There's something instantly cozy about the smell of cinnamon and warm bread in the morning, and that's exactly what you'll get with this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe. These little roll-ups deliver all the comfort of cinnamon rolls but come together way faster, making breakfast feel like a treat without the fuss.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m a huge fan of breakfast recipes that feel indulgent but aren’t a massive time investment, and this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe hits just that sweet spot. It's perfect for weekend mornings when you want something a bit special without waking up before sunrise.
- Quick & Easy Prep: You can whip these up in about 10 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute breakfast plans.
- Portable & Fun: These roll-ups are great for kids or anyone who loves handheld breakfast treats.
- Delicious Cinnamon Flavor: The blend of brown sugar and cinnamon inside each roll is like a little cinnamon roll surprise.
- Customizable: Easily swap fillings or toppings to match what you have—I've played around with cream cheese filling too!
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a key role in balancing the texture and flavor here. The soft bread acts as the perfect canvas for that sweet cinnamon filling, and the egg mixture adds just the right custardy touch for that classic French toast feel.
- White bread slices: Choose soft sandwich bread, then remove crusts and flatten — this makes rolling easier and gives a tender bite.
- Butter (softened): Creamy butter blends into the cinnamon sugar filling for richness and moisture.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a subtle molasses flavor that pairs perfectly with cinnamon.
- Cinnamon: The star spice here—a combination in the filling and coating ensures robust cinnamon flavor.
- Eggs: They help create the custard coat around the roll-ups for that classic French toast texture.
- Milk: Keeps the egg mixture smooth and helps it stick to the rolls.
- Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon to roll the cooked French toast for extra sweetness and texture.
- Powdered sugar (optional): My go-to garnish when I want a pretty finish and a light dusting of sweetness.
- Butter for cooking: Essential for that golden, slightly crispy exterior when frying the roll ups.
Make It Your Way
This Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe is a beautiful blank canvas—you can absolutely customize the filling or toppings to suit your tastes or dietary needs. I love experimenting with different spreads inside before rolling, and it always feels like a new treat.
- Variation: I’ve swapped out the cinnamon sugar filling for a sweet cream cheese mixed with a touch of vanilla and sugar; it’s like a mini cheesecake surprise.
- Fruit Addition: Try adding thin slices of apple or banana before rolling for a fresh, fruity twist.
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free sandwich bread and this recipe works just as well.
- Vegan Adaptation: Replace eggs with a flax egg and butter with coconut oil for a delicious dairy-free version.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling
I start by mixing softened butter with light brown sugar and cinnamon until smooth and creamy. This mixture is what makes the roll-ups taste like a warm cinnamon roll without the wait. The key is getting the butter soft enough to blend easily—if it’s too cold, it won’t spread well.
Step 2: Prep the Bread
Next, I cut off the crusts from the bread and gently flatten each slice with a rolling pin. This helps avoid any cracking when you roll them up. Spread a thick layer of your cinnamon filling evenly, leaving just a small border around the edges so the filling doesn’t ooze out when cooking.
Step 3: Roll and Dip
Roll each piece tightly to encase the filling. For the custard dipping, beat eggs with milk in a shallow bowl—it’s important to soak them evenly but not let them get soggy. Coat each roll in the egg mixture, making sure to cover all sides, then get ready to cook.
Step 4: Cook to Golden Perfection
Heat a non-stick pan with butter on medium heat. Place each roll seam-side down so they hold their shape better as they cook. I cook 3-4 at a time until they're golden brown on all sides – gently turning them a quarter turn for even color. This step usually takes about 10-15 minutes total.
Step 5: Finish with Cinnamon Sugar
Once cooked, roll the French toast roll ups in a cinnamon and granulated sugar mixture—or you can dust with powdered sugar if you prefer. Serve them warm with maple syrup for dipping. Honestly, even plain they’re pretty addictive!
Top Tip
Over the years of making these Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups, I’ve learned a few tricks to keep everything perfect and stress-free.
- Soft Bread Is Key: Always remove crusts and gently roll bread flat—this prevents cracking and makes rolling easy.
- Don’t Skimp on Filling: The thick cinnamon butter mixture packs the flavor punch, so don’t spread it too thin.
