Name: Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls, with icing; 2 large eggs; 1/3 cup milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons butter, for frying

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This is my go-to cinnamon roll french toast bites recipe, and it never lets me down.

This recipe exists because I couldn’t decide between cinnamon rolls and French toast one lazy weekend morning, so I made both at once. Canned cinnamon roll dough gets cut into pieces, dipped in a quick egg custard, and pan-fried until golden, essentially French toast with cinnamon roll built right in.

These come together fast and disappear even faster. My kids treat them like finger food, which honestly is exactly the point.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A few reasons these earn a spot in weekend breakfast rotation.

Fast: ready in about 20 minutes start to finish.
Fun to eat: bite-sized and genuinely shareable.
Two breakfasts in one: cinnamon roll flavor with French toast texture.
Kid-approved: finger food that doesn’t require a fork.

Why This Works

Letting each cinnamon roll piece sit in the egg custard for a full 10 seconds, not just a quick dunk, is what lets the custard actually soak into the dough rather than sitting on the surface. Don’t rush this part, a quick dip leaves you with a pale, custard-less bite, while a proper soak gives you that golden, slightly eggy French toast crust.

Step-by-Step

Open the can of cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into quarters, setting the icing aside for later. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon until well combined.

Cinnamon roll pieces dipped in egg custard — Let each piece soak for a full 10 seconds so the custard really sinks in.

Dip each cinnamon roll piece into the egg mixture, letting it sit for about 10 seconds per side so the custard really soaks in. Don’t skip this soak, it’s the entire point of the recipe.

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the soaked pieces in a single layer, working in batches if needed, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.

Cinnamon roll bites frying golden in a skillet — Cook in a single layer over medium heat until golden on all sides.

Transfer the cooked bites to a plate and warm the reserved icing slightly, either in the microwave for a few seconds or by letting it sit at room temperature. Drizzle generously over the warm bites right before serving.

Tips

Let each piece soak for a full 10 seconds per side, this is what gives you that French toast texture.
Don’t overcrowd the pan, work in batches for even browning.
Warm the icing slightly before drizzling, it flows much more easily.
Medium heat is key, too high and the outside burns before the inside cooks through.
Serve immediately, these are best straight out of the pan while warm.

Variations

Add a pinch of nutmeg to the egg mixture for extra warmth.
Toss the finished bites in cinnamon sugar for extra crunch.
Serve with maple syrup instead of the icing.
Add chopped pecans on top for extra texture.

What to Serve With

Fresh berries on the side.
A glass of cold milk.
Crispy bacon for a sweet-savory pairing.
A hot cup of coffee.

Storage

Refrigerator: store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Freezer: freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a bag, they keep for up to a month.

Reheating: reheat in a skillet or air fryer for the best texture, the microwave leaves them soft.

Make Ahead

These are best made fresh, but you can prep the egg mixture the night before and store it covered in the fridge to save a few minutes in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade cinnamon roll dough?

Yes, though canned dough is faster and works perfectly for this recipe’s short cook time.

Can I bake these instead of pan-frying?

Pan-frying gives the best golden, crispy exterior, baking tends to leave them softer and less caramelized.

Why do I need to soak the pieces?

The soak is what gives these their French toast texture and flavor, skipping it leaves you with plain fried cinnamon rolls instead.

Final Thoughts

These bites are proof that combining two breakfast favorites is almost always a good idea. Give them a try this weekend, they come together fast and disappear even faster.