There are mornings when a regular piece of toast simply isn’t exciting enough. You want something warm, sweet, comforting, and just a little indulgent—but you probably don’t want to spend your entire morning preparing it.
That’s where these Best Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups come in.
Imagine soft bread wrapped around a creamy chocolate-hazelnut center, dipped briefly in a vanilla-scented egg mixture, then cooked in butter until every side turns beautifully golden. Finish each warm roll with cinnamon sugar, and you have a breakfast that lands somewhere between classic French toast and a filled pastry.
The best part? You don’t need complicated equipment or advanced cooking skills. The basic technique—flattening soft sandwich bread, filling and rolling it, quickly dipping it in custard, then pan-cooking over medium heat—is a widely used approach for this style of French toast roll-up.
Serve yours with strawberries for a weekend brunch, bananas for an extra-fruity breakfast, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar when you’re craving something sweet and uncomplicated.
Why You’ll Love These Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups
These little rolls have everything you love about traditional French toast but make breakfast much more fun.
You’ll especially appreciate that they’re:
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Made with basic ingredients
- Crisp and golden outside
- Soft and chocolatey inside
- Easy to eat without a knife
- Great for breakfast or brunch
- Easy to customize with fruit
- Simple enough for beginners
- Delicious served warm
Recent tested versions of the recipe use roughly 18–20 minutes from start to finish, making the dish practical even when you don’t have much time.
What Are Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups?
Nutella French toast roll-ups are a playful variation of French toast.
Instead of dipping a whole flat slice of bread in custard, you first flatten the bread and add a layer of chocolate-hazelnut spread. Then you roll it into a small cylinder, coat the outside with an egg-and-milk mixture, and cook it in a buttered skillet.
Once golden, the rolls can be tossed in cinnamon sugar.
What Do They Taste Like?
You get several flavors and textures in one bite:
- Buttery toasted bread
- Creamy chocolate-hazelnut filling
- Warm cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Caramel-like sweetness from the sugar
- Slightly crisp edges
Fresh berries or bananas provide a fruity contrast to all that richness.
Why Flatten the Bread?
Flattening makes soft sandwich bread thinner and more flexible, allowing you to roll it tightly without cracking. It also creates a more compact roll that cooks evenly.
Ingredients for Best Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups
You only need a handful of ingredients for the basic recipe.
Main Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Soft sandwich bread | 8 slices | Base of the roll-ups |
| Nutella | 4–6 tbsp | Chocolate-hazelnut filling |
| Large egg | 1 | Creates French toast coating |
| Milk | ¼ cup | Loosens the custard |
| Granulated sugar | 2 tbsp | Sweetens the custard |
| Vanilla extract | ¼–½ tsp | Adds aroma |
| Butter | 2–3 tbsp | Helps create a golden exterior |
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Granulated sugar | 3 tbsp |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tsp |
This ratio closely follows tested versions where the warm rolls are immediately coated after leaving the skillet.
Optional Toppings
You can finish your French toast roll-ups with:
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh strawberries
- Banana slices
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Maple syrup
- Chopped hazelnuts
- Extra chocolate-hazelnut spread
Choosing the Best Bread
Bread makes a surprisingly big difference in this recipe.
Soft White Sandwich Bread
Soft sandwich bread is probably your easiest option.
It’s flexible enough to flatten without breaking and thin enough to roll tightly.
Whole-Wheat Bread
Whole-wheat sandwich bread also works, provided it is soft and fresh. Tested recipes commonly use either white or wheat sandwich bread.
Brioche
For an especially rich brunch version, try brioche.
Its buttery flavor complements chocolate beautifully, although thick slices may need to be flattened more carefully.
Should You Remove the Crusts?
Removing the crusts isn’t absolutely necessary, but it makes the bread considerably easier to flatten and roll.
The softer edges also help you create a neat cylindrical shape.
How Much Nutella Should You Add?
It’s tempting to add a huge spoonful, but more filling isn’t always better.
Around ½ tablespoon per standard sandwich-bread slice is a useful starting point.
Spread it in a thin layer and avoid pushing it all the way to the edges.
Why You Shouldn’t Overfill
Too much filling can:
- Leak into the skillet
- Make the roll difficult to close
- Cause the bread to tear
- Make turning the roll-ups messy
If you’re adding fruit as well, use even less spread.
How to Make Best Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups
Now you’re ready for the fun part.
Step 1: Remove the Bread Crusts
Place your bread slices on a cutting board.
Using a sharp knife, carefully remove the crusts.
Try to keep the remaining bread as square as possible.
Step 2: Flatten the Bread
Use a rolling pin to gently flatten each slice.
You’re not trying to make it paper-thin. You simply want to compress it enough that it becomes flexible and easy to roll.
What If You Don’t Have a Rolling Pin?
