Cinnamon Protein Waffles – Gluten-Free, Low-carb

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Fuel up for your day with Cinnamon Protein Waffles, a quick and easy protein powder breakfast idea that tastes decadent enough to be dessert yet is packed with protein, lower in carbs, and boasts no added sugar. Plus, gluten-free, vegetarian and paleo-friendly.

A single-serving batch of Cinnamon Protein Waffles can be whipped up in minutes to help fuel you’re the day’s adventures (or endless task of errands, by default). Gluten-free, no added sugar, and low in carbs. Simple to scale up for meal prep and store in freezer.

A protein waffle recipe for one, a single batch makes either four waffles in a mini waffle iron, or one large waffle in a traditional (4-square) waffle iron. And, let me mention from experience – eating all four waffles is VERY filling and the macros are amazing. The entire batch is only 222 calories, with 9g carb, 8g fat and 27g protein. Toppings are extra though, please note!

A single-serving batch of Cinnamon Protein Waffles can be whipped up in minutes to help fuel you’re the day’s adventures (or endless task of errands, by default). Gluten-free, no added sugar, and low in carbs. Simple to scale up for meal prep and store in freezer.   For more protein powder recipes and easy breakfast ideas, visit thefitfork.com
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The featured ingredient in this cinnamon protein powder waffle is, you guessed it . . . protein powder! Use the protein powder product of your choice, but I am a fan of the plant-based Clean Lean Protein from Nuzest (I used the Smooth Vanilla flavor for this recipe). Here’s a Nuzest protein powder coupon (also good for their other nutrition products) – THEFITFORK15

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Other Ingredients in Simple Cinnamon Protein Waffles:

Green Banana Flour:  This alternative “flour” is packed with minerals, loaded with gut-helping prebiotics and can help reduce your glycemic load. It’s also naturally gluten-free. You may swap in an equal amount of another flour, if preferred.  Like a coconut flour, oat flour, a gluten-free blend, or traditional wheat flours.

Egg: The incredible, edible egg adds 6g of protein to this recipe and help keep the waffles ligher and fluffier – not like some sort of protein powder brick.

Almond Milk: or, another unsweetened milk alternative

Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon is an amazing superfood spice! I like using Ceylon Cinnamon, referred to by many as the one “true cinnamon.” It offers a great source of cinnamaldehyde, the essential oil that provides the signature cinnamon flavor and smell – along with assisting in certain metabolic, infections, digestive and/or respiratory disorders.  The studies with cinnamon that have grabbed my attention is how the spice can help lower blood sugar, and thusly may have positive implications for those with/or avoiding diabetes and metabolic syndromes.

Making Cinnamon Protein Waffles:

Start by whisking egg in a small bowl and then stir in the remaining ingredients.

The batter should be a medium thickness, meaning “pourable” but not too runny. If your batter seems too gloppy, add more almond milk (a teaspoon at a time). If too thin, add more flour, a half-teaspoon at a time.

Make sure to pre-heat waffle iron. My protein waffles did not stick to the iron at all, but it was a new mini waffle iron, with non-stick coating. If needed, oil or spray the waffle iron plates as needed.

Meal Prepping and Freezing Waffles with Protein Powder:

To freeze cinnamon protein waffles, allow them to cool completely, in a single layer. If you used a large waffle iron, pull them apart along the perforation to make single pieces. Place waffles on pan in the freezer for about an hour to “pre freeze.” This will keep them from ultimately sticking together in the bag.

Transfer partially frozen cinnamon waffles into a zip-top bag or storage container and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

You can reheat frozen waffles in the toaster. Or, also in an oven preheated to 350F for 10 minutes, or air-fryer set at 390 F for 5 minutes or until thoroughly warmed and crispy.

Although this vanilla protein powder waffle recipe is written for a individual portion, you can meal prep it my simply multiplying how many servings you’d like. For example, 1 1/3 cup of protein powder, 4 eggs, 1 cup almond milk, ¼ cup green banana flour and 1 tsp baking soda would allow you to meal prep protein waffles and stock your freezer for busy mornings.

