Oh my gosh, have you ever had one of those mornings where you’re craving something sweet, crispy, and indulgent for breakfast but don’t want to spend forever in the kitchen? That was me last Sunday when I woke up with a serious french toast craving. I remembered my little secret weapon – my air fryer! These air fryer french toast rolls are my go-to when I want that perfect golden crunch without the mess of stovetop frying.
My kids absolutely lose their minds when they smell the cinnamon sugar wafting from the kitchen. And the best part? From start to finish, you’re looking at under 20 minutes – faster than waiting in line at a breakfast joint! I love how the air fryer gives these rolls that irresistible crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and gooey with that warm cinnamon filling. It’s like all the best parts of french toast and cinnamon rolls had a delicious baby.
Trust me, once you try this method, you’ll never go back to soggy, pan-fried french toast again. My husband still doesn’t believe something this good can be so easy – but that’s the magic of the air fryer working its crispy wonders!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer French Toast Rolls
Let me tell you why these little rolls of joy have become my weekend breakfast obsession:
- Crazy quick: You’re literally 18 minutes away from cinnamon-sugar heaven – faster than most cereal breakfasts!
- Pantry staples only: No fancy ingredients here – just bread, eggs, and that magical cinnamon-sugar combo we all have in our cabinets.
- Kid-approved magic: My picky eaters go wild for these (pro tip: let them roll their own – messy but worth it).
- That perfect crunch: The air fryer gives that golden crisp outside while keeping the inside soft and warm – no soggy french toast here!
- Endless fun: Dunk ’em in syrup, dust with powdered sugar, or get fancy with fruit – they’re delicious every which way.
Seriously, these rolls are life-changing for lazy weekend mornings when you want something special without the effort.
Ingredients for Air Fryer French Toast Rolls
Here’s what you’ll need to make these magical little rolls – I promise it’s all stuff you probably have already:
- 8 slices white bread (day-old works best, crusts removed – save them for breadcrumbs!)
- 2 large eggs (room temp blends better)
- 1/4 cup milk (I use whole for richness, but 2% works too)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff – it makes a difference!)
- 1/4 cup sugar (regular granulated is perfect)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (freshly ground if you’re feeling fancy)
- 2 tbsp butter, melted but not hot (cooled slightly so it doesn’t soak through the bread)
See? Told you it was simple! Now let’s get rolling – literally.
How to Make Air Fryer French Toast Rolls
Okay, let’s get to the fun part! I promise this is easier than it looks – just follow these simple steps and you’ll have golden, crispy french toast rolls in no time.
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
First, grab your bread slices and flatten them slightly with a rolling pin. Don’t go crazy here – we’re not making crackers! Just gentle pressure to make them pliable enough to roll. I learned the hard way that over-flattened bread tears too easily. If you don’t have a rolling pin, the bottom of a glass works too. Remove the crusts if you want (I do, but my kids love eating them while they wait).
Step 2: Add Cinnamon Sugar Filling
Now for the good stuff! Mix your sugar and cinnamon in a little bowl – I usually do a 4:1 ratio because I’m a cinnamon fiend. Brush each flattened slice with melted butter (cooled slightly so it doesn’t make the bread soggy), then sprinkle that cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over every inch. The butter is key here – it helps the sugar caramelize and gives that amazing crispy texture in the air fryer.
Step 3: Dip and Cook in Air Fryer
Roll each slice up tightly – like you’re making tiny cinnamon-sugar burritos! Whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla in a shallow dish. Give each roll a quick dip in the egg mixture – just a few seconds per side. Don’t let them soak or they’ll get too soggy. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (trust me, this makes a difference). Arrange the rolls in a single layer with some space between them – no crowding! Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside.
See? Told you it was easy! Now try not to burn your fingers as you sneak the first one straight from the basket – I never can resist!
Expert Tips for Perfect Air Fryer French Toast Rolls
Here are my hard-won secrets for french toast roll perfection every single time:
- Use slightly stale bread – fresh bread tears too easily when rolling. If you only have fresh, toast it lightly first to dry it out.
