Oh, you know that moment when the air gets crisp and suddenly you just *need* the taste of fall? For me, that smell—cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet pumpkin spice—always takes me right back to my grandmother’s kitchen. She used to bake pies every single October, and the aroma was pure magic. But sometimes, honestly, I just don’t have the time for a whole pie, especially on a busy weekday morning!
That’s exactly why I developed these incredible Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups. Forget the pie dish! This recipe captures all that cozy, decadent pumpkin pie flavor but tucks it inside gloriously crisp, hand-held French toast. It’s comfort food that’s totally approachable. If you love a savory-sweet breakfast, you need to check out more of our breakfast ideas, too!
When I first tried this, I was trying to make breakfast for my kids, wanting that nostalgic flavor without the fuss. It worked instantly! They were immediately snatched up—they make the best quick, kid-friendly snacks, too! As the founder here at Sena Recipes, I always look for ways to give you that signature comfort with modern flair, and these roll-ups really nail that feeling. Trust me, these are about to become your new autumn staple.
Why You Will Love These Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
Seriously, what’s not to love about this breakfast? It takes that iconic fall flavor and makes it super easy to enjoy. They are perfect for feeding a crowd or just treating yourself on a chilly Saturday morning. Honestly, they are fantastic as make-ahead kid-friendly snacks later in the day, too!
- They taste exactly like pumpkin pie filling tucked inside golden, crispy French toast.
- The cleanup is minimal—no messy pie tins required!
- Perfect for picky eaters because everything is neatly rolled up.
- Super quick to make, clocking in under 30 minutes total time.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
Okay, let’s talk about what you need to grab from the pantry for this little autumn magic trick. Because it’s a fusion recipe—part pumpkin pie, part French toast—we need a few distinct things. Don’t skimp on getting soft bread; that’s key for rolling these babies up without cracking them open!
I’ve organized the list so you can see the filling base, the soak-in batter, and the final crunchy coating. Getting these precise amounts locked in is what guarantees that perfect, creamy interior and crisped exterior you’re looking for.
- 8 slices soft white bread, make sure you cut those ugly crusts off!
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree—make sure this is just the puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened completely—this helps stabilize the filling.
- 2 tbsp brown sugar, packed.
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, for that classic warm flavor.
- 2 large eggs for the French toast soak.
- 1/4 cup milk—any kind works here.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract to go in the egg wash.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 tsp ground cinnamon for rolling later.
- 2 tbsp butter, reserved for frying in your skillet.
- Maple syrup, because honestly, what is French toast without it?
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
Now for the fun part! Watching this come together is so satisfying, and it really moves fast once you get into the rhythm. I promise, even if you’re rushing on a chilly morning, you can nail this. We’re taking the basic idea of a classic French toast and making it an adorable little package. Remember that cozy feeling I mentioned? This is where it all happens.
Emma Laurent is the Founder & Creative Director of Sena Recipes, where she shares comforting classics with modern flair. Her approachable recipes inspire thousands of home cooks to rediscover the joy of everyday meals.
Preparing the Creamy Pumpkin Filling
First things first, let’s make that flavorful center! Just grab a bowl and mix the pumpkin puree, softened cream cheese, brown sugar, and that essential pumpkin pie spice together. Keep stirring until everything looks perfectly smooth and beautifully orange. No lumps allowed!
Assembling and Rolling Your Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
This is where you need a rolling pin, my friend. Take each slice of bread—crusts off!
—and flatten it out gently until it’s nice and thin. Then, spread about a tablespoon of that pumpkin mixture evenly over the surface. Roll it up tightly, like a little sleeping bag, and set it down carefully on a plate while you get the rest ready.
Creating the Egg Dip and Cinnamon Sugar Coating
We need two separate stations ready to go. In a shallow dish, whisk your two eggs, milk, and vanilla until they are totally combined into a nice, pale yellow soak. In a separate, wider dish, mix your granulated sugar and that ground cinnamon together. This is what gives the outside that famous sugary crust!
Frying and Finishing the Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
Melt your butter in a skillet over medium heat—don’t let it get too smoky, or it’ll burn too fast! Dip each assembled roll-up into the egg mixture, just coating it nicely, and lay it gently in the hot butter. Fry them for about two to three minutes per side until they are beautifully golden brown all the way around. Once they come out of the pan, immediately roll the warm toast right into that cinnamon sugar until it’s completely coated. They taste best served piping hot with syrup!
Expert Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
Even though this recipe is so simple, a few little tricks can take your roll-ups from good to absolutely divine. Honestly, the bread choice is way more important than you think! You definitely need soft white bread here. Don’t even think about trying sourdough for this one, because it won’t flatten without tearing all apart—you can find my favorite sourdough loaf recipe if you want a challenge another day!
When you’re rolling, be firm but gentle. You want to compress the bread so the filling doesn’t sneak out when it hits the hot pan. Also, medium heat is your best friend during the frying stage. If the heat is too high, the outside will burn dark brown before the filling inside even gets warm. Patience on the low-and-slow fry pays off big time here!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
I know sometimes you look at a recipe and think, “What if I don’t have *that* exact thing?” That’s okay! But for these roll-ups, there are a couple of places where sticking close to the plan really helps, especially with the bread.
