Easy Sugar Cookie Protein Baked Oats (High Protein Cake!)

Name: Sugar Cookie Protein Baked Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Rolled Oats (blended into flour); 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (Whey/Casein blend recommended); 1/2 tsp Baking Powder; 1 pinch Salt; 1/3 cup Almond Milk (unsweetened); 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt (plain non-fat); 1 tbsp Cashew Butter (or almond butter); 1 tsp Vanilla Extract; 1/4 tsp Almond Extract (crucial for cookie flavor!); 1 tsp Sweetener of choice (maple syrup or monk fruit); 1 tbsp Rainbow Sprinkles; 2 tbsp Greek Yogurt; 1 tsp Protein Powder; 1 tsp Milk (to thin)

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Who says you can’t have dessert for breakfast? Imagine diving into a warm, soft-baked sugar cookie straight from the oven, complete with colorful sprinkles and a sweet glaze. Now imagine that cookie is actually a high-protein, fiber-packed breakfast that supports your fitness goals. That’s exactly what these Sugar Cookie Protein Baked Oats are. By blending rolled oats into a fine flour and using a specific combination of almond and vanilla extracts, we recreate that nostalgic “cake batter” flavor in a macro-friendly format.

A ramekin of sugar cookie protein baked oats topped with sprinkles and glaze. — Sugar Cookie Protein Baked Oats Recipe

It’s a fun, festive, and incredibly satisfying way to start your day without the sugar crash. It’s one of the most indulgent recipes in my high protein breakfast ideas series, perfect for when you need a morning treat. If you love dessert-inspired breakfasts like our High Protein Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal, this recipe is going to be your new obsession.

Table of Contents

Overhead view of baked oats with a spoon revealing the fluffy funfetti interior. — Fluffy Funfetti Baked Oats Texture

A Healthy Twist on a Nostalgic Favorite

We all love the taste of a classic sugar cookie—buttery, sweet, and dense. But traditional cookies are loaded with refined flour and sugar. This recipe transforms that craving into a balanced meal. It’s a sugar cookie protein baked oats healthy alternative that uses whole grain oats, high-quality protein powder, and healthy fats to keep you full for hours. It proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or restrictive.

High Protein, High Satisfaction

A standard bowl of oatmeal can sometimes leave you hungry an hour later. By adding protein powder and Greek yogurt, we boost the protein content to over 30 grams per serving. This promotes satiety and muscle recovery, making it an excellent post-workout meal. It’s like eating cake, but your body treats it like fuel.

Fun, Festive, and Customizable

There is something undeniably happy about sprinkles. Making these funfetti baked oats is an instant mood booster on a gloomy morning. Plus, the base recipe is incredibly versatile. You can meal prep it, eat it cold, or customize the toppings. It’s a breakfast that makes you excited to wake up.

Beyond Vanilla: The Almond Extract Hack

Vanilla extract is essential, but the real secret to that bakery-style sugar cookie flavor is Almond Extract. Just a tiny drop gives the oats that distinct, sweet, “wedding cake” aroma that screams “cookie” to your brain. Some bakers also use a drop of Butter Extract to mimic the richness of a traditional cookie without the actual butter.

The Visual Cue: Sprinkles

We eat with our eyes first. Adding rainbow sprinkles (“jimmies”) to the batter turns a beige bowl of oatmeal into a celebration. Look for dye-free or naturally colored sprinkles if you want to keep it strictly clean, but a teaspoon of regular sprinkles won’t hurt and adds massive joy to your morning.

Oat Flour Texture

To get a cookie baked oats texture rather than a chewy oatmeal texture, blending the oats is non-negotiable. Pulverizing rolled oats into a fine flour creates a cake-like crumb that feels indulgent and soft, similar to a muffin or a soft-baked cookie. According to Healthline, oats are incredibly nutritious, packed with fiber and antioxidants, making this “cookie” a heart-healthy choice.

Ingredients for Your High Protein Baked Oats

Ingredients for sugar cookie baked oats: oats, protein, sprinkles, almond butter, yogurt. — Ingredients for Sugar Cookie Baked Oats

The Dry Base: Oats and Protein

Rolled Oats: Old-fashioned oats blend the best. Quick oats can work but may result in a slightly gummier texture.
Protein Powder: A Vanilla Whey/Casein blend (like PEScience or Quest) is superior for baking. Pure whey isolate can dry out baked goods. If you want to make sugar cookie protein baked oats no protein powder, you can substitute equal parts oat flour, but you’ll lose the high-protein benefit unless you add more Greek yogurt on the side.
Baking Powder: Essential for the rise.

The Wet Ingredients: Binder and Liquid

Greek Yogurt: This adds moisture, tang (like buttermilk in a cake), and extra protein. It replaces the oil or butter found in traditional cookies.
Almond Milk: Unsweetened almond milk or cashew milk works great. Cashew milk is creamier and enhances the cookie vibe.
Sweetener: A little maple syrup or a granulated monk fruit sweetener keeps the sugar low while providing the necessary sweetness.

The Fat: Nut Butter

A tablespoon of Cashew Butter or Almond Butter adds richness. Cashew butter is particularly good here because it has a very neutral, cookie-dough-like flavor compared to peanut butter.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake the Perfect Oatmeal

Step 1: Blend the Oats

A blender cup filled with finely ground oat flour. — Blended Oat Flour in Blender

Start by placing your rolled oats into a high-speed blender or food processor. Blitz them until they form a fine powder (oat flour). This ensures your final result is cakey, not chunky.

