Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites – Sticky, Sweet, and Drenched in Icing

The Breakfast Mashup of Your Dreams is Here!

Hey friends, Beau here from Feastical! Let’s be real for a second. Who among us hasn’t stood in front of the oven, watching a tube of cinnamon rolls slowly bake, and thought, “I wish this was faster… and maybe even more delicious?” I know I have. The intoxicating smell of cinnamon and sugar is pure magic, but that wait can feel like an eternity, especially when you’ve got a hungry crew (or just a serious craving) to feed.

That’s exactly why I created these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites. We’re taking everything we adore about a classic cinnamon roll—the warm, gooey, buttery spiced goodness—and smashing it together with the quick, custardy comfort of French toast. The result? Perfect, golden-brown, bite-sized pieces of joy that are crispy on the outside, dreamily soft on the inside, and absolutely drenched in a luscious, creamy icing. They’re the ultimate weekend breakfast hero, the star of any brunch spread, and let’s be honest, a pretty spectacular excuse for dessert. So, let’s ditch the long rise times and get straight to the good part. Your fork is waiting!

A Sticky-Fingered Memory

This recipe takes me right back to my grandma’s kitchen. She wasn’t a fancy baker, but she was a wizard with simple ingredients. Every Sunday, the air would be thick with the scent of her “fancy” French toast, which was really just thick-cut bread dipped in eggs and a heavy-handed sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. My brother and I would sit at her formica table, our legs swinging, watching her work her magic at the stove. She’d always cut our slices into little “soldier” bites, claiming it made them easier to eat. I now realize it was her secret way of maximizing the crispy, buttery edges—the best part! These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites are my full-circle tribute to her. It’s that same childhood comfort, but all grown up and extra indulgent, just like she would have loved.

Gathering Your Sweet Arsenal

This is where the fun begins! The ingredient list is beautifully simple, but a few little chef secrets can make all the difference. Here’s what you’ll need to serve 4-6 lucky people (or, you know, two very enthusiastic ones).

• 1 loaf brioche or Texas toast, cut into bite-sized cubes – This is your foundation. Brioche is my go-to because its rich, buttery, and eggy flavor creates an incredibly tender interior. Texas toast is a fantastic, sturdy backup that soaks up the custard like a champ without falling apart. Chef’s Insight: Stale bread is actually a secret weapon here! It soaks up the egg mixture without becoming mushy.
• 4 large eggs – The backbone of our custard. They create that rich, golden coating that fries up to perfection.
• ½ cup milk – This thins the egg mixture to the perfect consistency. Whole milk gives you the creamiest result, but any milk you have on hand will work beautifully.
• 2 tsp cinnamon – The heart and soul of the “cinnamon roll” flavor! Don’t be shy here. We want that warm, spicy aroma to shine through in every single bite.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – A non-negotiable for any great French toast. It adds a layer of warm, floral sweetness that makes the whole dish smell and taste like a bakery.
• 2 tbsp sugar – A little sweetness in the batter helps with caramelization, giving you those gorgeous golden-brown edges.
• Butter or oil, for cooking – I’m Team Butter all the way for that unparalleled rich flavor. But a neutral oil like avocado or canola works great too, especially if you’re worried about the butter burning.

For the Heavenly Cream Cheese Icing (Do Not Skip This!)

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened – The “cream” in our cream cheese icing! Let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes before you start. Trust me, trying to whisk rock-hard cream cheese is a workout nobody needs. Substitution Tip: For a dairy-free version, use your favorite plant-based cream cheese alternative.
• ½ cup powdered sugar – It dissolves instantly, giving us that silky-smooth texture we’re after.
• 1–2 tbsp milk – This is our control knob for consistency. Start with one tablespoon and add more until it’s perfectly drizzle-able.
• ½ tsp vanilla extract – Because even our icing deserves a little flavor boost!

Let’s Get Cooking: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap to Bliss

Alright, team, it’s go-time! This process is fast, fun, and almost impossible to mess up. I’ll walk you through each step with all my favorite kitchen hacks to ensure your bites are nothing short of phenomenal.

