High-Protein Cinnamon Swirl Oats (Printable Version)

A cozy protein-rich baked oats dish with cinnamon swirl and crumbly topping, perfect for mornings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Oat Base

01 - 2 cups rolled oats
02 - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese or Greek yogurt
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 scoop (1 oz) vanilla protein powder
05 - 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
06 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Cinnamon Swirl

10 - 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar
11 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

→ Crumble Topping

12 - 1/3 cup rolled oats
13 - 2 tablespoons almond flour or all-purpose flour
14 - 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar
15 - 2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
16 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
17 - Pinch of salt

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a blender, combine all oat base ingredients. Blend until mostly smooth while maintaining some oat texture.
03 - Pour half of the blended oat mixture into the prepared baking dish.
04 - In a small bowl, combine coconut sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle half of this mixture evenly over the oat layer in the dish.
05 - Spread remaining oat mixture over the cinnamon layer. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon swirl mixture on top.
06 - In a separate bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and salt. Mix with a fork until crumbly texture forms.
07 - Distribute crumble topping evenly over the oat mixture. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes until center is set and top is golden brown.
08 - Allow cake to cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature with Greek yogurt or fresh berries if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It actually tastes like cinnamon coffee cake, not like you're eating a protein shake in oat form.
  • Meal prep gold—make it once and have breakfast sorted for days.
  • High protein without feeling like a chore, because it genuinely satisfies.
02 -
  • If you skip the blending step and just mix by hand, you'll end up with an uneven texture—the blender actually matters here.
  • Don't overbake this or it gets dry; the center should still have a tiny bit of jiggle when you take it out.
03 -
  • Let your butter cool slightly before mixing it into the crumble or you'll end up with greasy clumps instead of a nice crumbly texture.
  • If your center isn't set after 30 minutes, tent it loosely with foil to prevent the top from getting too dark while the middle finishes.
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