Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe (Irresistible 20-Minute Brunch Treat)

Table of Contents

What Are Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups?

Cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups are a playful mash-up of two classic breakfast favorites:

The cozy swirl and flavor of a cinnamon roll
The custardy, pan-fried goodness of French toast

Instead of using traditional cinnamon roll dough, you start with soft, plain sandwich bread. The crusts are trimmed, the slices are flattened, and a buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture is spread over each piece. The bread is rolled up tightly, dipped in a simple French toast custard, cooked in a hot skillet, then rolled in cinnamon sugar or topped with your favorite glaze.

They’re:

Easy to eat with your hands
Perfect for dipping into maple syrup or cream cheese glaze
Ideal for brunch buffets, weekend mornings, birthdays, and holidays

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe

There are plenty of reasons this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe will quickly become a go-to in your breakfast rotation:

Quick to make – Simple ingredients and a fast cooking time make this recipe realistic, even on busy mornings.
Fun to eat – These roll-ups are bite-sized and dunkable, making them a hit with kids and adults.
Flexible and customizable – You can keep them classic with cinnamon sugar or go wild with fillings like chocolate, fruit, or cream cheese.
Perfect for sharing – Serve them on a big platter so everyone can grab a few as they pass by.

Key Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups

One of the best parts about this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe is that it uses ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Best Bread for French Toast Roll-Ups

The bread you choose is crucial. You want something soft enough to roll without cracking but sturdy enough to hold the filling and custard.

Great options include:

Soft white sandwich bread
Brioche slices
Texas toast-style sliced bread

Tips for choosing bread:

Avoid very dense, grainy, or seeded bread for this specific recipe, as it tends to crack or resist rolling.
Fresh bread that’s soft and pliable works beautifully.
If your bread is slightly dry, that’s okay, but it should still be flexible after flattening.

Cinnamon-Sugar Filling

The heart of this cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups recipe is the buttery cinnamon swirl inside each piece.

You’ll need:

Softened butter
Brown sugar (light or dark)
Ground cinnamon
A small pinch of salt

Stir these together into a spreadable paste. This makes it easy to spread evenly over flattened bread slices so every bite has a rich cinnamon flavor.

French Toast Custard Mixture

This is what transforms your simple bread rolls into French toast.

You’ll whisk together:

Eggs
Milk or half-and-half
Vanilla extract
A pinch of ground cinnamon

The custard should be smooth and pourable, not too thick. You want a quick dip that coats each roll without overly soaking it. That’s key to keeping the roll-ups firm but tender with a delightful golden exterior.

Toppings, Dips, and Finishing Touches

You can keep things simple or make them extra special with toppings like:

Cinnamon sugar for rolling the hot roll-ups
Powdered sugar dusted over the top
Maple syrup for dipping
Cream cheese glaze drizzled over a platter
Whipped cream and berries
Caramel or chocolate sauce for dessert-style roll-ups

Tools & Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need anything fancy for this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe, just a few basic tools you likely already own.

Basic Kitchen Gear

Rolling pin – For flattening the bread (or use a clean bottle or glass in a pinch).
Sharp knife or kitchen shears – To trim the crusts.
Shallow bowls – One for the custard, one for cinnamon sugar.
Non-stick skillet or griddle – To cook the roll-ups evenly.
Tongs or a spatula – To turn the roll-ups as they cook.

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups stacked on a platter with cinnamon sugar and maple syrup

Step-by-Step: How to Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups

Now, let’s walk through the full Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe from start to finish.

Step 1: Prep the Bread

Lay your sandwich bread slices on a cutting board.
Use a sharp knife to trim off all the crusts.
With a rolling pin, gently roll each slice until it’s flat and thin, about half its original thickness.

Tips:

Roll from the center outward to avoid tearing.
If the bread cracks, it’s usually either too dry or being rolled too aggressively.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Roll Filling

In a small bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a small pinch of salt.
Mix until smooth and spreadable. Adjust the cinnamon or sweetness to taste.
Arrange your flattened bread slices in a single layer.

Spread a thin but generous layer of cinnamon filling over each slice. Try to go close to the edges but not all the way to the very edge, which helps reduce leaking when the filling melts.

Step 3: Roll and Seal

Starting at one short end of a slice, roll it up tightly into a log.
Place the roll seam-side down on a plate or tray.
Repeat with all the remaining slices.

To keep them from unraveling:

Roll them snugly but not so tight that the bread splits.
Make sure the seam is firmly pressed into the roll and placed downward.

Step 4: Prepare the French Toast Custard

In a shallow bowl:

Crack in your eggs.
Add milk or half-and-half.
Add vanilla extract and a small pinch of cinnamon.
Whisk until well combined and smooth.

