Name: Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 slices of bread (preferably thick, like Texas toast or brioche); 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1/4 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 3 large eggs; 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for egg mixture); Powdered sugar for dusting; Maple syrup for serving (optional); Optional: Whipped cream or cream cheese frosting for dipping (optional)

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If you’re looking for a breakfast that feels like a special treat, these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are exactly what you need! Think cinnamon rolls, but even better because they’re turned into little roll-ups dipped in a fluffy French toast batter and cooked to golden perfection. With a warm cinnamon-sugar coating on the outside and a soft, gooey center, this breakfast will make you feel like you’re indulging in a dessert. The best part? They’re quick, easy, and so much fun to make!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These roll-ups are the perfect combination of two breakfast favorites: cinnamon rolls and French toast. You get the warm, comforting cinnamon filling wrapped up in a buttery, crispy French toast coating. They’re easy to make but feel like a fancy treat, and they’re perfect for everything from weekend brunch to holiday mornings. Plus, they’re bite-sized, making them ideal for sharing (or not—no judgment here if you want them all to yourself!).

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. For the full list of ingredients, check below.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Roll Base

Start with a can of cinnamon rolls—yes, the kind you buy at the store. Unroll each cinnamon roll and gently flatten them with a rolling pin to make them easier to roll up later. Set them aside for now.

Step 2: Make the French Toast Batter

In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. This will be the batter that gives your roll-ups that crispy, French-toast-like coating.

Step 3: Roll Up the Cinnamon Rolls

Once your cinnamon rolls are flattened, spread a thin layer of cinnamon-sugar from the rolls (the filling) evenly on each flattened roll. Then, roll them back up tightly. These will be your cute little French toast roll-ups!

Step 4: Dip and Cook the Roll-Ups

Heat a little butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip each cinnamon roll-up into the French toast batter, coating it on all sides. Then, carefully place the roll-up into the hot skillet. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. The outside will get beautifully toasted while the inside stays soft and gooey.

Step 5: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

While the roll-ups are still warm, roll them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar to give them that irresistible sweet, crunchy coating.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve your Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups with a drizzle of maple syrup, fresh fruit, or even a dusting of powdered sugar. Take a bite, and let the cinnamon goodness melt in your mouth!

Expert Tips and Tricks

Use Day-Old Cinnamon Rolls: If you have leftover cinnamon rolls from the day before, these work great! They’ll be easier to roll up and soak up the French toast batter.
Crispier Roll-Ups: If you want them extra crispy, you can add a little more butter to the pan or even give them a quick broil in the oven for 1-2 minutes after frying.
Flavor Boost: Try adding a dash of nutmeg or a splash of maple extract to the French toast batter for an extra layer of flavor.
Make It a Meal: Serve your roll-ups with a side of scrambled eggs or bacon for a more complete breakfast or brunch.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Dairy-Free: Use a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk in place of regular milk. You can also swap out the butter for a plant-based alternative.
Add Fruit: Try adding sliced bananas or strawberries to the inside of the roll-ups before rolling them up for a fruity twist.
Vegan: For a vegan version, use a plant-based cinnamon roll, flax eggs, and a dairy-free milk alternative.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are delicious on their own, but you can pair them with a side of fresh fruit, whipped cream, or even a little chocolate drizzle for extra indulgence. You could also serve them alongside a fresh fruit salad, some crispy bacon, or even scrambled eggs for a more balanced breakfast.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have leftovers (which I doubt you will, but just in case!), you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply pop them in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes until they’re heated through and slightly crispy again.

4 FAQs

Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls instead of store-bought?
Yes! Homemade cinnamon rolls work just as well. You might need to adjust the size of the rolls depending on how thick your dough is, but the process will be the same.

Can I make these ahead of time?
It’s best to make them fresh, but you can prepare the cinnamon rolls ahead of time (unroll and flatten them) and store them in the fridge. Then, just cook them up in the morning.

Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes, you could use other types of bread, like brioche or challah, if you don’t have cinnamon rolls. Just make sure to cut the bread into thick slices, then proceed with the batter and cooking as you would with the cinnamon rolls.

Do I have to coat them in cinnamon sugar?
The cinnamon sugar coating is what gives these roll-ups their signature sweet crunch, but you can skip it if you prefer a less sweet treat. You can also drizzle them with maple syrup or powdered sugar instead.

Conclusion

These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are the perfect sweet breakfast or brunch option for anyone with a love for cinnamon and French toast. They’re easy to make, fun to eat, and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re serving them for a special occasion or just treating yourself to something sweet, these roll-ups are sure to be a hit. Try them once, and they’ll become your new breakfast favorite!

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups

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Author: Emily
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings (about 2 roll-ups per person) 1x
Category: Breakfast, Brunch
Method: Pan-frying
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are the perfect sweet breakfast treat, combining the best of cinnamon rolls and French toast in one delicious bite. Soft, cinnamon-swirled bread is dipped in a rich egg batter, then fried to golden perfection and dusted with powdered sugar. A fun and indulgent twist on your classic morning routine!

Instructions

Begin by removing the crusts from the slices of bread and gently flattening each slice with a rolling pin.
In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon.
Spread a thin layer of melted butter on each slice of bread, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Roll each slice of bread tightly into a “roll-up,” ensuring the cinnamon-sugar stays inside.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon for the egg batter.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or cooking spray.
Dip each cinnamon roll-up into the egg mixture, coating it fully, and then place it in the skillet.
Cook the roll-ups for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
Once cooked, transfer the roll-ups to a plate and dust with powdered sugar.
Serve warm with maple syrup or whipped cream/cream cheese frosting on the side for extra indulgence.

Notes

For a fun variation, add a drizzle of icing on top like you would for traditional cinnamon rolls.
You can make the roll-ups ahead of time and keep them warm in the oven at 200°F (93°C) while you cook the rest.
To make this a more decadent treat, top with fresh berries, extra cinnamon-sugar, or even a scoop of ice cream for a dessert twist!