If you’re anything like me, sometimes a regular stack of pancakes just won’t cut it, especially when the kids are bouncing off the walls wanting something special. We all need those quick, kid-friendly snacks and treats made with just a few ingredients, right? Well, I’ve got the ultimate solution that feels like a special occasion but takes less than 20 minutes: my famous Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups! They are warm, wonderfully gooey on the inside, and so easy to handle.
When my children were little back in Texas, Saturday mornings were all about finding a fun kitchen activity. One morning, after I got a bit too enthusiastic with a jar of Nutella, I started rolling the bread up before dipping it. It was messy, I won’t lie, but the smiles that followed were pure gold. These rollups perfectly capture that joy for me—simple ingredients transformed into something comforting and absolutely unforgettable. Trust me, you need these in your breakfast rotation!
Why You Will Love These Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups
Seriously, these little bundles of joy are my go-to when I need maximum impact with minimal fuss. They check every box for a busy family! Grab your bread and let’s talk about why these rollups are about to become your new favorite.
- They are lightning fast—ready from start to finish in about 20 minutes total. Perfect for busy mornings!
- Total crowd-pleaser factor! Kids absolutely adore rolling them up and dipping them in the cinnamon sugar coating.
- They capture the joy of simple, playful creativity in the kitchen, turning plain bread into a dessert-like treat.
- Super simple ingredients mean you probably already have everything you need tucked away in the pantry right now.
- They are self-contained and handheld, making them fantastic for serving at brunch or packing up as a special after-school snack.
- You get that warm, gooey chocolate center wrapped in buttery, golden French toast. What’s not to love?
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups
You won’t believe how few things you need for this magic trick! Seriously, this recipe relies on pantry staples elevated by that beloved chocolate hazelnut spread. Clear measurements are key here, so let’s make sure we have everything prepped before the fun starts.
- 8 slices of white or wheat bread (crusts off, of course!)
- 4 tablespoons of Nutella (it needs to be soft enough to spread!)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons sugar (for the wet dip)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons sugar (for the cinnamon coating)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons butter (for the pan—no oil here!)
- Maple syrup for serving—optional, but highly recommended!
Ingredient Notes and Simple Substitutions
When it comes to bread, I usually reach for standard sandwich bread, either white or wheat. Soft white bread flattens the best, but whole wheat holds up really well too. Make sure your Nutella isn’t straight out of the fridge; if it’s too stiff, it rips the bread when you try to spread it, and trust me, you don’t want leaks!
For the coating, you can substitute the separate cinnamon-sugar mix by simply using 1/4 cup of pre-made cinnamon sugar if you have it on hand. That said, mixing the two myself gives me better control over the cinnamon flavor. If you are serving these for brunch rather than a quick snack, feel free to dust them lightly with powdered sugar after the cinnamon sugar step. It just makes them feel extra special!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups
Okay, this is where the real fun starts! While these are quick, a little bit of care on the front end means you won’t have chocolate oozing out all over your pan halfway through cooking. We want perfect little rolls, remember? We’ll work in three easy stages to keep things organized.
Preparing the Bread and Filling
First things first, grab your knife and trim off those crusts! They just get too tough when you try to roll them up tight. Once they are crust-free, take your rolling pin—or even a heavy glass, if you’re in a pinch—and roll each slice until it’s super thin. This flexibility is key to a tight roll. Then, spread about half a tablespoon of that softened Nutella right across the surface of each flat slice. Don’t be shy, but don’t go right to the edges! Roll these beauties up as tightly as you can manage. If they are rolled tight, they stay sealed when they hit the heat.
Creating the Custard and Coating Mixes
We need two separate bowls ready to go before we start dipping. In one shallow bowl, whisk up your egg, milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and that splash of vanilla. That’s your French toast custard base! In the second shallow bowl, mix your remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar and that teaspoon of cinnamon until it smells amazing. Keep them totally separate—this makes the assembly line process go so much faster once the butter is hot! These separate mixtures set you up perfectly, just like you’d want when planning out a big breakfast spread.
Cooking and Finishing Your Nutella Rollups
Heat up your butter in a large nonstick pan over medium heat—we want it happy but not smoking! Now, dip each rollup quickly into the egg mixture, making sure it’s coated, but don’t let it soak; we don’t want soggy bread. Pop them gently into the hot butter. Cook them for about 2 minutes on each side until they are deeply golden brown and look slightly crisp. Repeat until they are all cooked. The absolute most important part: as soon as they come out of the pan—while they are still piping hot—toss them right into that cinnamon-sugar mixture and roll them all over. The heat helps that sugar stick perfectly! I love them right away with a little drizzle of maple syrup.
