With an extra layer of marshmallow fluff, this protein cereal bar recipe with cinnamon toast crunch cereal makes the perfect gooey snack. They are ready in just 10 minutes and only require one pot to make. These are the ultimate last-minute treat for yourself or friends, plus they can easily be made dairy-free!
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Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a cereal every kid has at some point while growing up. It's sweet, salty, and crunchy making for the perfect bite or snack. Fun fact though, I only was allowed to have what was considered "sugar cereal" on my birthday and I never picked cinnamon toast crunch.
It wasn't until I met Dan that he introduced me to this tasty cereal. One taste and I knew they would make amazing protein cereal bars, just like our protein fruity pebbles rice crispy treats, and protein rice krispies. Let me show you!
This post is sponsored by the Drink Wholesome company. It contains affiliate links, meaning that I could earn from purchases made through them. It doesn't add any extra cost to you, but it does help support this blog!
Jump to:
- Why these protein cereal bars will make you do the happy food dance
- recipe ingredients
- how to make cereal protein bars (with photo & video!)
- expert tips
- Why use egg white protein powder?
- common questions
- troubleshooting & testing notes
- how to store & meal prep it
- more high protein snack recipes you'll love
- Recipe
Why these protein cereal bars will make you do the happy food dance
- Quick to make and ready in one pot. These protein bars seriously are the best last-minute sweet treat.
- Super gooey thanks to a layer of marshmallow fluff in the middle of the bars. Plus, lots of marshmallows.
- Light and crispy thanks to a little tip when making cereal treats. Don't press the mixture into the pan too hard!
recipe ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make these cinnamon toast crunch protein bars.
notes
- The crunch: Of course, we need cinnamon toast crunch cereal!
- The basics: You will also need marshmallows and butter which are typical of rice cereal treats.
- The extras: Now to make these bars go from good to great, grab a jar of marshmallow fluff and a few chocolate chips.
- The protein: For these protein cereal bars, we chose to use vanilla protein powder from Drink Wholesome because it doesn't have any chalky flavor and has the best ingredient list!
substitutions & variations
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See recipe card for quantities.
- Make them dairy free: Drink Wholesome protein powder is already dairy free so you just need to use margarine or vegan butter.
- Protein powder: Feel free to use a different vanilla protein powder or unflavored collagen peptides. For more information on these two, check out our post on collagen peptides vs whey protein. Please just be aware that the protein powder flavor will be present so use one that you like.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch --> any similar cereal: You can swap the cereal for another cereal like a protein cinnamon cereal, Life cereal, Kix, Cheerios, or similar. Any gluten free version will work too.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
how to make cereal protein bars (with photo & video!)
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full cinnamon toast crunch bar recipe!
- Melt butter over low to medium heat and then add most of the marshmallows
- Turn off the heat and stir in the remaining marshmallows
- Mix in the protein powder
- Mix in the cereal
- Press half of the mixture into an 8x8 pan, gently
- Spread the marshmallow fluff on top
- Then gently press the rest of the cereal mixture on top
- Drizzle with melted chocolate, if desired, and let chill
quick recipe video
expert tips
- No heat for the protein: Egg white protein powder will bake if heated too warm so you have to make sure the heat is off when you mix in the protein powder. We love using Drink Wholesome egg white protein but you'll have a mess if you heat it.
- Save a few marshmallows for later to add a little extra bit to the bars. This is why we don't melt them all at once.
- Use a wet spatula to gently press the cereal into the pan. This way the marshmallow won't stick to it.
- Grease the pan to make it easier to get slices out of the pan.
Why use egg white protein powder?
Egg white protein powder is a great option if you're dairy free. But if you also have a sensitive gut, then that's where the Drink Wholesome comes in.
It's distinct from nearly all other protein brands because it's:
- Additive & dairy-free
- Flavored with real foods (like real vanilla)
- Sweetened with real foods (like maple sugar or monk fruit)
- Made with real foods (not protein concentrates or isolates)
common questions
While technically yes, any vanilla protein will work, but we highly recommend one that you enjoy the taste of. Unflavored collagen peptides will also work!
Mini marshmallows will melt the quickest, but any marshmallow works great.