You want a custard that’s:

Smooth with no large streaks of egg white
Thin enough to coat the roll-ups without thick clumps

Step 5: Dip and Cook the Roll-Ups

Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
Add a small amount of butter to the pan and let it melt and sizzle gently.
Working one at a time, quickly dip each roll-up into the custard, turning to coat all sides.
Let the excess drip off, then place the roll-up seam-side down in the hot pan.
Repeat with enough roll-ups to fill the pan without overcrowding.

Cook the roll-ups:

Turn every 30–60 seconds to brown each side evenly.
Adjust the heat if they’re browning too fast or too slowly.
Add more butter to the pan as needed between batches.

They’re ready when they’re golden brown on all sides and feel slightly firm to the touch.

Step 6: Coat and Serve

While the roll-ups are still warm:

Roll them in a shallow bowl of cinnamon sugar, or
Sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar and powdered sugar.

For extra flair, drizzle:

Cream cheese glaze
Maple syrup
Caramel or chocolate sauce

Serving Ideas & Topping Suggestions

One reason this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe is so fun is the endless ways you can serve and decorate them.

Classic Cinnamon Roll Style

Stack them on a platter, drizzle with cream cheese glaze, and dust with a little extra cinnamon.
Serve with small bowls of warm maple syrup for dipping.

Dessert-Style Presentation

Want to turn breakfast into dessert?

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
Drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce.
Sprinkle on crushed nuts like pecans or walnuts for texture.

DIY Brunch Bar Setup

For brunch parties or special mornings:

Set out a tray of warm roll-ups.
Offer toppings in small bowls:
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Chopped nuts
- Chocolate chips
- Fruit compotes

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Tips

Want to get ahead or deal with leftovers? This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe is flexible.

Assembling the Roll-Ups in Advance

You can trim and flatten the bread, spread the filling, and roll it up the day before.
Place the uncooked roll-ups in a single layer on a tray, cover tightly, and refrigerate.
Wait to dip in custard and cook until right before serving.

Storing Leftover Cooked Roll-Ups

If you happen to have leftovers:

Let them cool to room temperature.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Reheat within a couple of days for best texture.

Freezing and Reheating

For longer storage:

Place cooled roll-ups on a parchment-lined tray in a single layer.
Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container.
To reheat, warm them in the oven or air fryer until hot and crisp on the outside.

Keeping Them Warm for a Crowd

If you’re cooking in batches:

Preheat your oven to a low temperature.
Place cooked roll-ups on a baking sheet.
Keep them warm in the oven while you finish the remaining batches.

Troubleshooting Guide

Even with a simple recipe like this, a few smart tricks can help you nail it every time.

How to Avoid Soggy Roll-Ups

To keep your cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups from turning mushy:

Don’t soak the rolls in the custard—just a quick dip and spin.
Make sure your pan is preheated before adding the first roll-up.
Don’t overcrowd the pan; give each roll space to brown properly.

How to Keep the Rolls from Unraveling

If your rolls are trying to come undone in the pan:

Roll the bread tightly from the start.
Place the seam firmly underneath when you set them down to cook.
Avoid overfilling with cinnamon spread or add-ins.

Getting the Perfect Golden-Brown Color

For beautifully golden roll-ups:

Use enough butter to lightly coat the pan.
Cook over medium or medium-low heat so the insides warm through as the outside browns.
Turn the roll-ups frequently for even color on all sides.

Choosing the Right Cinnamon

If you want to play with flavor:

Ceylon cinnamon is often softer, lighter, and more delicate.
Cassia varieties tend to be stronger and more intense.
Mix and match to find the flavor you love most in this Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any type of bread for French toast roll-ups?

You can technically use many types of bread, but soft white sandwich bread, brioche, or similar styles work best. They roll easily without cracking and soak up just enough custard to give you that classic French toast texture.

How do I stop my French toast roll-ups from getting soggy?

Sogginess usually comes from too much custard or not enough heat. Dip your roll-ups quickly instead of soaking them, let the extra custard drip off, and cook them in a preheated pan so they start browning right away.

Can I bake cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups instead of frying?

Yes, you can arrange the dipped roll-ups on a lined baking sheet and bake them at a moderate temperature until they’re set and lightly browned. For a slightly crisper finish, you can brush them with melted butter before baking or give them a quick turn under the broiler at the end.

Can I make these cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups the night before?

You can assemble the bread and filling and roll them up the night before. Store the uncooked rolls tightly covered in the fridge. Wait until the morning to dip them in custard and cook so they keep their shape and texture.

Conclusion

This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe brings together everything we love about cozy, homemade breakfasts—warm cinnamon, buttery sweetness, soft bread, and that golden French toast finish. They’re quick to prepare, fun to customize, and gorgeous on a brunch table, whether you’re serving a small family breakfast or hosting a festive morning gathering.