There is just nothing that beats the cozy smell of fall mornings in my Vermont kitchen, and that scent almost always involves warm apples simmering with cinnamon. I’ve been carrying those traditions forward for years, trying to find ways to bring that deep, comforting flavor into our busy modern schedule. That’s exactly how these wonderful **Apple Pie French Toast Rollups** came to be during a quest for the perfect, nourishing handheld breakfast. They take all that rich apple-pie flavor we love and wrap it up into something simple, golden, and just perfect for little hands.
This idea first came to me while I was prepping for a healthy brunch workshop. I wanted something indulgent but still balanced, so the challenge began there. Eventually, I combined a stuffed French toast concept with my favorite slow-simmered applesauce. Rolling that warm apple filling inside soft bread and toasting it until it was perfectly golden seriously reminded me of weekends baking with my mom, but made in a version that fits right into a balanced lifestyle.
Why You Will Love These Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
Honestly, these are my secret weapon for smooth mornings! They taste way more complicated than they are, which is always a win. Here’s why I think you’ll be making these all the time:
- Super Quick Prep: You can get these ready to cook in under 15 minutes flat. Perfect for rushed mornings.
- Handheld Comfort: Everything is better when you can eat it standing up, right? These are easy to manage.
- Kid-Approved Flavor: That warm, apple-cinnamon filling is so comforting, and they are definitely kid-friendly snacks.
- Balanced Indulgence: We get that sweet craving satisfied, but because we use so much real fruit, it feels totally guilt-free.
If you’re looking for more wonderful breakfast ideas, take a look at all my breakfast recipes!
Ingredients for Perfect Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
Choosing your filling is the biggest decision here, but trust me, the homemade option is absolutely worth the extra ten minutes! It makes these taste just like genuine apple pie you can hold in your hand. If you’re in a super hurry, canned filling works in a pinch, but the fresh flavor really sings. You’ll notice I separated the ingredients so it’s super clear what goes where for assembly!
If you love making homemade fillings that taste gourmet, you might also enjoy my recipe for Apple Caramel and Walnut Tartlets—similar flavor profile but in a totally different format!
For the Homemade Apple Filling Option
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 3-4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced into 1/4-inch cubes (This size is important for rolling!)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch (Mix this with 2 Tablespoons cold water separately to make a slurry!)
For the French Toast Batter and Assembly
- 10-12 standard toast bread slices (crusts must come off!)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened completely to room temperature (Don’t try stirring cold cream cheese, it’s a nightmare!)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons milk (any kind works fine)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar mixed well with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (This is for the outside coating!)
- 2 tablespoons butter for cooking, plus more as needed
Oh, and don’t forget the quick swap! If you skip the homemade filling steps, just grab 1 can of apple pie filling instead.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
Okay, let’s get these rolled! This process moves quickly once you have your filling ready. If you’re feeling organized, you can make the homemade filling the night before. Just get it cooled completely before you try to fill the bread, or it gets soggy fast!
Preparing the Apple Pie Filling
If you are using that delicious homemade filling, go ahead and melt your butter in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Toss in your diced apples, brown sugar, the cinnamon, nutmeg, and plain water. Let that cook down for about 5 or 6 minutes until the apples start getting tender. Now, this next part is key for thickness: whisk your cornstarch with the 2 tablespoons of cold water until it’s smooth, then stir that slurry right into the pan. Keep cooking and stirring until everything thickens up nicely—this usually takes another 4 to 5 minutes. Once it’s thick and gorgeous, take it off the heat and let it chill out while you prep the rest of the ingredients. If you decided to use canned apple pie filling, just skip all these steps!
Assembling the Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
First things first: get rid of those crusts! Use a sharp knife and trim them off neatly. Now for the flattening part. This is where Olivia Bennett’s tip comes in handy: take a rolling pin and flatten each piece of bread until it’s super thin, but do it firmly and gently so you don’t tear holes in it—we need that bread structure! Spread a nice, even layer of that room-temperature cream cheese over the flat slice. Then, spoon just a tiny bit of your cooled apple filling along one of the long edges. Don’t overfill, or it’ll squeeze out later! Roll it up as tightly as you can around the filling, like a little cinnamon-sugar burrito. Repeat until all your bread is used up.
