Healthy No Bake Cinnamon Bun Protein Bars
These soft and chewy no bake cinnamon bun protein bars are healthy but you’d never guess! Just one bowl and less than 10 minutes is needed to whip up this delicious recipe- It’s naturally gluten free, refined sugar free, vegan, dairy free and comes with a tested paleo option!
When I left Columbus for Los Angeles, the last person I saw was Alexis.
I passed on some of my most treasured possessions to her….or rather, all my perishable items which I couldn’t pack in my suitcase. For those who follow me on Snapchat know that this ‘package’ of sorts included- Coconut flour, a Tupperware with a tablespoon or so of gluten free oat flour, a Tupperware with 7 or so dairy free chocolate chips, protein powder, peanut butter, gluten free oatmeal, gluten free oat bran, random plastic containers and other bits and bobs.
Being God the epic friend I am, I also left her with some edibles too- A loaf of this chunky banana bread, these pumpkin spice no bake bites (formed into one ugly, huge ball), a batch of these marbled rice crispy treats, most likely one of these carrot cake protein bars (which apparently she ate on a rice cake…) and……today’s recipe.
The day I arrived in Los Angeles, I turned on my phone to check what I’d missed in the 5 or so hours I’d been in the air. I noticed I had a message from Alexis and I expected it to be all like ‘I miss you’ or ‘Columbus misses you’ or ‘Columbus is a hole now you’re gone.’
No.
It was not that at all.
It was her lamenting about these no bake cinnamon bun protein bars and how she demanded the recipe.
It made our relationship clear. When it came to food, we all know who wins.
Fail Bloody Whale.
Just kidding, I love a girl who eats and 99% of the time, this girl was eating.
These no bake cinnamon bun protein bars are soft, chewy and so delicious, you won’t believe they are actually healthy…but they are! They are packed full of protein and healthy fats to keep you full and satisfied between meals or if you want something sweet to snack on! The combination of vanilla extract, vanilla protein powder and Saigon cinnamon give it a true cinnamon bun ‘flavor’ but the key is to top it with a slight cinnamon ‘sugar’ made of Norbu (see below) and extra Saigon cinnamon. These healthy no bake cinnamon bun protein bars are naturally gluten free, vegan, dairy free, sugar free and come with a tested grain free and paleo option- Winning!
HACK! I got Alexis hooked on Norbu which is granulated sweetener, similar to Stevia. Unlike stevia, it’s based off the monk fruit sweetener and the best bit? NO BITTER AFTERTASTE! Seriously, after trying stevia for the first time, not even brushing my teeth multiple times could clear my mouth of the aftertaste. Norbu = No bitter aftertaste.
Bueno.
Make these healthy no bake cinnamon bun protein bars and if you ever go to Columbus, please visit Alexis.
I WANT MY DAMN TUPPERWARE WITH 7 CHOCOLATE CHIPS BACK.
- 2 cups gluten free oat flour (For the paleo option, use 1 cup coconut flour)
- ½ cup coconut flour, sifted (Can sub for almond or more oat flour)
- ½ cup vanilla vegan or paleo friendly protein powder
- 1 T Saigon Cinnamon
- 2 T granulated sweetener of choice (I used Norbu)
- ½ cup almond butter (can sub for any nut butter)
- ½ cup brown rice syrup (sub for maple syrup in the paleo version)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 T + dairy free milk of choice*
- Cinnamon Bun 'topping'-
- 1 T Saigon cinnamon
- 2 T granulated sweetener of choice (I used Norbu)
- Line a large baking dish with greased paper and set aside.
- In large microwave safe bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, granulated sweetener and Saigon cinnamon and mix well.
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine the nut butter and liquid sweetener and heat until melted. Add the vanilla extract and pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix well- It should be crumbly.
- Using a spoon, add the dairy free milk of choice one spoonful at a time until a thick, firm batter is formed.
- Transfer to lined baking dish and press firmly. Rub the cinnamon bun topping on it and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- * Depending on the flour/protein powder combination, you may need more or less. I used up to 3/4 cup with the paleo version.
Healthy No Bake Banana Bread Protein Bars
3 Ingredient No Bake Marbled Rice Crispy Treats
3 Ingredient Flourless Brownies
Oh and PS. One last snap of me and Alexis to round out 2015.
Food or Friends….who comes first?
What is your travel snack food? I had a juice box. Not even kidding.
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The cinnamon on these looks so good! I need to make more will-travel snack recipes.
😀 These are so good!
The only problem with these is that they won’t make the entire house smell like cinnamon… send a candle to all who make them.
And Jay-Z learned that from my husband.
YES. I HEART YANKEE CANDLE!
I’ve heard a lot of people say that about stevia, but I’ve never really noticed it. I guess I don’t bake with it too much though. I’ve never heard of Norbu! Do regular stores carry it now?
I think some do, I order it from Amazon 🙂
Never tried Norbu before. I actually have never even heard of monk fruit sweetener until I saw it on your blog. I bought a stevia plant last year and thought I was going to do all kinds of great things with it, but I didn’t. For months, it sad out back with the rest of my herbs, growing larger. Occasionally I’d take off a leaf and lick it, think “mmm, it’s sweet,” then ignore it again. Finally, it died.
