Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Roll Ups: The 5-Minute Treat That Tastes Like Churro Heaven

There are some snacks that you discover and immediately know they’re going to become a problem. Not a bad problem—the best kind of problem. The kind where you find yourself wandering into the kitchen at 10 p.m., telling yourself “just one more,” while that little voice in your head whispers “you’re going to make these every single day now.”

These Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Roll-Ups are exactly that kind of problem.

I first created these on a lazy Sunday afternoon when I had a ripe banana, a lonely tortilla, and a serious craving for something sweet. I’d been thinking about churros—those crispy, cinnamon-sugar-dusted Mexican pastries that are pure magic. But I didn’t have the energy for deep frying, and I definitely didn’t want to deal with hot oil.

So I improvised. I spread peanut butter on a tortilla, layered on banana slices, sprinkled cinnamon sugar, drizzled honey, rolled it up, and gave it a quick toast in a buttered pan. The first bite stopped me in my tracks. The tortilla had become crispy and golden, just like a churro. The inside was warm and gooey, with that perfect combination of peanut butter, banana, cinnamon, and honey.

It was, without exaggeration, like a churro and banana bread had a love child. And that love child was the most delicious thing I’d eaten in weeks.

Since then, these roll-ups have become my go-to for quick desserts, after-school snacks, late-night cravings, and even breakfast when I’m feeling fancy. They come together in minutes, use simple ingredients, and taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Today, I’m sharing everything you need to know to make these irresistible treats.

Why You’ll Fall in Love With These Roll-Ups

Ready in 5 minutes. From craving to satisfaction in under 5 minutes. It’s faster than driving to a bakery.

Tastes like a churro. That cinnamon-sugar coating, the crispy exterior, the warm, soft interior—it’s pure churro magic.

Healthier than deep-fried. Pan-toasted with a little butter instead of deep-fried in oil. You can feel good about these.

Simple ingredients. Tortilla, banana, peanut butter, cinnamon, sugar, honey. Things you probably already have.

Customizable. Use different nut butters, add chocolate, swap the fruit—endless possibilities.

Kid-approved. My kids go absolutely crazy for these. They love helping make them too.

Perfect for any time of day. Dessert, snack, breakfast, late-night craving—these fit everywhere.

Better than anything you can buy. Homemade always wins.

The churro-style edges are everything. That caramelized, buttery, cinnamon-sugar crust is pure perfection.

The Complete Ingredient Breakdown

For the Roll-Ups:

1 banana

The star of the show. Use a ripe but firm banana—not too green, not too mushy. It should be sweet but still hold its shape when sliced.

1-2 tablespoons peanut butter

Peanut butter adds protein, healthy fats, and that irresistible savory-sweet depth. Creamy or crunchy—your choice.

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Warm, aromatic, essential. This is where the churro flavor comes from.

1 teaspoon brown sugar

Brown sugar adds a hint of molasses depth that white sugar can’t match. It caramelizes beautifully in the pan.

Light butter (for the tortilla)

Butter is essential for that golden, crispy exterior. Use light butter or regular—both work. You’ll need enough to spread lightly on the tortilla.

Honey, for drizzling

Honey adds natural sweetness and a floral note that ties everything together. Use good quality honey.

Optional: Extra butter for toasting

For that pro-level finish, brush the outside of the rolled tortilla with additional butter before pan-toasting.

For the Tortilla:

1 large flour tortilla or flatbread

Flour tortillas work best—they’re pliable and toast up beautifully. Burrito-size is ideal. You can also use whole wheat tortillas for a heartier flavor, or even flatbread or lavash.

What to avoid: Corn tortillas are too small and prone to cracking. Save those for tacos.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Mix these together in a small bowl. You’ll use some inside and some for dusting the outside.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Cinnamon Sugar

In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and brown sugar. If you want extra for dusting the outside, mix a little extra granulated sugar with cinnamon in another bowl.

Step 2: Prep the Tortilla

Lay your tortilla flat on a clean work surface. Spread a thin layer of butter evenly over one side of the tortilla. This will be the outside of your roll-up.

Flip the tortilla over so the buttered side is facing down.

Step 3: Spread the Peanut Butter

Spread 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter evenly over the unbuttered side of the tortilla. Leave a small border around the edges to prevent filling from squeezing out when you roll.

Step 4: Add the Cinnamon Sugar

Sprinkle your cinnamon-brown sugar mixture evenly over the peanut butter. The amount is up to you—I use about half the mixture inside and save the rest for dusting.

Step 5: Add the Banana

Slice the banana thinly and arrange the slices in a single layer over the peanut butter and cinnamon sugar. Don’t overfill—you want to be able to roll it up easily.

Step 6: Drizzle with Honey

Drizzle honey over the banana slices. Be generous but not excessive—about 1-2 teaspoons.

Step 7: Roll It Up

Starting from one end, roll the tortilla tightly but gently, tucking in the filling as you go. Roll all the way to the end, then press gently to seal.

Step 8: Slice Into Pinwheels

Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled tortilla into 1-inch pinwheels. This is optional—you can also leave it whole and eat it like a burrito. But pinwheels are cute and perfect for sharing.

Step 9: Optional: Pan-Toast for Churro Edges

This step takes these roll-ups from delicious to absolutely extraordinary.

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a little butter and let it melt.

Place the pinwheels (or whole roll) in the pan, cut-side down for pinwheels, or seam-side down for whole roll. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized.

The butter and cinnamon sugar will create that incredible churro-style crust.

