Irresistible Air Fryer Strawberry French Toast Roll Ups: Your New Favorite Breakfast!
Get ready to elevate your breakfast game with these incredible Air Fryer Strawberry French Toast Roll Ups! This recipe has quickly become a cherished family favorite in my home, and it’s easy to see why. Combining the classic comfort of French toast with a delightful strawberry filling, all made effortlessly in your air fryer, these roll-ups are a true game-changer for busy mornings or leisurely brunches. Made with simple ingredients like bread, eggs, a hint of sugar and cinnamon, and the bright burst of fresh strawberries and preserves, this dish promises a fun, easy, and undeniably delicious experience. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create a breakfast that tastes like it came from a gourmet cafe!
The Magic of Air Fryers for Breakfast
I am a huge advocate for using the air fryer for practically everything, but when it comes to breakfast recipes, it truly shines! The air fryer transforms ordinary dishes into extraordinary meals with minimal effort and less oil. For instance, I adore Air Fryer Donut Holes for a sweet treat, and my family can’t get enough of this copycat Chick-Fil-A style Air Fryer Breakfast Bowl. French toast, a timeless breakfast classic, reaches new heights in the air fryer, offering a perfect crispy exterior and a wonderfully soft interior.
The beauty of the air fryer lies in its ability to circulate hot air evenly, providing a perfectly golden and slightly crispy texture without the need for excessive oil or constant flipping over a hot stove. This means less mess, less fuss, and more time to enjoy your delicious breakfast. For these Strawberry French Toast Roll Ups, the air fryer delivers a consistently cooked product, ensuring the bread is toasted to perfection and the strawberry preserves inside are warm and gooey.
Simple Ingredients for a Delicious Start
One of the best things about this recipe is that it requires just a few basic ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Don’t let the simplicity fool you – the combination of these components creates a truly memorable breakfast.
- Bread: The foundation of our French toast. More on selecting the right kind below!
- Eggs: The essential binder that creates that classic French toast coating.
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps thin the egg mixture for a smooth dip.
- Strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries are crucial for garnish, adding a burst of natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Strawberry Preserves: The sweet, fruity filling that makes these roll-ups irresistible.
- Cinnamon: Provides that warm, aromatic spice that pairs perfectly with strawberries and toast.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar combines with cinnamon for a delightful exterior coating.
The Secret to Perfect French Toast: Why Use Stale Bread?
Before diving into the cooking process, there’s a crucial preparation step that makes all the difference: using stale bread. While it might seem counterintuitive to use anything but fresh bread, this little trick is the secret to achieving that ideal French toast texture.
Stale bread has less moisture, which allows it to more effectively soak up the egg mixture without becoming soggy or falling apart. Fresh, soft bread tends to absorb too much liquid too quickly, turning mushy when dipped and potentially disintegrating during cooking. Stale bread, on the other hand, maintains its structure, resulting in a roll-up that holds together beautifully and cooks to a perfect golden crisp.
To get your bread perfectly stale, simply lay the slices out on a baking sheet or a clean counter for at least an hour before you plan to cook. If you’re really planning ahead, you can even leave it out overnight. If you’re short on time, a quick trick is to lightly toast the bread slices in a toaster or oven for a few minutes until they are slightly firm but not browned. This helps remove excess moisture and gets them ready for dipping!
More Air Fryer Breakfast Inspiration
If you’re loving the idea of air fryer breakfasts, you’re in for a treat! The versatility of this appliance extends to so many morning delights. For more delicious ways to start your day with your air fryer, be sure to check out some of my other favorite recipes:
- Air Fryer Omelette: A fluffy, customizable omelette made with ease.
- Air Fryer English Muffins: Perfectly toasted and ready for your favorite toppings.
- Air Fryer Granola: Crunchy, homemade granola that’s perfect for yogurt or snacking.
- Air Fryer Soft Boiled Eggs: Achieve runny yolks every time without boiling water.
How to Make Strawberry French Toast Roll-Ups in the Air Fryer: Step-by-Step
Making these delightful roll-ups is straightforward and quick. Follow these steps to achieve perfectly golden and delicious results every time.
Preparation is Key
First, get your workspace and air fryer ready. Prepare the Air Fryer basket by lining it with parchment paper (specifically designed for air fryers) or lightly greasing it. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. In a small bowl, whisk together the cinnamon and sugar until well combined, then set it aside for later. In another shallow dish, whisk your eggs thoroughly; this will be our dipping mixture.
Transforming the Bread
Next, carefully cut the crusts off each slice of bread. While optional, removing the crusts makes the roll-ups softer and easier to roll. Then, using a rolling pin or even the bottom of a sturdy glass, roll over each piece of bread to flatten it. Aim for a thin, even thickness, which will help them roll tightly and cook uniformly. This step is crucial for creating the perfect roll-up shape.
