Cinnamon Rolls Are 10x More Flavorful When You Give Them A Savory Breakfast Upgrade

Cinnamon rolls and breakfast sausage are undoubtedly two of the most iconic breakfast foods, but they don't often share the same plate. So, you may be surprised by just how good they taste together. Stuffing a cinnamon roll with a breakfast sausage (which is not the same as a regular sausage) turns the familiar bakery treat into a hearty, sweet-meets-savory breakfast sandwich with all the right contrasts — caramelized cinnamon sugar against the meaty filling.

The right way to go about it is to grab the best canned cinnamon rolls at the store, unroll them into strips, place a pre-cooked sausage patty at one end, and wrap the dough around it until fully covered. Pinch the edges to seal it, then place each roll seam-side down on a lined baking tray, leaving room for the dough to expand, and bake according to the package directions. Alternatively, you can crumble some uncooked breakfast sausage and spread it along the inside of the cinnamon dough spiral before rolling it back up; this will be less sandwich-like, with the savory filling running throughout the spiral.

Once you've nailed the basic sausage-and-dough combination in whatever formulation you prefer, it opens up a whole new world of savory breakfast cinnamon rolls — imagine the sausage nestled inside alongside bacon or a thin slice of cheddar for a cheesy finish, or some chopped scallions for freshness. If you can't find a breakfast patty, swap it for a link, or make the whole thing vegan by using plant-based dough and a plant-based sausage. You can reduce the sweetness for less contrast with the sausage by swapping the icing for maple syrup or hot honey, or skip the sweetness altogether by adding hot sauce instead of a sugary drizzle. 

For a more substantial breakfast than just sausage-stuffed cinnamon rolls alone, serve these pastries warm alongside quick, light, and airy scrambled eggs, some sautéed spinach, or a bowl of fresh fruit salad. They're also a great option for hosting, since you can make both classic sweet cinnamon rolls and sweet-and-savory stuffed ones and let your guests choose. You could also make multiple batches with different cheeses and toppings to create a breakfast spread that feels a little more customized and varied. Consider using goat cheese instead of cream cheese icing, give the buns a golden-brown topping of melted Gruyere, or pipe some mascarpone alongside the sausage filling.