Get ready to transform your breakfast routine with these incredible Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups. This recipe takes all the comforting flavors of classic French toast and stuffs them with a sweet, tangy cream cheese filling, all rolled up into a perfect, dippable treat. It’s a fun, kid-friendly breakfast that feels special enough for a weekend brunch but is surprisingly easy to make on a busy morning. Forget boring toast; these golden-brown, cinnamon-sugar-dusted roll-ups are guaranteed to become a new family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe
If you’re looking for a breakfast that truly wows, this is it. Each bite is a delightful mix of textures and flavors, from the crispy, buttery exterior to the warm, gooey cream cheese center. They are wonderfully versatile and much easier to handle than traditional stuffed French toast. Plus, they’re perfect for dipping in syrup, fruit compote, or even a dollop of whipped cream.
- Incredibly Delicious: The combination of tangy cream cheese, sweet cinnamon sugar, and rich egg-soaked bread is simply irresistible.
- Fun to Make and Eat: Rolling up the bread is a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen, and the dippable shape makes them a blast to eat.
- Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can have these on the table in under 30 minutes.
- Perfectly Portioned: Each roll-up is a self-contained treat, making serving a breeze.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand. Here’s what you need to gather:
- Sandwich Bread: Standard white sandwich bread works best. Its softness makes it easy to flatten and roll without cracking.
- Cream Cheese: Use a full-fat block, softened to room temperature for easy spreading.
- Granulated Sugar: A little is used for the filling and more for the irresistible cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of warmth and depth to the cream cheese filling.
- Eggs: The essential binder for our French toast custard.
- Milk: Combines with the eggs to create the perfect dipping custard. Whole milk adds richness, but any kind will work.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is used in both the coating and the custard for that classic French toast flavor.
- Butter: For pan-frying the roll-ups to golden-brown perfection.
How to Make Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups
Making these stuffed French toast roll-ups is a simple, step-by-step process. Follow along to create the perfect breakfast treat.
- Prepare the Bread: Start by trimming the crusts off each slice of bread. Using a rolling pin, flatten each slice until it’s thin. This is the key to getting a tight roll that won’t fall apart.
- Make the Filling: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Roll-Ups: Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture evenly over one side of each flattened bread slice. Tightly roll each slice into a log.
- Create the Custard: In a shallow dish (a pie plate works well), whisk together the eggs, milk, and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Prepare the Coating: On a separate plate, mix the remaining granulated sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
- Cook the Roll-Ups: Melt butter in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Dip each roll-up into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s coated on all sides but not overly saturated. Place the roll-ups seam-side down in the hot skillet.
- Pan-Fry to Perfection: Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, turning gently, until all sides are golden brown and crispy.
- Coat and Serve: Immediately transfer the hot roll-ups to the cinnamon-sugar plate and toss to coat completely. Serve warm with your favorite toppings. For another cheesy and delicious recipe, try this White Chicken Lasagna Soup.
Pro Tips for Perfect Roll-Ups Every Time
Follow these simple tips to ensure your Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups are flawless from the very first batch.
- Use Soft Bread: Slightly stale bread is great for classic French toast, but for roll-ups, fresh, soft sandwich bread is non-negotiable. It flattens easily and rolls without cracking.
- Don’t Overfill: Be careful not to use too much cream cheese filling. An overly stuffed roll-up is more likely to burst open in the pan. A thin, even layer is all you need.
- Get a Good Seal: Place the roll-ups seam-side down in the pan first. This helps to seal the edge and prevent them from unrolling while they cook.
- Quick Dip Only: Don’t let the bread soak in the egg mixture for too long. A quick dip is enough to coat it. Soaking will make the bread too soggy and difficult to handle. If you’re looking for another quick breakfast idea, our Air Fryer Egg Toast is a must-try.
Delicious Filling Variations
While the classic cream cheese filling is fantastic, you can easily customize these roll-ups. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Strawberry Cream Cheese: Mix finely diced fresh strawberries or a teaspoon of strawberry jam into the cream cheese filling.
- Chocolate Hazelnut: Swap the cream cheese for a smear of Nutella and a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
- Cinnamon Roll: Add a pinch more cinnamon and a touch of brown sugar to the cream cheese filling for a Cinnabon-inspired treat.
- Apple Pie: Fill with cream cheese and a small amount of apple pie filling or finely diced, sautéed apples. For another apple-inspired treat try our Apple Cider Cookies.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
These roll-ups are best enjoyed fresh, but you can easily prepare them in advance or store leftovers.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover roll-ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through. You can also reheat them in an air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispiness.
Freezing for Later
To freeze, allow the cooked roll-ups to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen roll-ups to a zip-top freezer bag. They can be stored for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven or air fryer until hot and crispy.
What to Serve with French Toast Roll-Ups
These roll-ups are a fantastic standalone breakfast, but they also pair wonderfully with other dishes to create a full brunch spread. Serve them with a side of fresh fruit, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a dollop of whipped cream. For a savory balance, pair them with scrambled eggs or breakfast sausage. They also go great with a warm drink like a Pumpkin Custard latte.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can assemble the roll-ups (fill and roll the bread) a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then dip in the egg mixture and cook just before serving.
The key is to give the roll-ups a very quick dip in the egg mixture. Do not let them soak. A fast coating is all that’s needed. Also, ensure your pan is preheated with melted butter, which helps create a crispy crust immediately.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. For the best texture, reheat them in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes or in an oven until they are warm and crispy again.
You can get very creative! Besides cream cheese, try Nutella with sliced bananas, peanut butter and jelly, or even apple pie filling. For a savory twist, you could try ham and Swiss cheese.
The best bread is soft, plain white sandwich bread. It’s flexible, easy to flatten with a rolling pin, and rolls up tightly without cracking, which is essential for holding the filling.
The Best Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe
Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups (The Only Recipe You'll Need)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Trim the crusts from the bread slices. Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice.
- In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, 2 tbsp sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture on each slice of bread and roll it up tightly.
- In a shallow dish, whisk the eggs, milk, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. On a separate plate, mix 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Briefly dip each roll-up in the egg mixture and place it seam-side down in the skillet.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, turning, until all sides are golden brown.
- Immediately roll the hot french toast roll-ups in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Serve warm.
Notes
Do not over-soak the bread, or the roll-ups will become soggy.
For extra crispiness, reheat leftovers in an air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
Save This Recipe for Later!
We hope you love making and eating these Cream Cheese French Toast Roll-Ups! It’s a recipe that’s sure to bring smiles to the breakfast table. If you try it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your breakfast board on Pinterest!
