Healthy Cinnamon Buns

Soft and sweet cinnamon buns that are also healthy?  Who says you can’t have your cinnamon bun and eat it too?

There’s nothing like the smell of sweet cinnamon buns baking.  Take a moment to close your eyes and take in a deep breath of that delectable sugar and cinnamon combination…

To make healthier cinnamons buns, simply swap a few healthier ingredients versus what you would normally use and you’re on your way to enjoying a healthy yet delicious treat. 

Healthy substitutions in this recipe:

• Wheat germ in replace of some all-purpose flour
• Agave syrup instead of sugar
• Soy milk instead of whole milk
• Olive oil instead of butter

Why is wheat germ healthy?

• Good source of protein, fiber and healthy fats
• Rich in magnesium, zinc, thiamin, folate
• High in vitamin E

Why is agave syrup healthy?

• Lower glycemic index (GI) value than sugar so the body absorbs it slower

What is soy milk healthy?

• High in protein
• Contains fiber and all nine essential amino acids

Why is olive oil healthy?

• Known to reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels
• May improve heart health and brain function

That’s a lot of good reasons to make these healthy ingredient swaps!

Also in this recipe, we brush agave syrup and sprinkle cinnamon on top instead of making frosting.  I usually find the icing on cinnamon buns to be too sweet.  This way, you save time and a lot of sugar and calories. 

These cinnamon buns are definitely not as decadent as your typical cinnamon buns.  But they are tasty and hits the spot when a craving strikes.   Also, because of the good for you ingredients in the recipe, I feel better when I’m having one 🙂

Next time you crave something sweet, try out these healthy cinnamon buns! 

For more healthy snacks, check out:

• Homemade everything granola bars
• Crunchy honey nut granola bars
• Coconut date energy bars
• Healthy brownies

Healthy Cinnamon Buns

Soft and sweet cinnamon buns that are also healthy? Who says you can’t have your cinnamon bun and eat it too?

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Rise time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8 buns

Equipment

• Stand mixer If no stand mixer, knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes.

Ingredients

  

Rolls

• 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/4 cup wheat germ
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup agave syrup
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 teaspoon yeast
• 3/4 cup soy milk

Filling

• 1/4 cup agave syrup
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Topping

• 4 tablespoon agave syrup
• 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions

 

• In a stand mixer, add flour, wheat germ, olive oil, agave syrup, egg, vanilla extract and yeast.
• Warm up soy milk to 110 °F or 43 °C. Turn the mixer on low speed and slowly add the soy milk until combined.
• Change to the dough hook and turn on low speed until dough forms a ball.
• Place the dough in a greased pot and cover with the lid for 90 minutes.
• Punch the dough. Take it out of the pot and knead on a lightly floured surface a few times.
• Roll out the dough into a long rectangle shape (approximately 15 inches by 8 inches).
• Using a pastry brush, brush agave syrup on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
• Roll the dough tightly to make a 15 inch log.
• Cut log into 8 equal parts.
• Place in a baking tray or a Dutch oven and cover for 20 minutes. Leave some space between the rolls because they will puff up as they rise.
• Top with agave syrup and cinnamon.
• Preheat oven to 375°F or 190°C.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until lightly brown on top.

Keyword Healthy Cinnamon Buns