Thanksgiving mornings at our house are pure chaos – kids running around in pajamas, the scent of coffee mixing with crisp autumn air, and me trying to whip up something special without spending hours in the kitchen. That’s when I discovered these air fryer cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups. They’re my secret weapon! Imagine pillowy cinnamon rolls stuffed with tangy cream cheese, dunked in sweet custard, and crisped to golden perfection in minutes. No standing over a skillet flipping individual slices – just toss them in the air fryer and voilà! Holiday magic with minimal effort (and even fewer dirty dishes).
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups for Thanksgiving
Listen, I wouldn’t share this recipe if it wasn’t a total game-changer for busy holiday mornings. Here’s why these air fryer cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups will become your new Thanksgiving tradition:
- Lightning fast: Ready in under 20 minutes – perfect for when the kids are bouncing off the walls waiting for the big meal
- Holiday magic: That cinnamon-sugar aroma filling your kitchen? Instant festive vibes
- Kid-approved: My nieces fight over these like they’re the last toys on Black Friday
- Almost no cleanup: One bowl for dipping, one air fryer basket – and you’re done
- Secretly fancy: Looks and tastes like you slaved all morning (we’ll keep your secret)
Ingredients for Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups
Here’s the beauty of this recipe – you probably have most of this stuff in your kitchen right now! Just grab:
- 1 can (8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls – the cheap store-brand ones work perfectly (I always grab the jumbo size when I’m feeling extra indulgent)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened – leave it on the counter while you shower, and it’ll be spreadable perfection
- 1 large egg – straight from the fridge is fine, no need to temper
- 1/4 cup milk – I use whole for richness, but any kind works
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – the good stuff makes all the difference
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon – bonus points if you add a pinch of nutmeg too
- 2 tbsp butter, melted – for that golden finish
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional) – because everything’s better with a snowy dusting
Pro tip: Don’t toss that icing packet from the cinnamon rolls! We’ll use it later to make these even more decadent.
Equipment You’ll Need
You won’t need much – just grab your trusty air fryer (obviously!), a couple of small bowls (one for the cream cheese, one for the egg wash), a whisk for mixing, and a pastry brush for that final buttery glaze. That’s it – no fancy gadgets required!
How to Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups for Thanksgiving
Okay, let’s get these beauties cooking! I promise it’s easier than wrestling your uncle for the last piece of pumpkin pie. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have golden, gooey perfection in no time.
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Rolls
First, pop open that can of cinnamon rolls – you know that satisfying *pop* means good things are coming! Unroll each one carefully on a clean surface (don’t worry if they tear slightly – we’re going to roll them right back up). Now here’s my trick: flatten each one gently with your palms until they’re about 1/4 inch thick. This gives you more surface area for that luscious cream cheese filling.
Take your softened cream cheese (if you forgot to take it out early, 15 seconds in the microwave works in a pinch) and spread about 2 teaspoons onto each flattened cinnamon roll. Don’t go overboard – you want enough to taste but not so much that it oozes out when rolling. Roll them back up tightly, pinching the edges to seal. This step is crucial unless you want cheesy lava leaking in your air fryer!
Step 2: Coat and Cook
While your air fryer preheats to 350°F (about 3 minutes), whisk together your egg, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. The mixture should be smooth and slightly frothy – think thin pancake batter consistency. Now dunk each roll-up in the mixture, rolling it around to coat completely. Let any excess drip off before placing them in the air fryer basket.
Here’s where patience pays off: leave about an inch between each roll-up so hot air can circulate. My first batch ended up in one giant sticky clump because I got greedy! Cook for 4 minutes, then flip them carefully with tongs – they’ll be soft but starting to set. Cook another 3-4 minutes until they’re gloriously golden brown. Your kitchen will smell like a Cinnabon exploded (in the best way possible).