1. Make the Egg Mixture (The Flavor Foundation): Grab a large bowl—one that gives you plenty of room to toss the bread later. Crack in your 4 eggs and whisk them until the yolks and whites are fully combined and slightly frothy. Now, pour in the milk, vanilla, sugar, and that glorious cinnamon. Whisk it all together until it’s a smooth, homogenous, and beautifully speckled custard. Chef’s Hack: A tiny pinch of salt added to the egg mixture can actually make the sweet flavors pop even more! It’s a little secret all the pastry pros use.
2. Coat the Bread (The Soaking Station): Now, gently add all your bread cubes to the bowl. Using a large spatula or a big spoon, fold the bread into the egg mixture. You want every single surface of every single cube to get a nice, cozy bath. Once they’re all coated, let them sit for a solid 5 minutes. This is the patience-pays-off moment! This soaking time allows the bread to drink up the custard, which is the key to a fluffy interior instead of a dry one. Give it another gentle stir halfway through.
3. Cook to Golden-Brown Perfection (The Main Event): Place a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat. Add a generous tablespoon of butter or oil. You’ll know it’s ready when a drop of water sizzles on contact. Now, working in batches (don’t crowd the pan!), add a single layer of your soaked bread cubes. We’re looking for a gentle sizzle. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then flip or stir them around. Your goal is to get them golden brown and slightly crispy on all sides. This should take about 6-8 minutes total per batch. Chef’s Hack: Resist the urge to move them around constantly! Let them sit and develop a beautiful crust before you flip. And don’t forget to add more butter or oil between batches—it’s what makes them taste so good!
4. Whip Up the Icing (The Grand Finale): While your first batch of bites is sizzling away, let’s make the icing. In a medium bowl, combine your softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Whisk vigorously until it’s completely smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick for drizzling, add the second tablespoon of milk, a little at a time, until it’s just right. It should ribbon off your whisk beautifully.

How to Serve These Little Clouds of Joy

Presentation is part of the fun! You’ve just created something amazing, so let’s show it off. I love piling these Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites high on a big rustic platter. Drizzle that gorgeous cream cheese icing over the top in a zig-zag motion, making sure every bite gets some love. For an extra touch of “wow,” I always add a few more sprinkles of cinnamon right on top. If you’re feeling fancy, a handful of fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries on the side adds a lovely pop of color and a little tartness to balance the sweetness. And remember, these are best served immediately, right from the skillet to the plate, while they’re still warm and the icing is just starting to melt into all the nooks and crannies. Pure heaven.

Make It Your Own: Delicious Twists & Swaps

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Once you’ve mastered the classic, feel free to get creative! Here are a few of my favorite ways to mix it up.

• Apple Pie Twist: Toss your bread cubes with 1 cup of finely diced apples (like Granny Smith) and a tablespoon of brown sugar before adding them to the egg mixture. It’s like apple pie and French toast had a baby!
• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the cream cheese icing and use a bit more milk to thin it out. Drizzle this chocolate glaze over the bites for a decadent treat.
• Pumpkin Spice Everything: Replace ¼ cup of the milk with canned pumpkin puree and swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice in the egg batter. Hello, fall!
• Dairy-Free & Delicious: Use your favorite plant-based milk (oat milk is fantastic here), dairy-free butter, and a vegan cream cheese for the icing. It works like a charm.
• Nutty Crunch: After cooking, toss the warm bites in a mixture of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts and a little powdered sugar for an incredible texture contrast.

Beau’s Kitchen Notebook

This recipe has become a Feastical staple, and it’s evolved in fun ways over the years. I once accidentally used Hawaiian sweet bread instead of brioche, and it was a glorious, extra-sweet mistake that I now make on purpose sometimes! I’ve also learned that this is the ultimate “clean out the pantry” recipe. That half-bag of chocolate chips about to go stale? Toss ’em in the batter. Those last few slices of sandwich bread? They’ve found their higher calling. The point is, don’t be afraid to play with your food. Some of the best kitchen memories start with a happy accident.

Your Questions, Answered!

I’ve made this recipe a zillion times and have heard all your brilliant questions. Here are the answers to the most common ones.

