Cinnamon works beautifully in both sweet and savory cooking: bloom the ground spice into batters and doughs for baking, and simmer whole sticks in stews, curries, and drinks to release their warm aroma slowly. Below you will find 24 vegetarian and vegan recipes that put this spice to work, from gooey cinnamon rolls and apple pies to cozy lattes and spiced curries. Whether you keep Ceylon or cassia in your pantry, there is a recipe here to warm up your kitchen.
How to Choose and Cook With Cinnamon
To choose cinnamon, decide between Ceylon, which is mild and delicate and ideal for subtle bakes, and cassia, the bolder, spicier type most supermarkets sell. Use ground cinnamon when you want the flavor mixed straight into batters, doughs, and spice blends, and bloom it briefly in warm oil or butter to deepen its aroma. Reach for whole sticks when you can infuse slowly, simmering them in stews, curries, mulled drinks, or grains, then removing them before serving. For sweet dishes pair cinnamon with apple, pumpkin, and sugar; for savory ones lean on onion, tomato, and warm curry spices.
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Cinnamon Rolls, Breads and Cookies
These are the bakes where cinnamon takes center stage, from spiraled rolls to spiced cookies.
Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, pillowy dough spirals around a generous cinnamon-sugar filling and bakes into the ultimate weekend treat with a glossy dairy-free glaze. They fill the whole kitchen with warm spice as they bake. Tip: shape the rolls the night before, let them rise slowly in the fridge, and bake fresh in the morning.
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Mini Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Bite-sized cinnamon rolls get a fruity upgrade with tender apple pieces tucked into every swirl, so each one tastes like apple pie and a cinnamon bun at once. They are perfect for sharing at brunch. Tip: dice the apples small and toss them in a little lemon juice so they soften evenly without browning.
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Cinnamon Roll Casserole
All the gooey joy of cinnamon rolls in one easy baking dish, with pieces of dough baked in a cinnamon-sugar custard until golden and sticky. It is the low-effort way to feed a crowd on a lazy morning. Tip: assemble everything the evening before and refrigerate, then bake straight from cold for a stress-free breakfast.
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Vegan Cinnamon Bread
This tender loaf hides ribbons of cinnamon sugar swirled through a soft, dairy-free crumb, making it just as good toasted for breakfast as it is with afternoon tea. The aroma alone is worth baking it. Tip: swirl the cinnamon layer loosely rather than pressing it in, which keeps the slices from separating as the bread bakes.
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Cinnamon Cookies
Crisp at the edges and chewy in the middle, these cookies are rolled in cinnamon sugar so every bite delivers that warm, spicy sweetness. They come together fast with pantry staples. Tip: chill the dough for twenty minutes before baking so the cookies hold their shape and stay thick instead of spreading too thin.
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Apple and Cinnamon Desserts
Apple and cinnamon are a timeless pairing, and these pies, strudels, and crisps prove it every time.
Upside-Down Apple Pie with Cinnamon
Caramelized apple slices and plenty of cinnamon line the bottom of the pan, then flip into a showstopping glazed top when the pie is turned out. It is a fun twist on the classic that always earns a reaction. Tip: let the pie rest ten minutes before inverting so the caramel sets slightly and stays put.
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Vegan Apple Pie
A true American classic made completely plant-based, with a flaky crust wrapped around cinnamon-spiced apples that turn jammy and tender in the oven. Serve it warm with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla. Tip: stir a spoonful of cornstarch into the apple filling so the juices thicken and the slices hold together neatly.
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Vegan Apple Strudel
Thin, crackly pastry wraps around a filling of apples, cinnamon, and raisins for a lighter take on this central European favorite. Each slice shatters delicately as you cut into it. Tip: brush the pastry with a little melted vegan butter and keep unused sheets under a damp towel so they do not dry out.
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Dutch Apple Pie
Instead of a top crust, this cozy Amish-style pie is crowned with a buttery cinnamon crumb topping that bakes up golden and crunchy over soft spiced apples. It is comfort baking at its finest. Tip: pile the crumb on generously and bake until deep golden, since an underbaked topping stays pale and doughy.
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Apple Streusel Cake
A soft, moist cake layered with cinnamon apples and finished with a crumbly streusel top that adds the perfect bit of texture. It works equally well as dessert or an afternoon snack cake. Tip: press half the streusel into the middle of the batter too, so a spiced crumb layer runs right through the cake.
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Easy Apple Crisp
Tender cinnamon-spiced apples bubble away under a crunchy oat topping in this fuss-free dessert that needs no pastry skills at all. Scoop it warm straight from the dish. Tip: use a mix of tart and sweet apples so the filling keeps some bite and does not collapse into applesauce as it bakes.
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Cinnamon-Spiced Pancakes and Breakfasts
Start the morning with warm spice folded into pancakes and toast that taste like a treat.
Cinnamon Pancakes
Fluffy stacks spiced with warm cinnamon right in the batter, so you get that cozy flavor in every forkful without needing any topping. They are a simple upgrade to your usual weekend stack. Tip: let the batter rest five minutes before cooking so the flour hydrates and the pancakes turn out extra tender.
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Easy Gingerbread Pancakes
These pancakes taste like the holidays, packed with cinnamon, ginger, and molasses for a deep, spiced flavor that feels festive any time of year. Stack them high and drizzle with syrup. Tip: cook them a touch lower and slower than plain pancakes, since the molasses browns quickly and can scorch over high heat.
