Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
If you’re looking for a breakfast treat that’s both nostalgic and a little bit fancy, then you’re going to absolutely love this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe. Imagine all the gooey, cinnamony goodness of a cinnamon roll combined with the crispy, custardy delight of French toast—all wrapped into neat little bite-sized rolls. It’s the kind of recipe that makes weekend mornings just that much more special, and once you try it, I’m pretty sure it’ll become a breakfast staple for you too!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balance of Flavors: The sweet cinnamon sugar filling paired with the rich egg soak creates a perfect harmony you can’t resist.
- Perfect Texture: Soft bread rolled thin gets crispy on the outside and tender inside, giving great bite and mouthfeel.
- Quick & Easy: With minimal ingredients and simple steps, you can have an impressive breakfast with just about 25 minutes.
- Customizable: Easy to tweak the fillings or toppings to match your personal cravings or dietary needs.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays a superhero role, making these roll ups melt-in-your-mouth amazing. I always grab fresh, soft sandwich bread because it rolls so easily without breaking, and using unsalted butter lets you control the sweetness perfectly.

- White sandwich bread: Choose soft, fresh bread for easy rolling without tearing, and it’s neutral enough to soak up flavors beautifully.
- Unsalted butter: Softened for easy mixing; it adds richness without extra salt.
- Light brown sugar: Offers that deep caramel flavor blending perfectly with cinnamon.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice—warm, sweet, and aromatic.
- Eggs: Bind the custard soak that makes French toast irresistibly tender.
- Milk: Helps to dilute eggs creating the perfect soak consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle, sweet undertone I always love in French toast.
- Granulated sugar: Used at the end for that satisfying crunchy cinnamon sugar coating.
- Maple syrup: The classic finishing touch for that extra drizzle of sweetness.
Tweak to Your Taste
I’m all about making recipes my own, and this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe lets me have fun with flavors. Whether you want to make it healthier or add a nutty crunch, here’s what I’ve tried and loved in my kitchen.
- Variation: Adding cream cheese spread inside the roll-ups makes them even more decadent and creamy—I highly recommend trying it once for an extra indulgent brunch.
- Dairy-Free Option: Substitute the milk with almond or oat milk, and use a plant-based butter to keep it entirely vegan.
- Spice It Up: If you’re into a little extra warmth, sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg in the egg mixture while whisking.
- Sweetener Swap: For a less sugary version, swap brown sugar for coconut sugar or just reduce the amount—still delicious!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Mix the sweet cinnamon butter filling
Start by setting aside 2 tablespoons of butter—you’ll use this later for frying, so don’t forget! Then soften the rest of the butter until it’s super easy to mix. Combine it with the brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl, stirring until everything is nice and blended. This mixture is what gives those roll ups their signature cinnamon-swirl sweetness inside, so don’t rush it.
Step 2: Prep the cinnamon sugar topping and egg soak
In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar with cinnamon. This will be your final coating for a delicious crunchy finish. Then in a separate medium dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until everything’s smooth and well combined. This custard soak is key to getting that soft French toast texture once cooked.
Step 3: Roll and fill the bread slices
Grab your bread slices and carefully cut off the crusts—they won’t roll up as smoothly if the crust gets in the way. Using a rolling pin, gently flatten each slice until it’s thin but not torn. Spread a thin layer of the butter-cinnamon mixture on each one, then roll up tightly. This step might take a couple tries to perfect, but trust me—the tight rolls help keep the filling inside during cooking.
Step 4: Dip and cook the roll ups to golden perfection
Heat a tablespoon of the reserved butter in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Now, dip each bread roll into your egg mixture, coating thoroughly but briefly—don’t let them soak too long or they’ll get soggy inside. Place the roll in the pan seam side down to keep it sealed and fry for about 2 minutes per side, or until a beautiful golden brown crust forms. Repeat in batches, adding more butter if needed, and watch carefully so they don’t burn.
Step 5: Coat with cinnamon sugar and serve warm
Once the roll ups come out of the pan, immediately toss them in the cinnamon sugar mix so it sticks nicely. Serve them warm with a drizzle of maple syrup on the side. Honestly, I sometimes sneak a few plain because they’re so satisfying on their own!
Pro Tips for Making Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
- Use Soft Bread: Soft white bread rolls easier without cracking, so don’t use stale or dense bread.
- Don’t Over-Soak: Dip the rolls briefly in egg mixture on each side; too long and they get soggy inside.
- Fry in Batches: Cooking 4 roll ups at a time helps maintain pan temperature and ensures even browning.