Step 10: Dust with Extra Cinnamon Sugar

Remove from the pan and immediately dust with additional cinnamon sugar. The heat will make it stick beautifully.

Step 11: Serve

Serve warm, with extra honey for drizzling if desired.

The Science of the Churro-Style Crust

That magical churro crust isn’t magic—it’s science. Here’s what’s happening:

Butter creates browning. When butter hits a hot pan, the milk solids brown through the Maillard reaction, creating those nutty, caramelized flavors.

Sugar caramelizes. The sugar in the cinnamon mixture melts and caramelizes, creating that crispy, glass-like coating that shatters when you bite into it.

The tortilla toasts. The direct heat of the pan creates a crispy exterior while the inside stays soft and warm.

The contrast is everything. That crispy, sweet exterior giving way to the soft, warm, gooey interior is what makes these roll-ups so irresistible.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

My Roll-Up Fell Apart

You may have overfilled it or rolled too loosely. Next time, use less filling and roll more tightly. Letting it sit for a minute after rolling helps it hold its shape.

The Filling Squeezed Out

Leave a border around the edges when spreading your fillings. This gives you room to roll without everything squishing out.

The Tortilla Cracked

Tortillas can crack if they’re too cold or dry. Warm them slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before rolling to make them more pliable.

My Pinwheels Are Messy

Use a very sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. Chilling the rolled tortilla for 10-15 minutes before slicing helps too.

They’re Not Crispy Enough

Either your pan wasn’t hot enough, or you didn’t cook them long enough. Make sure your pan is preheated and give them a full 1-2 minutes per side.

The Sugar Burned

Your heat was too high. Medium heat is perfect—high heat will burn the sugar before the inside warms through.

Delicious Variations

Once you’ve mastered the classic, try these variations.

Nutella Banana Roll-Ups

Replace the peanut butter with Nutella. Because Nutella makes everything better.

Strawberry Cheesecake Roll-Ups

Spread cream cheese instead of peanut butter, add sliced strawberries, and drizzle with honey. Dust with cinnamon sugar.

Apple Pie Roll-Ups

Sauté thin apple slices with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar until soft. Use those instead of banana, and skip the peanut butter.

S’mores Roll-Ups

Spread chocolate hazelnut spread, add mini marshmallows and crushed graham crackers. Toast until marshmallows are gooey.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll-Ups

Use peanut butter and your favorite jam instead of banana and honey. A classic for good reason.

Chocolate Banana Roll-Ups

Spread chocolate spread, add banana slices, and drizzle with honey. Dust with cinnamon sugar.

Cinnamon Roll Roll-Ups

Spread butter, then a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up, slice, and pan-toast. Drizzle with cream cheese glaze.

Savory-Sweet Bacon Roll-Ups

Add crumbled cooked bacon along with the banana. The salty bacon is incredible with the sweet filling.

What to Serve With Cinnamon Sugar Roll-Ups

Vanilla ice cream: Serve warm roll-ups with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an incredible dessert.

Whipped cream: A dollop of whipped cream is lovely.

Extra honey: For drizzling.

Fresh fruit: Berries or sliced banana on the side.

Coffee or tea: The perfect afternoon treat.

Milk: For the full childhood nostalgia experience.

On their own: These roll-ups need nothing—they’re perfect solo.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Room temperature: These are best enjoyed immediately, while warm and crispy.

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet or toaster oven to restore crispness.

Freezer: Not recommended—the texture suffers upon thawing.

Make-ahead for parties: You can prepare the fillings ahead and assemble just before serving. The pan-toasting takes just minutes.

Reheating: The best way to reheat is in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side. The microwave will make them soft.

Why These Roll-Ups Are Perfect for Any Time of Day

Breakfast: Serve with scrambled eggs and fruit for a special morning treat.

Snack: The perfect after-school or mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Dessert: With ice cream, these become an elegant dessert.

Late-night craving: When you need something sweet but don’t want to bake.

Brunch: Arrange on a platter for a beautiful brunch spread.

Kids’ parties: They’re fun, they’re cute, and kids love them.

The Magic of Simple Ingredients

There’s something beautiful about recipes that transform humble ingredients into something special. A tortilla, a banana, some peanut butter, a little cinnamon and sugar—these are things you probably already have in your kitchen. But with a few simple techniques, they become something magical.

That’s the kind of cooking I love most. No fancy equipment, no hard-to-find ingredients, no complicated techniques. Just good food, made with love, that makes people happy.

These Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Roll-Ups are exactly that kind of recipe. They’re proof that you don’t need much to create something wonderful. Just a little creativity, a little cinnamon sugar, and a hot pan.

Why This Recipe Deserves a Place in Your Snack Rotation

These Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Roll-Ups represent everything I want in a quick treat. They’re fast enough for a weeknight craving. They’re simple enough for kids to help make. They’re customizable enough to never get boring. And they’re genuinely, consistently, undeniably delicious.

I’ve made these for late-night cravings and for fancy brunches. I’ve made them for my kids after school and for myself when I needed a little pick-me-up. Every single time, they hit the spot.

There’s something about that combination of warm, crispy tortilla, gooey peanut butter, sweet banana, and that cinnamon-sugar coating that just works. It’s comfort food at its finest, ready in minutes.

This recipe has become a staple in my kitchen for good reason. It’s reliable, versatile, and always satisfying.

And now it can be that for you too.

So grab that tortilla. Slice that banana. Mix that cinnamon sugar. And get ready to discover your new favorite 5-minute treat.

Your taste buds are about to be very, very happy.

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Have you made these Cinnamon Sugar Roll-Ups? What variations did you try? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

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