Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the inner bark from the Cinnamomum Tree. It has been traditionally used for its medicinal purposes, but over time has found its way onto our plates. This spice is loaded with antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, regulates your metabolic rate of insulin, lowers blood sugar levels, and can help reduce your risk of heart disease.
This delicious spice has a very distinct taste, which makes it difficult to incorporate into your day-to-day life. Here are 20 easy ways to incorporate more cinnamon into your diet:
1. Cinnamon Honey Sweet Potatoes
Not only are these delicious, but they are also extremely healthy. Sweet potatoes are packed with tons of different vitamins and nutrients such as Magnesium, Potassium, Fibre and Vitamin A. They are a less-starchy, healthier alternative to regular potatoes. Don't feel like roasting them with cinnamon? Try this sweet potato breakfast bowl tomorrow morning.
2. Maple Cinnamon Granola
This is a great recipe because the possibilities for the uses of this granola are endless. Use it as a cereal, add it your yogurt, eat it on its own, or even top your smoothie bowl with it. Personalize this recipe by deciding what nuts, seeds and dried fruits you include.
#SpoonTip: making your granola at home versus buying it at the store is a great way to save money.
3. Cinnamon Hot Cocoa
A twist on a classic. Adding cinnamon may seem like a slight change in a regular hot cocoa recipe, but trust me, it packs a flavour punch. It takes longer to make than your instant hot chocolate mix, but as one of my favourite childhood movies taught me "good things take time." So revamp your hot cocoa and give this recipe a try.
4. Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Muffins
These muffins are packed with chunks of apples and coated with cinnamon sugar. They are almost as good as your grandmother's apple pie, but not quite. Did you know that Golden Delicious apples, Granny Smith apples, and McIntosh apples are most commonly used for baking, while Honeycrisp apples and Gala apples are best for eating fresh?
5. Cinnamon, Ginger and Brown Sugar-Baked Grapefruit
The idea of baking a grapefruit might sound a little weird at first, but don't knock it till you try it. From prep time to cook time, the entire recipe takes only six minutes. Grapefruits are filled with antioxidants that help keep your skin clear. Therefore pairing cinnamon with grapefruit is a great way to ensure your skin will stay healthy and glowing.
6. Candied Bacon
Up your brunch game with this recipe. It's smokey, salty and sweet—so in other words, your taste buds will thank you. It's a great way to top your pancakes or waffles and is just as delicious on its own. You think topping your bacon with maple syrup is good? This bacon is even better.
7. Apple Pie Pancakes
It doesn't matter if you're team pancakes or team waffles because I can guarantee you this stack won't let you down. This recipe is a guilt-free way to enjoy a slice of apple pie for breakfast. These cakes are packed with cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. All the spices essential to autumn cooking.
8. Fruit Salsa
This is a delicious snack that's easy to make and extremely healthy. You can add any fruits you'd like, although the recipe suggests staples such as strawberries, apples, and raspberries. I recommend that you don't skip out on the strawberries when trying this recipe. These berries are loaded with antioxidants, they cleanse your skin, prevent high blood pressure and increase brain function.
9. Butternut Squash Mash
Squash is filled with antioxidants, vitamin A, and omega three fatty acids. That's why pairing this vegetable with cinnamon is a way of ensuring your diet does not lack in the antioxidants department. This recipe is both easy and inexpensive, making it a great go-to when living on a student budget.
10. Apple Brown Sugar Edamame
This recipe is a great way add more cinnamon to your diet in an unexpected way. Edamame are premature soybeans that are packed with protein, fibre, and various amino acids. Besides being delicious, they also serve as a great protein source for vegetarians and vegans. Next time you have a few extra apples, quickly whip up this Apple Brown Sugar Edamame.
11. Spiced Pumpkin Cake
This pumpkin cake is a great fall dessert. In fact, this recipe is so delicious we shouldn't just limit ourselves to enjoying it in fall. Pumpkins can help improve your eyesight, thanks to their high vitamin A content. As well, they're packed with soluble fibre, which helps to promote weight loss by slowing your rate of digestion. That is exactly why this cake is a great reason to #treatyoself.
12. Zucchini Bread
Have your cake and eat it too... or, should I say bread? This zucchini bread recipe is an easy way to pack in veggies and cinnamon into your diet without even realizing it. Try adding walnuts, pecans or sliced almonds for an extra crunch.
13. Cinnamon Bread Pudding
Ever wonder what to do with that loaf of bread you never got around to finishing before it went stale? Well, here you have it: Cinnamon Bread Pudding. Try customizing this recipe by adding chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, or even pecans.
14. Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips
These are a great healthy to enjoy snack year-round. They're easy to make and require minimal ingredients. That is exactly why these apple chips are practically fool proof. As exam season quickly approaches and you reach for a snack to fuel you through your studies, try swapping regular potato chips for this healthy alternative.
15. Cinnamon and Chocolate Protein Pancakes
Protein pancakes are a great way to turn something everyone loves (I mean, who doesn't like pancakes?) into a great protein-filled meal. This recipe is made using Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Flapjack Mix, a product I have anxiously been waiting to be sold in Canada. If you're residing in the great white north like myself, try this protein pancake recipe instead, as it doesn't require a certain mix to make.
16. Apple Cider Oatmeal
This oatmeal is a great way to start your day. It's comforting, warm, delicious and extremely healthy. You have to be mindful when making this breakfast, since incorporating oatmeal into your diet is more tricky than it seems. Although oatmeal does have several nutritional benefits, be cautious with what you top it with— as you can easily turn your heart healthy breakfast into a bowl of sugary carbs.
17. Cinnamon Bun Smoothie
This recipe tops my list of healthy yet delicious smoothies. It's a great way to stay on track during the holidays while still enjoying the festive foods of winter. I suggest adding rolled oats to your smoothie, as it makes your smoothies heartier and more filling. Oatmeal is a whole grain packed with protein, fibre, antioxidants, and iron, which is why you should try to include it in your diet every chance that you get.
18. Apple Crumble Bar
Apple crumble is my favourite fall dessert. It's easier to make than apple pie since you don't have to worry about perfecting the crust. I love this apple crumble for its impressive crumble-to-apple ratio, which lets you enjoy the sweet, softness of the apples with a slight crunch of the crumble in every bite. Next time you're mourning the fact that Thanksgiving is another year away, give this recipe a try.
19. Sweet Potato Oatmeal
Who says you can only eat sweet potatoes for dinner? This recipe is a great way to start your day off with both cinnamon and veggies. Don't feel like having oatmeal but still want to have sweet potato and cinnamon for breakfast? Try this easy, four-ingredient pancake recipe instead.
20. Apple Crumble Yogurt Parfait
Yogurt parfaits are a great way to start your day. Their quick, easy to make and the flavour combinations of them are endless. This one tastes almost exactly like the apple crumble served at thanksgiving, except it's much healthier for you. You can find the recipe to this cinnamon filled parfait here.
Cinnamon is a spice that is not only delicious but is also healthy AF. It's something we should all be trying to eat everyday, and these 20 easy cinnamon recipes prove that it's a lot easier to do than it seems.