- Replace Butter Often: After each batch, wipe out leftover butter and add fresh to keep that golden crust without burning.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe

Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little extra powdered sugar on top, just for that delicate touch—and hey, it looks pretty too! A side of warm cinnamon apples or fresh berries balances the sweetness nicely. And, of course, a generous drizzle of maple syrup is non-negotiable in my book.
Side Dishes
To round out the meal, I often serve these roll ups with crispy bacon or sausage links for that salty contrast. A simple fruit salad or a smoothie also pairs beautifully, making the breakfast feel complete without overpowering those perfect cinnamon flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch parties, I’ll line them up like little soldiers on a serving platter with tiny skewers for easy grabbing. Drizzling maple syrup across them in a zigzag pattern adds a chic, café-style vibe. And around holidays, I sprinkle some edible glitter or chopped nuts on top for extra sparkle and texture—guests always ask for seconds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. I recommend lining the container with paper towels to soak up any moisture that might accumulate.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these roll ups before by placing them on a parchment-lined tray, freezing until firm, and then transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for about a month. When you’re ready, just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To keep that crispy texture, reheat the roll ups in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving if you can; it tends to make them soggy, which totally defeats the point!
FAQs
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Can I use other types of bread for Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe?
Absolutely! While I recommend soft white sandwich bread for the best rolling and texture, you can experiment with brioche or challah for a richer flavor. Just make sure the bread slices are soft and fresh to prevent tearing.
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How long can I soak the bread in the egg mixture?
You only want to coat each roll briefly on both sides—about 5 seconds per side is enough. If you leave the bread in the mixture too long, it may become soggy and fall apart when cooking.
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Can I prepare these in advance?
You can roll them up and store them airtight in the fridge for a few hours before cooking, which makes morning prep quicker. Just dip and fry when you’re ready to serve for the best texture and taste.
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What if I don’t have cinnamon—can I use another spice?
If you’re out of cinnamon, ground nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice can be fun alternatives that add warmth and complexity, though cinnamon is definitely the classic choice here.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe is one of those happy discoveries that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy and fast to pull together. I’ve made it countless times for sleepover breakfasts and lazy weekend brunches, and it never fails to bring smiles around the table. Give it a go—you’ll find it’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to make again and again, whether it’s a special occasion or just because Sunday morning deserves a little extra love.
Print
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups are a delightful twist on traditional French toast, featuring white bread rolled with a cinnamon and brown sugar butter mixture, then dipped in an egg custard and pan-fried to golden perfection. Coated in cinnamon sugar and served with maple syrup, they provide a deliciously sweet and cinnamon-spiced breakfast treat.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Butter Filling
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 5 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Egg Mixture
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Coating and Assembly
- 8 slices white sandwich bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, separated (1 tablespoon set aside for frying, 1 tablespoon for melting in pan)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Cinnamon Butter Mixture: Separate 2 tablespoons of butter and set it aside. In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 6 tablespoons of softened butter with 5 tablespoons of light brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon. Mix until fully incorporated, then set aside.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Set aside for coating the roll ups later.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a medium dish, whisk together 2 eggs, 1/4 cup milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully blended. Set aside.
- Prepare the Bread Rolls: Remove the crusts from all 8 slices of bread and roll each slice flat using a rolling pin. Spread a thin layer of the cinnamon butter mixture evenly over each bread slice, then roll each slice tightly from one end to the other to form roll ups.
- Dip and Fry the Roll Ups: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Dip each bread roll into the egg and milk mixture, coating it well but not soaking too long. Place each roll seam side down in the pan. Fry the roll ups in batches of 4, cooking each side until golden brown, approximately 2 minutes per side. Add extra butter to the pan as needed to prevent sticking and promote browning.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar and Serve: Remove the fried roll ups from the pan. While still warm, immediately roll or sprinkle them in the cinnamon sugar mixture so it sticks nicely. Serve the Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll Ups warm with maple syrup on the side.
Notes
- Use soft sandwich bread as it is easier to flatten and roll without breaking.
- A nonstick frying pan is best to prevent the rolls from sticking or breaking apart during frying.
- After cooking a batch, wipe out the pan with a paper towel and add fresh butter before frying the next batch to ensure golden brown color.
- Coat the rolls with the cinnamon sugar mixture immediately after frying while they are still warm for better adhesion and flavor.
- Fry the roll ups in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which ensures even cooking and prevents burning.
- Do not leave the bread rolls submerged in the egg mixture for too long; just a quick dip on each side is enough to prevent sogginess inside.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg

