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Soft, chewy, and laced with warm cinnamon flavor, these no-bake cinnamon protein bars are SO easy to make…and even easier to eat!
In need of more high-protein snacks? Try my cookie dough protein bars, protein granola bars, protein balls, and cookies and cream protein bars next.
My original homemade protein bar is a staple, but I like experimenting with other flavors. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with my cinnamon roll protein bars.
With over 20 grams of protein and the warming, sweet flavor of pure cinnamon, these bars help me to actually look forward to my workout!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Made in 10 minutes. Spend a few minutes making protein bars for the entire week, and you won’t have to spend a fortune on store-bought, sugar-laden protein bars.
- A no-bake snack. Just 30 minutes in the fridge is all that’s required.
- Vegan and gluten-free. There are no eggs, dairy, gluten, or wheat. You can even cut the carbs if needed, and I’ll explain how later on.
- They taste like a cinnamon roll. They’re thick, soft, and layered with the delicious taste of cinnamon.
Ingredients needed
- Oat flour. Skip the expensive store-bought varieties and make your own with just a bag of oats!
- Coconut flour. To give the bars a cakey, chewy texture. You can also use blanched almond flour.
- Protein powder. I used vanilla whey protein powder. As for the type of protein powder that’s best, I prefer the texture of whey protein.
- Cinnamon. Our key ingredient! I used Saigon cinnamon because it has the best cinnamon flavor.
- Sugar and brown rice syrup. White sugar is used for sweetness, and brown rice syrup is used to help bind the bar batter. If you don’t have brown rice syrup, use maple syrup or honey.
- Almond butter. Smooth, drippy almond butter with no added salt or sugar. Make my homemade almond butter for a quick and affordable fix.
- Vanilla extract. To enhance the flavor.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but any milk works.
- Cinnamon topping. A mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make cinnamon protein bars
Step 1- Prep. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, sugar, and cinnamon.
Step 3- Mix the wet ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the almond flour and brown rice syrup. Add the vanilla and stir to combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until you have a crumbly texture.
Step 4- Add milk. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until a thick, firm batter is formed.
Step 5- Shape and slice. Transfer the mixture to the baking pan and press firmly. Sprinkle the cinnamon topping on top. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then slice into bars.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Save time. Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and save the time spent mixing.
- Adjust the consistency. Depending on the type of flour you use, you may need to add more milk to achieve the right consistency for the bars.
- Get even slices. Coat the knife with cooking spray, then clean the knife after each slice.
Variations
- Cut the carbs. Use sugar-free sweeteners and keto maple syrup.
- Swap the almond butter. Use any type of nut butter. For a nut-free version, use seed butter.
- Add a protein drizzle. For even more protein, mix equal parts protein powder and milk, then drizzle this over the bars.
- Top the bars with sea salt to help enhance the flavor.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you want to prevent them from sticking, wrap them between layers of parchment paper.
To freeze: Store leftover bars in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months.
More high protein treats
- Protein cookie dough
- Snickers protein bar
- Coffee protein shake
- Peanut butter protein balls
- Or any of my protein powder recipes
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.
Cinnamon is my favourite spice. For this recipe I will really try to find the best cinnamon!
Hi Arman. I made these today and they’re absolutely excellent. I’ll be eating them to lose weight and while maintaining. They’re just that good. Thank you.
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 🙂
Can’t wait to try these! I absolutely love your blog!!
Thanks so much, Hilary- Glad to have you here! 🙂
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! 🙂
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!
What is “Cinnamon Bun Topping”?
Hi there! It’s listed in the ingredients, the cinnamon mixed with the granulated sweetener 🙂 enjoy!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
I still have oodles of your Tupperware.
ahaha you fill them with balls for me 🙂
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 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!
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!
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!
Anyone subbed raw honey as a sweetener? We have bees and would prefer use to their honey as our sweetener choice. Would love your thoughts!
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!
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.
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 🙂
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!
The cinnamon on these looks so good! I need to make more will-travel snack recipes.
😀 These are so good!