Use a silicone spatula that is wetted to keep the marshmallow from sticking.
No, but that's what really takes these bars to the next level of ooey gooey goodness!
troubleshooting & testing notes
My cereal bars are very hard and dense.
This happens when the cereal is pressed into the pan too much. This crushes the cereal, filling in any air gaps and thus making the bars dense.
The egg white protein seems to have scrambled.
If this happens, you will have to start over, unfortunately. Egg white protein powder will cook when heated which is why it's so important that the heat is turned off when you add the protein powder.
how to store & meal prep it
room temperature
These protein cereal bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
fridge
This recipe will keep in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 1 week. Just let them sit at room temp for 5-10 minutes to warm up before eating.
frozen
These healthier cereal bars can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months in an air-tight container. Just thaw them the night before you want to eat them in the fridge.
more high protein snack recipes you'll love
Recipe
Gooey Cinnamon Toast Crunch Protein Cereal Bars
Equipment
- 1 large stock pot
- 1 8x8 pan greased
Ingredients
- 8 cups cinnamon toast crunch
- ½ c butter
- 16 oz marshmallows (1 large bag)
- 7 oz marshmallow fluff
- ¼ cups chocolate chips (melted, for drizzling, optional, sugar free works great!)
- ⅔ cup egg white vanilla protein powder (Drink Wholesome preferred or 2 scoops whey protein)
Before you start!
If you make this recipe, please take a moment to leave us a review. We love to hear from you!
Instructions
- Melt ½ c butter over low to medium heat in large non stick pot
- Add most of the 16 oz marshmallows to melted butter and stir continuously over low heat until the marshmallows are almost melted. Using a silicon spatula for this will help keep the marshmallow from sticking to everything.
- Turn off the heat! Then stir in the remaining 16 oz marshmallows and the Add protein powder and stir until dissolved and marshmallows are completely melted
- Remove from heat and add cereal and the ⅔ cup egg white vanilla protein powder
- Gently stir in the 8 cups cinnamon toast crunch until each piece is coated.
- Just barely press half of the mixture into an 8x8 greased pan. Then top with 7 oz marshmallow fluff and the remaining cereal mixture.
- Dirzzlie with melted ¼ cups chocolate chips and let chill long enough to set.
Video
Notes
-
- No heat for the protein: Egg white protein powder will bake if heated too warm so you have to make sure the heat is off when you mix in the protein powder. We love using Drink Wholesome egg white protein but you'll have a mess if you heat it.
- Save a few marshmallows for later to add a little extra bit to the bars. This is why we don't melt them all at once.
- Use a wet spatula to gently press the cereal into the pan. This way the marshmallow won't stick to it.
- Grease the pan to make it easier to get slices out of the pan.
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
Sumit Singh says
Nice article. Thank you very much for the recipe of Protein-Packed Cinnamon Toast Crunch S'mores Bars. These bars are not only tasty but also healthy. They can be made within a half-hour.
Thank you very much for the article. Please keep sharing such information in the future too.
Mika Kinney says
We're glad you like this recipe! Thank you for the kind words.
Amit Sahu says
Protein Packed Cinnamon Toast Crunch is Indeed a really nice breakfast option for all health freak like me. Thank you Dan for writing this article.
Ruth Wilm says
I cannot wait to try the Gooey Cinnamon Toast Crunch Protein Cereal Bars! I think Brad and I will really like them. We will have to cut the recipe in half since they make a lot. It seems to be an easy recipe to follow. I will be sure to rate them after I make them.
Ruth Wilm says
I would not make them again - too sticky. I would leave out the protein powder too. Part of it was my fault. I had a 10 0z. and about a 6 0z.of old marshmallows and they stuck together. Also I had trouble getting my chocolate chips melted. Clean up was a bear!!!
Mika Kinney says
Sorry you didn’t enjoy them. They are definitely very gooey and sticky which is what we love 😋. For easier clean up I always try to use a super duper greased or even lined pan and sometime a glass one. Thanks for trying them!
Brad and Ruth Wilm says
Maybe I would have lined the pan with parchment paper- that would have helped, but Brad and I still did not like the sticky fingers. We cannot wait to try another of Mika's or Dan's cookie recipes.