Cooking and Finishing the Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
Time to get golden! Heat up a big non-stick pan over medium heat and melt about one tablespoon of butter until it shimmers. Dip each rolled-up piece lightly into your egg and milk mixture, making sure it’s coated but not swimming. Place the rolls seam-side down in the warm pan first—this seals the seam shut so the filling stays put! Cook them for about 2 minutes per side until they look beautifully browned. Because they are little rolls, you need to turn them one-quarter turn at a time until all four sides are toasted nicely. Wipe the pan with a paper towel between batches if the butter gets dark. Finally, while they are still sizzling hot, immediately roll each one through the sugar and cinnamon mix you set aside earlier. Serve these warm! If you want more great French toast ideas, check out my recipe for French Toast Casserole which is great for crowds.
Tips for Perfect Apple Pie French Toast Rollups Success
When you’re aiming for that Instagram-perfect golden crust that bursts with warm apple filling, a few little tricks make all the difference! My biggest tip, which I learned from years in the kitchen balancing sweetness in my recipes, revolves around the bread itself. Don’t just flatten the bread; you really need to press out all the air pockets gently. This makes the bread structure strong enough to hold the filling without tearing when you roll it.
Also, pay attention to the temperature of your pan. If the pan is too hot, the outside burns before the cream cheese has a chance to melt slightly, and you definitely don’t want that. Medium heat is your sweet spot here. If you’re looking for other simple baking inspiration with minimal effort, you might enjoy my banana bread recipe using just two bananas—it’s another one that proves simple ingredients shine!
Variations for Your Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
Once you master the basic roll, it’s so fun to start experimenting! These are already such great kid-friendly snacks, but you can easily level them up. For a crunchier texture that kids usually love in their after-school treats, try adding a sprinkle of finely chopped pecans right into your apple filling before you seal the bread—they toast up beautifully!
Another simple change is boosting the spice blend inside the egg wash. Instead of just eggs and milk, mix half a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice into the coating mixture. It deepens that cozy flavor so much! If you need more fun, doable recipes for the family, you have to check out my full collection of easy snacks and treats for kids. It’s full of simple, wholesome ideas!
Serving Suggestions for Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
You’ve made the perfect golden rolls, golden brown and coated in that sweet cinnamon sugar—now what? Presentation matters, especially if you’re serving these up for a weekend brunch or when company comes over. The apple and cinnamon profile is so rich and warm, it pairs beautifully with creamy textures and a little extra sweetness.
Of course, the absolute easiest way to serve these is right off the pan, warm off the plate! If you want to kick it up a notch, remember that little note I made in the recipe? A small ramekin of good quality maple syrup for dipping is fantastic. It just adds that perfect gooey drizzle that kids adore.
For a more complete meal feel, I love serving these alongside something fresh to cut through the richness. A simple bowl of mixed berries, maybe some sliced peaches in the summer or crisp yogurt is brilliant. It adds a lovely color contrast to the golden brown rolls, too. If you are a fan of these easy breakfast formats, you might also enjoy exploring my recipes for mini pancake ideas, which offer a similar fun, handheld charm for the breakfast table!
Storage and Reheating Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
Now, I know these are best devoured immediately because they are warm and crisp, but let’s be real—sometimes we have leftovers! Don’t toss them! You can definitely refrigerate any leftover rollups in an airtight container for up to three days. They might get a little soft, but don’t worry, we can fix that.
When you want to enjoy them again, please, please skip the microwave! It makes them soggy right away. The absolute best way to bring them back to life is using an oven or an air fryer set to about 350°F (175°C) for about 5 to 7 minutes. That hits them with dry heat and crisps up the outside beautifully, making them taste almost freshly made. It’s the perfect technique for reviving all kinds of breakfast favorites, like what I do for my overnight pancake tray bake!
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
I always get so many questions when readers first try a new recipe, especially one that’s supposed to be quick and fun for the whole family! I’ve pulled together the most common things I hear about these rollups. Hopefully, this helps you feel super confident before you even start mixing!
Can I make these Apple Pie French Toast Rollups ahead of time?
You absolutely can assemble them ahead, which is fantastic for busy weekdays! I recommend completely assembling the rolls—crusts off, filled, and rolled tight—and then place them seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover them tightly with plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Then, when you’re ready to cook, coat them in the egg wash and fry them up! Don’t assemble them too far ahead though, because the bread can start getting soggy just sitting there waiting.
