you might be shocked at how many options you have in the cinnamon roll department.

Sure, everyone knows you can buy them in a can, right next to the biscuits, but there are other options too. Do you want eight normal-sized rolls or five extra-large ones? There are ones with "regular" icing, orange-flavored, buttercream and cream cheese. Oh, and let's not forget you can get name-brand, or save some pennies and go with store-brand instead.

If you can invest a little time and want something similar to homemade, head over to the freezer section and grab a bag of frozen cinnamon rolls. They need to rise before baking, but that time investment will pay off in the end.

On the other end of the spectrum, if turning on the oven is simply not in the cards, check out the in-store bakery. Many grocery stores are baking cinnamon rolls in-house and have done a great job of putting out a product that can easily be mistaken for homemade. (Yes, there is a chance I have done this before.)

Related: 15 Best Cinnabon Copycat Recipes

Which store-bought cinnamon rolls should I buy?

Personal preference is going to play a major role in the answer to this question. Here are a few things to remember when choosing your shortcut cinnamon rolls.

How Much Time: If you have enough time to thaw, rise and bake, then a frozen variety would be great. If you need something quick, canned cinnamon rolls are your BFF. No time at all? Stop in at the bakery and grab a box to go!

Frosting or Icing: For me, the way a cinnamon roll is topped can make or break it. If you like thicker icing, look for buttercream or cream cheese. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you want something marked "icing" or "regular," which is typically more like a light glaze.

How Many Do I Need: Most canned cinnamon rolls are going to come in either five- or eight-count packages, so pay attention to how many servings you need. If you are baking for a larger crowd, a few boxes from the bakery might be the way to go.

Related: 30 Mouthwatering Cinnamon and Sweet Roll Recipes

Best Store-Bought Cinnamon Rolls

12. Grands Orange Rolls

I love all things citrus, so it would make sense I would enjoy these. Sadly, they weren't my favorite. The flavor combination of cinnamon and orange tasted a little bitter to me. However, if you enjoy these, next time try sprinkling some dried cranberries on time for an extra layer of flavor.

Related: 19 Delicious Sweet and Savory Orange Recipes

11. Annie's Organic Cinnamon Rolls

If you are looking for a great-tasting canned cinnamon roll that is also non-GMO and organic, then this is a great choice. So why is it so low on the list? The almost $9 price tag! I don't mind paying for better quality, but I just can't justify the price for five rolls.

10. Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls with Original Icing

There isn't anything wrong with this tube of eight rolls, they are just your run-of-the-mill choice. The icing reminds me more of a glaze,  which could be a little thicker IMO, but they still bake up quickly, have great cinnamon flavor and taste great warm from the oven with a cup of coffee.

9. Kroger Bakery Fresh Cinnamon Rolls

While I love these are made fresh in the Kroger bakery, the frosting distribution needs to be a little better. (And every package looked like this.) They have a fresh-baked flavor though, so if you like a little less icing, this might be the pick for you! Plus, the foil pan makes rewarming in the oven easy and convenient!

8. Grands Cinnamon Rolls with Original Icing

See that magical word "Cinnabon" on the package? All of the Grand's line of canned cinnamon rolls are made with the famous chain's cinnamon, making them a top pick. The original icing is tasty, but there are a couple more choices coming that were even better! Oh, if you have been wanting to try the viral TikTok cinnamon rolls, this is where you should start!

Related: 30 Best Sweet and Savory Crescent Roll Recipes

7. Kroger Simple Truth Organic Cinnamon Rolls

If you want a vegan and organic choice, but not the price tag of the name brand, this is for you! They don't taste as processed as other canned varieties, but there are some online complaining about how they don't rise as well as others, so you've been warned.

6. Walmart Bakery Cinnamon Rolls

Look at that frosting! Every inch is covered! Walmart bakeries sell some of the best store-bought cinnamon rolls around. If you want to rewarm them, just remember to put them in a baking dish before you pop them in the oven!

5. Aldi's Bake House Creations Cinnamon Rolls

If you are an Aldi superfan like me, you already know their in-house brands taste just as good as their more expensive name-brand equivalents. The cinnamon rolls are a great example. I can honestly say if I did a blind taste test I would never be able to tell the difference. Plus this can of eight rolls is less than two dollars!

Related: 19 Aldi Essentials To Meal Plan Like A Pro

4. Grands Cinnamon Rolls with Extra Rich Buttercream Frosting

Of all the frosting options, buttercream is my top choice. Add in the Cinnabon cinnamon and these are my favorite canned cinnamon roll. They can also be made in the air fryer, making them extra easy for your next Sunday brunch. Look how big and fluffy they come out!

3. Rhodes Frozen Cinnamon Rolls

Rhodes does frozen bread products better than any other brand, and their cinnamon rolls are no exception. Probably the closest thing to homemade you can buy, these have to rise before you can bake them, so make sure you allow for extra time!

2. Grands Cinnamon with Cinnabon Cream Cheese Icing

If you can't get to a Cinnabon for one of their famous cinnamon rolls, these are the next best thing! Your house will smell like a mall food court the minute they start baking. Both the cinnamon and cream cheese icing that are synonymous with Cinnabon make these extra special.

1. Sam's Club Member's Mark Cinnamon Rolls

For my money, these are the best store-bought cinnamon rolls, hands down. I love they come in individual wrappers (like cupcakes or muffins), which makes them perfect for guests to serve themselves. They are best served warm, but about thirty seconds in the microwave takes care of that. They are soft on the inside with a delicious rich cream cheese frosting. If you don't have a Sam's membership, it is worth it just for these!!