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Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are a fun and indulgent breakfast treat that brings together the warm, gooey flavor of a cinnamon roll and the crispy, golden edges of French toast. Quick to make and easy to customize, they’re perfect for brunch, a sweet morning treat, or even dessert. Think bakery-style comfort—without leaving your kitchen.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Roll-Ups:

12 slices white sandwich bread (or brioche/challah)
3 tbsp softened butter (plus more for cooking)

For the Cinnamon Filling:

¼ cup light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

For the French Toast Coating:

2 eggs
3 tbsp milk

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Optional Toppings:

Powdered sugar
Maple syrup
Cream cheese glaze (cream cheese + powdered sugar + milk)

Directions

Step 1: Flatten the Bread
Use a rolling pin or your hands to flatten each bread slice.

Step 2: Make the Filling
Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Spread a thin layer over each slice.

Step 3: Roll Them Up
Tightly roll each bread slice into a log and place seam-side down.

Step 4: Prepare the French Toast Batter
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.

Step 5: Dip and Cook
Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt butter.
Dip each roll-up into the egg mixture and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy on all sides.

Step 6: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
While warm, roll each in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Step 7: Serve
Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with syrup, or serve with cream cheese glaze.

Nutrients

(Per roll-up, estimated)

Calories: 210 kcal
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Sugar: 12 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sodium: 150 mg

Origins and Inspiration Behind Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups

This recipe is inspired by two beloved breakfast favorites: the classic cinnamon roll and traditional French toast. Cinnamon rolls, with their spirals of buttery dough and warm spice, are a comfort food favorite across generations. French toast, with its custardy center and caramelized crust, brings a nostalgic sense of homestyle comfort.

By blending these two dishes, this recipe offers the gooey cinnamon filling you love in a roll but with the crispy, golden edges and lightly eggy texture of French toast. Roll-ups have become a trendy format for French toast variations because they’re easy to cook, portion, and eat with your hands. This version stays true to that concept, while turning the sweetness and coziness up to 10.

They’re also customizable, quick to make, and endlessly appealing to kids and adults alike—making them the ideal choice for holiday mornings, sleepover breakfasts, or just because.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s no shortage of reasons to adore these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups. First, they’re incredibly easy to make. You only need a few basic ingredients: sandwich bread, cinnamon, sugar, butter, eggs, and milk. Most of them are probably already in your pantry.

Second, they’re fast. Unlike traditional cinnamon rolls that require yeast, rising time, and baking, these roll-ups take about 20 minutes from start to finish. That means you can enjoy that same sweet cinnamon swirl flavor without any waiting.

Third, they’re incredibly fun to serve and eat. Their size and shape make them perfect for dipping in syrup, coating in powdered sugar, or drizzling with a tangy cream cheese glaze. Their crispy outside and gooey center make them a sensory delight in every bite.

Lastly, they’re a hit with everyone. Kids love the cinnamon-sugar flavor and the roll-up presentation. Adults appreciate the nostalgic flavor combo and the elegant plating potential. Plus, they’re easy to scale up or down depending on your crowd.

Nutritional Profile of Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups

While these roll-ups are undoubtedly a treat, they offer a surprisingly balanced nutritional profile for a sweet breakfast. Each roll-up clocks in at about 210 calories, making it easy to enjoy one or two without going overboard. The carbohydrates come primarily from bread and sugar, while the eggs and milk in the coating add a bit of protein to keep you feeling satisfied.

Using whole wheat bread can add fiber, and opting for reduced-sugar sweeteners or lighter toppings can help tailor this recipe to your dietary needs. If you’re making them for kids or health-conscious guests, serving them with fresh fruit can provide a nice balance.

As a brunch or dessert offering, they strike the right balance between indulgence and portion control—especially when paired with lighter sides like Greek yogurt or fruit salad.

Best Occasions to Serve Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups

These roll-ups are incredibly versatile and can be served across many different types of meals and events:

Weekend Breakfasts: When you want something warm and comforting that doesn’t take hours in the kitchen.

Holiday Mornings: Perfect for Christmas, Easter, or Mother’s Day brunch when you want something festive and homemade.

Brunch Buffets: Great for potlucks, breakfast-for-dinner nights, or brunch parties. Their small size makes them ideal for serving a crowd.

Sleepovers and Kids’ Parties: Kids love anything mini and sweet, and these roll-ups are both easy to eat and fun to make together.

Dessert: Top with whipped cream, glaze, or even a scoop of ice cream for a delicious dessert version.

From everyday breakfast to special occasions, these roll-ups will elevate your table and create smiles all around.

Helpful Tips for the Best French Toast Roll-Ups

To ensure the best texture and flavor, start with soft sandwich bread, brioche, or challah. These breads are pliable and easy to roll without tearing. Avoid crusty or dry breads, which may break or resist rolling.

Flatten the bread thoroughly before filling. A rolling pin works best, but your hands will do in a pinch. This step helps the bread hold its shape when rolled and dipped in batter.

Don’t overload the filling. A thin, even layer of the butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar mixture is all you need. Too much filling will cause the rolls to burst open during cooking.

Be gentle when dipping the roll-ups in the egg mixture. You want them fully coated but not so soaked that they fall apart.

Cook over medium heat in a well-buttered skillet. This ensures even browning without burning and helps the butter caramelize the sugar slightly.

Coat them in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm so it sticks properly. For an extra decadent twist, serve with cream cheese glaze or maple syrup on the side.

Creative Variations to Try

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are easy to personalize. Try one of these tasty twists:

Apple Pie Roll-Ups: Add a thin layer of apple pie filling or sautéed apples inside with the cinnamon mixture.

Cream Cheese Swirl: Mix cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract and spread it alongside the cinnamon filling.

Chocolate Hazelnut: Use Nutella in place of the cinnamon filling for a rich, dessert-style treat.

Berry Bliss: Add a spoonful of jam or fresh berry slices for a fruity take on the classic.

Savory Option: Replace the sweet filling with ham and cheese or scrambled eggs and herbs for a savory breakfast roll-up.

These simple adaptations allow you to create something new and exciting each time you make them.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

While these roll-ups are best served fresh and warm, they can also be made ahead. Prepare and cook them fully, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet or toaster oven to restore their crispiness.

If you’d like to freeze them, let them cool completely after cooking, then place on a tray in a single layer and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat from frozen by baking at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes or until hot and crisp.

Avoid microwaving for too long, as it can make them rubbery instead of crispy.

Health Benefits of the Main Ingredients

Bread provides carbohydrates for energy and can be a good source of fiber and iron when made with whole grains.

Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it adds bold flavor without extra calories.

Eggs are rich in protein, vitamins, and healthy fats, helping to create a satisfying and balanced dish.

Milk contributes calcium and vitamin D, along with a creamy texture in the batter.

Brown sugar and butter provide rich flavor and caramelized notes that make this dish indulgent and satisfying in small portions.

Altogether, these ingredients combine to create a sweet treat that’s not only delicious but also offers small amounts of beneficial nutrients in a comforting package.

Conclusion

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are everything you love about cinnamon rolls and French toast rolled into one delightful dish. They’re crispy, gooey, sweet, and spiced just right — perfect for treating yourself or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Whether you serve them on a holiday morning, as a sweet weekend brunch, or even as a cozy dessert, these roll-ups bring joy to any table. They’re fast, fun, and absolutely irresistible — the kind of recipe that instantly becomes a household favorite.

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