Sometimes I just want a warm cinnamon roll without spending hours waiting for yeast dough to rise.
That is why I make this dairy free protein cinnamon roll mug cake so often. It cooks in about a minute in the microwave and hits the spot every single time.

Best of all, it is completely dairy free. Traditional bakery items are usually loaded with regular butter and milk, which can be tough to digest if you avoid dairy.
I also mixed protein powder right into the batter and the icing, so it actually keeps you full instead of causing a sugar crash.
It turns out soft and warm, with a sweet cinnamon swirl and a creamy glaze that melts over the top.
Why This Recipe Is a Keeper
Warm Bakery Flavor – You get the sweet taste of a fresh cinnamon roll without any of the dairy.
Ultra Fast Treat – The whole cake cooks in the microwave in just over one minute.

Soft and Fluffy – The smart mix of flour and protein powder keeps the crumb soft instead of rubbery.
Gooey Brown Sugar Swirl – Cinnamon and coconut sugar melt together into ribbons of pure comfort.
Here’s What You’ll Need
For the Mug Cake
- 1 Large Egg
- 3 tbsp Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1 tbsp Dairy Free Butter, Melted
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 cup Dairy Free Vanilla Protein Powder
- 2 tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 pinch Salt
For the Cinnamon Swirl
- 1 tbsp Coconut Sugar
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Dairy Free Butter, Melted
For the Icing
- 2 tbsp Dairy Free Cream Cheese, Softened
- 1 tbsp Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp Dairy Free Vanilla Protein Powder
- 1 tsp Unsweetened Almond Milk
How to Make It
Step 1
Lightly grease a large microwave safe mug that holds at least 12 oz. In a small bowl, stir together the coconut sugar, cinnamon and melted butter for the swirl until it forms a thick paste.
Step 2
In the mug, whisk the egg, almond milk, maple syrup, melted butter and vanilla with a fork until smooth.
Step 3
Add the protein powder, flour, baking powder and salt and whisk until you have a thick, smooth batter with no dry spots at the bottom of the mug.
Step 4
Dollop the cinnamon paste over the batter and drag a toothpick through it in a spiral, like the swirl of a cinnamon roll.
Step 5
Microwave for 60 seconds, then check. If the center still looks wet, continue in 10-second bursts until the top is puffed and just set, usually 70 to 80 seconds total.
Protein cakes turn rubbery when overcooked, so pull it as soon as the top springs back. Let it rest for 1 minute.
Step 6
Stir the cream cheese, powdered sugar, protein powder and almond milk until smooth, then spread over the warm cake so it melts into the swirl. Enjoy right away while warm and gooey.

Recipe Tips
Pick the Right Plant Protein
From my experience, a plant-based blend made with pea and rice protein gives this cake the best texture.
Pure hemp or single-source pea protein can make the crumb heavy and soak up too much liquid. A vanilla blend stays light and bakes up soft, just like a classic bakery cinnamon roll.
Check the Mug Corners for Trapped Powder
Dry flour and protein powder love to settle in the tight bottom corners of a mug.

I recommend scraping a fork or a small rubber spatula all the way around the bottom rim before cooking. This ensures you do not end up with dry, chalky bites hiding under your soft cake.
Cool the Butter for the Cinnamon Paste
Make sure your melted dairy-free butter is warm, not piping hot, before mixing it with the cinnamon and coconut sugar.
If the butter is too hot, the sugar dissolves into a runny liquid and sinks straight to the bottom of the batter. You want a thick paste that sits near the surface so you can draw a clear, defined spiral.
What to Make Next
- Dairy Free Churro Cheesecake Bars
- Dairy Free Cinnamon Roll Blondies
- Dairy Free Cinnamon Roll Swirl Ice Cream
- Dairy Free Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
- Dairy Free Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
Popular Questions
Can I bake this in an oven instead of a microwave?
Pour the batter into an oven-safe ramekin and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes.
Check the center near the 12-minute mark so you do not leave it in too long and dry out the cake.
Dairy Free Protein Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake
Equipment
- microwave
Ingredients
- 1 Large Egg
- 3 tbsp Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1 tbsp Dairy Free Butter, Melted
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 cup Dairy Free Vanilla Protein Powder
- 2 tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 tbsp Coconut Sugar
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Dairy Free Butter, Melted
- 2 tbsp Dairy Free Cream Cheese, Softened
- 1 tbsp Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp Dairy Free Vanilla Protein Powder
- 1 tsp Unsweetened Almond Milk
Instructions
- Lightly grease a large microwave safe mug that holds at least 12 oz. In a small bowl, stir together the coconut sugar, cinnamon and melted butter for the swirl until it forms a thick paste.
- In the mug, whisk the egg, almond milk, maple syrup, melted butter and vanilla with a fork until smooth.
- Add the protein powder, flour, baking powder and salt and whisk until you have a thick, smooth batter with no dry spots at the bottom of the mug.
- Dollop the cinnamon paste over the batter and drag a toothpick through it in a spiral, like the swirl of a cinnamon roll.
- Microwave for 60 seconds, then check. If the center still looks wet, continue in 10-second bursts until the top is puffed and just set, usually 70 to 80 seconds total. Protein cakes turn rubbery when overcooked, so pull it as soon as the top springs back. Let it rest for 1 minute.
- Stir the cream cheese, powdered sugar, protein powder and almond milk until smooth, then spread over the warm cake so it melts into the swirl. Enjoy right away while warm and gooey.