Indulge in the warm, spicy flavor of a cinnamon roll with these high-protein cottage cheese muffins. This is the perfect recipe when you want a savory treat for breakfast or for your afternoon coffee.

I love running errands. I know it’s something weird to say, but it’s something I enjoy doing.

Every time I go out, I have the opportunity to pass by my favorite bakery. Every time, I am filled with the warm and comforting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls.

I know you’ve all been there.

But if you are on a health journey like me, this aroma (that we all love) can become a temptation.

So, if you are craving a roll but want to keep up with your health goals, these easy cinnamon roll cottage cheese muffins are for you.

This recipe was born from a desire to create a healthier breakfast treat or something to have along with my afternoon cup of coffee.

What I love about these is that they perfectly capture the sweet, spiced essence of a classic cinnamon roll, but in a convenient, high-protein muffin form.

But what makes these truly special?

It’s all about the cottage cheese.

The cottage cheese melts away during baking, leaving behind an incredibly moist texture and giving you a protein boost. And, it’s blended with ripe bananas and creamy peanut butter to create the ultimate tender crumb.

Ingredients and Substitutes

WET INGREDIENTS

Ripe bananas (3 medium) – You can use unsweetened applesauce (1 cup) or pumpkin puree as an alternative.

Eggs (2) – Replace with flaxseed or chia seed eggs (1 tbsp of seeds with 2.5 tbsp of water per egg).

Cottage cheese (½ cup) – Swap with plain Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese.

Peanut butter, creamy (½ cup) – You can use any nut butter of your liking, like almond or cashew butter. If you want a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter.

Butter, room temperature (2 tbsp) – Use coconut oil, ghee, or avocado oil as a replacement.

Maple syrup (¼ cup) – Feel free to use honey, agave syrup, or a sugar-free option.

Vanilla extract (1 tbsp) – You can also use vanilla bean paste or almond extract for a different flavor profile.

DRY INGREDIENTS

Whole wheat flour, or all-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups) – Replace with almond flour for a keto-friendly version or oat flour for a gluten-free alternative.

Vanilla protein powder (1/4 cup) – You can also use cinnamon roll-flavored protein powder or unflavored. If you don’t have any protein powder, just substitute for regular flour.

Baking soda (1½ tsp)

Salt (½ tsp)

Cinnamon Swirl

Cinnamon (2 tbsp)

Butter, melted (2 tbsp) – Use melted coconut or ghee.

Maple syrup (1 tbsp)

GLAZE

Greek yogurt (3 tbsp) – Swap with cream cheese or a vegan yogurt alternative.

Maple syrup (1 tbsp)

Vanilla extract (1 tsp) – You can also use a bit of coconut essence.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cottage Cheese Muffins

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a 12-muffin tin tray with liners and spray them with oil to cover the bottom and the sides.

Place the bananas into the food processor.

Step 2. Add the rest of the wet ingredients.

Step 3. Pulse or blend until they are all combined. Pour the mix into a large bowl.

Step 4. Grab a medium bowl and add all the dry ingredients.

Step 5. Give the dry ingredients a good stir.

Step 6. Sift the dry ingredients into the wet ones. However, make sure you do it in four batches to ensure it all gets mixed evenly.

Step 7. Once you combine the dry and wet ingredients, you should be left with a thick batter.

Step 8. Now, transfer the batter to the 12 muffin tins.

Step 9. Grab a small bowl and combine all the cinnamon swirl ingredients.

Step 10. Add some of the cinnamon swirl on top of the batter. Then, grab a knife and swirl the top of the muffin to create a cinnamon roll effect.

Step 11. Grab another small bowl and add the glaze ingredients. 

Step 12. Give the ingredients a good stir.

Step 13. Place the muffins in the oven and bake them for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. When they are already cooked, take them out of the oven.

Step 14. Let the muffins cool down for 5-10 minutes. Then, drizzle each muffin with the glaze.

How I Would Modify This Recipe

• Add Some Crunch: Try adding ½ cup of pecans or walnuts into the batter for a delicious crunch.
• Boost the Fruit: Add some diced apples or shredded carrots to create a unique cinnamon muffin.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon swirl to give it a more complex flavor.

My Storage Tips

To store these delicious muffins, place them in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.

Now, if you want to keep them for longer (good for you for practicing portion control), you can place them in the fridge and keep them there for up to 7 days.

And, if you want to have them for meal prep, you can place them in a freezer-safe container and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat them, place them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.

Other Cottage Cheese Recipes

• High Protein Cinnamon Rolls with Cottage Cheese
• Flourless Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
• Flourless Chocolate Cake with Cottage Cheese