Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups Recipe

Imagine biting into a warm, crispy exterior that gives way to a sweet, custardy center wrapped around savory sausage links. These Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups are a breakfast game-changer, combining the beloved flavors of classic French toast with hearty breakfast sausage in a fun, dippable format that both kids and adults will adore. The contrasting textures and sweet-savory flavor profile make these roll-ups an irresistible morning treat that’s surprisingly simple to prepare. You’ll learn how to create these delightful breakfast morsels that transform ordinary morning meals into something truly special.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups are about to become your new favorite breakfast obsession for so many reasons. First, they deliver an incredible contrast of textures – crispy, caramelized exteriors with soft, tender bread wrapped around juicy sausage. Each bite offers the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that dance on your palate.

What truly sets these breakfast roll-ups apart is their portability and dippability. Unlike traditional French toast that requires a fork and knife, these handheld delights can be dipped into maple syrup, making them perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunches with the family. Kids especially love the interactive nature of these breakfast sticks!

The versatility of this French toast sausage recipe is another huge selling point. You can prepare them ahead of time, customize the flavors to suit your preferences, and even freeze them for quick breakfasts throughout the week. They’re impressive enough for special occasions yet simple enough for everyday mornings – the best of both worlds in one delicious package.

Ingredients

For these delicious Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups, you’ll need:

• 8 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed (about 6 oz/170g)
• 8 breakfast sausage links, fully cooked (approximately 5 oz/140g)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup (60ml) whole milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, for cooking
• Maple syrup, for serving

The bread should be slightly soft and pliable for easy rolling – day-old bread works perfectly as it’s slightly firmer. For the sausages, pre-cooked breakfast links work best, but you can also use fully cooked Italian sausage or even vegetarian sausage links for a meatless option. The egg mixture creates that classic French toast flavor, with cinnamon and vanilla providing warm, aromatic notes that complement the savory sausage beautifully.

Pro Tips

Getting your Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups perfect every time comes down to mastering a few key techniques:

Bread Selection and Preparation: The bread’s thickness matters tremendously. Standard sandwich bread works best as it’s thin enough to roll without breaking. Make sure to firmly flatten each slice with a rolling pin before rolling to prevent tearing. This creates a tight seal around your sausage and prevents unraveling during cooking.

Perfect Soaking Technique: Avoid the common mistake of over-soaking your bread. A quick dip (about 2-3 seconds per side) in the egg mixture is sufficient. Any longer and you’ll end up with soggy roll-ups that fall apart in the pan. The bread should absorb some of the custard mixture but still maintain its structural integrity.

Temperature Control: Maintaining the right pan temperature is crucial. Medium-low heat is ideal – too hot and the outside will burn before the inside cooks through; too low and they’ll become soggy. Look for a golden-brown exterior with a subtle sizzle in the pan, rotating the roll-ups frequently for even browning on all sides. This patience ensures a crispy exterior with a fully warmed interior.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Start by trimming the crusts from each slice of white bread using a sharp knife. Once trimmed, use a rolling pin to gently flatten each bread slice, making them thinner and more pliable. This flattening step is crucial as it prevents the bread from tearing when you roll it around the sausage.

Step 2: Prepare the Egg Mixture
In a shallow bowl wide enough to fit your bread slices, whisk together the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) until well combined. This custard mixture should be smooth with no visible egg streaks. The vanilla and cinnamon will infuse your Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups with that classic French toast flavor.

Step 3: Roll the Sausages
Place a cooked sausage link at one end of each flattened bread slice. Carefully roll the bread around the sausage, pressing the edge firmly to seal it. The bread should completely encase the sausage, creating a neat cylinder. If needed, you can use a small amount of the egg mixture as “glue” to help seal the edge.

Step 4: Soak and Cook
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Dip each roll-up in the egg mixture, ensuring all sides are lightly coated but not soaked through. Place in the heated skillet seam-side down first to seal the edge. Cook the Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups for about 2-3 minutes per side, rotating regularly, until all sides are golden brown and crispy. Work in batches, adding the remaining butter as needed.

Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once cooked, briefly place your roll-ups on a paper towel to absorb any excess butter. For an extra touch of sweetness, you can roll them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar while still warm. Serve immediately with maple syrup for dipping, and watch them disappear in minutes!

Variations

The classic Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups are wonderful on their own, but you can easily customize this recipe to create exciting variations:

Stuffed French Toast Roll-Ups: Before rolling, spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the flattened bread, then add a line of fresh berries alongside the sausage for a sweet and savory combination. The cream cheese melts slightly when cooked, creating a delicious creamy center that balances perfectly with the sweetness of the berries and the savory sausage.

Bacon and Cheese Roll-Ups: Swap the sausage for cooked bacon strips and add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese before rolling. The cheese melts during cooking, creating an irresistible gooey center. These savory French toast roll-ups are especially popular with those who prefer less sweetness at breakfast.

Vegetarian Option: For a meat-free version, use vegetarian sausages or create a sweet-only version with sliced bananas and a sprinkle of chocolate chips inside. The banana caramelizes slightly during cooking, creating a delicious contrast with the crispy exterior of the French toast.

Storage and Serving

Your Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups are best enjoyed immediately after cooking when they’re at their crispiest, but they can be stored for convenient breakfasts throughout the week. To store leftovers, allow them to cool completely, then place in an airtight container separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispiness.

For make-ahead preparation, you can assemble the roll-ups without dipping in the egg mixture, then store them separated by parchment paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, simply dip and cook as directed.

These versatile breakfast treats pair wonderfully with fresh fruit for a balanced meal. For an impressive brunch spread, serve your Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups alongside a yogurt parfait bar and fresh orange juice. For special occasions, create a dipping station with various options like maple syrup, fruit compote, chocolate sauce, or even a savory option like warm cheese sauce.

FAQs

Can I make these with different types of bread?
Yes! While white sandwich bread works best due to its pliability, you can experiment with whole wheat or even brioche for a richer flavor. Just ensure the bread is fresh enough to roll without breaking.

How do I prevent my roll-ups from unraveling while cooking?
Place the roll-ups seam-side down first when cooking to seal the edge. If they’re still unraveling, try securing them with toothpicks during the first minute of cooking, then removing the toothpicks to finish cooking.

Can I use raw sausage instead of pre-cooked?
It’s not recommended as the cooking time for the French toast exterior isn’t long enough to safely cook raw sausage. Always use fully cooked sausage for this recipe.

Are these freezer-friendly?
Absolutely! Once cooked and cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-12 minutes.

What’s the best way to serve these for a crowd?
For serving a large group, keep cooked roll-ups warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven while you finish the batch. Arrange on a platter with small individual cups of maple syrup for dipping.

Conclusion

These Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups are comfort food at its finest — a perfect marriage of sweet and savory that transforms ordinary breakfast ingredients into an extraordinary morning treat. They’re the kind of dish that brings the family flocking to the breakfast table, creating moments of joy and connection over a shared meal. Whether you’re serving them for a special weekend breakfast, prepping them for busy weekday mornings, or featuring them at your next brunch gathering, these delightful roll-ups promise to become a requested favorite in your breakfast rotation.

Print