Apple Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups

Apple Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups: A Truly Comforting Breakfast

Are you searching for a breakfast recipe that perfectly captures the cosy feeling of a crisp morning? Something that marries the classic comfort of French toast with the delightful warmth of spiced apples? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We are delighted to present our recipe for Apple Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups, a truly wonderful creation that is just as enjoyable to prepare as it is to devour.

Picture this: soft, tender bread wrapped around a warm, luscious filling of sweetly caramelised apples and aromatic cinnamon. Each roll is then bathed in a rich egg mixture seasoned with vanilla before being pan-fried to a crisp, golden-brown finish. Finally, it’s rolled in a glistening coat of cinnamon sugar. It’s a perfect mouthful of joy that makes any morning feel celebratory. Whether you’re crafting a weekend brunch, planning a festive breakfast, or just fancy a special treat, these roll ups are the ideal choice.

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

  • Effortlessly Simple and Fun: Though they look quite elegant, these roll ups are remarkably straightforward to put together. It’s a brilliant recipe for getting children involved in the kitchen—they will have a wonderful time flattening the bread and rolling up the tasty parcels!
  • The Flavour of the Season: The pairing of warm apple cinnamon beautifully captures the essence of the cooler months. It’s comforting, fragrant, and fills your home with the most incredible aroma.
  • Ideal for Hand-Held Enjoyment: There’s no need for cutlery here! These convenient treats are perfect for dipping and dunking, making them a fuss-free option for gatherings and for little hands to manage.
  • Wonderfully Adaptable: Our recipe provides a fantastic foundation for your own creativity. Feel free to swap the apple for other fruits, experiment with different spices, or serve them with an array of delicious dips and sauces.
  • An Impressive Morning Meal: These roll ups have the appearance of a treat from a high-end patisserie, yet they are made with simple, pantry-staple ingredients. For this reason, they are one of our top christmas breakfast ideas!

Ingredients

  • 10–12 slices of soft white sandwich bread, crusts removed
  • 2 medium apples (Bramley or Granny Smith work well), peeled, cored, and finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 50g (1/4 cup) soft brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 large free-range eggs
  • 60ml (1/4 cup) whole milk or single cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar (for coating)
  • Extra butter for frying

How to Make Apple Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups

We’ve laid out the entire method in clear, easy-to-follow stages. Just follow along with us, and you’ll soon have a flawless batch of these tasty treats ready to enjoy.

  1. Step 1: Prepare the Gooey Apple Filling

    To begin, let’s prepare the magnificent apple cinnamon filling. In a medium frying pan over a medium heat, melt the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Tip in the finely diced apples, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Give everything a good stir to ensure the apples are thoroughly coated. Sauté for around 8–10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the apples have softened and the sauce has become thick and caramelised. Once ready, take the pan off the heat and leave the filling to cool down a little.

  2. Step 2: Prepare the Bread

    As the apple mixture cools, we can turn our attention to the bread. Take your crustless bread slices and, with a rolling pin, flatten each one until it is quite thin. This is a key part of the process, as it makes the bread flexible and simple to roll without splitting. It also helps to achieve a denser, more satisfying texture when cooked.

  3. Step 3: Assemble the Roll Ups

    Here comes the enjoyable part of the assembly! Place a flattened slice of bread onto a clean work surface. Spoon approximately one tablespoon of the cooled apple filling in a line along one edge. Take care not to add too much filling, as it could leak out whilst cooking. Roll the bread up tightly, enclosing the filling to form a neat cylinder. Continue this with the rest of the bread slices and apple mixture.

  4. Step 4: The French Toast Dip

    In a shallow bowl (a pie dish or pasta bowl is ideal), whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract together until they are fully blended. This smooth, creamy custard will give our french toast roll ups their distinctive rich taste and golden exterior. Submerge each assembled roll up into the egg mixture, turning it to make sure it’s coated on all sides. Avoid soaking them for an extended period—a quick turn to coat is all that’s needed.

  5. Step 5: Pan-Fry to Perfection

    Heat a good knob of butter in a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. When the butter is foaming, gently add the egg-coated roll ups to the pan, placing them seam-side down first to help seal them. Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, turning carefully with tongs, until they are a lovely golden-brown colour and crisp all over. It might be necessary to cook these in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan.

  6. Step 6: The Final Cinnamon-Sugar Coat

    As the rolls are frying, you can prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating. In a separate shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Immediately after removing the roll ups from the pan, while they are still lovely and hot, roll them in this mixture until they are completely covered. The warmth helps the sugar to adhere beautifully. Serve at once while they are wonderfully warm and gooey.