You absolutely need soft white bread, like plain sandwich bread. Why? Because you need to flatten it with a rolling pin so it becomes almost like a thin crepe. Sturdier bread, like whole wheat or sourdough, just cracks or crumbles when you try to truly flatten it out. Don’t worry about fancy bread here; the softer, the better!
If you’re out of cream cheese, you can use mascarpone cheese, though it might be slightly looser. Just know that the cream cheese is what thickens the filling so it doesn’t ooze everywhere when you fry them. And if you absolutely can’t find pumpkin pie spice, just mix a little extra cinnamon with a pinch of ground cloves and nutmeg—it’ll be close enough!
Serving Suggestions for Your Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
While these roll-ups are totally delicious on their own—especially when they’re piping hot from the skillet—a few simple additions can make this breakfast feel like a real event! Maple syrup is non-negotiable, of course. You want that classic sugary flow over the cinnamon coating, so make sure you have a good pitcher ready!
For true fall festivity, try topping them with a nice dollop of whipped cream dusted with extra cinnamon. If you are looking for something heartier, a side of crumbled toasted pecans or walnuts adds amazing crunch. If these feel a little too close to dessert, check out our ideas for complete holiday brunch spreads for other balancing options!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
These are definitely best eaten fresh right out of the skillet, but listen, life happens! If you have leftovers, don’t panic. You can totally store them. Let them cool completely first, then pop them into an airtight container—maybe two layers separated by parchment paper so they don’t stick together.
They keep beautifully in the fridge for about three days. When you’re ready to eat them again the next morning, the toaster oven is your hero! Reheat them in there until warmed through and slightly crisp again. The microwave definitely makes them a little soft, and we want to keep that crusty texture we worked so hard for!
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
Can I make these Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups ahead of time?
You can assemble them ahead of time, which is great for busy mornings! Mix the filling, flatten the bread, spread it, and roll them up tightly. Cover them and keep them in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Just wait to dip them in the egg mixture and fry them until right before you want to eat them. This cuts down on frantic morning work significantly!
Can I bake these instead of frying them?
You certainly can try baking, but they won’t have that classic French toast texture, and they won’t be as fast. If you bake, you’d need to brush them lightly with melted butter first and bake at 375°F (190°C) until golden. However, the whole charm of these is the crisp, golden exterior you get from the skillet. If you’re looking for baked options, you might want to check out our quick, budget-friendly dinners for entirely different ideas!
Are these easy to turn into a year-round treat?
They are so easy they become an anytime treat! If you don’t have pumpkin puree when fall is over, don’t worry! You can swap the pumpkin filling for a simple cream cheese and brown sugar mixture, or even use an apple butter instead. These simple recipes are perfect for making fun, quick, kid-friendly snacks any day of the year when you need a sweet handheld treat.
What is the best way to reheat leftovers?
The best way to reheat these is in a toaster oven or a standard oven at about 350°F (175°C) for about five minutes, or until the outside gets crispy again. If you use a microwave, the bread gets soft and a bit soggy, which defeats the purpose of that lovely fried exterior. We want them to taste almost freshly made!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
Listen, because we are tossing bread, sugar, eggs, and cream cheese together in a skillet, these are definitely a treat! They aren’t exactly a diet food, but they give you such a wonderfully cozy feeling, and that’s worth something! Please remember that these numbers are just an estimate based on standard ingredient sizes, so yours might vary a little depending on how much butter you use for frying, ha!
We calculated this based on a serving size of two roll-ups. If you are looking for lighter morning meals, I have lots of ideas over in my healthy breakfast ideas category that might interest you!
- Serving Size: 2 roll-ups
- Calories: Approximately 350
- Fat: Around 15g
- Carbohydrates: About 45g
- Protein: 10g
- Sugar: 25g (It *is* dessert for breakfast!)
Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make a cozy, fall-inspired breakfast by rolling pumpkin pie filling inside French toast slices. This recipe offers the flavor of pumpkin pie in a simple, hand-held format.
Ingredients
- 8 slices soft white bread, crusts removed
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter, for frying
- Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- Mix pumpkin puree, cream cheese, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl until smooth.
- Flatten each bread slice with a rolling pin. Spread one tablespoon of the pumpkin mixture on each slice and roll tightly. Set the roll-ups aside.
- Whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla in a shallow dish.
- In a separate dish, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- Dip each roll-up in the egg mixture, coating it evenly.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the roll-ups until golden on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Roll the warm French toast in the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated. Serve immediately with maple syrup.
Notes
- This recipe tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie wrapped in warm French toast.
- It is a simple, shareable autumn breakfast perfect for chilly mornings.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 roll-ups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Pumpkin Pie French Toast Roll Ups, Fall Breakfast, Pumpkin Spice, French Toast, Kid-Friendly Breakfast, Autumn Brunch