- Medium Heat Cooking: Cooking on medium heat prevents burning while allowing the inside to cook through evenly.
- Seam-Side Down First: This little trick helps the roll stay sealed and not unravel in the pan.
How to Serve Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I love dusting mine with powdered sugar and serving with a little pool of pure maple syrup on the side. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream also add a lovely fresh contrast to the warm, sweet rolls.
Side Dishes
Pair these with crispy bacon or sausage links if you want a savory balance. On the lighter side, a simple fruit salad or some orange slices brighten up the plate beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special brunch, I’ve arranged these on a long platter, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and added edible flowers for a festive touch. You can even skewer them with toothpicks for individual bite-sized appetizers at a party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover roll-ups store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When I reheat, they’re best warmed gently in a skillet to revive the crispness on the outside rather than microwaving, which can make them soggy.
Freezing
I’ve also frozen cooked roll-ups by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag. You can reheat direct from frozen in a hot skillet or oven until warmed through.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer the skillet or toaster oven for crispiness. About 3-4 minutes per side on medium heat restores that golden exterior beautifully. If using a microwave, keep heating short and follow with a quick toast or pan sear to regain texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While soft white sandwich bread works best for rolling, you can use whole wheat or brioche for different flavors and textures. Just make sure to flatten the slices well so they don’t crack when rolled.
Rolling the bread tightly and placing them seam-side down in the pan is key. Cooking initially on the seam side helps seal them shut. Also, don’t oversoak in the egg mixture to keep the bread sturdy.
Yes! You can assemble the roll ups, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and keep them refrigerated overnight. Then just dip in the egg mixture and cook fresh in the morning for fastest results.
Cooking them on medium heat and turning carefully helps cook them evenly without sogginess. Also, don’t soak the bread too long in the egg mixture—just a quick dip is enough to coat and hold without saturation.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe feels like sharing a little kitchen secret. It’s the kind of recipe I reach for when I want to impress with minimal effort and maximum comfort. I hope you have as much fun making it as I do eating it—trust me, these roll-ups will become a breakfast favorite in your house too.
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 and easy breakfast treat that combines the flavors of cinnamon rolls with classic French toast. Soft bread slices are filled with a buttery cinnamon sugar mixture, rolled up, dipped in an egg custard, and cooked until golden brown. Perfect for holiday mornings or a cozy weekend brunch, these roll ups are best served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup for dipping.
Ingredients
Filling
- ½ stick butter (softened)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 teaspoon cinnamon
Batter
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoon milk
Coating and Topping
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or up to taste)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
- 2 tablespoon butter for cooking (more if necessary)
Others
- 10-12 slices toast bread (crusts removed)
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon. Beat the mixture until smooth and well blended.
- Mix the coating sugar: In another small bowl, mix granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and set aside for coating the roll ups later.
- Make the egg batter: In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with the milk until combined and set aside.
- Prepare the bread: Remove the crusts from the bread slices and flatten each slice to about ⅛ inch thickness using a rolling pin to make them easier to roll.
- Fill and roll: Spread a thick layer of the cinnamon-sugar butter filling evenly over each slice of flattened bread. Then, gently but tightly roll up the bread around the filling to form a neat roll.
- Heat the pan: Place a non-stick pan over medium heat and melt about 1 tablespoon of butter to prepare for cooking the roll ups.
- Coat and cook the rolls: Dip each roll in the egg and milk mixture, making sure it is well coated. Place the rolls seam side down in the pan. Cook 3 to 4 rolls at a time depending on pan size.
- Brown all sides: After the bottom side is nicely browned, turn the rolls a quarter turn and continue cooking, rotating as needed until all sides are golden and cooked through.
- Finish and serve: Remove the rolls from the pan and roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture or dust them with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm with maple syrup for dipping.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for a quick and festive breakfast, especially during Christmas morning.
- You can substitute regular white bread with whole wheat bread for a healthier option.
- Make sure to flatten the bread evenly to prevent cracking when rolling.
- If you prefer a richer flavor, use melted butter in the batter instead of milk.
- Serve immediately for the best texture, as they are crispiest fresh off the pan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 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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