Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups: The Ultimate Sweet Breakfast Treat

If you love cinnamon rolls and you love French toast, this recipe combines both into the most irresistible, fun, delicious breakfast treat ever: Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups. Soft slices of bread are rolled flat, filled with cinnamon-sugar goodness (or cream cheese frosting!), rolled into little logs, dipped in custard, pan-fried until golden, and coated in cinnamon sugar.

They taste like mini cinnamon rolls, but with the crispy edges and custard richness of French toast. These roll-ups are perfect for:

✔ Breakfast
✔ Brunch
✔ Dessert
✔ Holidays
✔ Parties
✔ Kids’ breakfasts
✔ Sweet snacks

Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups

For the Roll-Ups

  • 8–12 slices of soft white bread (crusts removed)

  • 4 tbsp softened butter

  • 3 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • (Optional but recommended) 3 tbsp cream cheese, softened

For the French Toast Custard

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1/3 cup milk or heavy cream

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • Pinch of cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon

For Cooking

  • 2–3 tbsp butter

  • OR

  • Neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil)

Optional Fillings

  • Nutella

  • Cream cheese and sugar mix

  • Apple pie filling

  • Strawberry preserves

  • Cookie butter

  • Maple cream

  • Caramel sauce

Preparation Time

Step Time
Preparing the bread 5 minutes
Filling and rolling 10 minutes
Mixing custard 2 minutes
Cooking 6–10 minutes
Total time 20–25 minutes

How to Prepare Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups (Step-by-Step)

Follow these detailed instructions for perfect, bakery-style cinnamon roll-ups every time.


Step 1: Prepare the Bread

  1. Take your slices of soft white bread.

  2. Remove the crusts from each slice.

  3. Use a rolling pin to flatten each piece until thin and flexible.

Why this matters:

Flattening ensures the roll-ups don’t crack and allows the filling to melt beautifully inside.


Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Filling

In a bowl, combine:

  • Softened butter

  • Brown sugar

  • Cinnamon

  • Vanilla extract

  • (Optional) Softened cream cheese

Mix until creamy.

This mixture tastes like the filling inside a homemade cinnamon roll.


Step 3: Spread the Filling

Spread a thin layer of the cinnamon mixture onto each flattened slice of bread.

Use just enough to cover but not too much, or the rolls may burst open during cooking.


Step 4: Roll Them Up

Starting at one end, roll each slice into a tight little log.

You now have the base shape for your French toast roll-ups.


Step 5: Prepare the French Toast Custard

Whisk together:

  • Eggs

  • Milk or cream

  • Vanilla

  • A pinch of cinnamon

This is your dip mixture.

Step 6: Dip the Roll-Ups

Quickly dip each roll-up into the custard.

Tip: Don’t soak them — dip, rotate, remove.
Soaking makes them soggy and break apart.


Step 7: Cook the Roll-Ups

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.

  2. Add 1 tbsp butter (add more as needed).

  3. Place the dipped roll-ups seam-side down first.

  4. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side, rotating until all sides are golden brown.

You want a crispy exterior with a soft, cinnamon-filled center.

Step 8: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While still warm:

  1. Roll the cooked roll-ups in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

  2. Ensure all sides are coated for maximum flavor.

They will taste like mini fried cinnamon rolls—absolutely amazing.


Step 9: Serve

Serve immediately with:

  • Maple syrup

  • Powdered sugar

  • Cream cheese frosting drizzle

  • Caramel sauce

  • Fresh fruit

Warm is best!

Expert Tips for the Best Roll-Ups Ever

✔ Use soft white bread

Thick or dense bread won’t roll properly.

✔ Flatten really well

The thinner the bread, the better it rolls.

✔ Don’t overfill

Too much filling causes leakage.

✔ Roll tightly

This keeps the filling inside.

✔ Don’t oversoak in custard

A quick dip is enough.

✔ Use medium heat

High heat burns the outside before warming the inside.

✔ Serve warm

This dish is at peak deliciousness when hot and fresh.

Filling Variations

These roll-ups are incredibly versatile. Try these fun variations:

1. Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll

Spread:

  • Cream cheese

  • Powdered sugar

  • Cinnamon

Tastes like cinnamon roll icing inside the roll-up!

2. Nutella Cinnamon Roll

Add a thin layer of Nutella before rolling.

3. Apple Pie Roll-Ups

Add:

  • 1 tbsp apple pie filling inside each roll

  • A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar

Tastes like mini apple cinnamon strudel!

4. Strawberry Cheesecake Roll-Ups

Fill with:

  • Cream cheese

  • Strawberry preserves

5. Caramel Cinnamon Roll

Fill with a drizzle of caramel + cinnamon sugar.

6. S’mores Roll-Ups

Add:

  • Marshmallow fluff

  • Chocolate chips

Serving Ideas

Serve your Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups with:

  • A bowl of fruit

  • Whipped cream

  • Maple syrup

  • Cream cheese glaze

  • Vanilla ice cream (for dessert!)

  • Hot chocolate or coffee

Perfect for:

  • Breakfast

  • Brunch parties

  • Kids’ snacks

  • Holidays

  • Weekend treats

How to Store and Reheat

Refrigerate

Up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Freeze

Up to 2 months.

To freeze:

  1. Let cool completely.

  2. Freeze on a tray for 30 minutes.

  3. Transfer to a freezer bag.

Reheat

  • Pan: 2–3 minutes

  • Air fryer: 5 minutes

  • Oven: 350°F (175°C) for 8 minutes

Avoid microwaving—they will become soft, not crispy.

Calories (Per 2 Roll-Ups)

Component Calories
Bread 140
Cinnamon filling 90
Custard 40
Cinnamon sugar coating 35
Estimated Total 305 calories

More calories for fillings like Nutella or cream cheese.

Final Thoughts

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are everything you want in a sweet breakfast: soft, crispy, cinnamon-filled, buttery, and absolutely irresistible. They’re quick to make, incredibly fun, and taste just like bite-sized cinnamon rolls dipped in French toast goodness.

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