Name: Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 slices white sandwich bread; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 5 tablespoons light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 eggs; 1/4 cup milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; Maple syrup

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 73 reviews

If you’re craving something that combines the best flavors of a breakfast classic and a sweet treat, then you have to try this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe. It’s like cinnamon rolls and French toast had a delicious baby that’s easy to make and perfect for weekend mornings. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll be a go-to favorite for your brunch table or even weekend snacks.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture: Using soft sandwich bread makes rolling and frying super easy without breaking or getting soggy.
Balanced Sweetness: The cinnamon sugar outside complements the buttery cinnamon filling inside perfectly, giving just the right sweetness.
Quick to Make: It comes together in about 25 minutes from start to finish, which is ideal when you want a special breakfast without the hassle.
Customizable: You can tweak the filling and dipping mixture easily to suit your own taste or dietary needs.

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups, cinnamon roll breakfast ideas, easy French toast roll ups, cinnamon roll brunch recipes, sweet breakfast treats - A clear square glass container is filled with light brown breadcrumbs, creating a fine, grainy texture across the bottom. In the middle, a single, elongated food item coated in yellow batter rests partially covered by breadcrumbs, with a slightly rough texture from the coating. The scene is set on a white marbled surface, showing some wooden edge at the top. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The combo here is simple but genius—soft white bread, cinnamon, butter, and a lightly sweetened egg mixture. Each ingredient plays a role, giving you that classic cinnamon roll flavor with the fluffy French toast texture you love.

White sandwich bread: Choose soft, fresh bread—this makes rolling easier and ensures the inside stays tender.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter holds the cinnamon-sugar mixture together and adds richness.
Light brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
Ground cinnamon: Provides that signature warm spice you expect from cinnamon rolls and French toast.
Eggs: Bind the milk and vanilla together, helping the bread soak up flavor without falling apart.
Milk: Keeps the egg mixture smooth and helps coat the bread for frying.
Vanilla extract: Adds a lovely fragrant note, elevating the flavor complexity.
Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon for the perfect crispy outer coating.
Maple syrup: Classic finishing touch that brings all the sweet flavors together.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What’s fun about this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe is that it’s a canvas for your brunch creativity. I often tweak the filling or toppings depending on the season or what I have on hand. You should totally make it fit your cravings!

Variation: Sometimes, I swap the brown sugar for coconut sugar to give it a slightly nuttier taste, and it turns out fab every time.
Dietary tweaks: If you want to make it gluten-free, just grab gluten-free white sandwich bread. It works beautifully with the same method.
Extra fillings: A thin spread of cream cheese mixed with a little honey inside the roll ups adds a dreamy texture and tanginess.
Fruity twist: Toss in thin slices of apple or pear inside the roll for a surprising crunch and freshness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Butter Mixture

First things first, take 2 tablespoons of the butter out and set them aside for frying later. In a bowl, mix the remaining softened butter with brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon—stir it up until it’s completely blended and looks like sweet cinnamon magic. This mix is the heart of the cinnamon roll flavor inside your rolls, so don’t skip this step! Set it aside but keep it handy because we’re about to spread it.

Step 2: Prepare the Coatings and Egg Mixture

Mix the granulated sugar with the remaining cinnamon in a small bowl; this will be the crunchy cinnamon sugar that coats your golden roll ups right after frying. Next, in a separate dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla until smooth and a little frothy. This is your dunking squad for the bread, so no lumps!

Step 3: Roll ‘Em Up

Trim the crusts off your bread slices—that’s key for easy rolling. Then gently flatten each slice with a rolling pin (or just your hands if you don’t have one). Spread a thin layer of that luscious cinnamon butter mixture all over each flattened slice, then roll them up nice and tight like little cinnamon roll scrolls. Don’t be shy with the roll tightness—it helps them stay together while cooking.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Melt a tablespoon of the reserved butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat—this butter bath plays a huge role in creating that crispy golden crust. Now, dip each roll quickly into the egg-milk mixture, coating all sides but don’t let them soak too long or they’ll get soggy inside (just a quick dip is enough). Place each roll seam side down onto the pan. Cook for about 2 minutes each side, adding more butter if needed for even browning. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn—it’s all about that perfect golden color!

Step 5: Coat and Serve

Right after you take the rolls out, toss them gently in the cinnamon sugar coating while they’re still warm. This lets the sweet layer stick perfectly. Serve these warm and drizzled with maple syrup for that extra pop of sweetness. Honestly, I love how the sugar melts just a little and gives each bite a satisfying crunchy contrast.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Soft Bread is Key: I’ve found using bread that’s a day or two old and soft works way better than stale bread. It rolls easily without tearing.
Don’t Over-Soak: When dipping roll ups, a quick dip on each side is plenty. Leaving them too long makes them soggy inside—learned this the hard way!
Use a Nonstick Pan: This helped me keep the roll ups from sticking and falling apart during cooking, so definitely invest in a good one.
Fresh Butter Swaps: Wiping out the old butter and adding a fresh tablespoon between batches keeps your rolls golden and crispy every time.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep the garnishes simple—extra sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and a generous drizzle of warm maple syrup right before serving. Sometimes, I add a dollop of whipped cream or a few fresh berries to brighten things up. It’s all about that burst of color and contrast, plus a little freshness with the juicy berries.

Side Dishes

These roll ups are perfect alongside a bowl of fresh fruit salad or even some crispy bacon if you want a savory-sweet brunch vibe. A light citrusy yogurt dip also pairs surprisingly well if you want to switch things up.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions like birthdays or holiday brunch, I like to arrange the roll ups standing up in a circle on a platter, then drizzle the maple syrup in a spiral pattern over them. It looks so inviting and festive. Another time, I sprinkled chopped nuts and a few edible flowers on top—it instantly made it feel like a gourmet dish!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (though I doubt you will), let them cool completely then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The roll ups keep their flavor well but will lose a little crispness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these a few times and it works great—freeze them individually on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want to eat, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat. It saves so much time on busy mornings!

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer popping them in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes or until warmed through and a bit crispy again. You can also reheat in a pan over medium heat with a tiny bit of butter to revive that golden crust. Microwave works too but the texture isn’t as nice.

FAQs

Can I use whole wheat or gluten-free bread for Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure the bread is soft enough to roll without cracking. Gluten-free sandwich bread often works well as long as it’s not too dry. Whole wheat bread can add extra nuttiness but might be a bit sturdier, so roll gently.
How do I prevent the roll ups from falling apart while frying?

Make sure you roll the bread tightly around the butter mixture and place each roll seam side down directly into the hot pan. Also, avoid soaking the rolls too long in the egg mixture to keep the bread from becoming too soft and fragile.
Can I make these ahead of time for a crowd?

Yes! You can prep the rolled bread ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge for a few hours before frying. Just be sure to cook them fresh so they stay crisp and delicious when served.
What kind of syrup or toppings go best with Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups?

Maple syrup is my favorite—it adds just the right sweetness. You can also try honey, caramel sauce, or even cream cheese frosting for a decadent brunch twist. Fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar are great for garnishes too.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe holds a little special place in my kitchen because it’s easy enough to whip up on a lazy morning, yet impressive enough to feel like a treat. I love sharing it with friends who say it tastes just like those cinnamon rolls you get at a bakery—but quicker and perfectly portioned. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings a little extra warmth and sweetness to your breakfast table!