Healthy Cinnamon Milk
This cinnamon milk recipe is a creamy, cozy hug-in-a-mug. Made with your favorite non-dairy milk, vanilla, and Ceylon cinnamon, it’s ready in just five minutes. Enjoy it warm as a comforting bedtime drink, add collagen peptides to sneak in extra protein, or use it as a homemade coffee creamer–either way, you can’t go wrong.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Milk Recipe
- Ready in 5 minutes
- Dairy-free
- Good hot or cold
- Easy to make without added sugar
- Vegan (unless adding collagen peptides)
Ingredients
- UNSWEETENED DAIRY-FREE MILK – I prefer concentrated nut milks like almond, coconut and cashew. If you’re not sure which milk to use, see my guide to non-dairy milk products to compare the most popular options.
- PURE VANILLA EXTRACT – Adds depth of flavor.
- GROUND CINNAMON – I recommend Ceylon cinnamon, but any ground cinnamon will work. See my Health Coach Tip below to learn why.
Optional:
- SWEETENER – I prefer liquid stevia or erythritol-free monk fruit drops to minimize my sugar intake, but use what you like.
- UNFLAVORED COLLAGEN PEPTIDES – For extra protein and foam
Health Coach Tip
For an antioxidant boost, choose Ceylon cinnamon over cassia. Often called “true cinnamon,” Ceylon cinnamon contains significantly less coumarin than cassia cinnamon, making it a better choice for liver health if you enjoy this spice regularly. The flavor is smoother, less spicy, and more earthy, but still provides that cinnamon essence you love.
How to Make Cinnamon Milk
favorite dairy-free milk with ground cinnamon and vanilla extract on the stovetop and stir until the cinnamon is well dispersed. Heat it until it’s steaming and just beginning to foam, but don’t let it boil.
If desired, add your preferred sweetener to taste and whisk in the collagen peptides until the milk is slightly frothy. A latte frother creates the creamiest, foamiest texture and helps keep the cinnamon suspended in the milk a little longer, but if you don’t have one, a balloon whisk works just fine.
Pour your cinnamon milk into your favorite mug and finish with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon if you’re feeling fancy. Sip it while you enjoy some pumpkin custard or a slice of this Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Tart.
Iced Cinnamon Milk
Craving a cool version instead? Cinnamon milk tastes just as yummy over ice. Add all the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until well combined.
Pour over ice and give it a quick stir with a straw before sipping, as the cinnamon will naturally settle to the bottom as it rests.
Cinnamon Milk Tips
For café-quality foam on top:
- Use milk with a higher fat content (either a concentrated nut milk or whole milk). Higher-fat milks create richer, longer-lasting foam than low-fat varieties.
- A latte frother adds significantly more air than a whisk, creating puffy clouds of foam.
- Collagen peptides produce more foam. Plus, they help suspend the blended cinnamon in the milk, resulting in a smoother beverage. You’ll still need to stir occasionally, as the cinnamon will slowly sink to the bottom as it’s too fibrous to dissolve in liquids.
Variations
Add Cacao
If you love Mexican chocolate cake, you’ll love cinnamon milk with cacao. It’s like a tiramisu latte without the coffee.
Add one tablespoon of cacao powder to the recipe above. Whisk thoroughly to break up any cacao clumps or blend it with a latte frother for a smooth, velvety finish.
Note: Cacao does contain caffeine, so avoid this variation before bed.
Make a Cinnamon Latte
This recipe easily doubles as a homemade coffee creamer. Shake it well before pouring over your favorite coffee for an inexpensive, additive-free cinnamon latte.
Rooibos Tea Boost
If tea is more your style, use it as a flavored milk in a cup of steaming rooibos or chai. The subtle notes of vanilla and cinnamon complement both perfectly.
Nutrition Note
Cinnamon contains beneficial polyphenols and antioxidants and has been studied for its potential role in supporting healthy blood sugar levels. Combined with an unsweetened, plant-based milk—especially a concentrated version with more fat—this homemade cinnamon milk is a simple and delicious alternative to sugary coffee shop beverages. For a more satisfying snack, stir in a scoop of unflavored collagen peptides for extra protein.
Whether you’re winding down after dinner, easing into a slow morning, or looking for a healthier alternative to flavored coffeehouse drinks or packaged hot chocolate mixes, this versatile cinnamon milk recipe is simple, comforting and customizable.
More Cozy Drink Recipes
If warm, creamy beverages are your thing, try my Peppermint Hot Chocolate or Ginger Hot Chocolate next.
FAQs
Cinnamon is a solid, ground from the bark of cinnamon trees. It contains fiber and cellulose, so it won’t dissolve in liquids. Use a latte frother to help disperse it in the liquid and stir it between sips to keep it from sinking to the bottom. A glass straw is great for this.
When made with unsweetened milk and minimal added sweetener, cinnamon milk can be a nourishing alternative to sugary coffee drinks or packaged hot chocolate. Cinnamon provides antioxidants, while collagen peptides add protein if you choose to include them.
Warm cinnamon milk is naturally caffeine-free (unless you add cacao or coffee), making it a relaxing evening beverage.
⭐️ Gave cinnamon milk a try? Please leave a 5-star rating and a brief comment below to help others find it.
Print
Healthy Cinnamon Milk
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Foaming, Whisking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Description
This creamy cinnamon milk recipe is cozy, dairy-free, and ready in just 5 minutes. Topped with café-style foam, it’s perfect as a comforting bedtime drink, healthy snack, or homemade coffee creamer.
Ingredients
2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Sweetener of choice (optional)
1 scoop unflavored collagen peptides (optional)*
Instructions
- Warm the Milk: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the non-dairy milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and desired sweetener to taste.
- Blend: Whisk the mixture until it’s well combined and the milk starts to foam but isn’t boiling.
- Add Collagen: If using, whisk the collagen peptides into the milk until fully dissolved and frothy.
- Serve: Pour into your favorite mug and dust the top with extra cinnamon before serving. Stir between sips, since the cinnamon will eventually settle at the bottom of the mug.
Equipment
Notes
*If using collagen peptides, this recipe is no longer vegan or vegetarian.
Use a higher-fat milk, such as concentrated almond, cashew, or whole milk, for richer, longer-lasting foam.
A latte frother creates more foam than a whisk.
Collagen peptides boost foam and help keep the cinnamon suspended longer, though you’ll still need to stir occasionally since cinnamon won’t dissolve in liquid.
Variations
Add 1 tablespoon of cacao for chocolatey cinnamon goodness (cacao contains caffeine, so skip this option before bed).
Use the cinnamon milk as a homemade coffee creamer or add a splash to a cup of rooibos herbal tea or chai.
Warm cinnamon milk is one of my favorite soothing beverages in the fall and winter. Sometimes I drink it in the morning instead of tea. Other times, I’ll add protein and have it as a snack. I hope y’all find it just as comforting as I do.