That classic Sunday morning French toast, golden brown and smelling like heaven, is a memory many of us hold dear. My mother in Texas always made it this perfect ritual—the house smelled of cinnamon, butter, and pure family comfort. But sometimes you need that tradition to travel a little faster and taste a whole lot more decadent! That’s where reinventing comes in. I’m thrilled to share these Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups with you, a quick, kid-friendly treat born from research into Southern foodways and a serious craving for chocolate-hazelnut goodness.
These aren’t just rollups; they are instant joy wrapped up tight. We take something familiar and give it a modern, gooey center. You can whip these up faster than most people can flip a regular slice of toast. If you’re looking for amazing breakfast ideas or just need a snack that pleases everyone, you’ve definitely landed in the right spot. You can find more of my favorite recipes over in the breakfast archive here: my best breakfast creations.
Why You Will Make These Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups Often
Look, I love a slow Sunday brunch, but most mornings? We need efficiency! These rollups are the perfect balance of feeling like a real treat without demanding all your precious time. They’re truly the definition of high reward for low effort. No matter what, you’ll be reaching for this recipe again and again.
Quick Preparation Time for Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups
Seriously, the absolute longest part is waiting for the pan to heat up! With prep and cook time combined, you are looking at just 18 minutes total for these amazing Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups. That’s faster than boiling water!
Kid-Friendly Appeal and Simple Ingredients
If you’re looking for those incredible easy recipes for kids, stop scrolling right here. Kids can help flatten the bread and roll the filling up. It turns breakfast into a fun kitchen activity, and since the ingredients list is so short, it feels like magic!
Gathering Ingredients for Perfect Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups
You don’t need a pantry full of specialty items to make these rollups, which I absolutely love. It’s all about grabbing familiar things and using them in a slightly different, much more delicious way. Every ingredient here plays a key role in getting that perfect crispy-outside, gooey-inside experience. Let’s look at what we need to gather before we start flattening bread!
Bread and The Nutella Filling
First up is the structure! You’ll need 8 slices of good white or wheat bread—make sure they look sturdy. Trim off those crusts right away; they just get too tough when rolled and fried. Then comes the star: You’ll spread about 4 tablespoons of Nutella total, which means roughly half a tablespoon on each slice. Don’t be shy, but don’t overdo it or it’ll squeeze out!
The Egg Batter for Dipping
Next, we create that lovely, sweet French toast custard. Whisk together 1/4 cup of milk with 1 large egg (or two smaller ones, no problem there) and 2 tablespoons of sugar mixed just for the dip. Don’t forget that splash—about 1/4 teaspoon—of vanilla extract. That little bit of vanilla elevates the whole thing, trust me.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating and Cooking Fats
For the irresistible outside crunch, we need a coating prepared separately. Mix the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a second shallow bowl. This coating is our final step! For cooking, melt 3 tablespoons of real butter in your pan—butter equals flavor, always. And naturally, have some maple syrup ready for drizzling if you want that extra sweetness!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it’s really straightforward once you have your ingredients prepped. Don’t rush the shaping part; that’s my one non-negotiable tip. As a historian of food, I know sometimes the old ways are the best ways, and a good, firm roll is crucial here for success!
Preparing the Bread and Securing the Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups
First things first: grab your rolling pin! You need to trim all the crusts off those 8 slices of bread. Once they are bare, lay one slice down and really press it thin using that rolling pin. You need it flat so it can roll up like a tight little burrito. Take that half-tablespoon of Nutella and spread it evenly over the flattened bread. Then, roll that slice up as tightly as you possibly can. We’re trying to create a seal here so the melted chocolate stays inside while cooking!
Mixing the Custard and Cinnamon Sugar Coating
While you’re crushing those bread slices, you need two separate little bowls ready to go. In the first one, whisk together your egg and milk—that’s your custard bath. In the second shallow bowl, mix your coating sugars and cinnamon together really well. You want that cinnamon distributed perfectly so every surface gets that sweet crunch later. Keep them close by!
Cooking and Finishing Your Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups
Heat up that butter in your large nonstick pan over medium heat—not screaming hot, we don’t want burnt bread! Melt that butter until it foams just a bit. Quick dip: grab an assembled rollup, dunk it swiftly in the egg mixture, making sure it’s coated but not totally soaked, and place it gently in the pan. You’re looking for about 2 minutes per side until they are gorgeously golden brown. Right out of the pan, you must immediately roll each hot piece through that cinnamon sugar until fully coated. Pop these modern breakfast treats onto a plate and get ready!
Tips for Achieving Perfect Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups
Even though this recipe is quick, a couple of little tricks will elevate your rollups from good to absolutely unbeatable. Since I’ve been testing variations of this for a while now, I’ve learned exactly what keeps the texture amazing and, more importantly, keeps that glorious chocolate safely inside the pastry.
Bread Selection for the Best Rollup Texture
Don’t grab the absolute softest, freshest loaf you can find. Trust me on this—a slightly sturdier bread slice works best here. If your bread is a little bit stale, even better! Stale bread flattens beautifully without immediately tearing apart when you press it down with that rolling pin. That firmness is the secret weapon against breakage.
Preventing Nutella Leaks During Cooking
The biggest fear is always losing that warm, gooey center! After you roll up the bread nice and tight, here’s something I started doing: I place the assembled rolls on a plate and pop them in the freezer for just five minutes. This firms everything up one last time before the final dip. If the edges look a bit loose, just use your fingers to gently pinch and seal them shut before they ever see the hot butter.
