French Toast Roll Ups – Crispy Outside, Creamy Inside, Perfectly Dippable

If you’re looking to put a fun twist on a breakfast classic, French Toast Roll Ups are everything you love about traditional French toast—just reimagined into a hand-held, kid-friendly, and crowd-pleasing version. Soft bread is rolled thin, stuffed with your favorite sweet fillings, dipped in a rich egg mixture, and pan-fried until golden brown and crispy. Each bite is warm, custardy, and full of flavor.

These roll ups are perfect for busy mornings, weekend brunch, holiday breakfasts, or even as a sweet snack. They’re incredibly easy to make, highly customizable, and a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. Serve them with powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh fruit, or a side of whipped cream, and watch them disappear from the plate.

In this post, you’ll learn how to make French toast roll ups from scratch with step-by-step instructions, filling options, cooking tips, and make-ahead prep ideas. Whether you’re serving a group or just treating yourself, this recipe will become a go-to for whenever you want something a little more special than plain toast.

Why You’ll Love French Toast Roll Ups

Easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes
Versatile — endless filling options and flavor combos
Crisp on the outside, soft and gooey inside
Fun for kids and great for breakfast-on-the-go
Simple pantry ingredients
Freezer-friendly for quick reheating later

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe makes about 8 to 10 roll ups, depending on your bread size and fillings. You can scale it easily for more servings.

For the Roll Ups:

8–10 slices of soft sandwich bread (white or whole wheat)
1/2 cup filling of choice (cream cheese, Nutella, jam, or fruit)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for coating)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

For the Egg Mixture:

2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk (whole, skim, or non-dairy)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar (for a sweeter custard base)

For Cooking:

1–2 tablespoons butter or oil
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Maple syrup, for serving

Best Bread for Roll Ups

Choose soft sandwich bread that is easy to roll flat without cracking. Avoid artisan-style crusty bread or slices that are too thick. The crusts should be removed to help the bread roll more easily and create a clean look.

Ideal options:

White sandwich bread
Brioche
Potato bread
Soft whole wheat

If the bread is slightly stale, microwave it for 10 seconds to soften before rolling.

Filling Ideas

Sweet Fillings:

Cream cheese with strawberry or raspberry jam
Nutella or chocolate spread
Peanut butter and banana slices
Apple butter with cinnamon
Ricotta with honey and blueberries
Mashed sweetened pumpkin with spices (for fall flavor)

Savory Fillings (for variation):

Scrambled eggs and cheese
Ham and Swiss
Spinach and feta
Smoked salmon and cream cheese

How to Make French Toast Roll Ups

Step 1: Flatten the Bread

Cut the crusts off each slice of bread. Use a rolling pin or the side of a glass to gently roll each slice flat. This step is crucial — flattening helps the bread stay rolled and hold its shape during cooking.

Step 2: Add Filling

Spread a thin layer of your chosen filling on one end of each slice. Avoid overfilling — about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons is enough. Place fruit slices or other mix-ins near the edge, then roll the bread up tightly like a cigar, starting from the filling end.

Tip: Seal the end with a dab of cream cheese or jam to help hold the roll closed.

Step 3: Mix the Custard

In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, salt, and optional sugar. Set aside.

In a small dish, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon (if using) to coat the cooked roll ups.

Step 4: Dip and Cook

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.

Dip each roll up into the egg mixture, turning to coat fully. Let the excess drip off before placing it in the pan.

Cook 3 to 4 roll ups at a time in the skillet, seam-side down first. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp all over.

Remove and immediately roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while still warm.

Repeat with remaining roll ups, adding more butter to the skillet as needed.

How to Serve French Toast Roll Ups

These roll ups are best served warm and fresh from the skillet. Serve them with:

A dusting of powdered sugar
A drizzle of maple syrup or honey
A side of whipped cream or yogurt
Fresh berries or fruit compote
Chocolate sauce or caramel for dipping

They’re also delicious on their own — crispy, sweet, and perfect as a finger food.

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Tips for Success

Flatten the bread evenly – This helps the roll ups stay sealed and cook uniformly.

Don’t overfill – Too much filling will ooze out during cooking and make a mess.

Seal the ends – Use a sticky filling or a light brush of water or cream cheese to hold the rolls together.

Cook seam-side down first – This helps seal the roll and prevents unrolling in the pan.

Roll in sugar while warm – The cinnamon-sugar coating sticks best to hot roll ups.

Use medium heat – Too high and the outside will burn before the inside cooks through.

Make Ahead and Freezing

French toast roll ups are great for meal prep and can be made in advance.

To Refrigerate:

Prepare and cook the roll ups
Let them cool completely
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Reheat in the microwave or skillet until warm and crisp

To Freeze:

Let cooked roll ups cool
Place on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid
Transfer to freezer-safe bag or container
Freeze for up to 2 months
Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes or in a skillet with a touch of butter

Tip: Do not coat with cinnamon sugar until after reheating for the best texture.

Variations to Try

Berry Cheesecake Roll Ups
Spread sweetened cream cheese and fresh blueberries or chopped strawberries inside. Serve with berry syrup.

Peanut Butter Banana Roll Ups
A classic combo that’s both kid- and adult-approved. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts for crunch.

Apple Pie Roll Ups
Fill with sautéed cinnamon apples and a bit of cream cheese for richness.

S’mores Roll Ups
Use chocolate spread and mini marshmallows. Dip in graham cracker crumbs after cooking.

Savory Breakfast Roll Ups
Scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, and diced ham rolled up and dipped in egg for a full breakfast bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes. Arrange roll ups on a greased baking sheet, brush with melted butter, and bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, turning once. They won’t be as crispy but still delicious.

What’s the best way to keep them warm for a crowd?
Place cooked roll ups on a wire rack over a baking sheet in a warm oven (200°F) while you cook the rest.

Can I make the roll ups the night before?
You can roll and refrigerate them (without dipping in egg) overnight. In the morning, dip and cook fresh.

Can I use non-dairy milk?
Yes. Almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk all work well in the egg mixture.

How do I keep the filling from leaking out?
Use a firm filling (like cream cheese or Nutella), roll tightly, and start seam-side down in the skillet to seal.

Final Thoughts

French Toast Roll Ups are the ultimate breakfast upgrade — creative, fun, and absolutely irresistible. With endless possibilities for fillings and toppings, they can be sweet or savory, simple or indulgent. They’re a great way to use up leftover bread and make breakfast something to look forward to.

Whether you’re serving them for a weekend brunch, making a big batch for meal prep, or whipping up a fun breakfast for the kids, these roll ups deliver flavor, texture, and presentation all in one neat little package.