Filling and Rolling
Now for the delicious filling! Take a flattened piece of bread and spread a generous layer of strawberry preserves onto one end. Don’t go too heavy, or it might ooze out, but ensure enough for that sweet burst of flavor. Carefully roll up the bread from the end with the preserves, creating a tight log. Repeat this process for each slice of bread.
Dipping and Air Frying
Once all your roll-ups are prepared, gently dip each rolled bread log into the whisked egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated but not oversaturated. Allow any excess egg to drip off. Then, carefully place the French toast roll-ups into your prepared air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s essential to leave some space between each roll-up to allow for proper air circulation, which is key to even cooking and a crispy finish.
Air Fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for 8-9 minutes. For optimal results, remember to turn the roll-ups halfway through cooking (around the 4-5 minute mark) to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
The Finishing Touch
Once cooked to a beautiful golden brown, carefully remove the French toast roll-ups from the air fryer. While still warm, dip each roll-up into the reserved cinnamon and sugar mixture, coating them generously. This adds an extra layer of sweetness and a delightful crunch. Finally, top with fresh-cut strawberries before serving for a vibrant, fresh garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy!
NOTE: Remember that all air fryers cook differently. The cooking time and temperature provided here are based on tests with a Cosori 5.8-quart air fryer. Use these as a guide, but always keep an eye on your roll-ups and adjust cooking time or temperature as needed for your specific air fryer model. You might need to add or subtract a minute or two to achieve your desired level of crispness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I customize this Strawberry French Toast Roll-Up recipe?
This recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing for many delicious tweaks to suit your preferences. Here are some ideas to make this dish your own:
- For a Richer Egg Mixture: For an extra decadent and creamy texture, replace the milk with 1 tablespoon of heavy cream in your egg mixture. This small change will give your French toast a richer flavor profile.
- Pre-Coating for Caramelized Flavor: If you desire a more intensely caramelized and crispy exterior, try dipping the French toast roll-ups into the egg mixture and then immediately into the cinnamon and sugar mixture *before* cooking them in the air fryer. The sugar will caramelize as it cooks, creating a delightful crust.
- A Dusting of Sweetness: Once the roll-ups are fully cooked and cooled slightly, you can dust them with confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) for an elegant finish and an extra touch of sweetness.
- Alternate Fillings: Don’t limit yourself to strawberry preserves! You can experiment with Nutella, cream cheese, banana slices, or other fruit preserves like raspberry or apricot.
- Different Breads: While white bread works well, you can also use brioche, challah, or Texas toast for a more substantial and rich French toast. Just remember that thicker breads might need slightly longer air frying time.
Feel free to pick one or all of these suggestions to create your ultimate Strawberry French Toast Roll-Ups! The possibilities are endless.
Serving Suggestions for Your Strawberry French Toast Roll Ups
While these roll-ups are fantastic on their own, a few additions can make them an even more satisfying meal. Drizzle them with maple syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. For a more complete breakfast, pair them with crispy bacon, sausage links, or a side of scrambled eggs. A small bowl of fresh fruit like blueberries or sliced bananas would also complement the strawberry flavor beautifully.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat and maintain their delicious crispness, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 300-325°F (150-160°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave, as it will make them soft and chewy.
If you enjoy making breakfast, be sure to check out all of our favorite air fryer breakfast recipes right here. We’ve curated a collection so you can browse and choose from our top picks!
Here are a few more breakfast recipes you might enjoy from our collection:
More Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes
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3
Air Fryer Strawberry French Toast Roll-Ups
Jen
10 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
Rate
Equipment
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Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 10 pieces bread
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/2 cup strawberry preserves
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tbsp granulated white sugar
- 3-4 strawberries, cut small to garnish
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Instructions
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Prepare the Air Fryer basket. I like to use a parchment paper with this recipe.
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Mix together the cinnamon and sugar and set aside.
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Whisk the eggs together and set them aside.
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Cut the edges off of the bread. Take a glass or rolling pin and roll over the pieces of bread to flatten them.
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Place a layer of strawberry preserves onto one end of the piece of bread and then roll up the bread. Continue with each piece of bread
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Dip the rolled bread into the egg mixture.
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Place the french toast roll ups into the prepared air fryer basket in a single layer, careful to leave room in between each one.
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Air Fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-9 minutes, turning the roll-ups halfway through cooking.
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Carefully remove the french toast roll ups from the air fryer and dip into the cinnamon and sugar mixture and top with fresh cut strawberries before serving.
Notes
Here are a few changes you can make to this french toast recipe:
- You can add 1 Tbsp of heavy cream in place of the milk to the egg mixture.
- Dip the french toast roll-ups into the egg mixture and then directly into the cinnamon and sugar mixture before cooking for a more caramelized flavor.
- Top the fully cooked dish with confectioners’ sugar.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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