Copycat Mr. Gatti's Pizza Cinnamon Sticks Recipe
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| Soft, buttery copycat Mr. Gatti’s cinnamon sticks baked until golden, showered with cinnamon sugar, and finished with sweet vanilla icing. |
If you grew up loving pizza night, there’s a good chance you remember those warm, sweet, buttery Mr. Gatti's Pizza cinnamon sticks. They’re soft in the middle, lightly crisp at the edges, and covered in a cozy layer of cinnamon sugar. Add a little icing on top, and it’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast.
This copycat cinnamon sticks recipe is made for home cooks who want that same pizza buffet dessert at home without a lot of fuss. It uses simple ingredients, easy steps, and common kitchen tools. If you’ve been searching for Mr. Gatti's cinnamon sticks recipe, pizza cinnamon sticks, or easy dessert pizza sticks, you’re in the right place.
A Little Background on Mr. Gatti's Pizza and Their Famous Cinnamon Sticks
Mr. Gatti's Pizza has been a familiar name for many families in the United States, especially in the South. Known for pizza, game rooms, and buffet-style family meals, the restaurant built a reputation for being a fun place where everyone could find something they liked.
And then there are the cinnamon sticks. For many people, they’re not just dessert. They’re part of the whole experience. You grab a slice of pizza, maybe go back for salad, and then you save just enough room for something sweet. Those soft, golden-brown sticks with melted butter, cinnamon, sugar, and icing have a way of pulling people back for “just one more.”
This dish is iconic because it hits that perfect balance. It’s fluffy, buttery, sweet, and just a little chewy. The smell alone is enough to make the kitchen feel warm and welcoming. While this is not the official restaurant recipe, it’s a homemade version inspired by the taste and texture many fans remember.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Cinnamon Sticks Recipe
- Easy to make with store-bought pizza dough or homemade dough
- Family-friendly and great for parties, game night, or dessert
- Budget-friendly using pantry basics
- Beginner-friendly with simple step-by-step instructions
- Perfect for sharing, especially warm from the oven
Honestly, this is one of those recipes that feels special without being complicated. That’s my favorite kind of homemade treat.
Ingredients
Servings: 8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Rise time if needed: 20 to 30 minutes
Bake time: 12 to 15 minutes
Total time: About 30 to 45 minutes
For the cinnamon sticks:
- 1 pound pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, for dusting
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For the icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon melted butter
Optional:
- Extra butter for brushing after baking
- A pinch of nutmeg for deeper flavor
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- 9x13 baking pan or baking sheet
- Rolling pin or clean bottle
- Pastry brush
- Small mixing bowls
- Knife or pizza cutter
- Measuring cups and spoons
No fancy gear needed here. If you can roll dough and turn on your oven, you can make these.
How to Make Copycat Mr. Gatti's Pizza Cinnamon Sticks
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F. If you’re using a dark metal pan, you may want to check the sticks a minute or two early since darker pans can bake faster.
Step 2: Prepare your pan
Lightly grease a baking sheet or 9x13 pan with nonstick spray or a little butter. This helps the bottom crisp up lightly and keeps the dough from sticking.
Step 3: Get the dough ready
If your pizza dough has been in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes first. Cold dough is harder to stretch and can spring back, almost like a rubber band. Room temperature dough is much easier to work with.
Dust your counter lightly with flour. Place the dough on the surface and roll or stretch it into a rough rectangle, about 9x13 inches and around 1/4-inch thick.
Step 4: Move the dough to the pan
Carefully place the dough into your prepared pan or onto the baking sheet. If it shrinks a little, just gently press it back into shape with your fingertips.
Step 5: Add the buttery cinnamon topping
In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt.
Brush the top of the dough with the melted butter, making sure to get all the way to the edges. Then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough. Try to cover the whole surface so every bite gets that sweet, spiced flavor.
Step 6: Pre-cut the sticks
Use a knife or pizza cutter to lightly score the dough into sticks before baking. Don’t cut all the way through if the dough is very soft. Just mark the lines. This makes it easier to slice neatly after baking.
A good size is about 12 to 16 sticks, depending on how wide you want them.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the dough is cooked through and the edges are light golden brown. The sugar on top will look set and slightly glossy.
Because this is a bread-based dessert, you want the center fully baked. For food safety and best texture, enriched dough products should be baked until fully cooked. If you want to be extra sure, the internal temperature of baked dough should reach about 190°F to 200°F.
Step 8: Make the icing
While the cinnamon sticks bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth. If the icing seems too thick, add a tiny splash more milk. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
Step 9: Finish and slice
Once the cinnamon sticks come out of the oven, you can brush them with a little extra melted butter if you want them extra rich. Let them cool for about 5 minutes.
