There’s something irresistible about a breakfast that tastes like a warm hug, and that’s exactly what this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe delivers. These bite-sized delights are packed with cinnamon flavor, super easy to make, and perfect for treating yourself or impressing guests.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made these cinnamon French toast roll ups — the house smelled amazing, and everyone was fighting over the last one! They’re so quick to whip up, and their fun, roll-up shape makes breakfast feel a little more special.
- Fast & Easy Prep: You can make this whole recipe start to finish in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy mornings or surprise guests.
- Family Friendly: Kids love helping roll these up, and they’re perfect finger foods for little hands.
- Flavor-Packed: That blend of cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter inside each roll tastes just like a cinnamon roll — but without the fuss.
- Flexible & Customizable: You can switch up the fillings or toppings to suit your taste or dietary needs easily.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe uses simple pantry staples, but each ingredient contributes to that perfect balance of texture and flavor — here’s why they’re key.
- White bread: I like plain sandwich bread because it’s soft and easy to roll up once the crusts are removed and flattened, but you can try whole wheat or brioche for a richer flavor.
- Butter (softened): Mixing this with cinnamon and sugar creates the luscious filling that melts and caramelizes inside the roll ups.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, rich sweetness to the filling, complementing the cinnamon perfectly.
- Cinnamon: Of course, the star spice here — I use about 3 teaspoons in the filling and a dusting to coat the outside for that warm, cozy aroma.
- Eggs and milk: This combo makes the classic French toast soak mixture that helps coat the rolls for a golden crust.
- Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon, it adds a slight crunch and sweetness on the outside when you roll the French toast roll ups.
- Powdered sugar (optional): I love a light dusting for an extra touch of sweetness before serving, but maple syrup or honey are fantastic too.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often switch up the filling or toppings depending on the season or mood — it keeps the breakfast table exciting!
- Variation: I love adding a smear of cream cheese inside before the cinnamon butter for a creamy twist — it makes these roll ups feel almost like a dessert!
- Fruit Fillings: Sometimes I tuck in thin slices of apple or a spoonful of berry jam inside — it adds a sweet surprise and vibrant flavor.
- Dietary Swap: You can easily use gluten-free bread and non-dairy milk to suit special diets without losing magic.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Butter Filling
Start by mixing softened butter, light brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. I usually beat it with a fork until it’s smooth and creamy. This little bowl of goodness is your flavor bomb inside each roll—don’t skimp on spreading it thickly!
Step 2: Prep the Bread Slices
Take your bread and carefully slice off the crusts — those can make rolling tricky. Then, flatten each slice with a rolling pin until it’s about ⅛ inch thick. This makes rolling easier and helps the bread soak up the custardy egg mixture later without falling apart.
Step 3: Spread and Roll
Slather each flattened slice generously with the cinnamon butter mixture, then roll it up tightly — like a little cinnamon log. I find it helpful to roll gently at first, then tuck the edges under as you finish so the filling doesn’t escape during cooking.
Step 4: Mix & Dip
In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs and milk together. In another bowl, combine granulated sugar with cinnamon. Dip each roll in the egg mixture, letting it soak briefly but not so long that it falls apart, then prepare to cook!
Step 5: Cook 'Em Up!
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and melt about 1 tablespoon of butter. Place your soaked roll ups seam-side down into the pan, cooking 3 or 4 at a time so they have room. Let them brown for a few minutes, then gently turn each roll a quarter turn until all sides are golden and crispy — it usually takes about 8-10 minutes total.
Step 6: Sweet Finish
Once cooked, roll each French toast roll up in the cinnamon sugar mixture or dust with powdered sugar. Serve immediately — I always like mine warm with a drizzle of maple syrup for that extra indulgence.
Top Tip
After making this Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make it foolproof and even more delicious — they’ll save you from rookie mistakes and elevate your breakfast game.
- Don’t skimp on flattening the bread: Flattening the bread well ensures a smooth roll and prevents the filling from squeezing out during cooking.
- Roll tightly but gently: This keeps the roll ups intact and helps them hold their shape while frying.
- Use medium heat: Cooking on medium heat lets the butter brown nicely without burning and cooks the rolls all the way through.
