Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups

Imagine biting into golden, crispy French toast wrapped around a sweet, gooey cinnamon roll filling—that’s exactly what these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups deliver. They’re the perfect mashup of two breakfast favorites, transformed into adorable handheld treats that cook quickly and taste absolutely incredible.

Soft sandwich bread gets flattened, filled with cinnamon-spiced cream cheese, rolled up tight, then dipped in vanilla-cinnamon egg batter and pan-fried until beautifully golden. The result? A crispy exterior that gives way to a soft, custardy interior with that signature cinnamon roll sweetness—no yeast, no rising time, no fuss.

These roll-ups are ideal for weekend brunch spreads, holiday breakfast tables, or anytime you want to serve something special without spending hours in the kitchen. Kids love them, adults devour them, and they’re endlessly customizable with different fillings and toppings.

What Makes These Roll-Ups Special

The genius of this recipe lies in its simplicity and speed. You get all the flavor and texture of cinnamon rolls and French toast combined, but without the complexity of either one. The cream cheese filling adds richness and helps hold everything together, while the cinnamon-sugar blend creates those familiar bakery flavors we all crave.

The rolling technique is surprisingly forgiving—flatten the bread, spread the filling, roll it up, and seal. When dipped in egg batter and pan-fried, the roll-ups develop a beautiful golden crust that’s crispy on the outside while staying tender and custardy inside. Each bite delivers that perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Time Investment

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 8 roll-ups

Ingredient List

For the Filling

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Roll-Ups

• 8 slices sandwich bread (white or brioche works beautifully)
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup whole milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons butter for cooking

Optional Toppings

• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Vanilla icing or cream cheese glaze for drizzling
• Pure maple syrup for dipping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

Start by combining softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy with no lumps. The cream cheese should be room temperature so it spreads easily without tearing the bread.

Get the Bread Ready

Using a sharp knife, carefully trim the crusts from each bread slice. This helps the bread roll more easily and creates a more uniform finished product. Place each slice on a clean work surface and use a rolling pin to flatten it, rolling gently but firmly until the bread is about half its original thickness. Flattened bread rolls without cracking and creates those tight spirals.

Fill and Roll

Spread approximately 1½ to 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling onto each flattened bread slice, leaving a small border around the edges. Don’t overfill—too much filling will squeeze out during rolling and cooking. Starting from one end, roll the bread tightly into a spiral, keeping the filling contained. Gently press the seam to seal it closed.

Make the Egg Batter

In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until completely combined. The shallow bowl makes dipping easier and ensures even coating.

Cook the Roll-Ups

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add butter, letting it melt and coat the pan evenly. Working in batches to avoid crowding, dip each roll-up in the egg mixture, turning to coat all sides lightly but thoroughly. Don’t let them soak—a quick dip is all you need.

Place the roll-ups in the hot skillet seam-side down first. This helps seal the seam and prevents unrolling during cooking. Cook for about 2–3 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs, until all sides are golden brown and the egg coating is cooked through. The roll-ups should be crispy on the outside and heated through.

Serve Immediately

Transfer the hot roll-ups to a serving plate. Dust generously with powdered sugar, drizzle with vanilla icing or cream cheese glaze, or serve alongside warm maple syrup for dipping. These are best enjoyed fresh from the pan while still warm and crispy.

Expert Tips for Success

The key to perfect roll-ups is using just enough filling—a thin, even layer spreads easily and stays put during rolling. Too much filling will leak out and make a mess in your pan.

Always cook the roll-ups seam-side down first to seal them closed with heat. This prevents them from unrolling during cooking and ensures they hold their shape beautifully.

Keep your heat at medium or medium-low. Too hot and the outside burns before the inside cooks through. Lower heat gives you time to develop that gorgeous golden color while warming the filling and cooking the egg coating properly.

Brioche bread makes these extra rich and buttery, while regular white sandwich bread works perfectly well and keeps them lighter. Choose based on your preference and what you have on hand.

For added texture and flavor, fold finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the cream cheese filling. The nuts add a pleasant crunch that contrasts nicely with the soft interior.

Creative Variations to Try

Classic Cinnamon Sugar Version

Skip the cream cheese entirely for a lighter option. Brush each flattened bread slice with melted butter and sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar before rolling. This creates a simpler filling that’s still absolutely delicious.

Apple Pie Roll-Ups

Sauté finely diced apples with butter, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar until softened. Let cool, then add to the cream cheese mixture or use alone as filling. These taste like portable apple pie for breakfast.

Pumpkin Spice Season

Replace the ground cinnamon in the filling with pumpkin pie spice and add 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree to the cream cheese mixture. Perfect for fall mornings or holiday brunches.

Chocolate Lovers’ Version

Drizzle cooled roll-ups with chocolate sauce or chocolate ganache. You can also add mini chocolate chips to the filling for melty chocolate pockets.

Berry Cream Cheese

Fold 2–3 tablespoons of berry preserves into the cream cheese filling for a fruity twist. Raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry all work wonderfully.

Storage and Make-Ahead Options

These roll-ups taste best fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The texture will soften slightly during storage.

To reheat refrigerated roll-ups, use a skillet over medium heat or pop them in an air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes. This helps restore some of the exterior crispness that made them so irresistible fresh.

For longer storage or meal prep, freeze the assembled but uncooked roll-ups. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 1 month. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then dip in egg batter and cook as directed.

You can also fully cook the roll-ups, cool them completely, and freeze. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes or in the air fryer for 5–6 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

These roll-ups shine on a brunch buffet alongside fresh fruit, crispy bacon or sausage, and scrambled eggs. They’re also perfect for holiday breakfasts when you want something festive without complicated prep work.

Serve them with small bowls of maple syrup for dipping, or offer a variety of toppings so everyone can customize their own. Whipped cream, fresh berries, extra icing, and chocolate sauce all make excellent accompaniments.

For a fun breakfast bar setup, arrange the warm roll-ups on a platter and surround them with various toppings and sauces. Guests can choose their favorites and create their perfect bite.

Nutritional Information

Each roll-up contains approximately 210–240 calories, depending on the type of bread used and how much topping you add. The cream cheese filling contributes healthy fats and protein, while the egg coating adds additional protein to help keep you satisfied.

For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and skim milk. You can also use whole wheat bread for added fiber, though it won’t roll quite as smoothly as white bread.

Why This Recipe Works Every Time

The combination of flattened bread, creamy filling, and French toast coating creates layers of flavor and texture that work together perfectly. The bread becomes a crispy, custardy wrapper that holds the sweet, tangy cream cheese filling inside.

Cooking seam-side down first is the secret to keeping everything intact. As soon as that seam hits the hot pan, it seals shut and the roll-up maintains its shape through the rest of the cooking process.

The cinnamon appears in both the filling and the egg batter, creating a double hit of warm spice that makes these taste like a bakery treat. The cream cheese adds tang that balances the sweetness and creates a filling that’s rich without being cloying.

Final Thoughts

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups deliver everything you love about weekend breakfast in one irresistible package. They’re sweet, satisfying, and surprisingly simple to make—the kind of recipe that looks and tastes impressive but doesn’t require advanced skills or special equipment.

Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or treating your family to something special on a lazy Sunday morning, these roll-ups are guaranteed to disappear fast. The crispy exterior, creamy filling, and cinnamon-sugar goodness make them absolutely addictive.

Make them once and they’ll become a regular request in your breakfast rotation. They’re just that good.