There is just nothing that says comfort quite like the warm, sugary hug of a cinnamon roll, right? But honestly, who has the time sometimes to let dough rise and swirl all morning? That’s why I am so thrilled to share this little piece of magic with you: my Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups. They take all that incredible, gooey, spice-filled flavor and turn it into something sweet and quick for brunch or a special morning treat.
These rollups were born right out of my memories from growing up in the foothills of North Carolina. Saturday mornings at my Grandma’s house always smelled like heaven because she was busy creating something cinnamon-y. Maybe it was a batch of quick biscuits, or sometimes she’d just whip up some improvised cinnamon rolls once the dough was ready. That smell, that warmth—it was the start of a good, gentle day.
When I sit down to remake this recipe now, I’m instantly transported back to Asheville, standing near her old wooden stove. This recipe captures that heart—the rich cinnamon aroma waking up the kitchen, the pure melt-in-your-mouth sweetness of a classic roll, but packaged in the simple, happy format of French toast. I literally rolled all those flavors together! It’s playful, it’s easy, and honestly, I think it’s even more satisfying than the original.
Why You Will Love These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
Honestly, these are the answer to every busy morning that still deserves a little bit of Southern comfort. If you loved my introduction story, you’re going to adore making these little guys. Seriously, you won’t believe how quickly you can knock these out!
- Total Speed Demons: Seriously, you start to finish, we’re talking maybe 15 minutes total. Perfect for those mornings when you need something amazing fast!
- The Flavor Combo We Crave: You get the soft texture of French toast but with that unmistakable, decadent brown sugar and warm cinnamon swirl inside. It’s the best flavor mashup!
- Kid-Friendly Fun: These are amazing for getting the little ones involved in the kitchen. They love rolling them up and seeing the gooey filling squish out a little bit. Check out more of my super easy recipes for kids right here.
- Minimal Ingredients Needed: You’re using pantry staples—bread, eggs, cinnamon, sugar—so you probably already have what you need right now. This lets you discover quick, kid-friendly snacks and treats made with just a few ingredients.
- The Perfect Brunch Star: They look fancy sitting on a platter with a little drizzle, but only you will know they took barely any effort to make.
- Great for Snacking Too: These aren’t just for breakfast! They make such a fun, sweet after-school treat when you need something quick and cozy.
They are just that perfect marriage of ease and indulgence, exactly what a Sunday morning calls for!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
You just won’t believe how few things you need for this! Seriously, this is why these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups are my go-to when I want that comfort food feeling without stressing out. I keep all my staple ingredients on hand, and bam—breakfast is served in minutes. Remember, using good quality basic white bread really makes a difference here!
Here is what you need to pull these together:
For the Roll-Ups
- 10 slices white sandwich bread
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the French Toast Coating
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Cooking
- 2-3 tablespoons butter for frying
See? Just a handful of treasures! Having everything ready lets you move fast when the skillet heats up.
Equipment Needed for Making Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
I always tell folks that the best cooking happens when your kitchen is set up just right. You don’t need any fancy gadgets for these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups, thank goodness! Having the right simple things ready makes the assembly line move so smoothly.
You’ll only need a few basic workhorses from your kitchen drawers:
- A sturdy rolling pin—you need a good press on that bread!
- A small bowl for mixing up that gorgeous cinnamon sugar filling.
- A shallow bowl, like a pie plate perhaps, for whisking your French toast coating.
- Your favorite skillet to get everything perfectly golden brown.
That’s it! No stand mixers needed here. Grab those four items, and we’re ready to roll!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
Okay, buckle up! This is the fun part where the magic of turning simple bread into those amazing Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups happens. Since these cook so fast, I like to have everything ready *before* the skillet even comes out. It keeps the process flowing, and we don’t end up with burnt edges while we’re still trying to find the vanilla extract!
Preparing the Bread for Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
First things first, you’ve got to get rid of those crusts. Honestly, the crust just gets tough and chewy, and we want pure soft goodness here. Use a sharp knife to trim off all four edges of your 10 slices of bread. Next up is the rolling pin! Lay the bread flat on a clean surface and just press down firmly and evenly with your rolling pin until it’s nice and thin. You need that flatness so you can roll it up tight later without it cracking or bulging.
