Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups: A Sweet Breakfast Twist Worth Waking Up For

If you love the gooey sweetness of cinnamon rolls and the comforting warmth of French toast, you’re going to fall head-over-heels for Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups. These delightful little rolls are everything you want in a breakfast treat: warm, creamy, cinnamon-swirled, and rolled into bite-sized perfection.

Filled with a luscious cream cheese mixture and coated in cinnamon sugar, these roll-ups are pan-fried until golden and crispy on the outside — while staying soft and melty on the inside. Perfect for holiday mornings, weekend brunch, or even as a make-ahead breakfast-for-dessert treat.

---

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

✨ Combines the flavor of a cinnamon roll with the texture of French toast
💛 Stuffed with sweet cream cheese filling
🥞 Quick to make with simple pantry ingredients
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kid-friendly and perfect for brunch or breakfast parties
🔥 Crispy, golden exterior with a warm, gooey center
☕ Tastes amazing with coffee, cocoa, or cider

---

What Are Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups?

These roll-ups start with sliced sandwich bread that’s flattened and filled with a cream cheese and cinnamon sugar mixture. The bread is rolled up, dipped in a vanilla egg mixture (like French toast), and pan-fried until golden brown. Finally, they’re coated in cinnamon sugar for that classic cinnamon roll flavor and served warm — often with maple syrup or icing for dipping.

They’re like mini cinnamon rolls meets stuffed French toast sticks — portable, dippable, and irresistible.

---

Ingredients

This recipe makes 8–10 roll-ups, depending on the bread size.

For the Roll-Ups:

• 8–10 slices soft white or brioche bread, crusts removed
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

For the Egg Mixture (French Toast Coating):

• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp butter, for pan frying

Optional Toppings:

• Powdered sugar
• Maple syrup or cream cheese glaze for dipping
• Whipped cream

---

How to Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups

---

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

• Trim the crusts off the bread slices.
• Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice into a thin rectangle.
• This helps the bread roll tightly and stay sealed while cooking.

---

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

• In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Spread a thin layer (about 1–2 teaspoons) of the mixture along one edge of each flattened bread slice.

---

Step 3: Roll Them Up

• Starting at the edge with the filling, roll up each slice tightly like a jelly roll.
• Set seam-side down and repeat with the remaining slices.

---

Step 4: Mix the Egg Coating

• In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
• This is your classic French toast batter.

---

Step 5: Dip and Cook

• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter.
• Dip each roll-up quickly in the egg mixture, making sure it’s coated on all sides.
• Place in the skillet, seam-side down.

🧈 Cook in batches, turning with tongs until all sides are golden brown — about 2–3 minutes per side. Add more butter as needed between batches.

---

Step 6: Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• While roll-ups are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.

---

Step 7: Serve

Serve warm with:

• A dusting of powdered sugar
• A side of maple syrup, cream cheese icing, or caramel drizzle
• Fresh fruit or whipped cream on top

---

Optional Cream Cheese Glaze

For an extra indulgent drizzle, whisk together:

• 2 tbsp softened cream cheese
• 1 tbsp milk or cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Warm slightly and drizzle over roll-ups just before serving.

---

Tips for Success

✅ Use soft, fresh bread that rolls easily without tearing
✅ Flatten bread evenly — thin enough to roll, but not so thin it rips
✅ Don’t soak too long in the egg mixture — a quick dip is plenty
✅ Cook over medium heat so the inside warms without burning the outside
✅ Serve immediately for the crispiest results

---

Make-Ahead & Freezer Tips

🕒 Make-Ahead:

• Assemble and refrigerate roll-ups (uncoated) the night before.
• Dip and cook in the morning for a quick breakfast.

❄️ Freeze:

• After cooking, let cool and freeze in a single layer.
• Reheat in the toaster oven or skillet — they crisp right back up.

---

Nutrition Information (Per roll-up, approximate)

• Calories: 140
• Fat: 7g
• Carbs: 16g
• Sugar: 7g
• Protein: 3g

Nutritional values will vary based on bread type and serving additions.

---

Flavor Variations

🍓 Strawberry Cheesecake Roll-Ups: Add diced strawberries with cream cheese filling
🍫 Chocolate Cinnamon Roll-Ups: Add mini chocolate chips or Nutella to the filling
🍎 Apple Pie Roll-Ups: Add thin apple slices and a pinch of nutmeg
🥜 Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll-Ups: Use peanut butter and banana for a twist
🍩 Doughnut Style: Skip the egg mixture and deep fry — then toss in cinnamon sugar

---

Serving Suggestions

These cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups are perfect for:

🧡 Weekend breakfast or brunch
🎉 Special occasions like birthdays or holidays
☕ Paired with coffee or chai latte
🍓 Served with a fruit salad or yogurt parfait
🎒 Packed in a school lunchbox (they taste good even at room temp!)

---

Why These Roll-Ups Work

✅ Sweet, comforting cinnamon flavor in every bite
✅ Easy for kids to eat — no fork required
✅ Ready in under 30 minutes
✅ Look fancy but are totally beginner-friendly
✅ Customizable with what you have on hand

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use wheat bread or gluten-free bread?

Yes, as long as the bread is soft and pliable. Dry or crumbly bread won’t roll well.

Can I bake instead of pan-fry?

You can, but they won’t be as crisp. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Use dairy-free cream cheese, milk, and butter. Coconut oil also works for cooking.

What’s the best bread to use?

Brioche, white sandwich bread, or soft Hawaiian bread work best. Anything too crusty or thick won’t roll easily.

---

Final Thoughts: A Breakfast You’ll Want on Repeat

Whether you’re making them for a cozy morning in or a holiday brunch spread, Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups are the kind of recipe that becomes a tradition. They’re quick, fun, and packed with warm, sugary flavor — like your favorite diner breakfast and bakery treat rolled into one.

Once you try them, don’t be surprised if they end up on your weekend rotation (or your dessert menu!).

Print