Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole

This easy Pillsbury cinnamon roll breakfast casserole with blueberries is just amazing! Served for brunch or on Christmas morning. It is a great way to make cinnamon rolls into a blueberry pie filling recipe casserole that everyone will love. Feeds 12 and costs under $10 to make which is a winner in my book!

I love casseroles in general but I love easy breakfast casseroles, especially during the holidays or when I’m having a brunch. There’s nothing better than an ooey gooey sweet Christmas morning casserole with warm fruit inside. I fooled around with what I had at home and this Pillsbury cinnamon roll casserole is what I came up with! (affiliate links present)

Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole

We have used these same rolls with fresh fruit to make our Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls but in a pinch, canned works well too. 😉 You really can make this with any type of fruit pie filling you want. Apple cinnamon roll casserole is amazing too!

I love Crockpot french toast casserole recipes because you can kinda’ throw it all in and go. Yes you can make traditional cinnamon rolls in the oven, but adding fruit is so much better. It’s kinda’ like a breakfast dump cake of sorts. A little of this, whip up a bit of that and bake it in a cake pan. Once it is golden brown on top take it out and frost!

Apple Pie Filling Variation

This apple version has been served on Christmas morning and Easter brunch with a pitcher of homemade sparkling apple cider on the side. Unlike our pecan sticky buns recipe, this one has fewer ingredients. Both are great for a large brunch though. We have used pie fillings to make so many yummy things. These blueberry pie filling cupcakes are probably one of our favorites. They taste amazing and could be either a a Christmas brunch menu item or dessert.

Other Fruit-Filled Breakfast Ideas 

Cherry was used to make our Crockpot cinnamon roll monkey bread too. It comes out a bit wetter than this of course because the inside of the slow cooker has a lot of steam but is a winner.

Ok so I couldn’t decide what to call it really. I thought about cinnamon roll french toast casserole and that could describe it too. It doesn’t really matter what you name it, it’s so good! If you count all the ingredients you really can make it for under $10 for the whole thing!

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole

1. Cut cinnamon rolls into 4 pieces each, 6 if you want smaller bite size pieces
2. Mix gently with pie filling so fruit doesn’t break apart
3. Pour into pan, spread out evenly
4. Whisk milk and egg mixture in a bowl
5. Then pour over the top so it is all coated
6. Put into preheated oven at 375 degrees
7. Bake for about 30 minutes
8. Take out once top is golden brown as you see here
9. Allow to cool for 5 – 15 minutes in pan
10. Cut each roll piece into squares and serve 
11. Pour 1/2 cup frosting over whole breakfast casserole or on each slice
12. Could top with icing or maple syrup instead

Cut into squares it comes out nicely if you let it cool just a bit and can easily serve 12 people, more if squares are smaller.

Cinnamon roll breakfast casserole with fruit

Ok so it is canned, pie filling really but still fruit right?? Better for this because it has that ooey gooey sauce surrounding it that lends itself to a really moist dish.

1. 9×13 glass baking dish + cooking spray
2. Large bowl to whisk together eggs and milk mixture
3. 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls
   1. cut the cinnamon roll into 4 pieces or 6ths 
4. 3 Eggs added at room temperature
5. Half and half or evaporated milk
6. 1 can pie filling – we love apple for this
7. Frosting that comes in the cinnamon roll tubes to drizzle over your breakfast bake

Cream cheese icing is great too, I’m obsessed with these pre filled pastry bags that you can add to and squeeze on top real pretty when served.

• To make this cinnamon roll french toast bake it is closer to 30 minutes.
• Cinnamon roll in a mug takes just 1 minute in the microwave!
• BUT if you make air fryer cinnamon rolls it takes about 9 minutes total.

If you’re making it as a Christmas breakfast casserole here are a few things you can make too and make it a breakfast buffet!

We’ve made this Crockpot breakfast casserole recipe too during the holidays! If you don’t want to bother turning your oven to 350 degrees early in the morning this is a great alternative. You can leave it in your slow cooker to stay warm for a better part of the morning so you can enjoy it over time too.

Variation without Fruit Filling

If you don’t want to add any fruit into the mix you can make it another way. I have the instructions and alternative ingredients for you here too.

• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 cans cinnamon rolls
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tsp cinnamon and vanilla
• 1 cup chopped pecans and maple syrup

Heat your oven to 375 degrees. Pour your melted butter into your 13×9 baking dish. Cut each roll into 8 pieces and sprinkle over butter in pan. In a bowl whisk eggs, cream, cinnamon and vanilla. Pour this over your roll pieces. Sprinkle top with pecans and 1 cup of syrup.

Bake this for 22-28 minutes or until golden brown on top. Cool for 15 minutes and pour melted frosting from cinnamon roll packages on top.

How long can breakfast casserole be refrigerated before cooking

It depends on whether you’re making one like this, or something like a Bisquick casserole.  With the latter I would have no hesitation in making it a few hours before, covered with plastic wrap, and keeping in the fridge before baking. You always want to bake until the center of the casserole reaches 160 degrees, tested with a food thermometer.

If using refrigerated cinnamon rolls I would suggest making it fresh or the pieces will become gooey and stick together. In the event that you choose to use frozen cinnamon rolls dough like the Rhodes brand you have to thaw for 30-45 minutes first in order to slice them properly. The same thing will happen though with these, will become one big mass. Any leftovers must be refrigerated within 2 hours and can be kept 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator or frozen for about 3 months.

How long do Pillsbury cinnamon rolls take to bake

It depends on which method you’re using to cook them. In an oven at 400 degrees you would bake for about 13 to 17 minutes or until golden brown.