Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups (Air Fryer Recipe)
What’s better than a classic French toast for Sunday brunch? Not much. Between the delightful crispy outsides coating ooey gooey custardy interiors, dipped in oh-so-sweet syrup, French toast is hard to beat. But we’re going to try! Today we’re serving up a fun twist on this traditional brunch recipe. It literally taste’s like a cinnamon roll!
We think you’re really going to love this air fryer French toast roll-up. It’s a perfect combination of French toast and cinnamon rolls, and is nothing short of delightful!
History of French toast
An origin story for French toast is that it was created during a war in France when soldiers took stale bread and dipped it in eggs to soften it up, then fried it. That’s not quite accurate. Another origin story is that it was created in the 1700s by Joseph French, hence the name. That’s not quite accurate, either.
The truth is still murky, and it stretches back as far as the fifth century AD in the Roman Empire, when Romans created “Pan Dulcis” by soaking bread in egg or milk and frying it. There’s also a theory that it developed in medieval Europe. In sum, the history of French toast is obscure and littered with fascinating tales and origin stories. Who really knows when it was invented, or by whom — ultimately, it’s a delicious treat that we’re happy to have around today!
What equipment do I need for French toast roll ups?
You’ll need a handful of regular kitchen utensils — including a rolling pin, whisk, and bowls and plates — for this recipe, but the big thing is the air fryer.
Air fryers are modified convection ovens that can sit on a countertop and use circulated hot air to cook food using less oil (and less time) than either frying or conventional ovens do! We are obsessed with the texture and crispiness the air fryer gives to these French toast roll-ups, they’re absolutely heavenly and have such a satisfying bite to them.
What does powdered sugar add?
French toast can absolutely be enjoyed without the addition of powdered sugar, but we’re of the mind that it’s simply better with it than without it. It adds so much to the taste, giving a burst of brightness and lightness on the palate.
How to make French toast roll-ups
- Flatten bread with a rolling pin. Cut off the crust.
- Mix together butter, sugar and pinch of salt.
- Spread a thin layer of the butter mixture on the bread.
- Sprinkle it with cinnamon and roll it up.
- In a shallow plate whisk together eggs, half and half, and vanilla extract. Dip roll up in egg mixture.
- Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
- Garnish with powdered sugar, and serve with a side of maple syrup.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups (Air Fryer Recipe)
Ingredients
- 6 slices brioche sandwich bread
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 2 eggs whisked
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp half and half
- pinch of salt
- powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Flatten bread with a rolling pin. Cut off the crust.
- Mix together butter, sugar and pinch of salt.
- Spread a thin layer of the butter mixture on the bread.
- Sprinkle it with cinnamon and roll it up.
- In a shallow plate whisk together eggs, half and half, and vanilla extract. Dip roll up in egg mixture.
- Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
- Garnish with powdered sugar, and serve with a side of maple syrup.