Creating the Cinnamon Filling
Time to jazz up that flat bread! In a little bowl, we’re just whisking together the melted butter, the brown sugar, and those 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. Once that’s mixed into a thick, sweet paste—oh, it smells like a bakery just opened up in your kitchen—you need to spread it evenly over every single flattened slice. Make sure you leave just a tiny bit of space along the very edges, like a little safety border, so the filling doesn’t completely ooze out when things start heating up.
Assembling and Coating the Rollups
Now we roll! Starting from one short end, roll the bread up as tightly as you can, just like you’re rolling up a tiny cinnamon cigar. Use a little gentle pressure on the final seam to seal it shut. They might pop open if you roll sloppily, so take your time here! While you’re rolling, go ahead and whisk up your French toast coating in that shallow bowl—the 3 eggs, the milk, the remaining ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and the vanilla. That’s what’s going to give us that beautiful golden exterior.
Cooking Your Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
Set your skillet over medium heat, nice and steady—we don’t want smoking butter! Melt 2 or 3 tablespoons of butter right in there until it shimmers. Now, working quickly, dip each fully assembled rollup into the egg mixture just long enough to coat it lightly, and carefully place it seam-side down onto the hot pan. Cook for about 3 minutes total, carefully turning them until every side is beautifully golden brown and crisp. If you’re doing a big batch, keep the finished ones warm on a rack in a low oven while you finish the rest.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups Every Time
Even though these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups are super forgiving, a few tricks up your sleeve will make them go from good to absolutely legendary. My biggest advice is all about managing that heat and that roll!
First, use bread that hasn’t been sitting out forever—stale bread cracks when you flatten it. You need pliable, fresh sandwich bread. Second, when you roll, press firmly along that final seam! If the seam separates in the pan, all that gooey filling leaks out immediately, and you end up frying cinnamon sugar instead of toast.
Also, watch your skillet heat! Medium heat is your best friend here. If it’s too high, the outside burns before the inside gets warm and the coating cooks through, leaving you with raw egg taste. We want golden brown, not charcoal brown, folks! Trust me, a little patience with the temperature makes all the difference for that perfect texture inside and out.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
Making these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups is only half the fun—the serving part is where you get to personalize that sweet, comforting blast of flavor! Since the rollups themselves are already so intensely flavored with that brown sugar and cinnamon filling, you don’t need much to dress them up, but a little something extra never hurt anybody, right?
For me, the simplest perfection is just a light, gentle dusting of powdered sugar. It catches the light and reminds me of a snowy morning back home. But if you’re pulling out all the stops for a big holiday brunch, you’ve got to get saucy!
Here are my favorite ways to present these little beauties:
- Classic Maple Drizzle: You can never go wrong with real maple syrup. Warm it up slightly first—it flows so much better that way! It melts into the cracks of the toasted French toast coating beautifully.
- Cream Cheese Glaze (The Ultimate Move): If you want to go full-on cinnamon roll experience, whip up a simple cream cheese glaze. It’s just softened cream cheese, a little powdered sugar, and a tiny splash of milk mixed until smooth. You can drizzle this over the entire platter. Wow!
- Simple Fruit Contrast: Because these are so rich, a little bit of fresh fruit cuts through the sweetness perfectly. A small side of tart raspberries or sliced strawberries adds color and freshness.
- Sweet Cream Dip: Try serving a small bowl of slightly sweetened whipped cream on the side. It’s just lovely for dipping the ends into—especially if you have little ones who love dipping everything!
No matter how you serve them, enjoy them warm! That’s when the filling is perfectly gooey and the outside has that satisfying slight crunch.
How to Store and Reheat Your Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
If you manage to have any leftover Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups—which, let’s be honest, is a minor miracle in my house—you’ll want to store them right so you can enjoy that gooey goodness again later. These are best eaten immediately, just like any good French toast, because that slight crisp on the outside fades fast.
Storing Your Leftovers Properly
When they cool down, the cinnamon sugar filling will firm right back up, which is fine, but sogginess is the enemy here. You absolutely must store them in an airtight container. I usually line the bottom of my container with a nice paper towel first. This little trick just helps wick away any condensation that tries to form overnight. Trust me, keeping the air out is key to preserving that fresh flavor.
