How to Make French Toast Roll Ups: Easy 15-Minute Breakfast Recipe
Ever craved a french toast roll ups recipe that’s both incredibly delicious and ready in just 15 minutes? These creative breakfast treats have become my absolute favorite morning go-to when I want something special without the fuss.
I actually tested these myself and can confirm what one recipe creator admitted – they’re so irresistible that I nearly ate all 8 roll-ups in one sitting! With bread rolled around delicious fillings like cream cheese, fruit, or whatever your imagination desires, these french toast roll-ups offer a fun twist on the traditional breakfast classic. Learning how to make french toast roll ups is surprisingly simple, and this french toast roll ups easy recipe requires minimal prep time – just 5 minutes before a quick cook time of only 3 minutes.
Furthermore, these versatile treats aren’t just for everyday breakfasts. They’re especially perfect for special occasions like Easter brunch or when you need an on-the-go snack that both kids and adults will love. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create these delicious roll-ups that will transform your breakfast routine.
Gather Your Ingredients and Tools
Before diving into making these delicious treats, I need to gather everything required for the perfect french toast roll ups recipe. This preparation step ensures the cooking process goes smoothly without any last-minute scrambling.
Basic ingredients for french toast roll-ups
To make these delightful breakfast treats, I’ll need these fundamental ingredients:
- Bread: 8-12 slices of soft white sandwich bread work best, though whole grain can also work
- Eggs: 2-4 large eggs, depending on how many roll-ups I’m making
- Milk: 3-6 tablespoons, to be whisked with the eggs
- Sugar: Both granulated and brown sugar (about 2-3 tablespoons each)
- Butter: For greasing the pan and adding richness
- Cinnamon: 1-2 teaspoons for that classic french toast flavor
- Vanilla extract: ½ teaspoon adds wonderful aroma
Optional fillings like cream cheese or Nutella
What makes french toast roll ups truly special are the fillings! Here are some popular options that create amazing flavor combinations:
First, for sweet versions, cream cheese (about 4 ounces, softened) mixed with powdered sugar creates a delicious base. Nutella is another fantastic option that pairs wonderfully with sliced bananas. Additionally, fruit jams, peanut butter, or even pie fillings work beautifully.
For those who prefer savory options, consider using deli ham with cheddar cheese, pre-cooked breakfast sausage links, or crispy bacon. These savory french toast roll-ups provide a perfect balance to the sweetness of the egg mixture.
Tools you’ll need: pan, rolling pin, bowls
Fortunately, this french toast roll ups easy recipe requires only basic kitchen tools:
A rolling pin is essential for flattening bread slices (though a glass can work in a pinch). Furthermore, I’ll need at least two shallow bowls—one for the egg mixture and another for the cinnamon-sugar coating. A cutting board and knife are necessary for trimming crusts and preparing fillings. Finally, a frying pan or griddle heated to medium heat will cook these roll-ups to golden perfection.
With everything prepared, I’m now ready to learn how to make french toast roll ups step by step!
How to Make French Toast Roll Ups Step-by-Step
Now that I have my ingredients ready, it’s time to dive into the cooking process. Making these delicious french toast roll ups requires just a few simple steps that even novice cooks can master.
Trim and flatten the bread
Initially, I take each slice of bread and trim off all the crusts using a serrated knife, creating perfect squares of bread. Next, I use a rolling pin to flatten each slice until it’s about 1/8-inch thick. This step is crucial as it makes the bread more pliable and easier to roll without breaking. While day-old or slightly stale bread works best for this recipe, fresh bread will work too – it just might be a bit softer to handle.
Add your filling and roll tightly
Once my bread is prepared, I spread about 1-2 teaspoons of my chosen filling across each slice, leaving a small border around the edges. For sweet versions, cream cheese mixed with diced strawberries or Nutella with banana slices create heavenly combinations. Meanwhile, for savory options, scrambled eggs with sausage make a delightful breakfast variation. After adding the filling, I carefully roll each slice from one end to the other, making sure to roll tightly while being gentle enough not to squeeze out the filling. I place each roll seam-side down to prevent unraveling.
Dip in egg mixture and cook until golden
In a shallow bowl, I whisk together eggs, milk, and a touch of vanilla until well combined with no streaks of egg remaining. Subsequently, I dip each roll in this mixture, ensuring it gets fully coated. In a skillet over medium heat, I melt about a tablespoon of butter until it bubbles slightly. Then I place the rolls seam-side down in the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, turning them until all sides are golden brown and slightly crisp. I usually cook 3-4 rolls at a time, adding more butter between batches as needed.
Coat with cinnamon sugar
Immediately after cooking, while the rolls are still hot, I roll them in a mixture of cinnamon and granulated sugar until completely covered. The heat from the freshly cooked rolls helps the cinnamon sugar stick beautifully. Alternatively, I sometimes dust them with powdered sugar for a lighter finishing touch. These delicious french toast roll-ups are best served warm with maple syrup for dipping.
