If you thought cinnamon rolls couldn’t possibly get any better, wait until you try these Protein Cinnamon Rolls. They’re everything you adore about the classic treat—pillowy-soft, full of warm cinnamon swirls, and a decadent glaze—but with a secret superpower: a protein boost that makes them the perfect treat for breakfast, post-workout, or anytime you want comfort with a healthy twist. Trust me, these will be your new obsession!

Protein Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need a long, intimidating shopping list to make magic happen here—just a handful of simple ingredients, each one playing its own delicious part. From the creamy Greek yogurt that makes the dough tender, to the aromatic cinnamon in the filling, every component brings flavor and personality to your Protein Cinnamon Rolls.

Self-rising flour: Adds lightness and rise to the dough so you skip the yeast but still get that fluffy roll.
Plain Greek yogurt: Gives moisture, a subtle tang, and amps up the protein content naturally.
Vanilla or cinnamon protein powder: Infuses the dough with extra protein and a hint of flavor—choose your favorite!
Melted butter or coconut oil: Gives richness to the filling and helps the sugar-cinnamon mixture stick beautifully.
Brown sugar or coconut sugar: Lends that classic gooey sweetness to every bite of your Protein Cinnamon Rolls.
Ground cinnamon: The starring spice, bringing warmth and that signature aroma to the swirl.
Powdered sugar or protein-friendly alternative: Makes the creamy, luscious glaze for finishing each roll.
Milk or unsweetened almond milk: Helps achieve the perfect drizzly texture for your glaze.
Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out the glaze with an irresistible fragrance.

How to Make Protein Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Give your baking dish a light greasing or line it with parchment paper. This quick step means your Protein Cinnamon Rolls will pop out perfectly golden and clean, with minimal sticky mess.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-rising flour, Greek yogurt, and your scoop of protein powder. Stir everything together with a sturdy spoon until a shaggy dough forms, then transfer it to a lightly floured countertop. Knead for about 2–3 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic, but not sticky. You’ll be amazed at how supple and easy to work with this dough becomes!

Step 3: Shape and Fill

Use a floured rolling pin to roll your dough into a rectangle roughly 1/4 inch thick. Now for the fun part: brush the surface generously with melted butter or coconut oil, then sprinkle on the brown sugar and that blissful hit of cinnamon. Make sure you spread the mixture all the way to the edges for maximum flavor in every swirl.

Step 4: Roll and Slice

Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough up into a tight log—try to keep things even as you go, but don’t stress perfection. Slice the roll into 6 to 8 even rounds using a sharp knife, then nestle those gorgeous spirals into your prepared baking dish, cut side up.

Step 5: Bake and Glaze

Slide your baking dish into the oven and let the cinnamon rolls bake for 18–22 minutes, just until the tops turn lightly golden and the kitchens smells utterly heavenly. While they bake, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until you have a smooth, glossy glaze. Once the rolls are out and still warm, drizzle them generously so the glaze melts into all the crevices.

How to Serve Protein Cinnamon Rolls

Garnishes

Top your Protein Cinnamon Rolls with a recent drizzle of that sweet vanilla glaze, and maybe a dusting of extra cinnamon or a handful of toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for irresistible crunch and color. Even a dollop of Greek yogurt on top looks (and tastes) divine!

Side Dishes

Enjoy these warm rolls with a bowl of fresh seasonal fruit, a recovering smoothie bowl, or your favorite yogurt parfait. For brunch, they’re equally at home alongside scrambled eggs or a protein-packed omelet—the ideal balance between sweet and savory on the table.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving your Protein Cinnamon Rolls as “mini pull-aparts” by arranging the slices close together before baking. For a special occasion, stack them in a tower and drizzle with extra glaze for a cinnamon roll “cake.” Or slice in half, add a slick of nut butter, and sandwich for a high-protein breakfast sammie!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover Protein Cinnamon Rolls in an airtight container and slip them into the fridge. They’ll stay soft, flavorful, and already glazed for up to three days—if they last that long!

Freezing

Want to stash some for future cravings? Freeze your cooled Protein Cinnamon Rolls, wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil, for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or let them defrost at room temperature.

Reheating

To recapture their fresh-from-the-oven magic, pop individual rolls in the microwave for 10–20 seconds, or warm a batch in a low oven (300°F) until heated through. If you’ve frozen them, add a bit of fresh glaze after reheating for that just-baked finish.

FAQs

Can I use plant-based yogurt or protein powder?

Absolutely! Dairy-free Greek-style yogurt and a vegan protein powder both work beautifully in Protein Cinnamon Rolls, so you can make them completely plant-based if you prefer.

Do I have to use self-rising flour?

If you only have all-purpose flour, just add 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to create your own quick self-rising version for the dough.

Can I prepare Protein Cinnamon Rolls the night before?

Yes, you can roll, slice, and refrigerate the unbaked rolls overnight. In the morning, just pop them straight into the oven, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time if needed.

What’s a good protein-friendly glaze alternative?

Mix a scoop of vanilla protein powder with a splash of milk and a little powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener for a high-protein, no-sugar glaze that still tastes luscious.

The dough seems sticky—what should I do?

Add a tablespoon or two more flour, a little at a time, until the dough is easy to knead and roll out. Protein Cinnamon Rolls dough should be soft but not hard to handle!

Final Thoughts

I hope you give these Protein Cinnamon Rolls a try and fall in love with their irresistible combination of comfort and nutrition. There’s nothing like sharing warm, gooey rolls with the people you love—even if it’s just for a sweet, solo breakfast moment. Happy baking!

Protein Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6–8 rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in these protein cinnamon rolls made with a high-protein dough and a sweet cinnamon filling, topped with a delicious glaze. Perfect for a nutritious and satisfying breakfast treat!

Ingredients

Scale

For the dough:

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 scoop (about 30g) vanilla or cinnamon protein powder

For the filling:

2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar (or protein-friendly alternative)
1–2 tablespoons milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a small baking dish or line with parchment paper.
Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the self-rising flour, Greek yogurt, and protein powder. Mix until a dough forms, then knead on a lightly floured surface for 2–3 minutes until smooth.
Fill and roll: Roll the dough into a rectangle, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll the dough into a log, slice into pieces, and place in the baking dish.
Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden.
Make the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle over warm rolls before serving.