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Apple Pancakes
Grated apple and cinnamon fold right into the batter, and a quick homemade caramel sauce takes these breakfast pancakes over the top. They are cozy, sweet, and genuinely brunch-worthy. Tip: squeeze excess moisture from the grated apple before mixing so the pancakes cook through without turning soggy in the center.
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Vegan Sweet Potato Pancakes
Mashed sweet potato and a hit of cinnamon give these pancakes a naturally rich color and a subtly spiced, custardy interior. They feel indulgent while sneaking in some vegetables. Tip: roast the sweet potato instead of boiling it so the flesh stays dry and the batter is not watered down.
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Vegan French Toast
Thick slices soak up a cinnamon-scented plant-based custard, then fry until golden and crisp outside and soft within. Dust with sugar or pour over maple syrup for a classic finish. Tip: use slightly stale bread, which drinks up the custard far better than fresh soft slices that can fall apart.
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Cozy Cinnamon Muffins and Drinks
Warm cinnamon shines in these grab-and-go muffins and comforting mugs for chilly days.
Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
Moist, tender muffins loaded with pumpkin puree and warm cinnamon spice that taste like autumn in every bite. They keep well and make a great grab-and-go breakfast. Tip: do not overmix the batter once the flour goes in, since a few lumps are fine and overworking it makes the muffins dense.
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Sweet Potato Muffins
Naturally sweet mashed sweet potato keeps these cinnamon-spiced muffins soft and moist for days, with a gentle warmth in every bite. They are lunchbox and picnic friendly. Tip: fold in a handful of chopped walnuts or raisins for extra texture and a little contrast against the tender crumb.
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Apple Muffins
Studded with fresh apple chunks and warm cinnamon, these lighter muffins make a wholesome breakfast or snack that does not taste virtuous at all. The apple keeps them beautifully moist. Tip: toss the diced apple in a spoonful of the flour before folding it in so the pieces stay suspended instead of sinking.
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Homemade Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte
Skip the coffee shop and make this cozy latte at home with real pumpkin, cinnamon, and warming spices stirred into steamed plant milk and espresso. It is creamy, comforting, and easy to customize. Tip: whisk the pumpkin and spices into the milk as it heats so the flavor infuses evenly instead of clumping.
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Vegan Hot Chocolate
Rich, velvety hot chocolate gets a grown-up twist from a cinnamon stick simmered right into the pot, adding gentle warmth to every mug. It is the ultimate cozy night-in drink. Tip: infuse the cinnamon stick in the milk over low heat for a few minutes before adding the chocolate so the spice can bloom.
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Savory Dishes With Cinnamon
Cinnamon is not just for dessert, and these warming mains show off its savory side.
Vegan Butter Chick’n
This creamy, spiced Indian-inspired curry leans on a warm garam masala blend where cinnamon plays a quiet supporting role, wrapped around plant-based protein in a rich tomato sauce. Serve it over rice or with warm flatbread. Tip: toast your whole spices in oil before building the sauce to unlock a deeper, rounder flavor.
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Stuffed Butternut Squash
Roasted butternut squash halves are filled with a savory grain and vegetable mixture, and a touch of cinnamon plays up the squash’s natural sweetness. It makes an impressive plant-based centerpiece. Tip: score the flesh and rub it with oil before roasting so the squash caramelizes and cooks evenly all the way through.
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Pumpkin Curry
Tender chunks of pumpkin simmer in a fragrant, coconut-rich sauce where a pinch of cinnamon deepens the autumn warmth alongside the usual curry spices. It is cozy, satisfying, and naturally vegan. Tip: add the pumpkin toward the end of cooking so it stays in soft pieces rather than dissolving completely into the sauce.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Ceylon and cassia cinnamon? Ceylon cinnamon, often called true cinnamon, is lighter in color with a mild, delicate, and slightly sweet flavor, while cassia is darker, bolder, and more intensely spicy. Cassia is the common supermarket variety and works well in robust bakes and savory dishes, whereas Ceylon shines in recipes where you want a subtler, more refined cinnamon note.
Can you cook savory dishes with cinnamon? Yes. Cinnamon is a staple in many savory cuisines, from Middle Eastern and Indian spice blends to North African tagines. A small amount adds warmth and depth to curries, stews, roasted vegetables, and grain dishes without making them taste like dessert, especially when balanced with onion, garlic, and tomato.
Should you use cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon? Use ground cinnamon when you want the flavor mixed directly into batters, doughs, spice rubs, and blends. Reach for whole sticks when you can infuse a liquid slowly, such as in mulled drinks, broths, curries, or simmered grains, then remove the stick before serving. Sticks give a subtler, cleaner flavor, while ground cinnamon is more immediate and intense.
How do you get the most flavor from cinnamon? Bloom ground cinnamon by warming it briefly in oil, butter, or the base of a dish before adding liquids, which wakes up its aromatic oils. For whole sticks, simmer them gently so the flavor has time to infuse. Buying cinnamon in smaller amounts and using it within a few months also keeps its aroma at its brightest.
What flavors pair well with cinnamon? In sweet cooking, cinnamon loves apple, pumpkin, banana, chocolate, vanilla, nuts, and brown sugar. In savory dishes it pairs naturally with onion, tomato, chickpeas, lentils, sweet potato, and warm spices like cumin, ginger, cardamom, and cloves. It also works beautifully in drinks such as hot chocolate, chai, and spiced lattes.
Can you substitute cinnamon in a recipe? If you are out of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice can stand in, since both are cinnamon-based blends. Allspice, nutmeg, or cardamom can each cover part of the warmth in a pinch, though the flavor will shift. Start with a smaller amount and taste, as these substitutes are often more potent.