Optional Apple Maple Topping for Cinnamon Protein Waffles :

A single-serving batch of Cinnamon Protein Waffles can be whipped up in minutes to help fuel you’re the day’s adventures (or endless task of errands, by default). Gluten-free, no added sugar, and low in carbs. Simple to scale up for meal prep and store in freezer.

Need protein waffle topping ideas?! On of my favorites is the sugar-free maple apple topping you see in the photo below. Simply dice up 1/4 of an apple and microwave with a pat of butter until softened. Then, stir in 1/4 cup sugar-free maple flavored syrup before drizzling all over your cinnamon waffles with protein powder.

Double Chocolate Protein Waffles

AND, if you’re a chocolate fan, you’ll not want to miss my Double Chocolate Protein Waffles – another delicious way to incorporate more plant-based protein into your morning. A very similar recipe to the Cinnamon Protein Waffles – only with flavor changes!

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Simple Cinnamon Protein Waffles – Low Carb and Gluten Free

A single-serving batch of Cinnamon Protein Waffles can bewhipped up in minutes to help fuel you’re the day’s adventures (or endless taskof errands, by default). Gluten-free, no added sugar, and low in carbs. Simple to scale up for meal prep and store in freezer.

Course: Breakfast, brunch, Snack
Keyword: cinnamon, low carb, protein powder, waffles
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 220 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk plus a little more if batter super thick
  • 2/3 cup plant-based protein powder I used Nuzest Smooth Vanilla
  • 1 tbsp green banana flour or another type flour
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Wisk egg, stir in almond milk. Mix in protein powder, flour and cinnamon until combined.

  2. Heat mini waffle iron (or large iron). Pour ¼ batter into mini iron (or all batter into large 4-section iron), close lid and cook until indicator light goes off.

Repeat with remaining batter.  Top as desired.
Recipe Notes

Macros (for 4 mini waffles or 1 large waffle with 4 squares. Toppings not included

220 calories, 8g fat, 9g carbs, 27g protein

Mulled Watermelon Apple Cider Warms Spirits in Holiday Season

This post is sponsored by National Watermelon Promotion Board.

Watermelon warms the soul and spirit in any season! Simmer a pot of Mulled Watermelon Apple Cider for friends and family this holiday season, it’s a hot holiday punch that is naturally sweet and delicious.

This easy-to-make warm punch featuring watermelon juice is naturally sweet and delicious, bejeweled with fruit and fragrant with seasonal spices. Brandy optional! Perfect for holiday entertaining, including brunches, open houses, cocktail parties and more!

Bejeweled with fruit and fragrant with seasonal spices, this easy-to-make hot punch is features watermelon juice. Fresh watermelon juice is available for purchase in the produce department of many larger grocery stores, or make your own by blending cubed watermelon and straining off the pulp. Check out Watermelon.org for a great demo on how to make watermelon juice.

Ingredients for Mulled Watermelon Apple Cider, a hot holiday punch

This warm holiday punch is primarily watermelon juice, an amazing fresh juice that offers vitamin C, lycopene, l-citrulline, and other beneficial nutrients. I also added spiced apple cider and always use the fresh, no-added-sugar, 100% juice cider from the chilled section of my market.

This easy-to-make warm punch featuring watermelon juice is naturally sweet and delicious, bejeweled with fruit and fragrant with seasonal spices. Brandy optional! Perfect for holiday entertaining, including brunches, open houses, cocktail parties and more! Make a big batch in a Dutch oven or keep warm for hours in a slow cooker for your Christmas gathering.
Check out the Pinterest Video Demo at: <<LINK>>  

For a show-stopping presentation (and to make a drink that you can also snack on), add a generous amount of fruit to the pot including diced watermelon, fresh cranberries, pears and apples. Is it a fruit salad, beverage or both? You decide!!!

Spices used in Mulled Watermelon Apple Cider including cinnamon, cloves and star anise.

