This High Protein, No Sugar Monkey Bread is the perfect balance of healthy and indulgent. Made with Greek yogurt and protein powder, it’s a deliciously soft, sticky, and guilt-free treat that’s low in fat and high in protein. Whether you’re looking for a satisfying breakfast, a post-workout snack, or a sweet dessert, this monkey bread is a great option. With no yeast needed and a simple assembly process, it’s easy to make and a great way to get a healthy dose of protein in a tasty format. Plus, it’s sweetened without sugar, making it a great choice for anyone watching their sugar intake!
Ingredients
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For the Dough:
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1 ½ cups flour (180g) – see blog post for options
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½ cup vanilla protein powder (45g), whey-casein
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½ cup unflavored protein powder (45g), see blog post for options
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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¼ teaspoon baking soda
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2 cups non-fat Greek yogurt (450g)
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For Assembling:
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2 tablespoons almond milk (30ml)
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3 tablespoons zero-calorie 1:1 sugar replacement (18g)
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1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
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Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped pecans (28g)
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(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a loaf pan to prevent the monkey bread from sticking.
If you’re using them, spread the chopped pecans evenly on the bottom of the loaf pan for added flavor and texture.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour, vanilla protein powder, unflavored protein powder, baking powder, and baking soda.
Add the Greek yogurt to the dry ingredients and mix until combined. The dough should form large, shaggy, sticky clumps. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the dough tough due to the protein powder.
Step 3: Shape the Dough
Slightly wet your palms to prevent sticking, then divide the dough into 25 pieces (about 2 tablespoons each). Roll each piece into a ball. The dough will be sticky, so wet your palms again as needed.
Step 4: Coat the Dough Balls
In a small shallow bowl, combine the zero-calorie sugar replacement and cinnamon. In another bowl, pour in the almond milk.
Dip each dough ball in the almond milk, then roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat it. Place each ball in the prepared loaf pan, stacking them to fill the pan evenly.
Step 5: Bake the Monkey Bread
Bake for 20 minutes, then cover the loaf pan with foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes (total bake time: 35 minutes) until the dough is cooked through. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Allow the monkey bread to cool slightly before serving. You can drizzle it with a little extra cinnamon or sweetener if desired. Serve it warm for a soft, delicious, high-protein treat!
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 8 portions
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 40 minutes
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Total Time: 1 hour
Variations
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Add-ins: For extra texture, mix in some chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips to the dough before baking.
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Vegan Option: Use a plant-based protein powder and dairy-free yogurt to make this recipe vegan.
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Sweetness Level: Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar replacement based on your preference.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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Reheating: Reheat individual pieces in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to enjoy it warm and soft again.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different protein powder?
Yes, you can use different types of protein powder, but make sure it’s unflavored or vanilla to maintain the flavor balance. Whey-casein blends work best in this recipe for texture.
2. Can I use a different sweetener?
Yes, you can substitute the sugar replacement with another low-calorie sweetener of your choice, like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
3. Is the almond milk essential in this recipe?
Almond milk is used to coat the dough balls and keep them moist, but you can substitute it with another milk or milk alternative, like oat milk or regular milk.
4. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and assemble the monkey bread a day ahead, then bake it when you’re ready to serve.
5. Can I freeze this monkey bread?
Yes, you can freeze the monkey bread. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven before serving.
6. Can I make this recipe without the protein powder?
If you don’t have protein powder, you can substitute it with more flour, but the texture and protein content will change. You can also try using a plant-based protein powder for a different twist.
7. Can I make this without the pecans?
Yes, you can omit the pecans or substitute them with other nuts like walnuts, or even chocolate chips for a different flavor.
8. Can I use a different pan size?
You can use a different size pan, but be sure to adjust the baking time based on the pan’s size and depth. If you’re using a larger pan, the bake time may be shorter.
9. How do I know when it’s done?
A toothpick inserted into the center of the bread should come out clean, and the top should be golden brown. If it’s still raw in the middle, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
10. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe gluten-free. Be sure to check the consistency and adjust if needed.
Conclusion
This High Protein, No Sugar Monkey Bread is an indulgent yet healthy treat, perfect for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack. With its rich, fluffy texture, balanced sweetness, and high protein content, it’s a great way to satisfy your cravings without compromising on health. It’s an easy-to-make, low-effort, high-reward recipe that will quickly become a favorite in your household!
Print
High Protein, No Sugar Monkey Bread – A Real Dream
- Total Time: : 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
This High Protein, No Sugar Monkey Bread is the ultimate healthy breakfast or dessert option. Made with protein powder, Greek yogurt, and zero-calorie sweeteners, this low-fat, high-protein monkey bread is easy to make, delicious, and completely guilt-free.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (180g) (see blog post for options)
½ cup vanilla protein powder (whey-casein blend) (45g)
½ cup unflavored protein powder (45g) (see blog post for options)
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups non-fat Greek yogurt (450g)
For Assembling:
2 tablespoons almond milk (30ml)
3 tablespoons zero-calorie 1:1 sugar replacement (18g)
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped pecans (28g)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a loaf pan. Optionally, spread chopped pecans on the bottom of the pan for added flavor.
Prepare the Dough:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, vanilla protein powder, unflavored protein powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the Greek yogurt and mix until combined to form a shaggy, sticky dough.
Form the Dough Balls:
Do not overmix. Slightly wet your palms, divide the dough into 25 pieces (about 2 tablespoons each), and roll them into balls. The dough will be sticky, so wet your palms again as needed.
Assemble the Monkey Bread:
In a small shallow bowl, combine the zero-calorie sweetener and cinnamon. In another bowl, add the almond milk. Roll each dough ball in the almond milk and then in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place the coated dough balls in the loaf pan, stacking them up.
Bake the Monkey Bread:
Bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, cover the pan with foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes (35 minutes total), or until a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean.
Cool and Serve:
Let the monkey bread cool before serving. Optionally, serve with a drizzle of extra cinnamon-sugar mixture or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Notes
If your protein powder isn’t sweet enough, feel free to add a bit of stevia sweetener to adjust the sweetness.
This recipe can be made with different protein powders based on dietary preferences (e.g., plant-based protein powder).
For added flavor, you can add extra spices or other nuts like walnuts or almonds.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