Creative Filling and Topping Ideas
The versatility of a french toast roll ups recipe truly shines through the countless filling combinations you can create. Let me share some of my favorite options that transform this breakfast into something extraordinary.
Cream cheese and strawberries
This classic pairing creates a creamy, fruity delight that’s hard to resist. I mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth, then spread it generously on each flattened bread slice. Next, I top with diced strawberries tossed with a teaspoon of sugar to enhance their natural sweetness. The combination of warm cream cheese and sweet strawberries creates pure breakfast perfection. For an extra burst of flavor, consider using strawberry cream cheese instead.
Nutella and banana
Certainly one of the most popular combinations, Nutella and banana french toast roll ups deliver a decadent chocolate-hazelnut experience. I spread a generous layer of Nutella on the flattened bread before adding sliced banana pieces. The Nutella melts slightly during cooking, creating a luscious chocolate center that pairs beautifully with the caramelized banana. Moreover, this combination tastes amazing when served with additional sliced bananas or berries on top.
Savory options like sausage and egg
For those who prefer savory breakfasts, these roll-ups offer delicious alternatives. Options include:
- Deli ham with cheddar cheese
- Cooked bacon strips
- Pre-cooked breakfast sausage links
- Scrambled eggs with cheese
- Cream cheese with savory seasonings
Toppings: maple syrup, powdered sugar, fruit
Once cooked, these french toast roll ups can be enhanced further with various toppings. A dusting of powdered sugar adds elegance, while warm maple syrup creates the perfect dipping sauce. Fresh berries or sliced bananas make excellent accompaniments. For an indulgent treat, drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce. When serving savory versions, a touch of butter while still hot adds richness.
Storage, Reheating, and Make-Ahead Tips
Although these delicious treats taste best fresh, leftover french toast roll ups can be stored for later enjoyment. Let me share my tested storage and reheating methods to help you make the most of this easy recipe.
How to store in fridge or freezer
French toast roll-ups stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Note that fillings affect storage life—fruit fillings make rolls soften quicker, whereas jams and nut butters store better. For longer preservation, freeze completely cooled roll-ups in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. The flash-freeze method works particularly well: place roll-ups on a lined baking sheet for 30 minutes before transferring to freezer bags.
Best ways to reheat: oven, microwave, skillet
To reheat effectively, try these methods:
- Oven: Heat at 350°F for 10 minutes (15 minutes if frozen)
- Microwave: Quick 30-second intervals until heated through
- Stovetop: Place in a buttered skillet over medium heat until crisp and hot
- Air fryer: 3 minutes at 360°F for refrigerated or 6 minutes at 320°F for frozen roll-ups
Make-ahead tips for busy mornings
Prepare components in advance to streamline morning prep. Mix egg mixture up to one day ahead. You can even prepare roll-ups to the point of dipping in egg mixture and refrigerate overnight. This makes breakfast prep effortless—perfect for getting kids ready for school.
Conclusion
French toast roll-ups truly represent the perfect balance of simplicity and deliciousness. These delightful treats take just 15 minutes from start to finish, making them ideal for busy mornings when time feels limited. After trying numerous variations, I can confidently say these roll-ups have earned a permanent spot in my breakfast rotation.
What makes these roll-ups special is undoubtedly their versatility. Whether you prefer sweet combinations like cream cheese with strawberries or savory options with eggs and sausage, the possibilities seem endless. Additionally, kids love helping with the rolling process, turning breakfast preparation into a fun family activity.
Though best enjoyed fresh, these roll-ups store surprisingly well. This means you can prepare them ahead of time for quick reheating on particularly hectic mornings. Consequently, you’ll never need to skip breakfast again, regardless of how rushed your schedule might be.
Remember that experimentation is part of the fun with this recipe. While I’ve shared my favorite fillings, don’t hesitate to try your own combinations based on what ingredients you have available. Above all, these french toast roll-ups bring joy to the breakfast table without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
So next time you crave something special for breakfast but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, give these french toast roll-ups a try. They might just become your new favorite morning tradition!
FAQs
Q1. How long does it take to make French Toast Roll Ups? These delicious treats can be prepared in just 15 minutes, making them perfect for busy mornings or quick breakfasts.
Q2. What are some popular fillings for French Toast Roll Ups? Popular fillings include cream cheese with strawberries, Nutella with banana slices, and savory options like ham and cheese or scrambled eggs with sausage.
Q3. Can French Toast Roll Ups be made ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the components in advance or even make the roll-ups and store them in the refrigerator overnight. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Q4. What’s the best way to reheat French Toast Roll Ups? You can reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes, microwave in 30-second intervals, or crisp them up in a buttered skillet over medium heat.
Q5. Are French Toast Roll Ups suitable for both sweet and savory preferences? Absolutely! While sweet versions with fruit and chocolate spreads are popular, you can also make savory roll-ups with ingredients like cheese, bacon, or breakfast sausage.