Protein Cinnamon Rolls

This healthy version of a cinnamon roll is not only low fat and high fiber, but has a boost of protein. The best part, however, is that when you taste this tempting treat, you would never guess that it is actually good for you.

Wait, Healthy Cinnamon Rolls?

You read that correctly, these cinnamon rolls won’t break your diet. In fact, they are healthy enough that you can eat them for breakfast, but sinfully sweet tasting enough that you can have them as a desert. Although not technically “Keto” Cinnamon Rolls, these buns have a high enough fiber to carb content that they could be eaten by someone on a Keto diet. We have made clever swaps in our ingredients so that the junk has been eliminated, not the flavor.

Why You’ll Love Fitness Friendly Cinnamon Rolls

We took the traditional recipe for Cinnamon rolls, threw out all the unhealthy ingredients and replaced them with healthy yet tasty substitutions. First we swapped out all but one tablespoon of the sugars for Swerve and King Arthur, Baking Sugar Alternative, resulting in a dramatic calorie cut that didn’t skimp on flavor. The one Tablespoon is needed for the yeast to rise, and the yeast will eat it, so don’t worry. Next, we replaced traditional white flour with a high fiber substitution, that way the cinnamon rolls will digest more slowly, wont spike your blood sugar, and will result in sustained energy rather than a sugar spike/crash. Next we replaced the butter with healthy Greek yogurt and omitted it in the filling.

Cinnamon Roll Variations

Make them Keto by replacing the buttermilk with unsweetened almond milk, 4 Tablespoons Greek yogurt with 4 Tablespoons of butter, and adding butter into the filling. To do this, simply brush the rolled dough with melted butter instead of coating the dough with cooking spray.
Make them Gluten Free by replacing the King Arthur, Keto Wheat Flour Blend with King Arthur Gluten Free flour, cup for cup.
Make them Paleo by replacing the King Arthur, Keto Wheat Flour Blend with King Arthur, Grain-Free Paleo Baking Flour, replacing the buttermilk with unsweetened almond milk, and replacing the Greek yogurt with unsweetened applesauce.
Make sticky buns by replacing the glaze with Enlightened Caramel Syrup and chopped pecans
Make fruit flavored sticky buns by replacing the filling with Walden Farms fruit spreads, try raspberry, apple butter, orange marmalade, strawberry or blueberry

Pro Tips for the Best Cinnamon Rolls

Don’t over knead your dough. It should be ready to rise when the stickiness is just about gone and it the elasticity has formed. If you over knead it, the dough will be tough.
Don’t rush your rolls. The more time you give the yeast to do its job, the better your end texture will be.
Don’t swap out 100% of the sugar. 1 Tablespoon of sugar is needed for your yeast to rise. Don’t worry, the yeast will eat the sugar, and anything left over from it is less than 1 Tablespoon per 12 servings.
Use brown sugar for you yeast. It will result in more rise.
Don’t cut your rolls before you bake them. By omitting the butter the filling will not stick to the dough as well, and it will fall out easily. Instead, bake them like a loaf and cut them into rolls after.

Storing Protein Cinnamon Rolls

To store our Protein Cinnamon rolls, place left over rolls in an air tight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. They will be good at room temperature for two days, in the refrigerator for two weeks, or in the freezer for two months.