Indulge in these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups: a sweet, gooey breakfast treat that’s perfect for lazy mornings! This creative twist on classic French toast combines soft bread, a rich cinnamon-sugar filling, and a quick pan-fry to create irresistible, bite-sized delights. They’re incredibly easy to make and are sure to become a new family favorite for breakfast or brunch.
Why I Love This Recipe
These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are pure breakfast genius, and I absolutely adore them! What I love most is how they take all the comforting flavors of a warm cinnamon roll and combine them with the golden perfection of French toast. The flattened bread provides the perfect canvas for that luscious, gooey cinnamon-brown sugar filling, which melts into pure bliss as it cooks. Dipping them in a sweet egg custard and then pan-frying to a beautiful golden brown creates an irresistible crispy exterior and a wonderfully tender, sweet interior. They’re quick to prepare, fun to eat, and always bring a huge smile to everyone’s face. It’s truly a fantastic way to elevate your morning!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these delicious Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups:
- 10 slices white sandwich bread (sturdy, day-old bread works best)
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted (for filling)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed (for filling)
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for filling)
- 3 large eggs (for custard)
- 1 tablespoon milk (whole or 2%, for custard)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for custard)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for custard)
- 2–3 tablespoons butter for frying
Swaps and Notes
- White Sandwich Bread: A standard white sandwich bread works best. Day-old bread is slightly sturdier and less likely to fall apart when flattened. Brioche or challah bread could also be used for extra richness.
- Brown Sugar (Filling): Packed brown sugar adds a deep molasses flavor and creates a rich, gooey filling.
- Ground Cinnamon (Filling & Custard): Adds classic warmth and flavor.
- Butter (Filling & Frying): Unsalted butter is preferred for the filling. For frying, a mix of butter and a touch of oil can prevent butter from burning too quickly.
- Eggs (Custard): Large eggs provide the richness for the French toast coating.
- Milk (Custard): Whole or 2% milk adds creaminess to the custard.
- Vanilla Extract (Custard): Enhances the sweet flavors.
- Optional Toppings: A dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a dollop of whipped cream after frying.
Directions
Let’s get these delicious Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups cooking!
- Prepare Bread: Start by removing the crusts from the 10 slices of white sandwich bread. Place each slice on a clean work surface and use a rolling pin to flatten it evenly to about 1/8-inch thickness. This creates a perfect canvas for rolling.
- Make Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, whisk together the 3 tablespoons melted butter, 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon until well combined and forms a thick paste.
- Fill & Roll Bread: Spread this cinnamon mixture generously (about 1.5 teaspoons) on each flattened slice of bread, making sure to leave a small border (about 1/4 inch) around the edges. Carefully roll up each slice of bread tightly from one end to the other, then gently pinch the seam to seal them.
- Prepare French Toast Custard: In a shallow bowl (wide enough to dip the rolls), whisk together the 3 large eggs, 1 tablespoon milk, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Heat Skillet: Preheat a large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Melt 2–3 tablespoons of butter for frying in the skillet.
- Dip & Fry: Dip each cinnamon roll-up into the egg mixture, ensuring they’re fully coated on all sides. Allow any excess custard to drip off. Carefully place the dipped roll-ups seam-side down in the hot skillet. Cook for about 2–3 minutes on the first side until golden brown, then turn them occasionally to brown all sides evenly. Continue cooking for a total of about 6-8 minutes, or until all sides are golden brown and cooked through. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Serve: Remove the cooked roll-ups from the skillet and place them on a plate. Serve warm with optional toppings.
Tips for Success
- Flatten Bread Well: Flattening the bread thinly helps it roll tightly and prevents tearing.
- Seal Tightly: Pinching the seam of the roll-ups is important to prevent the filling from oozing out during frying.
- Don’t Overcrowd Skillet: Fry in batches to ensure even browning and prevent steaming. Overcrowding lowers the pan temperature.
- Medium Heat is Key: Cook over medium heat to allow the roll-ups to cook through and brown evenly without burning the outside.
- Serve Warm: These are definitely best enjoyed fresh from the skillet when the outside is crispy and the inside is gooey.
- Optional Coating: For extra cinnamon roll sweetness, after frying, roll them in a mixture of cinnamon sugar.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are a delightful treat on their own, perfect for:
- Breakfast or Brunch: A fun and special way to start your day.
- Sweet Snack: A comforting indulgence any time.
- With Maple Syrup: A classic drizzle of warm maple syrup.
- Powdered Sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream or even a cream cheese glaze.
- Fresh Berries: A side of fresh berries for a refreshing contrast.
- For other quick and easy breakfast or brunch ideas, consider our This One-Pan Breakfast Bake Will Make You Skipor our The Viral Cottage Cheese Pancake Everyone’s.
Storage and Leftover Tips
These roll-ups are best enjoyed fresh for optimal crispiness and gooeyness.
- Refrigeration (Uncooked): You can assemble the roll-ups (without dipping in egg mixture) up to a day ahead and store them tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. Dip and fry just before serving.
- Cooked Leftovers: Store any cooled, cooked roll-ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. They will lose their crispness.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. They won’t regain full crispness but will be warm and soft. Microwaving is possible but will make them softer.
- Freezing: Freezing cooked roll-ups is not recommended, as the texture can become soggy upon thawing.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the sweet, comforting, and easy nature of these roll-ups, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free breakfast and baking recipes:
- For another incredibly easy and satisfying breakfast, try our This 3-Ingredient Egg Wrap Is Taking Over Busy.
- If you’re looking for a quick and wholesome start to your day, our These 3-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies Are My Morning Time Saver are perfect.
- And for a classic comfort bake that’s great for breakfast or brunch, don’t miss This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way To Use Up Overripe Bananas.
Final Thoughts
These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are a brilliant solution for bringing a truly comforting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying breakfast or brunch to your table with ease. They’re perfect for a lazy morning, promising a bite of sweet, gooey, and delightful goodness that will make everyone happy!
Give this recipe a try and let these delicious roll-ups become your new go-to sweet breakfast! What’s your favorite way to transform classic breakfast items into something new and exciting? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below!
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