Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups: Easy Sweet Breakfast Treat

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!

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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:


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!