There’s something delightfully cozy about these little bites of warm cinnamon goodness. The Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe is a quick, fun twist on traditional French toast — like a cinnamon roll you can pick up with your fingers. I’m excited to share it because it’s my go-to when I want that comforting flavor but with way less fuss.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe is one of those breakfast treats that’s impressive-looking but surprisingly easy to pull off. It combines the rich cinnamon sweetness of a roll-up with the eggy goodness of French toast — all wrapped up in a neat little package.
- Super Quick to Make: From start to finish, you’re looking at about 25 minutes, which is perfect for a weekend brunch or a holiday morning.
- Kid-Friendly: Rolling them up makes these less messy and more fun for little hands to eat.
- Flavor Packed: The cinnamon-sugar butter filling is sweet and ooey-gooey — just like a cinnamon roll, but lighter.
- Customizable: You can add cream cheese, fruit, or even chocolate chips inside before rolling for extra yum.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this recipe comes from simple ingredients that come together perfectly. The softened butter and brown sugar create a luscious cinnamon filling, while the egg mixture gives the bread that classic French toast texture. Stick with soft, white sandwich bread — it rolls up best and crisps beautifully.
- Bread: Soft white bread slices work best because they’re easy to roll and soak up the egg mixture without falling apart.
- Butter (softened): Helps blend the sugar and cinnamon smoothly and gives richness inside the roll.
- Light brown sugar: Adds deep sweetness and moisture alongside the cinnamon.
- Cinnamon: The star spice — using good quality cinnamon really elevates the flavor.
- Eggs: Provide structure when you dip the roll-ups, making that golden crust.
- Milk: Lightens the egg mixture so the coating isn’t too thick or eggy.
- Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon for rolling after cooking, giving a crunchy sweet finish.
- Powdered sugar (optional): For dusting, adds a pretty touch and a subtle extra sweetness.
- Butter for cooking: Ensures beautiful browning without sticking.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I’ve played with all kinds of fillings — fruit preserves, cream cheese, even a touch of Nutella for an indulgent morning treat.
- Fruit Filling Variation: Adding a thin layer of your favorite jam inside makes it burst with fruity sweetness. I tried raspberry once, and it was amazeballs.
- Dietary tweaks: Swap the bread for gluten-free if you need, and use almond milk for a dairy-free spin. Just keep the softness so the rolling stays easy.
- Extra indulgent: Spread softened cream cheese mixed with a little cinnamon sugar before rolling for a melt-in-your-mouth center.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling
Start by beating the softened butter with the brown sugar and cinnamon until smooth and spreadable. This is the flavor bomb that makes these roll-ups so luscious. I always taste a bit here and tweak the cinnamon quantity — I like it nice and cinnamon-forward.
Step 2: Prep the Bread
Trim off the crusts from each bread slice (I use a serrated knife carefully) — no crusts means easier rolling. Then, flatten each slice with a rolling pin until it’s about an eighth-inch thick. This step is key to avoid a bulky roll and ensure a tender texture.
Step 3: Spread & Roll
Slather each flattened slice generously with that cinnamon butter mixture, then roll tightly but gently to seal all those flavors inside. Keep the seam side down to help them hold their shape when cooking.
Step 4: Egg Wash & Cook
In a shallow bowl, beat eggs and milk. Quickly dip each roll in this mixture, coating well but not soaking. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and melt a bit of butter. Place rolls seam side down and cook about 3 to 4 at a time, turning every few minutes so all sides turn golden brown and slightly crisp — about 8-10 minutes total.
Step 5: Sugar & Serve
Once cooked, roll them in the cinnamon granulated sugar mix or dust with powdered sugar for a lovely finish. Serve warm with maple syrup on the side — that extra drizzle always wins in my book.
Top Tip
When I first made this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe, I quickly learned a few tricks that make a huge difference in the outcome. Here are my favorite tips so you can skip the trial and error.
- Flatten Bread Thoroughly: Use a rolling pin and press until you can almost see through the bread — this ensures they roll without breaking and cook evenly.
- Don’t Over-Soak: When dipping the rolls in the egg mixture, a quick dip is enough — too long and the bread gets soggy and falls apart.
- Cook on Medium Heat: This gives the roll ups time to cook through and brown evenly without burning the butter coating.
- Seam Side Down First: Placing the rolls seam side down in the pan helps them seal while cooking, so they don’t unravel.
