Healthy Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal

Delicious cinnamon roll oatmeal you can feel super good about eating. This cinnamon roll custard oatmeal gives an extra boost of protein and healthy fats from the added egg, and it comes with all the delicious cinnamon buns flavor. Don’t skip on the 2 ingredient frosting recipe for that perfect amount of sweetness!

Healthy cinnamon roll oatmeal

There is so much deliciousness happening in this cozy bowl of cinnamon bun oatmeal.

Instead of banana as a sweetener (like I typically use in my custard oatmeal recipes), we’re using a combination of applesauce and a little maple syrup. 

What really gives this healthy breakfast its special touch is the cream cheese frosting (sweetened with a little maple syrup!).

I originally created this recipe in 2012 for my hubby who was not excited about the banana in his oatmeal. Since that time, my 4 kids love it now too!

I still make my go-to banana custard oatmeal all the time, but love this cinnamon roll oatmeal recipe to mix things up!

What makes this cinnamon roll protein oatmeal a healthy breakfast choice?

Anytime I can add more protein to our oatmeal, I do it. It just makes better oats.

Protein is a foundational macronutrient that helps us feel fuller longer.

If you eat breakfast and find that you’re hungry an hour later, you may need more protein and/or fat at your meal.

Need help getting more protein into your morning meal? 

Grab my free high-protein breakfast eBook right here!

What you need for classic cinnamon roll oatmeal

Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.

• unsweetened almond milk (here’s how to make your own)
• rolled oats
• unsweetened applesauce
• maple syrup
• vanilla extract
• cinnamon
• sea salt
• egg
• cream cheese
• raisins

How to make cinnamon oatmeal recipes

1. In a small pot over medium heat add the milk, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt. Whisk together and allow the oatmeal to cook for 4-5 minutes, or until it’s started to thicken.
2. Once the oatmeal is looking almost done cooking, add in the egg and whisk for 2-3 minutes. Your cinnamon protein oatmeal should bubble as your cook it so that the egg cooks through.
3. Pour into a bowl.
4. Make the frosting by whisking the cream cheese and maple syrup together in a small bowl until smooth. If your cream cheese isn’t at room temperature, you can warm it to make the whisking process a little bit easier.
5. Drizzle the cream cheese glaze on the top of the oats and top with raisins or chia seeds if desired. Enjoy the way the oatmeal tastes!

Substitutions

Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this homemade cinnamon roll oatmeal recipe. 

If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!

Milk – You can substitute almond milk for any of your favorite milk varieties (dairy or non-dairy), and water can also be used in place of milk. Cashew milk, coconut milk, hemp milk, oat milk, or flaxseed milk are tasty options.

Rolled oats – You can use old-fashioned oats and quick oats here, it will simply cook a lot faster with quick-cooking oatmeal. I wouldn’t recommend instant oatmeal, whole oats (groats), or steel cut oats. If you need to ensure that this recipe is gluten free, use certified gluten-free oats.

Unsweetened applesauce – If you use sweetened applesauce reduce the amount of maple syrup added into the oatmeal.

Maple syrup – Try honey or date syrup in place of maple syrup, or simply omit the maple syrup! Coconut sugar, cinnamon sugar, light brown sugar, or your sweetener of choice would work here too.

Vanilla extract – If you don’t have vanilla extract on hand, it can definitely be left out. A substitute would be vanilla bean paste.

Cinnamon – Cinnamon gives this cinnamon roll oatmeal its distinct flavor. It can be omitted if needed.

Egg – The egg gives the oatmeal a more custard-like texture and makes it extra creamy, however, the addition of the egg is optional. To still have added protein in your delicious cinnamon roll oats, add in protein powder.

Cream cheese – If you need a dairy-free alternative, use dairy-free cream cheese like this option. Greek yogurt can replace half of the cream cheese in the cream cheese mixture.

More easy recipes you’ll love

• Chocolate oatmeal
• Banana custard oatmeal
• Egg white oats
• Banana egg oatmeal pancakes
• Chocolate peanut butter overnight oats

If you try this cinnamon roll oatmeal recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!

XO

Heather

Originally published February 2012. Updated March 2023.