One of our favorite desserts that the kids like to make is today’s Cinnamon Twists!

These Cinnamon Twists are an easy, sweet treat made with crescent rolls and a simple cinnamon sugar filling that bakes up golden and flaky. The kids are mildly obsessed, but what’s not to love about sugar, cinnamon, and butter wrapped up in crescent roll dough?! The kids also like to get in the kitchen and help make these, especially the twisting part. They really are so simple, they’re hard NOT to love.

These little treats are filled with so much cinnamon-y goodness, they’re impossible to resist! For more cinnamon treats, try Cinnamon Bites, Cinnamon Tortilla Chips, and Cinnamon Graham Crackers.

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • Easy. Four pantry-friendly ingredients keep shopping simple. Crescent rolls make these twists quick and foolproof.
  • Quick. They bake in under ten minutes, perfect for last minute cravings.
  • Family friendly. From the kid-friendly steps to the delicious cinnamon flavor, the whole family will love this snack.
Process shots of putting cinnamon filling on crescent rolls

Cinnamon Twist Ingredients

  • Sugar (2 tablespoons) – Sugar sweetens each layer and helps create that classic cinnamon sugar crunch on the outside.
  • Cinnamon (1 teaspoon) – Cinnamon brings warm spice and the signature aroma that makes these twists irresistible.
  • Crescent rolls (8-ounce can) – The rolls give you flaky, buttery layers without mixing dough, so the twists come together fast.
  • Butter, melted (3 tablespoons) – Butter adds rich flavor, helps the sugar and cinnamon stick, and encourages golden edges.

How to Make Cinnamon Twists

Process shots for how to make cinnamon crescent twists.

DOUGH. All you do is unroll your crescent roll dough and separate it into 4 rectangles, pressing the triangles together to form the rectangles.

FILLING. Spread the melted butter onto 2 of the rectangles and sprinkle a little less than half the cinnamon/sugar mixture on top. Take the two non-buttered rectangles and put those on top of your buttered rectangles, pressing the edges together.

CUT. Cut both rectangles into 6 strips and top with any remaining melted butter.

TWIST. Twist each strip a few times and spread onto cookie sheet, top with remaining cinnamon and sugar.

BAKE. Put in the oven for 8-10 minutes at 375ยฐ F.

A pile of cinnamon twists on a serving tray.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

  • Press the crescent seams together firmly so the filling stays inside. Twist gently so the dough keeps its shape while baking.
  • Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to get clean strips.
  • Try variations: Add chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, then fold, twist, and bake.
  • Drizzle on a glaze or dip into caramel or chocolate sauce, cream cheese, or Nutella dip.
  • Air fry at 300ยฐF for about 5 minutes per side, or shallow fry in oil at 325ยฐF until golden for extra crisp edges.
4.98 from 41 votes

Cinnamon Twists Recipe

Sweet cinnamon twists are ready in minutes. With crescent rolls and buttery cinnamon sugar, they're baked golden and impossible to resist.
Servings: 12 twists
Prep: 7 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Video

Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 (8-ounce) can crescent rolls
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375ยฐF.
  • Unroll your crescent dough and lay down as 4 rectangles on a greased cookie sheet making sure you press the triangles together to form the rectangles.
  • Mix together your sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Spread melted butter onto 2 of the rectangles and sprinkle a little less than half the cinnamon/sugar mixture on top of the melted butter.
  • Take the two non-buttered rectangles and put those on top of your buttered and cinnamon/sugar rectangles. Press edges together.
  • Cut both rectangles into 6 strips and top with any reserve melted butter. Twist each strip a few times and spread onto cookie sheet.
  • Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon and sugar. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
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Notes

Recipe Tips.
  • Try variations: Add chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, then fold, twist, and bake.
  • Drizzle on a glaze or dip into caramel or chocolate sauce, cream cheese, or Nutella dip.
  • Air fry at 300ยฐF for about 5 minutes per side, or shallow fry in oil at 325ยฐF until golden for extra crisp edges.
  • Press the crescent seams together firmly so the filling stays inside. Twist gently so the dough keeps its shape while baking.
  • Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to get clean strips.
  • Watch closely near the end since crescent dough browns quickly.
Store baked twists in an airtight container, 1 to 2 days on the counter, 5 to 7 days in the fridge, or 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
Reheat in a 325ยฐF oven, wrapped in foil, for 6 to 8 minutes, in a 300ยฐF air fryer for about 3 minutes, or in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1twist, Calories: 99kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 173mg, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 90IU, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

Store baked twists in an airtight container, 1 to 2 days on the counter, 5 to 7 days in the fridge, or 2 to 3 months in the freezer.

How to reheat?

Reheat in a 325ยฐF oven, wrapped in foil, for 6 to 8 minutes, in a 300ยฐF air fryer for about 3 minutes, or in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.

This recipe was first shared August, 2014.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipesโ€”each one tested in her kitchenโ€”that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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4.98 from 41 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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41 Comments

  1. Zahra says:

    Can I line the cookie sheet with parchment paper

    1. Lil' Luna Team says:

      Yes, you can line the pan with parchment paper.

  2. Betty R. says:

    Hi, I watched the video, did you use 2 cans? If yes, your recipe only says 1 can.

    And I canโ€™t wait to try these sweets!!! ๐Ÿ˜‹

  3. Kim Robinson says:

    5 stars
    I made these tonight for my co workers

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yay!! I hope they were a hit! Thanks for trying the recipe.

  4. Christy says:

    5 stars
    Delicious. Fast, easy, simple, four ingredients. Thank you!
    What did I do different? Not a thing– its perfect as-is!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yay! Thank you!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe…. as is! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  5. Kimberly says:

    5 stars
    Made this fun amazing dessert out of crescent dough fun and easy !!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Happy you think so ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you for letting me know!

  6. Denise Orand says:

    5 stars
    Fast, easy, and delicious!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Glad you think so ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you!!

  7. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    A quick snack that the kids will love. Easy to put together.

  8. Misty says:

    5 stars
    My kids and their friends love making these after school. So QUick, Easy and taste so good!

    1. Linda Catanzano says:

      5 stars
      My husband loves these and eats most of them in one sitting.

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