Tips for Making the Best Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups
Even though this recipe is designed to be quick, there are just a couple of little secrets I picked up through trial-and-error—mostly trial, since chocolate likes to escape! If you nail these three things, you’ll get that perfect crisp outside hugging a perfectly warm, gooey center every single time. It’s all about managing the heat and the seal.
First, let’s talk about wrapping pressure. When you roll that Nutella-coated bread, you have to commit! Roll it as tightly as you possibly can without tearing the bread itself. A loose roll lets steam build up inside, and that steam forces the Nutella right out the ends when it hits the hot pan. Really press down along the seam, almost molding it closed before you dip it.
Second, watch your heat! Medium heat is your sweet spot. If the pan is too hot, the outside burns almost instantly, and the Nutella inside stays cold and hard. If the pan is too cool, the bread soaks up all that delicious butter and gets soggy instead of crisp. You are waiting for that beautiful, even golden-brown color—that’s the sign the heat is perfect.
Finally, keep your cooked rollups warm while you finish the rest of the batch. I sometimes pop the finished, coated rollups onto a wire rack set over a baking sheet and keep them in a 200°F oven for just five minutes while I finish the last few. That little bit of gentle heat ensures everywhere is warm before serving. If you ever find yourself making a big batch of baked French toast, knowing how to manage internal doneness like this helps a ton; check out my recipe for that French Toast Casserole—similar principles apply!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups
Now, I have to be honest: these Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups are absolutely meant to be eaten piping hot about thirty seconds after they come out of the cinnamon sugar. That warm, gooey center is really their shining moment! However, life happens, and sometimes you have leftovers. They are so easy to make that sometimes I double the batch just knowing the kids will want them for an after-school snack later.
If you do have any left, make sure you let them cool completely before you store them. Don’t trap that heat! Once totally cool, pop them into an airtight container. They generally stay good on the counter for about a day, maybe two if your kitchen is fairly cool, but honestly, they lose that perfect crisp edge pretty fast.
Reheating is where you need a little strategy to keep that fantastic texture we worked so hard for. Please, please, skip the microwave! The microwave heats up the bread and makes it chewy and soft again—we worked so hard to make them golden and crisp!
Your best bet is the oven or, even better, the air fryer. Set your oven to 350°F (about 175°C) and spread the rollups in a single layer on a baking sheet. Give them about five to seven minutes. You want them warmed all the way through so the Nutella softens just a bit again, but the outside gets a nice refresh and crunch. If you use the air fryer, just three minutes at 350°F usually does the trick. They’ll taste almost exactly like they did fresh off the pan!
Serving Suggestions for Your Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups
While these rollups are practically a dessert on their own—especially coated in that warm cinnamon sugar—they shine even brighter when paired with something fresh or extra creamy. They are so versatile; one minute they’re the star of a holiday brunch, and the next they are the perfect little energy boost when you need a quick, kid-friendly snack.
If you’re serving these for a proper breakfast, you definitely need a side to balance out all that rich chocolate and butter. Fresh fruit is my favorite way to go. Strawberries or raspberries cut through the richness perfectly. Bananas are wonderful too, especially if you slice them thinly and arrange them alongside the dipping sauce. I love seeing a platter that has something brown and warm next to something bright and colorful!
Speaking of dipping sauce, while maple syrup is the classic partner, don’t limit yourself! Since these are so decadent, sometimes a slightly tangier dip works wonders. Try mixing a little Greek yogurt with honey for a lighter, protein-packed dip. If you want to lean into the dessert vibe, a light drizzle of raspberry puree is shockingly good.
When I make a big batch, I often serve them buffet-style for family gatherings, because who wants to stand around waiting for syrup when there’s chocolate involved? Think of them like fancy churros! If you’re looking for other fun, handheld breakfast ideas for when you need something easy that everyone enjoys, you must check out some of my other recipes like these mini pancake recipes. They give you that same ‘fun food’ feeling without all the fuss of flipping traditional pancakes!
Frequently Asked Questions About Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups
I get so many sweet notes about this recipe—which tells me people are having fun in their kitchens! Here are a few of the most common questions I hear about making sure these rollups turn out perfect for your crew, whether for a weekend brunch or just a tasty quick snack.
Can I use bread other than standard white or wheat?
That’s a great question! You absolutely can try other breads, but I strongly suggest sticking to soft, square sandwich bread. Thicker slices like Texas toast are too bulky once rolled, and rustic sourdough tends to crumble when you press it thin. The standard white or wheat works best because it flattens beautifully, creating that essential tight seal for the Nutella. It’s the best option if you’re trying to appeal to picky eaters!