Step 3: Finishing Touches
The moment we’ve been waiting for! Brush each warm roll-up with melted butter – this gives them that beautiful sheen. Remember that icing packet? Thin it with a teaspoon of milk and drizzle it artfully (or just glob it on – I won’t judge). For extra holiday sparkle, dust with powdered sugar through a fine mesh strainer. Serve immediately while they’re still warm and oozy. Warning: these disappear faster than Thanksgiving leftovers!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds – my family’s obsessed), here are my hard-earned secrets for flawless roll-ups every time:
- Seal those edges tight! Press firmly when rolling – leaking cream cheese makes a sticky mess in your air fryer.
- Check early: Start peeking at 6 minutes. Air fryers vary, and overcooked roll-ups turn into cinnamon hockey pucks.
- Space is key: Crowding = uneven cooking. Two batches are better than one sad, soggy cluster.
- Fresh is best: Serve immediately! They lose that magical crispness if they sit too long.
Trust me – follow these tips, and you’ll be the Thanksgiving breakfast hero!
Variations for Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups
Oh, the possibilities! Once you’ve mastered the basic air fryer cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups, try these fun twists to keep things exciting:
- Pumpkin spice everything: Swap regular cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice in both the filling and egg wash – Thanksgiving in every bite!
- Nutty delight: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts inside before rolling for that perfect crunch
- Caramel dreams: Skip the icing and drizzle with warm caramel sauce – it’ll make your teeth ache (in the best way)
- Flavored cream cheese: Use strawberry or cinnamon cream cheese for an extra flavor punch
- Chocolate lovers: Tuck chocolate chips inside before rolling – melty surprise in every bite!
My niece swears by adding a thin slice of banana inside. Messy? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely!
Serving Suggestions for Thanksgiving
Take these air fryer cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups from delicious to downright showstopping with these festive pairings: pile them high on a platter with fresh cranberries and orange slices, drizzle with warm maple syrup, or dollop with bourbon-spiked whipped cream. For a real holiday moment, serve alongside crispy bacon and mugs of spiced cider – the perfect sweet-savory balance to start your Thanksgiving feast!
Storage and Reheating
Got leftovers? (Unlikely, but just in case!) Pop these roll-ups in an airtight container – they’ll keep in the fridge for about 2 days. When that cinnamon craving hits again, toss them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes and they’ll taste fresh-baked. Pro tip: Don’t microwave them unless you enjoy soggy sadness!
Nutrition Information
Each roll-up packs about 180 calories with that perfect balance of sweet and creamy. Remember, nutritional values are estimates and vary based on ingredients and brands used – especially important with different cinnamon roll varieties or cream cheese options!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make air fryer cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups ahead?
Absolutely! Prep them the night before – assemble the stuffed rolls (without dipping), cover tightly, and refrigerate. In the morning, dunk them in your egg mixture and air fry as usual. The cinnamon rolls might puff slightly less, but they’ll still taste amazing!
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
No sweat! Bake them at 375°F on a parchment-lined sheet for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. They won’t get quite as crispy, but that cream cheese filling will still be dreamy. Or cook them like traditional French toast in a buttered skillet over medium heat.
Can I freeze these cinnamon roll French toast roll-ups?
You bet! Freeze cooked roll-ups in a single layer before transferring to bags. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 320°F for 4-5 minutes. The texture changes slightly, but they’re still perfect for rushed holiday mornings!
Share Your Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups Creation
I’d love to see your Thanksgiving breakfast masterpiece! Tag me on Instagram @[yourhandle] when you make these – nothing makes me happier than seeing your golden, gooey roll-ups (and hearing how fast they disappeared). Happy air frying!
Print
Magical 20-Minute Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll French Toast Roll-Ups
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 8 roll-ups
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delicious and easy breakfast treat made with cinnamon rolls, stuffed with cream cheese, and cooked in an air fryer. Perfect for Thanksgiving morning.
Ingredients
- 1 can (8 count) refrigerated cinnamon rolls
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Unroll the cinnamon rolls and flatten them slightly with your hands.
- In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese until smooth.
- Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on each flattened cinnamon roll.
- Roll them back up tightly and press the edges to seal.
- In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Dip each roll-up in the egg mixture, coating evenly.
- Place the roll-ups in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
- Brush with melted butter and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Use room-temperature cream cheese for easy spreading.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket for even cooking.
- Serve warm for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American