Equipment Needed for Making Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups
Getting organized before you start cooking is half the battle won, especially when you’re making something quick like these Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups!
You don’t need fancy gadgets for this, which is part of why I love it so much. Just three simple tools stand between you and breakfast glory. Having these items ready means you can move seamlessly from spreading to rolling to dipping without missing a beat.
- A rolling pin is non-negotiable here. I know some people try to use cans or cups, but trust me, the weight and flat surface of a proper rolling pin ensure you get that bread thin enough for a tight, satisfying roll.
- You’ll need a large nonstick saute pan. This is important because we are dealing with caramelized butter and sugar on the outside, and you want minimal sticking so your rollups come out golden, not glued to the bottom of the pan.
- Prepare two small shallow bowls. One is for whisking up that sweet egg custard for dipping, and the other is for laying out your cinnamon-sugar coating. Separate bowls make the dipping and coating process so much cleaner and faster!
Serving Suggestions for Your Sweet Breakfast Ideas
Maple syrup is classic, and yes, we absolutely use it, but why stop there when we’ve already made something so fun? Presentation is everything, especially when serving these to the kids—it makes them feel special! Think about piling them high on a simple wooden cutting board rather than a formal plate for a more rustic feel.
If you want to elevate these beyond just a quick bite, try dusting them lightly with powdered sugar right before serving. A little side bowl of whipped cream, maybe spiked with a drop of vanilla or a squeeze of orange zest, is divine. For an extra layer of flavor that goes perfectly with the chocolate and hazelnut, toss some chopped toasted pecans over the top. Check out some of my wildest plating ideas for other sweet recipes here: my favorite presentation tips!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups
Now, usually, these disappear faster than I can make them, but if you manage to have any amazing Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups left over (which I doubt!), you need to store them right. Don’t just chuck them in a container uncovered; that locks in steam and kills the crispiness we worked so hard for! Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for maybe a day, max—they are best fresh.
Reheating is key to bringing back that glorious crunch. Skip the microwave if you can, unless you enjoy sad, soggy bread. For the best result, heat them on a baking sheet in a toaster oven or a regular oven set around 350°F for about five to seven minutes. That warms the Nutella center back up and crisps the outside perfectly!
Frequently Asked Questions About Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups
I always get so many questions when I post these because they look fancy but they are secretly so easy! Here are a few things I hear most often about whipping up these treats, especially when trying to keep things quick for the kids.
Can I make these Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups ahead of time?
You absolutely can assemble them ahead of time! That’s a big win for busy mornings. Assemble the rollups—trim, flatten, roll, and seal—and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge overnight. But, and this matters, don’t dip them in the egg mixture until about 15 minutes before you plan to cook them. Cooking them ahead loses that fresh, crispy texture entirely, and we want that beautiful crunch!
What is the best bread to use for these easy recipes for kids?
For these to work beautifully, you need a bread that can handle flattening without turning into paste. Avoid those super soft, pre-sliced sandwich breads if you can, unless they are a day or two old. A standard white or plain wheat bread that has a bit of body is perfect. If the bread is slightly firm, it makes the rolling step much cleaner, which prevents any mess while you’re cooking!
Are there healthier filling alternatives to Nutella?
That’s a great question if you’re trying to manage sugar intake or need options for picky eaters! If you don’t want to use Nutella, you can totally swap it out while keeping the spirit of these kid-friendly snacks and treats. Try using creamy peanut butter mixed with a dash of cinnamon, or even a thick fruit preserve like raspberry or apricot jam. Just make sure whatever you use is spreadable but not too runny so it stays put!
About the Author: James Porter
By James Porter – Food Writer & Culinary Historian
Born and raised in Texas, I have always believed that every single recipe tells a story. As a Food Writer and Culinary Historian, I really enjoy uncovering the roots of those beloved dishes, tracing their journeys from old farmhouse tables right into our modern kitchens. Before I started writing here, I spent a good ten years researching Southern foodways and writing for some regional food journals. My fascination with culture and cuisine really led me to study how flavors migrate across continents—connecting those dots between tradition, innovation, and what tastes good on your plate.
Here at Top Chicken Eats, I try to bring that historian’s curiosity and a writer’s warmth right to the table. My articles and recipes aim to reveal the deep heritage behind dishes from all over, from spicy Cajun classics to simple family favorites, all told in stories that make you feel right at home. You can read more about my work and philosophy over at the About Us page.
When I’m not in the kitchen testing out a new idea or combing through old cookbooks, you can find me traveling through The South, collecting food stories, and happily sharing meals that honor the past while celebrating everything we have right now.
If you want to connect on professional stuff, feel free to look me up on LinkedIn or follow along on Instagram!
Nutella Stuffed French Toast Rollups
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Trim the crusts off the bread slices. Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice until thin.
- Spread about 1/2 tablespoon of Nutella on each flattened bread slice. Roll the bread up tightly.
- In a small shallow bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and vanilla extract. Set this mixture aside.
- In a separate small shallow bowl, mix the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar and the cinnamon for the coating. Set this aside.
- Melt the butter in a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Dip each Nutella roll-up into the milk and egg mixture. Place the roll-ups in the hot pan and cook for about 2 minutes per side until they are golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Remove the cooked roll-ups from the pan immediately. Roll them through the cinnamon-sugar mixture until all sides are coated. Serve warm with maple syrup if desired.