This delicious High-Protein Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal transforms a classic breakfast treat into a nutritious, protein-packed meal that will keep you satisfied all morning. With the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon roll in a wholesome baked oatmeal form, this recipe offers the perfect balance of taste and nutrition.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This baked oatmeal recipe is a game-changer for busy mornings. It’s quick to prepare, nutritionally balanced, and can be made ahead of time for grab-and-go breakfasts throughout the week. The protein boost from the vanilla protein powder helps keep hunger at bay until lunchtime, while the familiar cinnamon roll flavor makes it feel like an indulgent treat. It’s also incredibly versatile – easily customizable with your favorite toppings and mix-ins to keep breakfast exciting day after day.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Rolled oats form the hearty base of this recipe, providing fiber and a satisfying texture that holds up well when baked. They create that perfect chewy-yet-tender consistency that makes baked oatmeal so comforting.
Milk adds creaminess and helps the oats cook to perfection. It also contributes additional protein and calcium to your breakfast, depending on which variety you choose.
Vanilla protein powder is the secret ingredient that transforms this from regular baked oatmeal into a high-protein breakfast powerhouse. It boosts the protein content significantly while adding a subtle sweetness and vanilla flavor.
Maple syrup brings natural sweetness to complement the warm cinnamon flavor. Its rich, caramel-like notes enhance the “cinnamon roll” experience without making the dish overly sweet.
Cinnamon is essential for achieving that authentic cinnamon roll flavor profile. It adds warmth and complexity while also offering anti-inflammatory benefits.
Vanilla extract enhances all the flavors in this dish and reinforces the sweet, aromatic notes that make cinnamon rolls so irresistible.
Baking powder gives the oatmeal a slight rise, creating a lighter texture rather than dense, heavy oats. This subtle leavening makes the final dish more cake-like.
Salt might seem insignificant, but it’s crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors. Even this small amount makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix together oats, milk, protein powder, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until set and golden on top.
- Let cool slightly, then slice into squares and serve warm.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes 4 generous servings, perfect for meal prep or feeding a small family. The prep work takes just 5 minutes, while the baking time is 35 minutes, bringing the total time to 40 minutes. Each serving contains approximately 280 calories, making it a balanced breakfast option that won’t derail your nutrition goals.
Variations
Fruit-Topped: Add fresh berries, sliced bananas, or diced apples on top before baking.
Nut Butter Swirl: Swirl a few tablespoons of almond or peanut butter into the mixture before baking for extra protein and richness.
Chocolate Chip: Fold in 1/4 cup of dark chocolate chips for a more indulgent breakfast treat.
Nutty Crunch: Add 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for added texture and healthy fats.
Pumpkin Spice: Replace half the milk with pumpkin puree and add pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal twist.
Coconut: Add 1/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut to the mixture for tropical flavor notes.
Apple Cinnamon: Fold in 1 cup of diced apples and increase the cinnamon for an apple pie-inspired version.
Storage/Reheating
This baked oatmeal is perfect for meal prep as it stores beautifully. Once cooled, cut it into portions and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap individual portions tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat refrigerated portions, microwave for 30-60 seconds until warmed through. For frozen portions, either thaw overnight in the refrigerator before microwaving or microwave directly from frozen for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through. You can also reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warm.
If you find the reheated oatmeal a bit dry, drizzle with a little extra milk or a touch of maple syrup before serving to restore moisture and sweetness.
FAQs
Can I use steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats?
Steel-cut oats require more liquid and longer cooking time than rolled oats. If you want to use them, increase the milk by 1/2 cup and extend baking time by 10-15 minutes. The texture will be chewier than with rolled oats.
What if I don’t have protein powder?
You can omit the protein powder entirely and still have delicious baked oatmeal. Consider adding an extra tablespoon of maple syrup for sweetness and perhaps 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt for a protein boost.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Use plant-based milk (almond, oat, or soy work well) and ensure your protein powder is vegan. The rest of the ingredients are already plant-based.
How can I increase the protein content even more?
Try adding 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, or 1/4 cup of nut butter to the mixture. You could also increase the protein powder to 1.5 or 2 scoops if the flavor isn’t overpowering.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Make sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats, as regular oats may have cross-contamination. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I make this the night before and bake it in the morning?
Yes! Mix all ingredients, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. You may need to add 5 minutes to the baking time.
What size baking dish works best?
An 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch square baking dish works perfectly. You could also use a 9-inch round cake pan or a small rectangular baking dish.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, double all ingredients and use a 9×13-inch baking dish. The baking time will increase slightly, likely by 5-10 minutes.
How do I know when it’s done baking?
The top should be golden brown, the edges slightly pulling away from the dish, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
Can I reduce the sweetness?
Certainly. The maple syrup can be reduced or omitted entirely if your protein powder is already sweetened. You could also substitute with mashed banana for natural sweetness.
Conclusion
This High-Protein Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal delivers the comforting flavors of a cinnamon roll in a nutritious, satisfying breakfast form. Perfect for busy mornings, meal prep, or a leisurely weekend brunch, this versatile recipe can be adapted countless ways to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. The protein boost helps keep you full throughout the morning, making it ideal for active individuals or anyone looking to create more balanced meals. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can enjoy this wholesome, delicious breakfast that’s as good for your body as it is for your taste buds.
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High-Protein Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal
High-Protein Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal is a healthy and delicious breakfast option made with simple ingredients and high in protein
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix together oats, milk, protein powder, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until set and golden on top.
- Let cool slightly, then slice into squares and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use almond milk or any other alternative milk if preferred.
- Feel free to add toppings like fresh fruits or nuts before serving.
- This recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
