These Healthy Cinnamon Sweet Potato Rolls are a delightful addition to your breakfast or brunch spread, especially during the holiday season. They’re not only delicious but also moist, fluffy, and surprisingly easy to make!

I wasn’t initially planning to share this recipe, but after tasting these rolls, I just couldn’t resist. I made them for brunch as a way to use up leftover sweet potatoes, and I was completely blown away by how good they turned out. In fact, I would go as far as to say that these are the best breakfast rolls I’ve ever made!

The combination of sweet potatoes, whole wheat flour, and warm cinnamon gives these rolls a festive touch. They would make a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas breakfast. Imagine serving them with a warm cup of gluhwein or alongside German Christmas cookies—what a way to enjoy the holiday spirit!

Why Sweet Potatoes? I love healthy baking, and I always try to swap out refined ingredients for healthier alternatives. Whole wheat flour instead of white flour, brown sugar or honey instead of refined sugar, and Greek yogurt or coconut oil instead of butter—all of these substitutions help make baked goods healthier without compromising on flavor.

For this recipe, sweet potato puree works wonderfully in these rolls. The rich orange color and the moisture it adds make the rolls tender and fluffy. You can even sneak in a serving of veggies without anyone noticing! I used whole wheat flour, but you can use white flour if preferred.

If you don’t have leftover sweet potato puree, you can simply bake a couple of medium-sized sweet potatoes in the oven for about an hour. Once soft, scoop out the flesh and mash it. Easy!

Making the Rolls: The dough for these cinnamon sweet potato rolls uses yeast, so it needs to rest and rise before baking. You’ll want to let the dough double in size, which usually takes about an hour at room temperature or around 40 minutes in a warm oven.

To make the dough, dissolve yeast in warm water with a bit of brown sugar to activate it. Then mix it with sweet potato puree, Greek yogurt, eggs, and whole wheat flour. Knead until smooth and elastic, then let it rest until it’s doubled in size.

For the filling, combine chopped pecans, honey, cinnamon, coconut flour, and coconut oil. Once your dough is ready, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, then spread the pecan mixture evenly over it. Roll it up tightly, cut it into 12 rolls, and place them into a baking dish. Let them sit for another 10 minutes before baking.

Baking and Serving: After baking for about 18 minutes at 200°C (400°F), these sweet potato rolls will be golden brown and ready to serve. They are perfectly sweet without the need for icing, making them a healthier choice for your breakfast or brunch.

Healthy Cinnamon Sweet Potato Rolls Recipe

Ingredients for the Dough:

• 400g sweet potato puree (or 2 medium sweet potatoes)

• 21g fresh yeast (or 1 tablespoon active dry yeast)

• 120ml lukewarm water

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 6 tablespoons Greek yogurt

• 2 large eggs

• 500g whole wheat flour

For the Filling:

• 180g chopped pecans (toasted)

• 5 tablespoons honey

• 2 tablespoons cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons coconut flour

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil

For the Topping:

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: If using fresh sweet potatoes, bake them in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for about an hour until soft. Mash the flesh once it’s cooked.

2. Make the Dough: Dissolve yeast in warm water with brown sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add sweet potato puree, Greek yogurt, eggs, and flour, and knead until smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and let it rise for about 40 minutes in a warm place.

3. Prepare the Filling: Mix chopped pecans, honey, cinnamon, coconut flour, and coconut oil together.

4. Shape the Rolls: Roll the dough into a rectangle, spread the filling, and roll it up. Cut into 12 rolls and place in a greased baking dish. Let them rise for another 10 minutes.

5. Bake the Rolls: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Sprinkle the rolls with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 18 minutes until golden brown.

6. Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm or cold for breakfast or brunch. They’re perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!

These rolls are soft, flavorful, and perfect for any holiday gathering. With the addition of sweet potatoes and whole wheat flour, they’re a healthier alternative to traditional cinnamon rolls. Enjoy!