Tips for the Perfect Roll Ups

To make certain your Apple Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups turn out perfectly on every occasion, we suggest keeping these handy tips in mind:

  • Select the Ideal Bread: A soft, simple white sandwich loaf is the perfect choice for this recipe. It’s pliable and rolls up easily without tearing. We recommend avoiding sourdough, wholemeal, or any bread with a very firm crust.
  • Cut the Apples Small: Dicing your apples into very small cubes (around 1/4 inch) allows them to cook more quickly and ensures the rolling process is smooth and easy.
  • The Importance of Flattening: This is the most vital step for a great roll up. Flattening the bread compresses it, which stops it from becoming soggy and helps it to maintain its shape perfectly.
  • Manage the Cooking Temperature: Cook your roll ups over a consistent medium heat. If the pan is too hot, the outside will catch before the filling has warmed through. If it’s too cool, they may absorb too much butter and become greasy.
  • Enjoy Them Fresh: These are at their absolute peak when served straight from the pan—beautifully crisp on the outside with a warm, molten centre.

Planning Your Meals for the Day?

Once you’ve savoured such a wonderful breakfast, your thoughts might turn to dinner. We’re great believers in enjoying tasty, fulfilling meals throughout the day! For a simple and warming evening meal, we highly recommend our brilliant Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe. Alternatively, if you fancy something with a lovely balance of sweet and savoury notes, our Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls are consistently a crowd-pleaser.

Variations and Serving Ideas

One of the most wonderful aspects of this recipe is its versatility. Here are some of our favourite ideas to inspire you:

  • Different Fillings: Consider replacing the apple filling with spiced pear and ginger, a mixed berry compote, or even a combination of Nutella and sliced banana for an extra-indulgent version.
  • Dipping Sauces: Accompany your roll ups with a side of warm caramel sauce, a generous drizzle of maple syrup, a spoonful of clotted cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create a delightful breakfast-dessert hybrid.
  • Apple Choice: We adore using tart apples like Bramley or Granny Smith to contrast with the sweetness. For a sweeter, softer filling, apples like Gala or Braeburn would also be fantastic. For more guidance on the best apples for culinary use, we trust the expertise from The Royal Horticultural Society, an excellent resource on all things fruit.

FAQ

Q: Can I prepare these Apple Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups in advance?
A: Yes, certainly! You can make the apple filling and assemble the uncooked roll ups a day ahead. Simply keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just dip them in the egg mixture and cook as instructed. This makes them a superb, stress-free choice for Christmas morning.
Q: Is it possible to bake these in the oven or an air fryer?
A: Of course. To bake them, arrange the egg-dipped rolls on a baking tray lined with parchment, brush with a little melted butter, and bake at 200°C (180°C Fan) for 15–20 minutes, turning them over halfway. For an air fryer, cook at 190°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping once, until they are golden and crisp. Don’t forget to coat them in the cinnamon sugar while they are still hot.
Q: What is the best way to store and reheat any leftovers?
A: You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, we suggest placing them in a dry frying pan on a low heat or putting them in an air fryer for a couple of minutes to bring back their crisp texture. Using a microwave is also an option, but it can make them a little soft.

Conclusion

These Apple Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups are far more than a simple recipe; they represent a whole experience. They take everyday ingredients and transform them into something exceptional, filling your home with a beautiful scent and providing a breakfast that your loved ones will talk about for ages. It is the ideal way to make a weekend morning feel more special or to kick off a holiday celebration in style.

So, why not pop into the kitchen, find your rolling pin, and whip up a little breakfast magic? We are confident you will be delighted with the results. When you give them a go, please do leave a comment below to share how you got on. We always enjoy hearing from you! And don’t forget to pass this recipe on to friends and family who would appreciate a scrumptious treat.

Recipe Card

Apple Cinnamon French Toast Roll Ups


Pin Recipe
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 10–12 slices of soft white sandwich bread, crusts removed
  • 2 medium apples (Bramley or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 50g (1/4 cup) soft brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 large free-range eggs
  • 60ml (1/4 cup) whole milk or single cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar (for coating)
  • Extra butter for frying

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling: In a pan over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add diced apples, brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Sauté for 8-10 mins until apples are soft and the sauce is caramelised. Set aside to cool.
  2. Prepare the Bread: While the filling cools, trim the crusts from the bread slices. Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice until thin.
  3. Assemble the Rolls: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cooled apple filling in a line along one edge of a flattened bread slice. Roll up tightly. Repeat with remaining bread and filling.
  4. Prepare the Dip & Coating: In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. In a separate shallow dish, mix the granulated sugar and the remaining 1/2 tsp cinnamon.
  5. Pan-Fry: Melt a knob of butter in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Dip each roll up in the egg mixture, coating all sides, then place seam-side down in the hot pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp.
  6. Coat and Serve: Immediately transfer the hot roll ups to the cinnamon-sugar mixture and roll to coat completely. Serve warm.
Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 580,
Carbs: 95 g,
Protein: 13 g,
Fat: 16 g


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