Don’t leave them out on the counter; these have eggs, so they need to go into the fridge within two hours. They usually keep well for about three days stored safely in the refrigerator.
The Best Way to Reheat
Okay, this is where we fight the sogginess head-on! You have two main routes, and choosing the right one depends on how much time you have and how crispy you want them back.
For the Crispiest Finish (I highly recommend this): Use your oven or toaster oven! Pop them directly onto a baking sheet—no need to cover them. Heat them in the oven at about 350°F (175°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes. This time allows the inside to warm through without making the outside mushy. It really brings back that golden exterior we worked so hard to achieve!
For Quick Heating (If you’re rushing): You *can* use the microwave, but be warned: they get soft, fast. Nuke them for about 15 to 20 seconds, just until warm. If you microwave them too long, you’ll lose all that beautiful texture, and they’ll end up tasting more like soft bread than a crisp rollup.
If you plan on drizzling glaze on after reheating, wait until they are completely warm, then add your topping. Enjoy your second-day treat!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
I get so many wonderful messages asking about substitutions and how to best manage these little treats, especially when planning for a big weekend brunch! Since these are simple to whip up, they are often the best basis for creating kid-friendly snacks and treats made with just a few ingredients. Let me tackle the common questions I hear most often about these sweet rollups!
Can I make these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups ahead of time?
That’s a fantastic question, especially if you are trying to juggle a big breakfast spread! You can absolutely assemble them ahead of time, which saves you loads of time in the morning. Follow all the steps right up until the step where you dip them in the egg mixture. Roll them up, seal them well, cover them tightly, and pop them into the fridge. They hold up great assembled like that for up to 12 hours.
Now, here’s the crucial part: Don’t dip or cook them until you are ready to eat! The French toast coating will turn the bread soggy if it sits for too long before hitting the hot pan. In the morning, just take them out, let them sit on the counter for about 15 minutes while the pan heats up, and then proceed with the dipping and frying steps. They come out fresh tasting!
What type of bread works best for these sweet rollups?
My recipe calls for standard, good quality white sandwich bread, and that really is the best choice. Why? Because it’s soft enough to flatten without tearing, and it absorbs our cinnamon sugar filling and the egg coating just perfectly without getting too dense. It gives you that comforting, nostalgic texture.
If you don’t have plain white bread, don’t fret! You can absolutely use a soft brioche loaf, though you might need to flatten that a little more gently because brioche is richer and tear-prone. I would skip seeded breads or very rough whole wheat varieties, though. Those sturdy breads don’t flatten well, and honestly, the flavor clashes a bit with that pure cinnamon roll essence we are going for here.
If you’re looking for a lighter option, maybe try a soft potato bread! Just remember, whatever you choose, fresh, soft slices are the key to a successful rollup!
Sharing Your Experience with Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
Well, folks, that’s all there is to it! We’ve turned a simple loaf of bread into pure, glorious, rolled-up comfort food. I sure hope these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups bring as much of that cozy, sweet morning feeling into your house as they do mine.
Now, this recipe is a piece of my heart, straight from my grandma’s kitchen in Asheville, and I built this community here at Top Chicken Eats so we could share these moments. Because of that, I just live to hear how they turned out for you! Did you try the heavy drizzle of cream cheese glaze, or did you stick to a simple dusting of sugar?
Please, don’t be shy! If you made these lovely rollups, take a moment to leave a star rating right down below the recipe card. Your feedback helps other home cooks know this comforting little recipe is worth their time. And if you snapped a picture of your batch—maybe your kids helped you roll them—I’d love for you to share that too! Tag me on social media so I can see your beautiful creation.
If you have any little twists or questions that weren’t answered above, please drop a line in the comments or reach out through the contact form. Connecting with you all is truly what makes getting up early to cook worth it. Happy rolling, friends!
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Rollups
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Remove crusts from the bread slices. Flatten each slice using a rolling pin.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon.
- Spread this mixture evenly on each bread slice, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll up each slice tightly. Seal the edges with gentle pressure.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter for cooking.
- Dip each roll into the egg mixture. Place the roll seam-side down in the skillet.
- Cook for about 3 minutes total, rotating the rollups to brown all sides.