Almond meal makes for higher-protein cinnamon toast

Who doesn't love cinnamon toast? Exactly. Thing is: it's a pretty sugary way to start the day.

I've been playing around with sprinkling almond meal on top of my kids' breakfast cereal in order to give them a protein boost, and (to my surprise) they love it. Never one to leave well enough alone, I hit on the idea that nutty cinnamon toast would be delicious. I cut the traditional sugar/spice mixture with almond meal and lo! higher-protein cinnamon toast! Even better when you use a good-quality whole grain bread.

Measurements are to taste; everyone's cinnamon-to-sugar preference is different. If you're looking to avoid refined sugar, a natural sweetener such as date sugar or coconut sugar works wonderfully. Bonus: you can stir this mixture into oatmeal or yogurt with yummy results as well.

You can buy almond meal, but there's really no need -- just powder a handful or two of raw, unsalted almonds in your food processor or blender. Then sprinkle with abandon!

Related: Cinnamon sugar in a salt shaker makes short work of cinnamon toast

And: Toddler-friendly tofu

Comments

[Fran Sokol Simon]

Great idea! Add a little wheat germ, too! It has a nutty flavor and is super packed with protein!

[MJM]

In our house, wheat germ is called 'yummy dust', and my boys request it on just about everything: yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, etc. I've thought about putting it in a shaker on the table so my kids can help themselves.

[Parent Hacks Editor]

If you really want to go nuts, wheat germ, ground flax seeds, almond meal, cinnamon and sugar of choice.

[Rachel]

That sounds so yummy! My kids love sprinkling things. Great idea to add nutrition and fun to a breakfast or even yogurt.

[Liz]

We put ground up almonds in smoothies, oatmeal, and other similar foods. Actually, we've moved on to hemp hearts in the oatmeal, but there are so many great nuts and nut meals to add additional protein.

If I remember correctly from our days of shopping at Trader Joe's, the almond meal (in the baking section) is cheaper than the regular almonds (in the nut section).

[Wendy]

We make cinnamon toast without the sugar. If you get a high-grade cinnamon, it will have a very sweet taste and I find the kids don't miss the sugar at all.

[Sharon]

Ground cashews work well too. I add it to pancake mix