Q: My French toast bites turned out soggy in the middle. What happened?
A: The most likely culprit is the pan being too crowded or the heat being too low. If you add too many bites at once, they steam instead of fry. Always cook in batches! Also, make sure your pan is properly preheated so you hear that satisfying sizzle when the bread hits the surface.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: You can! You can cut the bread and make the egg mixture the night before (keep them separate). In the morning, just combine and cook. You can also keep cooked bites warm on a baking sheet in a 200°F (95°C) oven while you finish the batches. They are truly best fresh, but they reheat surprisingly well in a toaster oven or air fryer to re-crisp.

Q: My icing is too thick/too thin. How can I fix it?
A: No worries, this is an easy fix! Too thick? Add more milk, just a teaspoon at a time, whisking after each addition until it’s perfect. Too thin? Add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it thickens up to your liking.

Q: Can I use regular sandwich bread?
A> You absolutely can! I’d recommend a heartier white or wheat bread. Just be a little more gentle when stirring, as it can be more delicate than brioche or Texas toast.

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites : Sticky, Sweet, and Drenched in Icing

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• Author: BeauCollier

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Description

Hey friends, Beau here from Feastical! Imagine everything you love about a cinnamon roll—warm, gooey, buttery, spiced perfection—married with the custardy comfort of French toast, but in bite-sized pieces. Crispy on the outside, soft and dreamy on the inside, and topped with luscious cream cheese icing… these are your new brunch heroes, weekend treats, or anytime indulgences. Quick to make, impossible not to love.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the French Toast Bites:

• 1 loaf brioche or Texas toast, cut into bite-sized cubes

• 4 large eggs

• ½ cup milk (whole milk recommended)

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp sugar

• Butter or oil, for cooking

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 1–2 tbsp milk (adjust for desired consistency)

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

Step 1: Make the Egg Mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Optional: add a pinch of salt to make flavors pop.

Step 2: Coat the Bread
Gently fold the bread cubes into the egg mixture until fully coated. Let sit 5 minutes to soak.

Step 3: Cook the Bites

• Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt butter or add oil.

• Cook bread cubes in batches, 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and slightly crispy. Avoid overcrowding.

• Add more butter/oil between batches as needed.

Step 4: Make the Icing
In a medium bowl, whisk cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth. Add extra milk if needed for drizzle-able consistency.

Step 5: Serve
Pile the bites on a platter, drizzle with icing, and sprinkle extra cinnamon or berries if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

• Soggy Middle? Don’t crowd the pan and ensure proper preheat. Cook in batches.

• Make-Ahead: Pre-cut bread and mix eggs the night before. Cook in the morning. Keep warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven.

• Icing Too Thick/Thin? Adjust with small amounts of milk or powdered sugar.

• Bread Swap: Hearty white or wheat sandwich bread works if handled gently.

Let’s Talk Nutrition & Prep

I’m all about balance, and that means enjoying life’s sweet pleasures, too! Here’s the lowdown on what you’re diving into. Remember, these are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 4-6

Estimated Per Serving (with icing): 320-380 calories | 16g fat | 35g carbs | 8g protein. This is a treat that’s meant to be savored and shared. Pair it with some fresh fruit and a protein source like scrambled eggs or bacon for a more rounded brunch that will keep you full and happy for hours.

Your New Go-To Brunch Masterpiece

And there you have it! My ultimate hack for getting all the cozy, comforting vibes of a cinnamon roll in a fraction of the time. I hope this recipe brings as much laughter and sticky-fingered joy to your kitchen as it has to mine. Remember, cooking isn’t about perfection; it’s about the love you stir into every bite. So, don’t stress about a lopsided bite or a messy drizzle. Just enjoy the process, and more importantly, enjoy the delicious results with the people you love.

I’d love to see your creations! Tag me @Feastical on social media so I can cheer you on. Now, go forth and conquer that skillet!

Final Thoughts: A Brunch Legend is Born

And there you have it—the secret to turning a simple loaf of bread into a legendary breakfast experience. These Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites are the ultimate solution for when that cinnamon-sugar craving hits, but time is not on your side. They’re a tribute to cherished memories, a canvas for your creativity, and most importantly, an incredibly delicious, shareable joy.

This is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create your own kitchen moments. So don’t stress over perfection. Embrace the mess, play with the flavors, and share the results with someone special. I hope this recipe finds its way into your regular rotation and brings a little bit of Feastical magic to your table.

I can’t wait to see what you create! Tag me @Feastical so I can be part of your brunch journey.

Happy cooking!
Beau