While simmering on the stove top, add whole spices such as cinnamon sticks, star anise and whole cloves. Watermelon and cinnamon make magic together, you can even just sprinkle a little on a wedge for an instant flavor experience.  Also, allspice, nutmeg and cardamon are additional spices that would work well in this hot watermelon drink, use all mentioned or any combination you prefer! Used frequently in in hot beverages, these warming, aromatic spices are called “mulling spices.”  Add smaller bits, such as cloves and allspice, to a tea ball so that they can be easily strained out before serving. However, keep the whole cinnamon sticks in – they make fun stirrers!

This easy-to-make warm punch featuring watermelon juice is naturally sweet and delicious, bejeweled with fruit and fragrant with seasonal spices. Brandy optional! Perfect for holiday entertaining, including brunches, open houses, cocktail parties and more!

Completely optional, but a nice add-in to this watermelon apple cider is a bit of brandy – it just blends in so nicely with the fruit juices and spices!   

Pro tip: For a lingering brunch gathering or holiday open house, keep the watermelon punch warmed for hours in a slow-cooker set on low.

 For more ways to enjoy watermelon during the holiday season, including more watermelon beverages and pairing suggestions perfect for a grazing tray, visit Watermelon.org .

5 from 2 votes
This easy-to-make warm punch featuring watermelon juice is naturally sweet and delicious, bejeweled with fruit and fragrant with seasonal spices. Brandy optional! Perfect for holiday entertaining, including brunches, open houses, cocktail parties and more!
Mulled Watermelon Apple Cider
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 

Watermelon is wonderful in every season! Ladle mugs full of this warm watermelon punch that is bejeweled with fruit and steeped with mulling spices like cinnamon and cloves!

Course: Beverage, party
Keyword: christmas, cider, entertaining, punch, spiced, watermelon
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 6 cups fresh 100% watermelon juice
  • 3 cups fresh 100% spiced apple cider
  • Mulling spices of choice* including cinnamon sticks, star anise, whole cloves, grated nutmeg, cardamon
  • 1 cup brandy optional
  • 2 cups diced watermelon
  • 1 small apple sliced crosswise and quartered
  • 1 small pear sliced crosswise and quartered
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
Instructions
  1. In large pot or slow cooker, add watermelon juice and apple cider.
  2. Add mulling spices. Cinnamon sticks and big pieces of star anise can be used whole, but smaller spices should be placed in a tea ball for easy discarding after simmering.
  3. Bring juices to low simmer, for 15 minutes, allowing spices to steep. If using slow cooker, heat on high for 1 hour, then reduce heat to warm for serving.
  4. If desired, add brandy in the last few minutes of cooking. Drink is equally delicious without alcohol, option is yours.
  5. Ladle out and pour into mugs.
Recipe Notes

*During the holiday season, “mulling spice” blends are sometimes available in the bulk or spice aisle of store for convenience

Cinnamon Peanut Butter Egg White Chips – Low Carb, Gluten Free

Egg white chips, I’ve heard rumor of them . . . sometimes they are called cloud chips and popular with the keto and low carb diet fans.

Whether you call it a chip or cracker, I call this low-carb snack super yummy!  Made from egg whites, peanut butter powder, cinnamon and stevia  this keto-friendly recipes has almost no carbs or fat and a good source of protein. So addictive, you'll love them for entertaining or as a grab-and-go snack after a workout. 50 calories, 1g net carb and 8g protein per 12-chip serving.

I googled “how to make egg white chips” and found an assortment of savory takes on this low carb snack. The method on how to make egg white chips seemed time consuming, requiring them to be made in mini muffin tins and pulled out one by one (ugh, I’m thinking SO MUCH STICKING).

Whether you call it a chip or cracker, I call this low-carb snack super yummy!  Made from egg whites, peanut butter powder, cinnamon and stevia  this keto-friendly recipes has almost no carbs or fat and a good source of protein. So addictive, you'll love them for entertaining or as a grab-and-go snack after a workout. 50 calories, 1g net carb and 8g protein per 12-chip serving.

I also couldn’t find any type of egg white cloud crackers that were sweet . . . in a low carb sweet way. Everything was just salty, herby, cheesy — I have a sweet tooth and want a sweet egg white chip.

My solution to both the time consuming making process AND the lack of sweet egg white chips was to just come up with my own recipe and own way of making these keto snacks.