Then drizzle the icing over the top. Use the score marks to cut all the way through into sticks. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.
Tips for the Best Homemade Cinnamon Sticks
- Use pizza dough, not biscuit dough, for that classic chewy texture.
- Don’t skip the butter. It helps the cinnamon sugar cling to the dough and gives that rich flavor people love.
- Let the dough relax before rolling if it keeps shrinking back.
- Serve warm for the best bakery-style experience.
- Watch carefully near the end so the sugar doesn’t over-brown.
If your house smells like a mix of a pizza shop and a bakery at this point, you did it right.
Easy Shortcuts and Time-Saving Ideas
If you want this recipe even easier, here are a few simple shortcuts:
- Use refrigerated pizza dough from the grocery store to save time.
- Use canned vanilla frosting warmed for a few seconds in the microwave if you don’t want to make icing from scratch.
- Try an air fryer for a small batch. Cook at 350°F for about 6 to 8 minutes, checking often.
- Make dessert pizza bites by cutting the dough into smaller pieces before baking.
If you’re making these for a birthday party or sleepover, the store-bought dough shortcut is a lifesaver.
Allergy-Friendly and Dietary Modifications
One thing that makes a good copycat recipe blog stand out is giving everyone a way to join in. Here are some practical swaps for different needs.
Gluten-Free
- Use a gluten-free pizza dough that is meant for baking, not a batter-style crust unless the package says it can be shaped.
- Check that your powdered sugar and vanilla are certified gluten-free if needed.
- Bake according to the dough package directions, since gluten-free dough can behave differently.
Dairy-Free
- Swap the butter for plant-based butter.
- Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk in the icing.
- Double-check the pizza dough ingredients, since some brands include dairy.
Vegan
- Use vegan pizza dough.
- Use dairy-free butter and non-dairy milk.
- Make sure your sugar is vegan if that matters to you, since some sugars are processed differently.
Egg-Free
- Most pizza dough recipes are naturally egg-free, but always read labels.
- The icing in this recipe is also egg-free.
Lower Sugar
- Reduce the cinnamon sugar topping by about 1/4 without losing too much flavor.
- Drizzle less icing, or serve the icing on the side for dipping.
Nut-Free
- The base recipe is typically nut-free, but always check packaged dough and non-dairy milk labels for cross-contact warnings if serving someone with a severe allergy.
Paleo
- This one is tricky to make truly paleo because traditional pizza dough uses flour and yeast.
- If needed, try a grain-free flatbread base or cassava flour dough, then top with coconut sugar and cinnamon.
- The texture will be different, but you can still get a sweet cinnamon dessert stick feel.
Diabetic-Friendly Notes
- This recipe is a sweet treat, so portion size matters.
- You can experiment with a granulated sugar substitute and powdered sugar alternative made for baking, but texture and flavor may vary.
How to Store and Reheat
To store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat: Warm in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, or in a 300°F oven for a few minutes until soft and warm again.
To freeze: Freeze without icing for best results. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw, warm, and then drizzle with fresh icing.
Approximate Nutrition Per Serving
These numbers are estimates and can vary based on the dough brand and exact ingredients used.
- Calories: 260
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fiber: 1g
What to Serve with Cinnamon Sticks
These are great on their own, but if you want to build a full pizza-night dessert spread, pair them with:
- Hot coffee
- Cold milk
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh fruit
- A homemade pizza dinner
Want a fun idea? Serve them with extra icing as a dip, almost like dessert breadsticks. Kids especially love that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. You can prep the dough in the pan, add the topping, and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before it goes into the oven.
Can I use homemade pizza dough?
Absolutely. If you already have a favorite pizza dough recipe, use it here.
Why are my cinnamon sticks too tough?
This usually happens if they were overbaked or if too much flour was added while shaping the dough.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes. Use two pans so the dough stays in an even layer and bakes properly.
Final Thoughts
There’s something about homemade cinnamon sticks that makes any night feel a little more fun. They’re simple, sweet, warm, and familiar. That’s probably why restaurant-style desserts like this stick in our memories for so long.
If you make this copycat Mr. Gatti's Pizza Cinnamon Sticks recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you keep it classic, or add your own twist? Maybe extra icing? Maybe a little cream cheese glaze? Share your results in the comments and send this recipe to a friend who loves pizza night desserts.
And if your family hovers around the baking pan waiting for them to cool, don’t worry. That happens here too.
Disclaimer
This recipe is a copycat recipe inspired by the flavors and style of a popular restaurant dessert. It is not the official recipe, and no knowledge of the actual proprietary recipe is implied. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing Mr. Gatti's Pizza in any way.
Simply Copycat Recipes is also an Amazon affiliate. This means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through links, at no extra cost to you.
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