Soft, chewy, and incredibly delicious, these healthy cinnamon protein bars are easy to make and don’t require baking.
We love making our own protein bars around here.
Our original homemade protein bar recipe is a staple, but we also like to try out other flavors. These include banana, cookie dough, and these cinnamon protein bars.
Why this recipe works
- Made in 10 minutes. Spend a few minutes to make protein bars for the entire week and you won’t have to buy protein bars with unhealthy additives and lots of added sugar.
- A no-bake recipe. This recipe doesn’t require baking. Chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and they are ready to be enjoyed.
- Vegan and gluten-free. Made without dairy or eggs, these are suitable for a vegan and gluten free diet.
If you love cinnamon-flavored treats, then these cinnamon protein bars are certainly something up your alley. Give these bars a try and they will become one of your favorite protein-rich snacks ever.
Ingredients needed
This recipe calls for simple pantry staple ingredients. Here is what you’ll need:
- Oat flour. Skip the expensive store-bought varieties and make your own.
- Coconut flour. Substitute it for almond flour if you like.
- Protein powder. I like using a vanilla-flavored protein powder but unflavored also works.
- Cinnamon. To flavor the cinnamon bars.
- Sweeteners. You will need some granulated sweetener as well as some brown rice syrup.
- Almond butter. Any other nut butter will work too.
- Vanilla extract. To make the flavor of cinnamon bars richer.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk but any milk works.
For the topping:
- Cinnamon
- Granulated sweetener of choice. White sugar, brown sugar, or even a sugar substitute.
How to make cinnamon protein bars
Only a few minutes of mixing and these cinnamon protein bars are ready to be enjoyed. Here’s how you make them.
Step 1 – Combine the dry ingredients
Add flour, protein powder, granulated sweetener, and cinnamon to a large bowl and mix well to combine.
Step 2 – Melt the nut butter and combine all ingredients
Add the nut butter and liquid sweetener to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until fully melted. Add the vanilla extract and pour the melted nut mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix well. At this point, the mixture should be crumbly. Add the milk one spoonful at a time and mix until a firm mixture is formed.
Step 3 – Press the mixture into the pan and chill
Press the mixture into a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Rub on the cinnamon topping and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until fully set. Once set, cut into slices and enjoy.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Depending on the type of flour you use, you may need to add more milk to achieve the right consistency for the bars.
- Coat the knife with cooking spray to be able to slice the bars without sticking. Wipe the knife clean after each slice.
- If you want to increase the amount of protein per bar, drizzle them with a protein drizzle. For the protein drizzle, simply mix equal parts of protein powder and milk.
Storage instructions
To store: Store these cinnamon protein bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. You may want to wrap the bars with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking to each other.
To freeze: You can also freeze cinnamon protein bars for 2 to 3 months. When you are ready to eat them, remove the bars from the freezer and allow them to thaw and soften.
More protein bar recipes to try
- Keto protein bars
- Coconut protein bars
- Snickers protein bars
- Chocolate protein bars
- Paleo protein bars
Frequently asked questions
There are 188 calories and 10 grams of protein in each of these homemade cinnamon bars.
As these protein bars use oat flour and several sweeteners, they are not suitable for a low carb diet.
Cinnamon Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups oat flour
- ½ cup coconut flour can sub for more oat flour or almond flour
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
- 2 tablespoon sugar any granulated sweetener works
- ½ cup almond butter can sub for any nut butter
- ½ cup brown rice syrup or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk I used unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, sugar, and cinnamon and mix well.
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine the almond butter and brown rice syrup 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 milk one spoonful at a time until a thick, firm batter is formed. Add more if neeed.
- Transfer the protein bar mixture to the lined baking dish and press firmly. Rub the cinnamon bun topping on it and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
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.