This cinnamon roll protein smoothie is made with banana, cinnamon and protein powder and is a delicious way to enjoy your post workout smoothie.
*This recipe originally appeared in 2014, but has since been updated with new photos by Ellie.
I asked you all on Instagram which recipe you wanted to see, and you chose this cinnamon roll protein smoothie.
I’ve been on a huge cinnamon kick lately. If a recipe needs a little something extra, I just add cinnamon (like this tequila sour). Rather than adding cinnamon to a smoothie, I wanted to make cinnamon the star of the show. And so I present to you this cinnamon protein smoothie. This smoothie legit tastes like Cinnabon, and I’m not just saying that. You know when people claim that their kale smoothie tastes like a brownie and you’re thinking that’s impossible? Yeah, well this LEGIT tastes like a cinnamon roll. Speaking of Cinnabon, how do they do it? You walk through the mall’s food court and, while there are several different restaurants, the smell of Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls/sticks/deliciousness trumps them all. This smoothie is basically a cinnamon roll minus the dough plus a blender. And a little bit healthier, too.
Cinnamon roll protein smoothie ingredients
There are a few key ingredients you need in order to whip up this banana cinnamon smoothie. However, the first thing you need is a quality blender. Up until two years ago, I always purchased low-quality, cheaper blenders because I didn’t want to splurge on something like a blender. Well friends, I’m here to say that it’s well worth it! I bought this KitchenAid blender and it’s held up so well and blends anything and everything so easily. Other things you’ll need in order to make this smoothie include:
Protein powder
If you have a favorite protein powder, feel free to use it in this recipe. I used vanilla-flavored protein powder and thought it worked perfectly.
Yogurt
You can go a few different routes with the yogurt in this recipe. You can use plain Greek yogurt if you want a thicker smoothie and/or if that’s what you have on hand. Alternatively, you can use dairy free yogurt if you’re looking to keep this smoothie vegan. Almond, coconut or soy-based should yogurts will all work well in this recipe.
Liquid
Personally, I prefer using milk over water because I think it A) makes the smoothie a little thicker and B) adds a little extra flavor. I tend to use unsweetened almond milk, however, you’re more than welcome to use water instead if that’s your style.
Banana, cinnamon, ice
Aka the good stuff! Substitution: if you want to keep this smoothie banana-less, you can use 1/2 cup raw cashews instead. Ideally, the cashews will be soaked, which makes them blend up more easily and easier to digest too, but if you’re in a pinch, regular raw cashews will be fine. The ice will make the smoothie extra cold and again, a little bit thicker. As for the cinnamon, play around with the amount you use. I found 1/2 teaspoon to be enough, but you can absolutely add more if you prefer.
I hope you love this cinnamon smoothie as much as I do!
Other healthy smoothie recipes
PrintCinnamon Roll Protein Smoothie
This Cinnamon Roll Protein Smoothie tastes like a Cinnabon cinnamon roll but it’s good for you–perfect for that post workout treat!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1
- Category: drinks
- Method: blender
- Cuisine: smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt*
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 6 ice cubes
Instructions
- Place ingredients into a blender and pulse until everything is smooth.
- Enjoy!
Notes
*For vegan option, use plain coconut milk or almond milk yogurt
Keywords: smoothie, protein smoothie, cinnamon smoothie
Q: When was the last time you ate Cinnabon? Coconut/almond milk yogurt: yay or nay? Can you ever have too much cinnamon?
I left out the ice, added a dash of nutmeg and vanilla extract, and added 1/4 cup rolled oats, and it came out creamy, delicious, and overall AMAZING. Thank you for the inspo.
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Oh wow! This protein shake looks delicious with the addition of the yogurt, extracts, and cinnamon. Definitely perfect for a hot summer day.
Jack Smith recently posted…How Long Do Avocados Last? – Keeping Avocados Fresh and Tasty
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Delicious!
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This will help me to avoid buy a cinnamon rolls that is not gluten free. I do like cinnamon rolls but now will take the healthy one!
Andrew recently posted…Determining the Best Blender for Crushing Ice & Frozen Foods
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I have a 5 year old who is the pickiest eater on the planet. No joke! He will eat one thing one day and the next time I make it won’t for one reason or another. I’m trying anything to get him to eat. My question is, do you taste the banana? I’ve just realized he doesn’t like bananas. I made him a blueberry smoothie but he won’t drink it because He can taste the banana.
Hi! You can kind of taste the banana (to my memory–I haven’t made this exact smoothie in awhile). You could either add a little more cinnamon, or you could try using cashews as a base instead of banana if he’s not allergic to nuts. Let me know if you try it/if he likes it!
What is the calorie count?
allison recently posted…Paleo Passion Pops Giveaway
I think her calorie count is WAY off. When I add the first two ingredients into myfitnesspal’s recipe builder, it already comes out to 255 calories, and that’s not even including the yogurt or the milk.
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The ingredients you didn’t include have the lowest amount of fat. Unsweetened almond milk is around 30cal, and 1/4 cup of greek yogurt is 50cal. So I wouldn’t say WAY off, but probably around 310 as opposed to 238.
Do you know how many grams of protein this is?
