There's something downright magical about biting into a warm, cinnamon-spiced breakfast treat. This Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe takes that cozy feeling and wraps it up into bite-sized perfection that’s fun to make and even better to eat. Trust me, once you try these, they'll become your go-to for brunch or a weekend treat.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
What I adore about this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe is how it transforms everyday bread into a cinnamon-laden delight. It’s quick enough for busy mornings but has that special touch that feels like a treat.
- Fun to Make: Rolling up the bread with cinnamon filling adds a playful twist to classic French toast.
- Flavor Packed: That cinnamon and brown sugar combo inside each roll up tastes like a cinnamon roll without the fuss.
- Perfect Bite-Sized Pieces: These roll ups are great for portion control and super easy for kids to eat.
- Quick Cleanup: Minimal ingredients, minimal mess, and maximum satisfaction.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays its part in creating that melt-in-your-mouth experience. The balance between cinnamon, sugar, and butter is key, so keep an eye out for fresh spices and soft butter for best results.
- White bread: Classic sandwich bread is perfect because it’s soft and easy to roll; crusts come off for smooth rolling.
- Butter (softened): Helps create a smooth cinnamon sugar filling and adds richness.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor that balances cinnamon perfectly.
- Cinnamon: The star spice – fresh ground or high-quality cinnamon makes a noticeable difference.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and give the roll ups that custardy French toast texture.
- Milk: Lightens the egg mixture for even cooking.
- Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon for rolling – adds a crunchy, sweet coating.
- Powdered sugar (optional): For dusting – a pretty and sweet finishing touch.
- Butter for cooking: Needed to perfectly brown the roll ups without sticking or burning.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe is how easily you can tweak it. I love adding a little cream cheese inside for a luscious surprise, but you can play around with fillings and toppings to suit your vibe.
- Variation: Try adding a smear of your favorite jam or Nutella before rolling up for an indulgent twist – my kids went nuts for this once!
- Diet Swap: Use gluten-free bread or almond milk to fit dietary needs without losing the magic.
- Seasonal Flavors: Sprinkle in some pumpkin spice or nutmeg during fall for cozy seasonal flair.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Prep with Love – Flatten and Fill
First, I trim off the crusts — they can make rolling tricky — and then I gently flatten each slice with a rolling pin until they’re about ⅛ inch thick. This step is key to getting a smooth, tight roll. Next, spread a generous layer of that cinnamon-butter mixture all over each slice. Don’t be shy; this filling is the star!
Step 2: Roll ‘Em Up Tight
Carefully roll the bread slices around the cinnamon filling, making sure they’re snug but not so tight that the filling spills out. I like to pinch the seam a bit to keep them from unraveling during cooking.
Step 3: Egg Dip and Sizzle
Heat your non-stick pan to medium and melt about a tablespoon of butter. Coat each roll up in the egg and milk mixture — this is what gives you that golden, custardy crust. Place seam side down in the pan first to seal them, cooking in batches if needed so they’re not crowded.
Step 4: Brown All Around
Turn the roll ups a quarter turn every few minutes, letting all sides become beautifully golden and crisp. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes total. Be patient - the browning is what builds so much flavor!
Step 5: Sweet Finish
Roll your hot French toast roll ups in the cinnamon-sugar mixture or dust them with powdered sugar for that extra pop of sweetness. Serve these warm with maple syrup on the side – dipping is half the fun!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make these Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe come out just right every time. It’s all about patience and prepping properly to avoid roll-ups falling apart or getting soggy.
- Crust Removal: Don’t skip trimming the crusts — it really helps with rolling smoothly and avoiding tears.
- Butter Temperature: Softened butter blends easiest with sugar and cinnamon for a creamy filling, so let it sit out a bit first.
- Sealing the Roll: Cook seam side down initially to “seal” each roll and keep the filling from escaping as they cook.
- Even Browning: Turn the roll ups gently and regularly to brown all sides without burning any one spot.
How to Serve Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these with a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar for a sparkle. Fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream take them to brunch-party-level deliciousness, too.
Side Dishes
Pair these roll ups with crispy bacon or fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness perfectly. A cup of strong coffee or chai tea rounds out the cozy experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, arrange the roll ups in a wreath shape on a large platter and drizzle with warm caramel or chocolate sauce. Kids especially love dipping them in little bowls of syrup and jam on the side.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which usually don’t last long!), pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to two days, just be sure to reheat gently.
Freezing
I’ve frozen extras by laying them flat on a baking sheet, flash freezing, then packing them in a freezer-safe bag. They thaw quickly and reheat beautifully in the toaster oven or skillet.
Reheating
To revive the roll ups without sogginess, I warm them in a skillet over low heat with a little butter or use a toaster oven to keep that crisp exterior intact. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make them chewy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can prepare and roll the bread slices the night before, refrigerate them covered, and cook them fresh in the morning. This saves you some time while keeping everything fresh.
Soft white sandwich bread works best because it’s easy to flatten and roll without cracking. Avoid very dense or crusty bread, or the roll ups may not hold together well.
Definitely! While the classic cinnamon butter filling is fantastic, you can try cream cheese, jam, Nutella, or even fruit preserves for a fun twist.
The key is sealing the seams carefully and cooking seam side down first so the roll up 'seals' onto the pan. Using softened butter in the filling and not overfilling your rolls also helps keep them together.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe has earned a special place in my recipe rotation for good reason — it’s simple, comforting, and feels just a bit fancy. Whether you’re enjoying it as a holiday breakfast, weekend brunch, or a sweet treat anytime, it’s a winner that I’m excited for you to try. Roll up your sleeves and make some memories with cinnamon-spiced goodness today!
Print
Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups are a quick and delicious breakfast treat that transforms simple bread slices into warm, cinnamon-sugar filled delights. These roll ups offer the comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls in a simplified, easy-to-make version perfect for festive mornings or any day you crave a sweet breakfast.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Filling
- ½ stick butter (softened)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Egg Mixture
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoon milk
For Coating and Cooking
- 10-12 toast bread slices
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or up to taste)
- 2 tablespoon butter for cooking (more if necessary)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, and cinnamon. Beat the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.
- Mix Sugars and Eggs: In another bowl, combine the granulated sugar with cinnamon and set it aside for later. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and set this egg mixture aside.
- Prepare Bread: Remove the crusts from each bread slice and flatten them with a rolling pin until about ⅛ inch thick. Spread a thick layer of the cinnamon butter filling evenly on each slice.
- Roll the Bread: Carefully roll up each slice tightly with the cinnamon filling inside. Repeat this step with all the bread slices.
- Cook the Roll Ups: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and melt about 1 tablespoon of butter. Dip each roll up in the egg mixture to coat thoroughly, then place them seam side down on the pan. Cook 3 to 4 roll ups at a time.
- Brown Evenly: When the rolls are browned on one side, turn them a quarter turn to ensure all sides become golden brown and cooked through evenly.
- Finish and Serve: Roll the cooked French toast roll ups in the cinnamon sugar mixture or dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm, optionally with maple syrup for dipping.
Notes
- This recipe is fantastic for an easy, festive Christmas morning breakfast.
- Using slightly stale bread can help the roll ups hold together better without tearing.
- If you prefer, you can substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a richer flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use a milk alternative like almond or oat milk.
- Serve immediately for the best texture; they can lose crispness if left too long.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Leave a Reply