- Don’t skip preheating – that initial blast of hot air makes all the difference in getting them crispy!
- Watch closely after 5 minutes – air fryers vary wildly. Mine takes exactly 7 minutes, but yours might need less.
- Let them rest a minute – they crisp up even more as they cool slightly (if you can wait that long!).
- Double the batch – these disappear FAST. I always make extra because they reheat beautifully in the air fryer for 2 minutes.
Trust me, once you master these little tricks, you’ll be making these rolls on repeat! If you enjoy quick air fryer recipes, you might also like this easy air fryer cinnamon rolls recipe.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer French Toast Rolls
Oh, the possibilities! These little rolls are like blank canvases just waiting for your creative toppings. My absolute favorite way? A generous drizzle of warm maple syrup – the kind that pools in all those crispy crevices. But don’t stop there! Fresh berries add a pop of color and tartness that cuts through the sweetness perfectly. A dollop of whipped cream turns them into instant dessert.
For weekday mornings, I’ll often serve them with Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of granola for some protein. And let’s be real – they’re mandatory with a big mug of coffee. My neighbor swears by dipping them in cream cheese frosting (okay, she’s not wrong). The best part? Let everyone customize their own – it’s half the fun!
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer French Toast Rolls
Here’s the best part – these little guys keep beautifully! Store any leftovers (ha!) in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. When you’re ready for round two, just pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 2 minutes – they’ll crisp right back up like magic. I’ve even frozen them for up to a month – perfect for emergency breakfast cravings! For another quick breakfast idea, check out these air fryer breakfast pizza English muffin recipe.
Air Fryer French Toast Rolls FAQs
I get so many questions about these little wonders – here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I use whole wheat bread? Absolutely! It’ll be a bit denser than white bread, so flatten it extra gently. I actually love the nutty flavor it adds – just know your rolls won’t be quite as light and fluffy.
Can I freeze them? Oh yes! These freeze like a dream for up to a month. I always make a double batch just for this. Freeze them flat on a baking sheet first, then transfer to bags. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer – they’ll need about 3-4 minutes at 350°F.
Best dipping sauce? Classic maple syrup is my go-to (warmed up, please!), but don’t sleep on cream cheese glaze – just mix 2 oz softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and a splash of milk. For a fun twist, try dulce de leche or Nutella – my kids go nuts for that!
Why remove the crusts? You don’t have to! It just makes rolling easier and gives a more uniform texture, but the crusts add nice chew if you leave them on. Your call!
Nutritional Information
Just so you know what you’re biting into, here’s the scoop per roll (but remember, these are estimates – your exact ingredients might vary slightly):
- 120 calories
- 4g fat (2g saturated)
- 18g carbs
- 8g sugar
- 3g protein
Not too shabby for such a decadent-tasting treat! Of course, this doesn’t count whatever delicious toppings you pile on – but hey, it’s breakfast, live a little! The general nutritional guidelines for bread products can vary widely based on ingredients, which is why homemade recipes are great for tracking.
Did You Try This Recipe?
I’d love to hear how your air fryer french toast rolls turned out! Drop me a comment below with your favorite topping combo – and if you snapped any photos, I’m totally living for those crispy golden roll shots!
Print
18-Minute Air Fryer French Toast Rolls – Irresistibly Crispy
- Total Time: 18 mins
- Yield: 8 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy air fryer french toast rolls filled with cinnamon and sugar.
Ingredients
- 8 slices white bread
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Flatten bread slices with a rolling pin.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Spread butter on each slice and sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Roll each slice tightly.
- Whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla in a bowl.
- Dip each roll in the egg mixture.
- Place rolls in air fryer basket.
- Cook at 375°F for 6-8 minutes.
- Flip halfway through.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for best results.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Serve with maple syrup or powdered sugar.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: air fryer french toast rolls, easy breakfast, cinnamon toast rolls