What is the best bread to use for these rollups?
Stick to standard sliced sandwich bread—the white kind or a soft wheat works beautifully because it flattens so easily. The most crucial part is really pressing out those edges when you flatten them with the rolling pin. If you skip the crust removal or don’t flatten them enough, you get a chunky end rather than a nice tight seal, and that’s when the yummy filling likes to escape during the frying stage!
Are these Apple Pie French Toast Rollups truly kid-friendly snacks?
Oh my goodness, yes, they are one of my absolute favorite ways to get fruit into my family’s morning routine! They are perfect for little hands because they are perfectly portioned and handheld. Because the filling is mild—just apple and cinnamon—it’s perfect for even the pickiest eaters. These rollups really shine when you’re looking for quick, kid-friendly snacks that feel like a treat but use simple, wholesome ingredients. If you want more ideas like this, pop over and check out some of my other easy-to-make recipes that simplify cooking!
Nutritional Estimates for Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
Now, I know when we’re talking about comforting classics like this, you might wonder where it lands on the nutrition scale. I always tell folks that even though these taste like a weekend treat, when made with reasonable portions—and especially if you make that homemade apple filling—they really fit into a balanced approach to eating. It’s all about moderation, right?
Here is the breakdown based on serving two rollups, prepared using the standard recipe components. Remember, because we are using high-quality ingredients like real butter and cream cheese, these are estimates, so your numbers might shift a little bit!
For more delicious recipes that focus on balancing flavor and nourishment, feel free to browse my category dedicated to low-calorie and balanced foods!
- Serving Size: 2 rollups
- Calories: Approximately 350
- Fat: About 18g
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 40g
- Protein: Around 8g
- Sugar: Approximately 25g (a good portion of this comes naturally from the apples!)
Just a friendly note from my kitchen to yours: These values are based on standard measurements and ingredient choices. If you swap out the bread or use a lot of extra syrup for dipping, those numbers will definitely change! Enjoy them as the wonderful, cozy breakfast they are!
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Apple Pie French Toast Rollups
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make these handheld rollups featuring warm apple-cinnamon filling wrapped in golden French toast for a fun, comforting breakfast treat.
Ingredients
- 10–12 toast bread slices
- 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter for cooking, more if necessary
- For the homemade Apple Filling Option: 2 Tablespoons butter
- For the homemade Apple Filling Option: 3-4 medium apples peeled cored and diced in to 1/4-inch cubes
- For the homemade Apple Filling Option: 1/3 cup brown sugar
- For the homemade Apple Filling Option: 3 Tablespoons water
- For the homemade Apple Filling Option: 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- For the homemade Apple Filling Option: 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- For the homemade Apple Filling Option: 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- For the homemade Apple Filling Option: 2 Tablespoons water
- For the canned apple filling option: 1 can apple pie filling
Instructions
- If making homemade filling: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium pan. Add apples, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and 3 Tablespoons water. Cook over medium-high heat for 4-6 minutes until apples soften slightly.
- In a small dish combine cornstarch and 2 Tablespoons water. Add this mixture to the pan while stirring. Continue cooking until apples are tender and the filling thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Cool the filling.
- If using canned filling, skip steps 1 and 2.
- In a bowl combine 1/3 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and set aside.
- In another bowl beat eggs with milk and set aside.
- Remove the crust from the bread slices. Flatten each slice with a rolling pin.
- Spread cream cheese evenly on each bread slice.
- Add about 1-2 teaspoons of the apple filling along one edge of the bread. Roll the bread up tightly around the filling. Repeat with remaining bread slices.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and melt about 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Coat the rolls in the egg mixture and place them seam side down in the pan. Cook 3-4 rolls at a time.
- When browned, turn a quarter turn and continue until all sides are cooked and golden brown. Clean the pan with a paper towel between batches if needed and repeat until all rolls are cooked.
- Roll the warm cooked rolls in the reserved sugar cinnamon mixture. Serve warm.
Notes
- Serve warm and dip in maple syrup if you desire.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 rollups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Apple Pie French Toast Rollups, breakfast, apple cinnamon, french toast, kid-friendly, rollups, sweet breakfast