- Keep an eye on flipping: Turn the roll ups carefully a quarter turn at a time for even browning on all sides, and be gentle to avoid cracking.
How to Serve Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
My go-to garnishes are a light dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of pure maple syrup — it keeps things classic. But I also love adding fresh berries on the side or a dollop of whipped cream if it’s a weekend treat.
Side Dishes
A simple side of crispy bacon or sausage links balances the sweetness perfectly, and fresh fruit salad adds a refreshing contrast. Sometimes, I like a cup of yogurt with granola on the side for a little crunch and tang.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these roll ups standing up on a platter like mini cinnamon towers, served with little bowls of dipping sauces like chocolate or caramel — it’s fun and gets people talking at brunch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To keep them from getting soggy, wrap each roll up individually in parchment paper before sealing — it helps maintain their shape and texture.
Freezing
These freeze surprisingly well! Just flash freeze the roll ups on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. When you want to enjoy them, pop them straight into the oven at 350°F until heated through and crispy again.
Reheating
To reheat, I recommend warming them in a skillet over medium heat or baking in the oven rather than the microwave. This helps keep the outside crisp instead of turning mushy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Gluten-free bread works great as long as it’s sturdy enough to roll and soak up the egg mixture without falling apart. I recommend slightly thicker slices and gentle handling during rolling and cooking.
The key is to roll the bread tightly and tuck the edges underneath before cooking. Also, removing the crust and flattening the bread well helps create a compact roll that holds together during frying.
You can prepare the roll ups the night before and keep them in the fridge covered tightly. I suggest cooking them fresh in the morning for the best texture and flavor, but they can be reheated gently if needed.
Classic sides like bacon, fresh fruit, or a small bowl of yogurt are perfect. For a decadent brunch, try serving with whipped cream and extra maple syrup for dipping — it’s a guaranteed hit!
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites because it turns simple ingredients into something magical, fast. Whether it’s a holiday breakfast or a weekend treat, it’s a recipe that brings smiles and fills the kitchen with cozy aromas. Give it a try—you might find it becoming a new family classic!
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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 breakfast treat that combines the flavors of cinnamon sugar with soft, buttery bread rolled up and cooked to golden perfection. Perfect for a festive morning or a cozy weekend brunch, these roll ups offer a taste reminiscent of warm cinnamon rolls but with less preparation time and fuss. Serve them warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup for an irresistible start to the day.
Ingredients
Filling and Coating
- ½ stick butter (softened)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 teaspoon cinnamon
Batter and Topping
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoon milk
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
- 2 tablespoon butter for cooking (more if necessary)
Main Ingredient
- 12 to 15 slices white bread (crusts removed)
Instructions
- Prepare Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, light brown sugar, and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon. Beat the mixture until it becomes smooth and fully blended.
- Mix Sugar Cinnamon Coating: In another bowl, mix the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; set aside for coating later.
- Make Egg Mixture: Beat the eggs with milk in a shallow bowl; this will be used to coat the roll ups before cooking.
- Prepare Bread Slices: Remove crusts from the bread slices, then flatten each slice with a rolling pin to about ⅛ inch thickness to make them easier to roll.
- Spread Filling on Bread: Generously spread the cinnamon butter filling onto each flattened bread slice.
- Roll the Bread: Carefully roll up each slice tightly around the filling to form a compact roll.
- Preheat Pan and Cook: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt about 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Coat and Fry Roll Ups: Dip each roll in the egg mixture, coating thoroughly, then place in the pan seam side down. Cook 3 to 4 rolls at a time.
- Turn and Brown: When the bottom side is browned, turn the roll about a quarter turn and continue rolling and cooking until all sides are golden and cooked evenly.
- Coat with Sugar and Serve: Roll the cooked French toast roll ups in the cinnamon sugar mixture or dust them with powdered sugar. Serve warm with optional maple syrup for dipping.
Notes
- This recipe is quick and easy, ideal for a Christmas morning or festive breakfast.
- Removing the crusts and flattening the bread helps ensure an even roll and soft texture.
- Use softened butter in the filling to get a smooth spreadable texture.
- If desired, adjust cinnamon amounts to suit your taste preferences.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor; leftovers can be reheated gently.
- Substitute maple syrup or honey for dipping to add extra sweetness.
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: 90 mg
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