Are these truly good for picky eaters?
In my experience, yes, they are a huge hit! When I first introduced these to my own kids, it was the novelty of rolling the food up that got them interested. It’s a familiar flavor—French toast—packaged in a fun, handheld way. Because they are considered a fun kitchen activity, kids are often more likely to eat what they helped create. They make for a perfect, easy breakfast idea!
How far ahead of time can I prepare the rolls?
I advise against making these much ahead of time, honestly. The charm of the Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups is the contrast between the warm, melted center and the crisp, cinnamon-sugared exterior. If you prepare them too far in advance, they’ll get soggy sitting in the fridge. If you must prep, trim and flatten the bread early in the day, but wait to spread the Nutella and roll until just before you plan to cook them for breakfast or that special after-school snack.
Can I use a different chocolate spread?
You sure can swap it out! If you don’t have Nutella, peanut butter works beautifully, though you will want to thin it slightly with a tiny bit of oil or honey to help it spread smoothly. You could also use Biscoff spread for a totally different caramelized flavor. The key is having a creamy filling that melts slightly when heated, so avoid anything too thick or oily.
Nutritional Estimates for Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups
I get asked a lot about the ‘official’ nutrition breakdown when people enjoy these treats, especially if they’re looking for healthy breakfast ideas that their kids will actually eat! Now, you know I’m a cook, not a certified nutritionist, so these numbers are just my best estimate based on using standard ingredients like white bread and a typical serving of syrup.
These rollups are a delicious indulgence, so they aren’t exactly a low-calorie diet food, but they are packed with enough substance to keep everyone happy through the morning. Remember, the serving size here is two rollups—and I’ve always found it hard to stop at just two when they taste this good!
Here is the basic rundown for a serving size equivalent to two rollups:
- Calories: Around 350
- Fat: About 18g (Be kind to yourself, most of that wonderful flavor comes from the butter and the spread!)
- Saturated Fat: Roughly 7g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 40g
- Sugar: About 25g (that’s where the deliciousness lives!)
- Protein: Around 8g
- Cholesterol: Estimated at 50mg
- Sodium: Near 250mg
Also, just a quick note: The exact figures for Trans Fat, Fiber, and Unsaturated Fat will change depending on the bread brand you choose and how much maple syrup you decide to drizzle on top. For instance, using whole wheat will boost your fiber intake immediately! Enjoy them guilt-free because they were definitely made with love.
Share Your Experience Making Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups
I truly hope these Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups bring as much easy joy to your kitchen as they bring to mine. There is nothing better than knowing I shared a recipe that made a busy weekday morning feel special or turned a simple after-school snack into a happy memory.
When you make them—and I really hope you do!—don’t be a stranger! I absolutely love hearing how they turned out. Did your kids help you roll them? Did you stick to syrup or try a new dip? Drop all your thoughts, tips, and favorite moments right down in the comments below. Your feedback helps me know what other fun, family-friendly recipes to develop next!
And please, if you snap a picture of those beautifully golden, cinnamon-sugar coated rolls, tag me on social media! Seeing your family enjoying these simple, comforting treats is genuinely the highlight of my work here. You can always find me sharing more family kitchen moments over at my author page, Sophia Reed’s corner. Happy rolling, everyone!
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Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make these simple, handheld French toast rollups filled with warm, gooey Nutella for a fun breakfast or sweet snack.
Ingredients
- 8 white or wheat bread slices
- 4 tablespoons Nutella
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Trim the crusts off the bread slices. Roll each slice flat with a rolling pin.
- Spread about 1/2 tablespoon of Nutella on each flattened bread slice. Roll the bread tightly.
- Whisk together the milk, egg, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and vanilla extract in a small shallow bowl. Set this mixture aside.
- Mix the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar and the cinnamon in a separate small shallow bowl. Set this mixture aside.
- Melt the butter in a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat.
- Dip each Nutella roll-up into the milk and egg mixture.
- Place the roll-ups in the hot pan. Cook for about 2 minutes, turning them until they are golden brown and slightly crisp on all sides. Repeat until all roll-ups are cooked.
- Immediately after removing the roll-ups from the pan, roll them through the cinnamon-sugar mixture until all sides are coated.
- Serve the roll-ups warm with maple syrup, if desired.
Notes
- This recipe captures the joy of simple, playful creativity in the kitchen.
- The rollups are great served warm for brunch or packed as a special lunchbox treat.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop Saute
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 rollups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Nutella-Filled French Toast Rollups, French Toast Rollups, Nutella Recipes, Kid Friendly Breakfast, Easy Breakfast Ideas, Quick Snack, Sweet Breakfast