If you are looking for a high-protein cinnamon rolls recipe to start your day, this is the recipe for you! These soft and fluffy rolls are packed with flavor and are super easy to make.
Protein cinnamon rolls are an easy way to enjoy a classic treat while getting some extra protein in your diet.
Because they are packed with protein, they are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, and they will give you a boost of energy and protein.
Protein cinnamon rolls are lower in calories, fat, and carbs than regular cinnamon rolls but still have the same sweet and spicy flavor.
One roll can have around 10 to 14 grams of protein, depending on the type and amount of protein powder used.
Why you will LOVE these protein cinnamon rolls
It's super easy to make. Don't feel intimidated when you want to try to make these protein cinnamon rolls.
This recipe will show you how to make them from scratch with simple ingredients and a few easy steps.
Soft and fluffy. Protein cinnamon rolls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a post-workout snack.
They are soft, fluffy, and gooey, and they have a rich cream cheese frosting on top.
You can serve them hot and cold. Cinnamon rolls with extra protein are amazing, whether they are fresh out of the oven or completely cooled.
Ingredients
Flour - all-purpose flour is perfect for this recipe because it has a moderate amount of protein.
The protein gives the dough enough strength and elasticity to hold its shape and rise well, but not too much that it becomes tough or chewy.
All-purpose flour also absorbs more liquid than bread flour, which helps create a moist and tender crumb.
Butter - to make the cinnamon filling, we spread a layer of softened butter on top of the rolled dough. This gives the buns a rich, buttery flavor.
To make them lactose-free, you can use coconut oil, plant-based butter, or margarine instead.
Yeast - like traditional cinnamon rolls, you need yeast for this recipe.
Protein powder - Cinnamon adds a warm and spicy touch to the filling of these buns, so I like to balance it with some vanilla protein powder.
I don't recommend using whey powder for this recipe. It has a different moisture absorption rate than the original recipe calls for, and this will alter the texture and consistency of the dough.
Yogurt - The rolls taste wonderfully fresh and have more protein, thanks to the Greek yogurt in the dough. Use yogurt that has no added sugar for the best results.
Sugar - I recommend using brown sugar for the filling. Brown sugar contains molasses, which gives the filling a mild caramel flavor that goes perfectly with the cinnamon. It is also what I use when I make homemade cinnamon sugar.
You can use a sweetener like honey or stevia if you don't like to use granulated sugar.
Frequently asked questions
Make sure that your dough is not too dry, and you tightly roll it up to make sure it will stick together.
It should be a little sticky, but if it sticks to your hands, you can add a little extra flour.
Equipment
To make these protein cinnamon rolls, you will need a kitchen scale or measuring cups, a large mixing bowl, a clean tea towel or plastic wrap, a baking dish, parchment paper, and a small bowl.
Storage
If you love protein cinnamon rolls as much as I do, you might be wondering how to store them so they stay fresh and delicious.
To keep them fresh for up to five days, store them in a sealed container at room temperature. Wait until they are fully cooled before putting them in a container to prevent them from becoming soggy.
If you want to store them longer, I recommend freezing them.
To freeze them, you need to wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and then place them in a freezer bag or a container.
This way, they will stay fresh for about six months.
Let them thaw completely before serving.
More easy high-protein recipes
Protein cinnamon rolls
If you are looking for a high-protein cinnamon rolls recipe to start your day, this recipe is for you! These soft and fluffy rolls are packed with flavor and are super easy to make.
Ingredients
For the dough
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ stick unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 scoops protein powder
- 1 large egg
- 2 ½ teaspoon instant yeast
For the cinnamon filling
- ½ stick unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the cream cheese frosting
- 3 ounces full-fat cream cheese
- ½ cup icing sugar
- 3 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Mix the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large bowl.
- Add milk and butter to a saucepan. Heat until the butter melts, or use a microwave.
- Pour the milk into the flour mixture and add the egg and Greek yogurt.
- Mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon or spatula until they form a dough. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
- Place the dough on a floured surface and knead for 5-6 minutes until soft and springy. It should be slightly sticky, but you can add more flour if needed.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise for 60 minutes or until it doubles in size.
- Grease a 9-inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- After 60 minutes, take the dough out of the bowl.
- Roll out the dough until it measures 14x8.5 inches and has a thickness of approximately ¼ inch.
- Spread softened butter on the dough and sprinkle with cinnamon, protein powder, and sugar.
- Tightly roll up the dough and cut it into 12 pieces.
- Place the protein cinnamon rolls into the prepared baking pan, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let them rest for about 20 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350 F/180 C.
- Bake the cinnamon rolls with protein for 20-25 minutes until golden. Cover the pan with aluminum foil if the top becomes too dark.
- In the meantime, you can prepare the cream cheese frosting by adding the cream cheese to a bowl and mixing it until it becomes soft.
- Add the butter and sugar and mix until smooth.
- Little by little, add the Greek yogurt and mix it well until the frosting has reached the consistency you are aiming for. After that, place it in the fridge to chill.
- Take the baking pan out of the oven en let the protein cinnamon rolls cool completely.
- Cove the rolls with the cream cheese frosting before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12Amount Per Serving: Calories: 222Total Fat: 4.1gSaturated Fat: 2.2gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 147mgCarbohydrates: 35.1gFiber: 1.2gSugar: 9.8gProtein: 11.3g
Melanie O'Brien says
These look so yummy. I really need to make them!