French Toast Roll-Ups: Sweet, Cinnamony, and Savory — A Breakfast Treat Everyone Loves!
Get ready to elevate your breakfast game with these delightful French Toast Roll-Ups! Imagine soft, cinnamony French toast perfectly wrapped around a savory breakfast sausage, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and savory in every bite. These handheld treats are incredibly fun to eat, easy to customize, and guaranteed to be a huge hit with both kids and adults. They’re perfect for a special weekend brunch or a quick, satisfying weekday breakfast!
Why You’ll Love These French Toast Roll-Ups
- Perfect Sweet & Savory Balance: The classic sweetness of French toast meets the savory kick of breakfast sausage, creating a truly irresistible flavor combination.
- Kid-Friendly & Fun: Their handheld, roll-up format makes breakfast exciting for little ones and easy for busy mornings.
- Crispy & Tender Texture: Each bite offers a satisfying crunch from the golden French toast exterior, giving way to a warm, juicy sausage center.
- Customizable: Easily adapt these roll-ups with different types of bread, sausage, or even a cream cheese filling for extra decadence.
What You’ll Need
Gather these simple ingredients to craft your delicious French Toast Roll-Ups:
Ingredients:
For the Roll-Ups:
- 10 slices of bread (white sandwich bread or brioche work best; day-old bread is ideal)
- 10 cooked breakfast sausage links (pre-cooked or cook fresh and drain well)
For the French Toast Batter:
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk (any kind)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional, for extra warmth)
- Pinch of salt
For Cooking & Coating:
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter or cooking spray (for the skillet)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
Optional for Serving:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh berries
- A side of crispy bacon for extra savory goodness
Instructions: Flatten, Roll, Dip, Cook, and Coat!
1. Prepare the Sausage:
Ensure your breakfast sausage links are fully cooked and thoroughly drained of any excess grease. If you’re starting with raw sausage, cook it according to the package directions, then drain it well on paper towels. Set the cooked sausage aside.
2. Prepare the Bread:
Lay out the 10 slices of bread on a clean surface. Using a rolling pin, flatten each slice as thinly as possible. This makes the bread pliable for rolling and helps it get beautifully crispy when cooked. You can trim the crusts if you prefer, but it’s not strictly necessary.
3. Assemble the Roll-Ups:
Place one cooked sausage link at one end of a flattened bread slice. Carefully but tightly roll the bread around the sausage link. Place the finished roll-up seam-side down on a plate or cutting board to keep it secure while you assemble the remaining roll-ups.
4. Prepare the French Toast Batter:
In a shallow dish (a pie plate or a wide, shallow bowl works well), whisk together the 2 large eggs, ¼ cup milk, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp vanilla extract (if using), and a pinch of salt. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and there are no streaks of egg yolk remaining.
5. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
In another shallow dish or plate, combine the 2 tbsp granulated sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon. Mix these two ingredients well until fully combined. This mixture will give your roll-ups their signature sweet and cinnamony exterior.
6. Cook the French Toast Roll-Ups:
Heat 1 tbsp unsalted butter (or coat with cooking spray) in a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Don’t let the heat get too high, or the outside will brown too quickly before the inside warms. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, carefully dip each prepared French toast roll-up into the egg batter, turning quickly to coat all sides evenly. Do not let them soak for too long, or the bread might become soggy and difficult to handle. Place the coated roll-ups seam-side down in the hot skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, turning them occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and cooked through. The bread should be crispy on the outside. Remove the cooked roll-ups from the skillet and place them on a clean plate.
7. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:
Immediately after removing them from the skillet (while they’re still warm), roll each French toast roll-up in the cinnamon sugar mixture until it’s evenly coated. The warmth from the cooked bread helps the sugar adhere beautifully.
8. Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the French Toast Roll-Ups warm. They are fantastic on their own, or with a side of maple syrup for dipping. You can also dust them with powdered sugar or serve them alongside fresh berries for a burst of freshness.
Tips for Perfect French Toast Roll-Ups
- Choose the Right Bread: While white sandwich bread is a classic choice, brioche bread works exceptionally well due to its soft texture and slight sweetness. Day-old bread is often preferred as it’s less prone to soaking up too much batter, which helps prevent sogginess.
- Flattening is Key: Don’t skip the rolling pin step! Flattening the bread makes it pliable, ensuring it wraps tightly around the sausage without cracking and helps achieve that desired crispy texture.
- Avoid Over-Soaking: When dipping the roll-ups in the egg batter, be quick. A brief, even coating is all you need. If the bread absorbs too much liquid, it can become overly soft and difficult to manage in the pan.
- Proper Sausage Prep: Ensure your sausage links are not only cooked through but also thoroughly drained of grease. Excess grease can make the bread soggy during cooking.
- Roll Tightly: A tight roll is essential for keeping the sausage securely inside and helping the roll-up maintain its shape as it cooks.
- Mind the Heat: Cook the roll-ups over medium heat. Too high, and they’ll burn on the outside before the inside is warmed through. Medium heat ensures even cooking and a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Work in batches if necessary. Overcrowding your skillet can lower the pan’s temperature, leading to steaming instead of browning, and your roll-ups won’t get that delicious crisp.
- Make Ahead (Partial Prep): You can cook the sausage and flatten the bread ahead of time. Store the sausage in the fridge and the flattened bread in an airtight bag at room temperature. Assemble and cook the roll-ups just before you’re ready to serve for the freshest results.
- Reheating Leftovers: For the best results when reheating, use a toaster oven or a regular oven set to a low temperature. This will help regain some of the crispiness. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it tends to make the pastry soggy.
These French Toast Roll-Ups offer a delightful twist on classic breakfast fare, bringing together sweet and savory in a fun, portable package that everyone will love. Give them a try for your next breakfast gathering!