Use a:
- Smooth drinking glass
- Clean bottle
- Straight-sided cup
Just press gently so the bread doesn’t tear.
Step 3: Add the Nutella
Spread approximately ½ tablespoon of Nutella over each flattened bread slice.
Leave a small border around the edges.
If the spread is particularly firm, letting it sit at room temperature briefly will make spreading easier.
Step 4: Roll Tightly
Starting from one end, roll the bread into a compact cylinder.
Place each finished roll seam-side down while you prepare the others.
How Do You Keep the Rolls Closed?
Rolling tightly is usually enough.
When cooking, place the seam side against the skillet first. That helps the bread hold its shape as the exterior cooks.
Step 5: Prepare the French Toast Custard
In a shallow bowl, whisk together:
- Egg
- Milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla
Whisk until the egg is completely incorporated.
You don’t want large streaks of egg white remaining.
Can You Add Cinnamon to the Custard?
Yes.
You can add a small pinch, although you’ll already get plenty of cinnamon flavor from the exterior coating.
Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Sugar
In another shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
Mix thoroughly.
Place this dish close to your stove because you’ll want to coat the roll-ups while they’re still warm.
Step 7: Heat Your Skillet
Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add butter and allow it to melt.
Medium heat is important. If your skillet is too hot, the bread may burn before the roll warms through.
Step 8: Quickly Dip Each Roll-Up
Take one roll and quickly coat it in the egg mixture.
Don’t leave it soaking.
Let excess custard drip away before transferring it to the skillet.
Why Shouldn’t You Soak the Rolls?
Unlike thick slices of traditional French toast, these rolls are made from thin, flattened sandwich bread.
Too much custard can weaken their structure and cause them to unravel. Quick dipping is specifically recommended in tested versions of the recipe for this reason.
Step 9: Cook Until Golden
Place the roll seam-side down in your skillet.
Cook over medium heat, rotating the rolls until the exterior becomes golden and slightly crisp on every side. Depending on the pan and thickness, this generally takes only a few minutes.
Don’t overcrowd your skillet.
Cook in batches if necessary.
How Do You Know They’re Ready?
Look for:
- Even golden color
- Lightly crisp exterior
- Cooked egg coating
- Warm, softened filling
Remove each roll from the skillet once evenly cooked.
Step 10: Coat With Cinnamon Sugar
Immediately transfer the hot roll-ups to your cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Roll gently until all sides are coated.
Doing this while they’re warm helps the cinnamon sugar adhere to the buttery exterior.
Step 11: Serve Warm
Transfer the roll-ups to a serving plate.
Finish with powdered sugar if desired.
Add fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or bananas around the plate.
Serve while warm for the best contrast between the golden exterior and creamy center.
Expert Tips for Perfect French Toast Roll-Ups
A few small details make this recipe much easier.
- Choose fresh, soft bread.
- Flatten each slice evenly.
- Don’t add too much Nutella.
- Keep filling away from the edges.
- Roll the bread firmly.
- Dip briefly rather than soaking.
- Use medium heat.
- Cook seam-side down first.
- Turn frequently for even browning.
- Coat with cinnamon sugar immediately.
- Serve warm.
The Most Important Tip: Don’t Rush the Pan
If your heat is too high, you’ll get dark bread with a barely warmed center.
Medium heat gives you more control and is the standard approach used in several versions of this recipe.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Why Are My French Toast Roll-Ups Falling Apart?
Your bread may be too dry or you may have soaked it in the custard too long.
Fresh sandwich bread is easier to work with.
Why Is the Nutella Leaking?
You’re probably using too much filling or spreading it too close to the edges.
Reduce the quantity slightly and leave a clean border.
Why Are the Roll-Ups Soggy?
Possible causes include:
- Excessive soaking
- Skillet temperature too low
- Overcrowding
- Too much custard
A quick dip followed by immediate cooking produces a better exterior.
Why Are They Burning?
Your skillet is probably too hot.
Reduce the heat to medium and add fresh butter when necessary.
Nutella Banana French Toast Roll-Ups
Banana is one of the easiest additions.
After spreading the Nutella, place a narrow strip of banana near one end and roll the bread around it.
Nutella-banana variations use the same basic method: flatten, fill, roll, dip, and pan-cook until golden.
Don’t Overfill With Banana
Use a thin piece.
A large chunk makes the roll difficult to close and can force the chocolate filling out.
Strawberry Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups
Strawberry and chocolate are another delicious pairing.
Use very thin strawberry slices or finely diced berries.
Avoid overly juicy fruit because extra moisture can make the bread softer.
Nutella and Cream Cheese Roll-Ups
For a cheesecake-inspired version, combine a small amount of softened cream cheese with Nutella.
The cream cheese adds tanginess that balances the sweetness.