Anyway, hope you liked that story. Have a great weekend.
LOL.
Kelly, you are the greatest.
Depends on the food and the friend. If it was cats or food, definitely food. My cat would choose the same. We have an understanding. My travel food is a donut. No trip is complete without a stop at Dunkin Donuts
I love Dunkins- Good choice!
food comes first! for sure lol. My travel foods always involve packets of oatmeal, jars of peanut butter and peanut butter sandwiches. None of this is shocking, I know 😉
Hahahaha. I love it. I was at a hotel a few weeks ago and saw oatmeal, apples and packaged peanut butter. I was like…MEREDITH!
I need to try this magical sugar. I’m trying to use up this protein powder that I got to try but it’s so sickeningly sweet w Stevia but not even a good sweet like when you eat 23543456 chocolate chip cookies.
Seriously, it’s SO versatile!
Urgh. some protein powders are heinous!
I love these bars — no bake and quick to put together! That picture cracked me up! 🙂 And, you are a sweet friend! To answer your question; I always pack a protein bar in my carry-on luggage.
🙂 Hahahaha. But seriously….
One time, the airport took away my protein bars!
Ooh, that’s a toughie….it honestly depends on my mood! I was going to see a horror with my friends, but I really couldn’t pass on Indian food XD no in all seriousness, I’d always support them if they need it! You need both to be happy! I definitely have to try making these cinnamon bun protein bars ASAP! Same with your cookies n’ creme bars!
OMG. Cassie. I need to go to that Indian Buffet!!!!
Ahhhhh you saw?? YES YOU DO!
I still have oodles of your Tupperware.
ahaha you fill them with balls for me 🙂
It depends on my mood whether friends or food come first. If I’m not hungry, friends. If I’m hungry, it’s 50/50. If I’m hangry, it’s food 100%.
Saigon cinnamon ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ God bless Costco.
Hahaha that’s the best answer.
Seriously, BEST cinnamon ever!
Glad I found your site and these these bars sound awesome. I am slowly playing with no bake paleo recipes so will give these a try.
Thanks so much, Evelyne- Glad to have you here!
I’ve been breakfast and lunch prepping for the work week. Looks like I’ve got to make these for snacks this week!! I think I have all the ingreds..
YES- You’ll love it, Jess!
I can be pretty hangry so for the sake of my friends I have to choose food sometimes. And so by choosing food I am basically an outstanding friend! Makes sense?
I NEED to make these soon. Cinnamon <3 <3 <3
P.S. I like the new layout elements
YESSSSS. We are the same people.
Thanks JUUUUUULi. Now if the copycats come out, I will scream.
Food comes first, because without food, I’d have no friends. Come feed me? But not with norbu — it kind of sounds like seaweed to me. Cinnamon me up instead.
Lol! Me and Alexis went through it like water!
These did not work well for me. I used 1cup almond flour (because I have a LOT of it), 1 cup oat flour, 1/2 cup coconut flour. Otherwise did everything as directed. They simply did not hold together. Had to eat them with a spoon. 🙁 Protein powder gave them icky flavor too.
Hi Nanci- As per the instructions, it indicates to use 2 cups oat flour (or 1 cup of coconut flour) and the extra 1/2 cup coconut flour. You added almond flour instead of the oat flour which would have changed the texture dramatically- This is why it didn’t form 🙂 If you can, continue adding some coconut flour then add more liquid. As for the protein taste, that is dependant on what protein powder you use. The 3 I trialled all tasted great.
so is it one and a half cups of coconut flour total? thank you.
Hi Meg! that is correct- Because coconut flour is like a sponge, replacing 2 cups of oat flour for 1 cup of coconut flour is needed. The second line of coconut flour needs to be added too 🙂 Cheers!
I can’t wait to make this recipe! Is there a way to get calorie, fat, protein and carb counts per serving?
Hi Amy! Definitely- if you add the ingredients into a calorie calculator, it will provide it for you 🙂 Enjoy!
What is “Cinnamon Bun Topping”?
Hi there! It’s listed in the ingredients, the cinnamon mixed with the granulated sweetener 🙂 enjoy!
Mine came out kind of sticky. Not stick to my fingers sticky but if I cut one out and held it upright it would slowly fall over and it did stick to the paper towel I was holding it with. And mine didn’t look anything like the picture lol
Hi Julie! I’m so sorry yours came out like that- Did you by any chance use whey? That often is the culprit for the sticky factor!
These are spectacular! Just what I’ve been trying to pull together but haven’t gotten the ratios of ingredients just right. Chewy, nicely sweet, full of protein. Boo Yah you hit a homefun Arman!
😀 Micki! This comment absolutely made my day- Have a fantastic Monday! 🙂
Can’t wait to try these! I absolutely love your blog!!
Thanks so much, Hilary- Glad to have you here! 🙂
How long do these last refrigerated/non refrigerated?
Hey Ryan! I keep them refrigerated for up to 5 days (they only last that long, I eat them regularly), in room temperature, I consume within a day 🙂