Just shake up egg white, PB powder, cinnamon and stevia in a jar, pour out on baking sheet!

A little protein powder, cinnamon and stevia blended into the egg whites was easy enough, especially just all dumped in a mason jar and given a vigorous shake to combine. After baked crispy this tasty flavor combo reminded me of some popular cereals — like Captain Crunch mixed with Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Cut the egg white chips into squares BEFORE they are done baking.

Common factor here is the CRUNCH. If you can pour the egg white mixture thinly enough in a big sheet pan, and par bake, cut into squares, flip and continue baking you can get the crunchiest little bites of YUM! This process of cutting them in the pan eliminated the tedious process of cooking all these cinnamon egg white chips in muffin pans.

A serving of these cinnamon peanut butter egg white chips have just 50 calories for TWELVE chips. Also, just 1g net carb and and welcomed little protein boost of 8g. If you don’t eat them all in one sitting, the leftovers can be stored in the fridge (air-tight container) and then re-crisped in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then let cool down some.

Cinnamon Peanut Butter Egg White Chips
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
29 mins
 

This creative "chip" is made from egg whites — almost no carbs or fat and a good source of protein. So addictive, you'll love them for entertaining or as a grab-and-go snack after a workout.

Course: Appetizer, Snack, workout
Keyword: eggs, keto, low carb, sugar-free
Servings: 4 servings (12 chips each)
Calories: 50 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 cup 8oz 100% Egg Whites
  • ¼ cup peanut butter powder (like PB Fit) or almond powder, if preferred
  • 20 drops liquid Stevia more or less, depending on sweetness preference
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Generously coat 10” x 15” rimmed cookie pan with cooking spray, paying extra attention to corners/sides.
  2. Add all ingredient to jar with lid and shake vigorously until combined. Pour out onto baking sheet, the entire surface should be thinly covered.
  3. Bakes for 15 minutes total but in 3 stages: First bake for 5 min, then remove and make slices with knife (6 rows short side, 8 long side for 48 pieces). Second, return and bake 5 MORE min, Third, remove and carefully use flat spatula to pull up pieces and flip over and then return to bake 5 min MORE, or until golden and crispy.
  4. Remove and let cool 5 minutes. Store in air-tight container. If needed, crisp back up in microwave for 30 seconds or so when eating leftovers.
Recipe Notes

Makes 48 chips. A serving of 12 chips has 50 cal, 0.8g fat, 1g net carb, and 8g protein

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DIY Homemade Gingerbread Spice & 12 Yummy Ways to Use it

What do you think of when you smell and taste gingerbread spices? For me, it conjures up memories of Christmas, winter holidays, giddy anticipation, spicy-sweet comfort and heading through the woods and over the hills to grandmother’s house.

DIY Homemade Gingerbread Spice

Gingerbread spices, typically cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves and a pinch of pepper, aren’t reserved just for gingerbread men, gingerbread houses and the soft gingerbread cakes my relatives loved to make during the holidays.  My DIY Homemade Gingerbread Spice recipe is simple to make, keeps all year to spice up all sorts of your favorite and even unexpected foods. Read on to get the Homemade Gingerbread Spice recipe and all the yummy ideas:  Continue reading

Hasselback Baked Pears with Gingerbread Streusel and Easy Gingerbread Latte

This post is sponsored by McCormick® but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Ahh, childhood memories of gingerbread are some of the sweetest in my life – both the taste and aroma evokes those holiday “feels” of comfort, togetherness and well-being . . . with a pinch of anticipatory excitement. I’m also a sucker for any type of warm fruit dessert. So, with a twist on tradition, I’ve created a holiday dessert offering it all — Hasselback Baked Pears with Gingerbread Streusel. It’s also gluten-free and Paleo, if those are dietary concerns. Baked Hasselback Pears with Gingerbread Streusel

The yummy blend of McCormick® spices used to create the gingerbread streusel topping also upgrades any morning coffee routine with festive flair – I’ve also included the how-to for a quickie Gingerbread Latte, read on to get the holiday recipes: Continue reading