Love this! Always looking for new delicious smoothie recipes. And I love that the protein content is so high! Perfect 🙂
Michelle @ Modern Acupuncture recently posted…The Top Five Acupuncture Marketing Posts of 2015
Do you have to add the protein powder? How much would it affect the taste or consistency if you left it out?
Hi Donna! You don’t have to include the protein if you don’t want to… it wont change the consistency but ‘t will change the taste a bit, but only in a sense that it won’t taste AT ALL like protein powder. Try it and let me know what you think!
I just started using ceylon cinnamon. I use it in coffee, greek yogurt, on apple slices – I’m quite a fan as well!
I think you can have too much cinnamon when people do those cinnamon challenges and die. So it could be a thing…
Cassie recently posted…Scenes from #FUNEMPLOYMENT
LOLOLOL. Druga, check out my Tuesday post comments. And get ready to lol.
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…When the snack monster hits
Wow looks delicious! I’m a huge fan of cinnamon roll flavored anything..or fall flavors in general! 🙂
xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
Sarah Grace recently posted…Cookie Dough Frozen Yogurt in Quest Bar Cookie Cups {video included!}
I have a little bit of an addiction to cinnamon. There is no such thing as too much – seriously. 🙂 I’ll have to try this!
Diane @ Life of Di. recently posted…Baby Boden: Maternity Photos.
I loveeee cinnamon, as in I legit put it on food at almost every meal. Can’t get enough of it!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness recently posted…10 Yoga Poses I’m Loving
I put cinnamon on everything! Which protein powder do you use? Protein can really make or break a recipe… I’ve had a few too many that tasted super blah! 🙁
Emily @ Sweets and Beets recently posted…Gift Card Game
I agree! Have you tried Skoop? I used their vanilla powder and it’s A LOT better than the whey protein I used to use.
How many carbs in this drink?
Um okay hello delicious! I saw this on facebook and instantly came over to your blog to check it out because I have yet to see a healthy cinnamon roll smoothie recipe! Totally pinning and making tomorrow after my workout 🙂
Thanks for stopping by 🙂 I hope you liked the smoothie!
HUGE cinnamon fan over here! That looks amazing!!
Kirtley @The Gist of Fit recently posted…Finding motivation to work out
This looks insanely delicious!! I am also a cinnamon fiend.
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon recently posted…Spicy Arugula & Chicken Soup
OH NO! I thought everything at autosave these days. Boo!
But, this smoothie looks bomb, and your pour shot is great sooo at least that’s something.
p.s. I have a tripod and my action shots still suck so yay you!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth recently posted…5 Tips for Preparing for a Virtual Blog Conference
Thank you! Trust me when I say I took MANY shots before I got one that was decent.
You can nevverrrr have too much cinnamon! I like the taste of coconut milk, and almond milk is fine, but this summer i switched back to regular milk mostly because of its higher protein content.
Nicole @ Squash on Squash recently posted…Pumpkin and Squash in Philadelphia + An Exciting Announcement
Oh heck yeah, I just realized I have all of this stuff in my kitchen RIGHT NOW. Must remember to make this tomorrow. I’ve been eating the same breakfast for like the last 10 days, so I feel like it’s time to make something new haha.
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food recently posted…A peaceful and relaxing weekend
OH YUM! You know what is funny, after my marathon, I really was not very hungry, but I said to steve “you know what does sound good right now? A Cinnabon” hahaha that was all I really wanted….yet did not get one! They are SO good, so if this smoothie tastes like one, I would like one RIGHT NOW!
Tina Muir recently posted…Meatless Monday- Homemade Whole Wheat Bread
Hahahah that’s awesome. You can’t help what you crave! This smoothie isn’t quite the same as an actual cinnamon roll of course, but I like to think it’s close!
I love cinnamon and smoothies so this sounds perfect! I like that it doesn’t have a ton of ingredients either. Just simple 🙂
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections recently posted…Apple Butter, Breakfast Bake, & Bedroom Changes
there can never be too much cinnamon!! LOVE it!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…To Mom’s (and Dad’s): What You Do Matters
that’s like the worst feeling ever!! But you did good –> this recipe. Um, ya. I’ll take it any day.. cinnamon roll is the best flavor EVER
Losing a post is the worst! That’s happened to me before. It’s SO frustrating! On the up side, this smoothie looks fabulous, and I just so happen to have all the ingredients. Can’t wait to try it!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat recently posted…Week 36 – Still Pregnant
You know what’s the worst? I can’t actually eat Cinnabon because of allergies, so I’m constantly having to deal with it teasing and never pleasing whenever I walk through the mall. Ugh. Horrible. At least there’s still the option to put cinnamon in ALL the things!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. link love 10/12 .
Oh nooooo that is the worst! Stay clear of the food court.
I have also been on a huge cinnamon kick lately and I just bought pumpkin spice from TJ’s which is also fantastic and would be great in this recipe!
Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate recently posted…Wedding Recap: Getting Ready
I love that stuff!
one of my biggest annoyances in the blog world is when someone claims a recipe tastes like this or that, when in reality, it’s no where close! Haha! However, since I adore you, I”ll take your word & believe you on this one 🙂
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