This recipe combines the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon and vanilla with a hint of sweetness of a treat. It is packed with protein,  gluten-free and has just the right amount of creamy icing.

I am a big fan of cinnamon rolls but for multiple years I couldn’t eat any flour at all. Which lead to creating this recipe.

I’ve improved it a little and added some protein in the form of cottage cheese. Now that’s the kind treat that’s both healthy and delicious.

And the kids absolutely love it too! Show me a kid that doesn’t love cinnamon rolls, I haven’t found one.

So, when they’re asking for a treat, make this instead as it’s packed with nutrition. You can use the same trick on your husbands too. 😉

Each serving has around 18g of protein and I’ve added collagen powder in addition to the cottage cheese to do that.

Partly because collagen does improve your skin over time, and because it tastes much better than your regular protein powder (in my humble opinion at least!).

Ingredients and Substitutes

Egg (1) – If you want a plant-based option, you can substitute with flax eggs.

Cottage cheese (1/4 cup) – Plan Greek yogurt is a great alternative.

Milk (1/3 cup): You can use any milk you like, such as almond milk, oat milk, or regular milk.

Maple syrup (1 tsp) – Swap for honey or agave, or a sugar-free syrup to reduce the sugar and carb content.

Oat flour (1/2 cup) – For a low-carb option, substitute with almond flour.

Hydrolysed collagen (2 tbsp) – You can replace with protein powder.

Baking powder (1/2 tsp)

Cinnamon (a pinch) – Try using pumpkin spice for a different flavor.

CINNAMON SWIRL

Batter (2 tbsp)

Butter (1 tbsp) – You can use ghee or coconut oil.

Brown sugar (1 tbsp) – Replace with coconut sugar if you don’t have brown sugar.

Cinnamon (1 tsp)

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Full-fat cream cheese (1 tbsp) – Use vegan cream cheese for a plant-based option.

Milk (1 tsp) – Choose the milk you prefer.

Vanilla extract (1/4 tsp)

Maple syrup (1 tbsp) – You can also use honey or agave.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Pancake Bowl

Step 1. Heat your oven to 360°F. Grab a meal prep container (that’s oven-safe) and whisk the egg.

Add the milk, cottage cheese, and maple syrup. Give everything a good mix.

Step 2. Add the oat flour, collagen, baking powder, and cinnamon. Combine all the ingredients thoroughly to create the batter.

Step 3. Take out two tablespoons of the batter and place them in another bowl. Mix it with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Grab a Ziplock bag and fill it with the cinnamon swirl mix. Cut the edge of the Ziploc bag and create a swirl on the batter.

Step 4. Place it in the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes.

Step 5. While the batter is baking, add cream cheese, milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup to another bowl. This is going to be the icing.

Step 6. Combine everything until it’s a smooth mix.

Step 7. Grab the cream cheese frosting and cover the cinnamon roll when the bowl is ready.

Step 8. Serve it immediately while it’s hot.

How I Modify This Bowl

• Boost The Protein: Add an extra tablespoon of hydrolyzed collagen or use whey protein to replace some of the oat flour.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Use almond flour instead of oat flour and erythritol or monk fruit sweetener in the cinnamon swirl and icing.
• Vegan Option: Replace the egg with flaxseed or chia seed egg, swap the cottage cheese with dairy-free yogurt, and use vegan cream cheese for the topping.
• Add Some Crunch: Add some texture by including crushed almonds, walnuts, or cacao nibs.

My Storage Tips

If you happen to have leftovers (although I doubt it), you can place them in an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Want to keep them for longer?

Wrap them in individual portions in plastic wrap (or foil) and place them in a freezer-safe bag. As a tip, make sure you freeze them without the cream cheese icing. You can add the icing after reheating them.

When you are ready to have them, you can reheat them in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or place them in the oven at 300°F for a couple of minutes.

My Other Breakfast Ideas

• Protein Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal
• Baked Oatmeal with Berries
• Tiramisu Protein Overnight Oats