You could finish these with:
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Powdered sugar
Peanut Butter Nutella Roll-Ups
If you enjoy chocolate and peanut butter together, spread a thin layer of each inside the bread.
Because both fillings are rich, you don’t need much.
Banana also works beautifully in this variation.
Best Toppings for Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups
These roll-ups are already sweet, so toppings can be simple.
Fresh Fruit
Try:
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Bananas
- Blueberries
Sweet Toppings
Try:
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Chocolate drizzle
- Honey
Crunchy Finishes
Add:
- Chopped hazelnuts
- Almonds
- Pecans
Fresh fruit is particularly useful because its acidity and freshness contrast with the chocolate-hazelnut filling.
What to Serve With Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups
If you’re creating a complete brunch, balance the sweetness with lighter or savory foods.
You could serve your roll-ups alongside:
- Fresh fruit salad
- Greek yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Fresh berries
- Smoothies
For a simple brunch presentation, arrange the rolls on a platter with strawberries and banana slices, then lightly dust everything with powdered sugar.
Can You Prepare Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups Ahead?
You can do some preparation in advance, but the final dipping and cooking are best done shortly before serving.
Flatten the bread, add the filling, and form your rolls.
Keep them covered until you’re ready to cook.
What Shouldn’t You Do Ahead?
Don’t leave the assembled rolls sitting in egg custard.
The bread will continue absorbing liquid and can become too soft to handle. Tested recipes specifically recommend dipping immediately before the rolls go into the pan.
How to Store Leftovers
These French toast roll-ups are best when freshly cooked, but leftovers can still be enjoyed.
Allow them to cool before placing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Keep fresh fruit toppings separate.
How to Reheat Them
For the best exterior texture, reheat using:
- A skillet
- An oven
- An air fryer
A microwave works when you’re short on time, but the exterior will usually be softer.
Can You Freeze Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups?
Cooked roll-ups can be frozen for later.
Allow them to cool completely, arrange them separately so they don’t stick together, and transfer them to a freezer-safe container once firm.
Reheat until thoroughly warmed before serving.
Add powdered sugar, syrup, and fruit after reheating rather than before freezing.
Approximate Nutrition Information
Nutrition will vary considerably according to your bread, filling quantity, butter, coating, and toppings.
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount Per 2 Roll-Ups |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220–320 kcal |
| Protein | 4–7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 24–38 g |
| Fat | 11–18 g |
| Sugar | 12–22 g |
| Fiber | 1–3 g |
One published version lists approximately 220 calories for two roll-ups, although your homemade serving can vary depending on ingredient amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups
What Are Best Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups?
They’re flattened slices of soft bread filled with chocolate-hazelnut spread, rolled into cylinders, dipped in French toast custard, cooked in butter until golden, and typically finished with cinnamon sugar.
What Is the Best Bread for Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups?
Soft white sandwich bread is one of the easiest choices because it flattens and rolls without cracking. Soft wheat bread can also work.
How Do You Keep French Toast Roll-Ups From Falling Apart?
Use soft bread, roll firmly, avoid overfilling, dip quickly in the egg mixture, and cook the seam side first.
Can You Add Bananas?
Yes. Nutella and banana are an excellent combination. Add a narrow banana strip before rolling.
Can You Add Strawberries?
Absolutely. Thinly sliced strawberries add fresh fruit flavor and balance the rich filling.
Why Are My Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups Soggy?
You may be soaking them too long in the egg mixture. Dip quickly and transfer them directly to a preheated skillet.
Do You Have to Coat Them in Cinnamon Sugar?
No. The coating is optional. You can simply dust them with powdered sugar or serve them with fresh fruit.
Can You Make Best Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups Ahead?
You can assemble them ahead, but wait to dip them in the egg mixture until you’re ready to cook.
Can You Use Brioche?
Yes. Soft brioche creates a richer variation, although thick slices need to be flattened carefully.
Can You Serve Them as Dessert?
Definitely. Add berries, powdered sugar, or a small chocolate drizzle and they become an easy dessert as well as a breakfast treat.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Sweet Breakfast
These Best Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups prove that you don’t need complicated ingredients to turn breakfast into something special.
With soft bread, creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread, a simple egg custard, butter, cinnamon, and sugar, you can create golden little rolls with a warm center and crisp, sweet exterior in around 20 minutes.
The recipe is also easy to make your own. Add banana for a fruity center, tuck in strawberries, pair Nutella with cream cheese, or keep things simple with the classic chocolate filling. When serving, a few fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar are often all you need.
For the best results, remember the essentials: use soft bread, don’t overfill your rolls, dip them quickly, cook over medium heat, and coat them with cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm.
Now it’s your turn to try these Best Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups. Make a batch for your next breakfast or weekend brunch, then leave a comment sharing your favorite filling combination. Save the recipe for later, and share it with someone who believes breakfast deserves a little chocolate.