I don’t know about you, but sometimes the afternoon slump just sneaks up on me. One minute I’m firing off emails, the next I’m basically hypnotized by my snack drawer—like it might hold some hidden treat if I just look long enough. There’s something about that 3 p.m. haze that makes me crave a little warmth, a hint of sweetness, and basically all the comfort food I can get my hands on. That’s exactly where these cinnamon sugar biscuit bites come into play. Oh my word, they’re like edible little hugs. Soft, pillowy bites with a gentle crunch of cinnamon sugar, finished with the world’s simplest icing drizzle. Yes, it’s bliss in a bite!
And you know what? These go so fast in my house, it’s almost funny. Whether it’s pairing them with Monday morning coffee (best desk breakfast ever) or sneaking a few between brunch and those endless weekend errands, these babies disappear like magic. My husband loves them. My teens go back for seconds before I’ve even poured my coffee. I have to literally set some aside if I want leftovers. Cozy, a little messy, and so, so delicious.
Why You’ll Love It
- No yeast! You start with good old canned biscuits—zero proofing, zero fuss.
- Ready in under 30 minutes (yes, really!).
- Pillowy-soft on the inside, with that craveable, sweet cinnamon sugar crunch outside.
- Drizzly icing that’s just the right amount of sweet. Not overpowering.
- Totally customizable—with nuts, chocolate, fruit, you name it.
- Perfect for families, kids, brunches, or just a solo kitchen dance break.
Honestly, they’re the kind of pick-me-up we all need on those days when comfort food pretty much solves everything. Oh, and cleanup? Basically one bowl and one bag, so it’s totally doable even on a weeknight or your busiest morning (just hide a couple for yourself).
Ingredient Notes
- 1 small can refrigerated biscuits (about 8 biscuits): I use the classic Pillsbury Grands—store brand is fine. Flaky or homestyle both work well! If you feel ambitious, homemade biscuit dough is lovely, but honestly, canned is the hero for everyday life.
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted: Salted butter is great in a pinch; just skip adding any extra salt. Butter provides that irresistible richness and crisp bottom.
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar + 1 tbsp packed brown sugar: The mix gives a lovely caramelized flavor. No brown sugar? Just add another tablespoon of white sugar and maybe a tiny splash of maple syrup or molasses if you have it.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon: Feel free to adjust up or down depending on your cinnamon obsession (I tend to go a little heavy-handed, not sorry!).
- ¼ cup powdered sugar: For the icing. If you like a thicker glaze, cut back the milk a bit—or go drippy and decadent for a messier, more fun vibe.
- 1–2 tsp milk (dairy or plant-based): Either works. Don’t be afraid to start with less and add more as needed for your ideal drizzle texture.
- ⅛ tsp vanilla extract: This bumps up the cozy, sweet flavor. Not totally necessary, but I never skip it.
If you’re wanting to lighten things up, coconut sugar works instead of brown sugar. Vegan butter and plant milk? Absolutely—they turn out just as tasty.
Step-By-Step Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Take a small oven-safe dish (I use a pie pan or little casserole) and put the butter in. Let it melt as the oven heats. (This gives you a gorgeously buttery base—don’t skip this part!)
- Crack open your biscuit can—that pop always startles me no matter how many times I do it! Cut each biscuit into four even pieces, so you’ll get about 32 little nuggets.
- Grab a big plastic zip bag. Add your granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss your biscuit pieces right in there, seal it, and give it a good shake until every piece is fully coated. (I like to think of it as a mini arm workout that leads to snacks.)
- Carefully remove the pan with the melted butter from the oven. Swirl to coat the bottom, then pour in your cinnamon-sugar biscuit bites. Arrange them in a roughly even, single layer—they can touch and cuddle up, that’s fine! Overlapping a bit is no big deal.
- Bake for about 15 minutes. I always peek at the 13-minute mark just in case my oven’s feeling spicy that day. You want golden, slightly crisp edges and a soft, billowy inside. They’ll puff up and smell incredible.
- While they bake, whip up your icing: In a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, milk (just a bit at a time), and vanilla extract. Adjust until you have a drizzling consistency you like—thick, drippy, or somewhere in between.
- Let the bites cool for a couple minutes. Then drizzle the icing all over. Serve them warm if you can—everything’s extra gooey and the cinnamon fragrance just fills the kitchen. If you need to pack them up for later, they’re still delicious at room temp. (We never seem to have leftovers unless I hide a few!)
Variations
- Nutty Crunch: Add a couple tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon-sugar bag before shaking. Hello, texture!
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt a handful of chocolate chips and zigzag over the top after the icing. (Sometimes I do both. No judgment.)
- Apple Cinnamon: Stir in about 2 tablespoons finely diced apples right before baking to channel autumn in every bite.
- Pumpkin Spice: Replace half the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice for major fall vibes—cozy slippers optional.
- Salted Sweet: Sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt on top of the glaze while it’s still wet. Sweet-and-salty lovers, you’ll lose your mind.
- Something unexpected: Try dusting with a little chai spice blend or cardamom for a totally new twist. (I did this once on a whim and my daughter raved about it. Victory!)