Step 2: Mix the Wet and Dry

Thick oat batter in a bowl with rainbow sprinkles on top. — Sugar Cookie Oat Batter with Sprinkles

Add your protein powder, baking powder, pinch of salt, Greek yogurt, almond milk, cashew butter, and extracts (vanilla and almond) to the blender. Blend again until a smooth, thick batter forms. It should look like cake batter. This method makes baked oats with protein powder incredibly easy—just one blender to clean!

Step 3: The Fun Part (Sprinkles!)

Raw sugar cookie oat batter in a ramekin topped with extra sprinkles. — Unbaked Sugar Cookie Oats in Ramekin

Pour the batter into a greased ramekin or small baking dish. Now stir in your sprinkles by hand. Do not blend them, or they will break up and turn your batter a muddy gray color. Save a few extras to sprinkle on top for aesthetics.

Step 4: Bake to Soft-Set

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes. The key is to bake until the top is set and golden, but the center creates a slight resistance when pressed. You don’t want it bone dry; a little fudginess in the center mimics a soft-baked cookie perfectly.

A Healthy Glaze That Hardens

Thick white protein icing drizzled over the baked oats. — Protein Sugar Cookie Icing Drizzle

You can’t have a sugar cookie without icing. Mix 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt with 1 teaspoon of vanilla protein powder and a tiny splash of milk. Stir until it’s a drizzling consistency. Drizzle this over your warm baked oats. As it cools, it will firm up slightly, just like real cookie icing. It adds a creamy, sweet finish that ties the whole dish together. If you love frosted breakfasts, don’t miss my High Protein Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal which features a thick, cream cheese-style protein frosting.

Variations and Customizations

Strawberry Shortcake Baked Oats

Add 1/2 cup of chopped fresh strawberries to the batter before baking. The fruit creates jammy pockets of sweetness. This high protein strawberry baked oats variation is perfect for spring and summer. For a no-cook fruity option, try our High Protein Loaded Cereal Bowl.

Chocolate chip cookie baked oats with melted chocolate chips on top. — Chocolate Chip Cookie Baked Oats

Swap the sprinkles for chocolate chips (white chocolate or dark chocolate). It turns the recipe into a classic chocolate chip cookie cake.

Snickerdoodle Baked Oats

Omit the almond extract and sprinkles. Instead, roll a spoonful of the batter in cinnamon sugar (or sprinkle heavily on top) before baking. The crackly cinnamon top is irresistible. If you love this flavor profile, you also need to try our High Protein Gingerbread Overnight Oats for a cold version. Or, for a creamy, drink-inspired breakfast, check out my High Protein Eggnog Overnight Oats.

Cooking Methods: Oven vs. Air Fryer vs. Microwave

The Oven Method (Best Texture)

Baking at 350°F gives you the most consistent, cake-like texture with an even rise. It takes about 20-25 minutes.

Protein Baked Oats Air Fryer (Fast & Crispy)

If you’re in a rush, the air fryer is your friend. Bake at 325°F (lower temp is key to prevent burning) for 8-12 minutes. Protein baked oats air fryer style tends to get a crispier “crust” on top while staying gooey inside, which many people prefer.

The Microwave Mug Cake (Speed)

For an instant breakfast, microwave the batter in a mug for 90 seconds to 2 minutes. It won’t get golden brown, but it will satisfy the craving in a fraction of the time.

Can I make this without protein powder?

Yes! For sugar cookie protein baked oats no protein powder, replace the protein powder with an equal amount of extra oat flour (about 2-3 tbsp) and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract. You might want to add an egg white to boost the protein content back up.

Can I make this vegan or egg-free?

This recipe is naturally egg-free if you use the yogurt binder method (protein baked oats no egg). To make it vegan, simply use a plant-based protein powder and dairy-free yogurt/milk.

Can I meal prep this?

Yes! You can bake 3-4 of these at once, let them cool, and store them in the fridge. They eat like cold cake or can be reheated. This makes sugar cookie protein baked oats overnight prep a breeze. Mentioning savory meal prep? Our High Protein Pancake Sausage Mini Muffins are another great batch-cook option.

Is this actually healthy?

Yes. Unlike a real sugar cookie which provides empty calories, this meal provides complex carbs, fiber, and high-quality protein. The USDA confirms that rolled oats are a good source of minerals like manganese and phosphorus. It’s a balanced meal masquerading as dessert.

A festive breakfast setting with sugar cookie baked oats and a glass of milk. — Celebration Birthday Cake Oatmeal

A Celebration on a Spoon

Life is too short for boring breakfast. These Sugar Cookie Protein Baked Oats allow you to celebrate every morning with a meal that tastes like a birthday party but fuels you like an athlete. It’s sweet, satisfying, and simple.

Make It Tomorrow Morning

Gather your sprinkles and your protein powder. In less than 30 minutes, you can be eating a warm, frosted sugar cookie for breakfast. And when you’re craving a comforting, high-protein dinner to balance out your sweet morning, check out our High Protein Creamy Lasagna Soup. Alternatively, for another dessert-like bake, try our Protein French Toast Casserole.