How to Serve Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I love dusting these roll ups with powdered sugar — it adds a delicate sweetness and looks so inviting. Sometimes I sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or drizzle a bit of caramel sauce for an extra special touch. Fresh berries on the side brighten everything up beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair these with crispy bacon or sausage links to bring a salty balance, or a simple bowl of fruit salad to keep it fresh and light. A hot cup of coffee or spiced chai complements the cinnamon notes perfectly — it’s like a mini breakfast celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday mornings, I like to arrange the Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe in a circular “pinwheel” on a large platter, with bowls of dipping sauces like cream cheese frosting, maple syrup, and berry compote in the center. Kids especially love dipping and decorating their own roll-ups!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, wrap each roll-up tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat them gently so they don’t dry out — I usually use a toaster oven or microwave covered with a damp paper towel to keep them moist.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these before, and they freeze surprisingly well. Wrap the cooled roll ups individually in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer-safe bag. They keep for up to a month. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in a toaster oven or skillet for best texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently to keep that lovely golden crust. I avoid microwaving too long to prevent them from turning rubbery. A quick 2-3 minute warm-up in a skillet with a tiny pat of butter brings back the crispiness and makes them taste freshly cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You definitely can, but I recommend slicing it thin and pressing it extra flat with a rolling pin. Whole wheat bread tends to be denser and less flexible, so it might be a tad harder to roll without cracking.
The key is to place them seam side down first in the pan and cook on medium heat so the butter and egg mixture seal the edges together. Avoid flipping too soon or too often to keep them intact.
Absolutely! Prepare the roll ups and place them on a baking sheet in the fridge until ready to cook. They can also be frozen ahead of time. Just cook them fresh when guests arrive, keeping them warm in a low oven if needed.
Maple syrup is classic and perfect, but cream cheese glaze, chocolate sauce, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar all complement the cinnamon and buttery flavors nicely. Experiment and find your favorite!
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it brings that bakery-style cinnamon roll experience to any morning, without the long wait or complicated steps. I hope you’ll find as much joy in rolling, cooking, and sharing these little bundles as I do. They’re perfect for making breakfast feel like an event — whether it’s a cozy weekend or a festive holiday. So go ahead, roll ’em up, dip ’em in syrup, and savor every sweet, cinnamon-spiced bite!
Print
Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 roll ups
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups are a delightful breakfast treat that combine the flavors of cinnamon rolls with the ease of French toast. Soft bread slices are filled with a sweet cinnamon butter mixture, rolled up, dipped in an egg mixture, and pan-fried to golden perfection. They can be dusted with powdered sugar and served warm with maple syrup for a delicious start to your day.
Ingredients
Filling
- ½ stick butter (softened)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 teaspoon cinnamon
Batter
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoon milk
Additional
- 10-12 toast bread slices (crusts removed)
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoon butter for cooking (more if necessary)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon. Beat the mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Make the Sugar-Cinnamon Mixture: In another bowl, mix the granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and set aside for rolling later.
- Prepare the Egg Batter: In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with milk until fully combined and set aside.
- Prepare the Bread: Remove crusts from the bread slices and flatten each slice to approximately ⅛ inch thickness using a rolling pin.
- Assemble the Roll Ups: Spread a thick, even layer of the cinnamon butter mixture on each flattened bread slice. Carefully roll up the bread tightly around the filling and set aside.
- Heat the Pan: Warm a non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt about 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Cook the Roll Ups: Dip each roll in the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated, then place seam-side down in the skillet. Cook 3 to 4 rolls at a time without crowding.
- Brown All Sides: When the bottom is golden brown, rotate each roll a quarter turn to cook all sides evenly until nicely browned, about 3-4 minutes per batch.
- Coat with Sugar Cinnamon: Once cooked, immediately roll the warm French toast roll ups in the cinnamon sugar mixture or dust with powdered sugar if preferred.
- Serve: Serve warm with maple syrup on the side for dipping if desired.
Notes
- This recipe makes a perfect, quick Christmas morning breakfast or weekend treat.
- Use white or whole wheat bread based on preference; thicker sliced bread works well when flattened.
- Ensure the bread slices are flattened thin to make rolling easier and avoid cracking.
- Cook on medium heat to ensure the rolls brown nicely without burning the outside before the inside is cooked.
- Maple syrup is a delicious accompaniment but optional.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter and milk with vegan alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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