Buttery Cinnamon-Sugar Tortilla Rolls

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

• Yield: 4 rolls (4 servings)
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 18–20 minutes

Quick Ingredients

• 4 medium (8-inch) flour tortillas
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, divided
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of fine salt
• Optional: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, caramel or chocolate sauce, fresh berries

Do This

• 1. Stir together sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.
• 2. Warm tortillas briefly so they are soft and flexible (microwave 10–15 seconds or dry skillet 20–30 seconds per side).
• 3. Brush each tortilla with melted butter (using about 3 tbsp total), then sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar, leaving a small border bare.
• 4. Roll tortillas up tightly like cigars, tucking in the edges if you like.
• 5. Heat remaining 1 tbsp butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add rolls seam side down and cook, turning often, until all sides are golden and crisp, about 6–8 minutes total.
• 6. While hot, roll the crisp tortillas in the remaining cinnamon sugar to coat.
• 7. Let cool for 2–3 minutes, then serve warm as-is or with ice cream or whipped cream.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Uses simple pantry ingredients you probably already have on hand.
• Crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside with a caramelized cinnamon-sugar crust.
• Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for a late-night sweet craving or quick dessert.
• Easily customizable with different fillings, sauces, or toppings.

Grocery List

• Produce: None required (optional: fresh berries, sliced bananas, or orange zest for serving).
• Dairy: Unsalted butter; optional whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
• Pantry: Flour tortillas, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, fine salt; optional caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, or powdered sugar.

Full Ingredients

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Tortilla Rolls

• 4 medium (8-inch) flour tortillas
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, divided (3 tbsp for brushing tortillas, 1 tbsp for the skillet)
• 1/3 cup (about 65 g) granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch fine salt

Optional Toppings & Dippers

• Vanilla ice cream or lightly sweetened whipped cream
• Caramel sauce or chocolate sauce for drizzling
• Fresh berries or sliced bananas
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Cinnamon Sugar

In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir with a spoon or fork until the mixture looks evenly sandy and the cinnamon is well distributed. Set this bowl aside; you will use part of it inside the tortillas and the rest for coating the outsides after cooking.

Step 2: Melt the Butter and Warm the Tortillas

Melt the 4 tbsp unsalted butter. You can do this in a small heat-safe bowl in the microwave (about 20–30 seconds) or in a small saucepan over low heat. Measure or mentally divide: you will use about 3 tbsp to brush the tortillas and about 1 tbsp in the skillet for toasting.

To prevent cracking, gently warm the flour tortillas. Stack them and microwave for 10–15 seconds, or warm them one at a time in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20–30 seconds per side until pliable. Keep them covered with a clean kitchen towel so they stay soft while you work.

Step 3: Fill and Roll the Tortillas

Place one warm tortilla on a clean work surface. Lightly brush the top with some of the melted butter (from the 3 tbsp portion), using about 2 to 3 teaspoons per tortilla. You want a thin, even layer, not puddles.

Sprinkle 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered surface, leaving about a 1/2-inch border bare around the edges so the sugar does not spill out too much when rolling.

Starting from one edge, roll the tortilla up tightly into a log or cigar shape. If you like, you can tuck in the side edges slightly as you roll to help keep more filling inside. Place the roll seam side down on a plate. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, butter, and cinnamon sugar until you have 4 tightly rolled tortillas.

Step 4: Crisp the Rolls in a Skillet

Place a medium nonstick or well-seasoned skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tbsp melted butter to the pan. Once the butter is melted and just starting to foam, swirl to coat the bottom of the skillet.

Arrange the filled tortilla rolls in the skillet seam side down, leaving a little space between each one. Cook for about 2–3 minutes on the first side, or until golden brown and crisp.

Use tongs to gently turn each roll a quarter turn, browning the next side for another 2–3 minutes. Continue turning until all sides are crisp and evenly golden, about 6–8 minutes total. Adjust the heat as needed to keep the butter sizzling gently without burning; medium to medium-low is ideal. If the pan seems dry, you can add a tiny bit more butter.

Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While the rolls are cooking, pour the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture onto a small plate or into a shallow dish. As soon as the rolls are crisp and cooked, transfer them from the skillet directly into the cinnamon sugar while they are still hot.

Use tongs or a spoon to roll each tortilla log in the mixture until it is well coated on all sides. The heat from the tortillas will slightly melt the sugar, helping it cling and form a thin, crunchy crust.

Step 6: Rest Briefly and Serve Warm

Place the coated rolls on a plate or small tray and let them cool for 2–3 minutes. This quick rest helps the sugar crust set and keeps the filling from burning your mouth.

Serve the tortilla rolls warm, either whole or sliced into bite-size pieces on a diagonal. For a dessert-style presentation, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side, and drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce if desired. Enjoy immediately while the outsides are crisp and the centers are soft and buttery.

Pro Tips

• Keep the heat moderate: Too high and the tortillas will scorch before they crisp through; too low and they will absorb excess butter without browning. Aim for a gentle sizzle.
• Roll tightly: A snug roll keeps the cinnamon sugar from spilling out and gives you nice, even layers when you slice or bite into the tortillas.
• Do not skimp on the sugar coating: The final roll in cinnamon sugar after cooking is what creates that dessert-like, crunchy exterior.
• Try an oven or air-fryer finish: For an even crisper texture, you can place the browned rolls on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes, or air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 3–4 minutes.
• Serve right away: These are at their very best within the first 10–15 minutes, while the outside is still shatter-crisp and the inside is tender.

Variations

• Cream Cheese Swirl: Spread a thin layer (1–2 tbsp) of softened cream cheese on each tortilla before adding the cinnamon sugar. Roll up and cook as directed for a richer, cheesecake-like filling.
• Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls: Sprinkle a tablespoon of mini chocolate chips over the cinnamon sugar inside each tortilla before rolling. The chips will melt slightly as the rolls crisp.
• Apple Pie Shortcut: Add 2–3 tablespoons of finely diced, sautéed apple (cooked with a bit of butter and sugar) along the center of each tortilla before rolling for an apple-pie-inspired version.

Storage & Make-Ahead

These cinnamon-sugar tortilla rolls are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers once completely cooled. Place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a dry skillet over medium heat, in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes, or in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes until warmed through and crisp again.

For partial make-ahead, you can assemble and roll the filled tortillas up to 4 hours in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator, then pan-crisp and sugar-coat just before serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values per 1 roll (without optional toppings): about 300–310 calories, 15 g fat, 41 g carbohydrates, 4 g protein, 23 g sugar, and 1–2 g fiber. Adding ice cream, whipped cream, or sauces will increase the calorie and sugar content.