Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe
This Hawaiian Roll French Toast transforms sweet King’s Hawaiian rolls into a delicious breakfast treat with crispy edges and a fluffy texture. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy breakfast recipe puts a fun twist on traditional French toast that the whole family will love.
These sweet Hawaiian rolls absorb the perfect amount of egg mixture to create French toast bites that cook quickly to golden perfection. The rolls’ natural sweetness from pineapple juice creates the perfect middle ground between bread and dessert, making this dish an ultimate breakfast treat for weekend mornings.
Looking for more unique breakfast ideas? Try my Baked Pumpkin French Toast Casserole for a seasonal twist, or my Breakfast Vegan Waffle Bowl With Fruit for something different. If you need make-ahead options, check out my 15 Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas for busy mornings!
Table of Contents
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Simple: With just 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time, this Hawaiian Roll French Toast comes together faster than traditional French toast recipes. The pre-portioned rolls eliminate the need to slice bread.
- Perfect Size and Texture: Hawaiian rolls are the ideal size for French toast bites that cook evenly. Their slightly sweet flavor and soft texture create pieces with crispy exteriors and fluffy, custard-like centers.
- Family Friendly: Kids and adults alike love these bite-sized French toast pieces. They’re easy for little hands to manage and can be customized with everyone’s favorite toppings.
- No Waste Solution: This recipe is the perfect way to use up leftover Hawaiian rolls that might be getting slightly stale. The egg custard brings them back to life with amazing flavor and texture.
What is Hawaiian Roll French Toast?
Hawaiian Roll French Toast stands out from classic French toast because of the unique bread used as its base. King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls have a distinct buttery sweetness with hints of pineapple juice that creates an incredible flavor foundation.
The small size of the rolls also means more surface area for the delicious caramelization that happens during cooking. Each piece develops a beautiful golden brown exterior while maintaining a soft, custard-like interior. The result is perfect French toast bites that cook more quickly and evenly than traditional sliced bread versions.
Recipe Ingredients
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Ingredient Notes:
- King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls – These soft, slightly sweet rolls are the star of this recipe. Their pillowy texture absorbs the egg mixture beautifully, and their natural sweetness enhances the final dish.
- Eggs – Large eggs create the custard base that transforms the rolls. They provide structure and richness to the French toast.
- Half and half – This mixture of equal parts whole milk and heavy cream adds richness and creates a creamy custard. You can substitute with whole milk if needed.
- Vanilla extract – Adds warm, aromatic sweetness that complements the Hawaiian rolls perfectly. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Granulated sugar – Enhances the sweetness and helps create caramelization on the outside of the French toast pieces.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg – These warm spices add depth and complexity to the flavor profile, working beautifully with the vanilla and sweet rolls.
- Butter – Used for cooking, butter adds rich flavor and helps create that perfect golden brown exterior with a slight crispness.
- Powdered sugar – A light dusting on top adds sweetness and visual appeal to the finished French toast.
Substitutions and Additions
- Milk options – Whole milk can replace half and half for a lighter version. For extra richness, use heavy cream. Non-dairy milks like almond or oat milk will work but produce a slightly different texture.
- Sweetener alternatives – Brown sugar can replace granulated sugar for deeper caramel notes. Honey or maple syrup can be added to the egg mixture for natural sweeteners.
- Spice variations – Pumpkin spice mix makes a perfect substitute for the cinnamon and nutmeg, especially in fall. Cardamom or a pinch of ginger adds interesting flavor dimensions.
- Flavor additions – Add orange or lemon zest to the egg mixture for citrus notes. A splash of bourbon, rum, or almond extract creates adult variations.
- Sweet fillings – Slice the rolls horizontally and spread with Nutella, softened cream cheese, or fruit preserves before dipping and cooking for stuffed French toast.
How to Make Hawaiian Roll French Toast (step-by-step directions)
STEP 1. Separate the Hawaiian rolls into individual buns, keeping them intact (don’t slice them). (Photo 1)
STEP 2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. (Photos 2 & 3)
STEP 3. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat to ensure even cooking without burning.
STEP 4. Once the skillet is heated, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and coat the bottom of the pan evenly. (Photo 4)
STEP 5. Dip each Hawaiian roll into the egg mixture, coating all sides, allowing any excess to drip off. (Photo 5)
STEP 6. Place 4-6 coated rolls in the buttered skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. (Photo 6)
STEP 7. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side (tops, bottoms, and all four sides) until golden brown, turning carefully with tongs or a spatula. (Photo 7)
STEP 8. Transfer the cooked pieces to a serving plate and repeat with remaining rolls, adding more butter to the skillet as needed. (Photo 8)
STEP 9. Once all pieces are cooked, dust with powdered sugar and serve with your favorite toppings like fresh fruit, maple syrup, or honey. (Photos 9 & 10)
Recipe Tips
- Heat management – Cook over medium-low heat to ensure the inside cooks through before the outside burns. If your French toast is browning too quickly, lower the heat.
- Dipping technique – Don’t soak the rolls too long in the egg mixture or they’ll become soggy. A quick dip on all sides is sufficient.
- Batch cooking – Work in small batches (4-6 rolls at a time) to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lead to uneven cooking and steaming instead of browning.
- Butter as needed – Add fresh butter between batches to prevent burning and ensure each piece gets that delicious buttery exterior.
- Serve immediately – These taste best fresh off the griddle. If cooking for a crowd, keep finished pieces warm in a 200°F oven while completing the remaining batches.
- Variation for smaller bites – Slice the rolls in half horizontally to make smaller French toast pieces. Reduce cooking time slightly since they’ll cook faster.
Storing Tips
- Storage: Allow the Hawaiian Roll French Toast to cool completely before storing leftovers.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Freezer: These freeze well for up to 1 month. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 5-8 minutes to restore crispness. Microwaving will work in a pinch but may result in a softer texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Hawaiian Roll French Toast with fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for a burst of color and flavor. A drizzle of real maple syrup or honey adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
For a more substantial breakfast, pair with Savory Bacon Cheddar Scones or Sheet Pan Scrambled Eggs. For a special brunch spread, include some Cloud Eggs with Asiago Cheese & Chives for an impressive presentation.
Try topping your French toast with whipped cream, caramel sauce, chopped nuts, or sliced bananas for different flavor combinations that will keep this recipe exciting every time you make it.
Need More Breakfast Recipes? Try These:
Recipe FAQs
Yes! While King’s Hawaiian rolls give this French toast its signature flavor, you can use brioche rolls, challah rolls, or other soft dinner rolls. The texture and flavor will vary slightly, but the cooking method remains the same.
Soggy centers usually mean either the rolls soaked too long in the egg mixture or the cooking temperature was too high, causing the outside to brown before the inside cooked through. Try a quicker dip in the custard and lower, more consistent heat.
Yes! The egg mixture can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Just whisk again before using.
For serving a crowd, you can keep cooked pieces warm in a 200°F oven while you finish the remaining batches. Alternatively, set up a French toast bar with various toppings so guests can customize their own plates.
Absolutely! In fact, slightly stale rolls work better for French toast as they absorb the egg mixture without falling apart. This makes this recipe perfect for using up leftover rolls from dinner a day or two before.
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Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe
Equipment
- Skillet (Large)
- Mixing Bowl (Large)
Ingredients
- 12 Kings Sweet Hawaiian Rolls
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Separate the Hawaiian rolls into individual buns, keeping them intact (don’t slice them).12 Kings Sweet Hawaiian Rolls
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.4 large eggs,½ cup half and half,1 tablespoon vanilla extract,1 tablespoon granulated sugar,1 teaspoon ground cinnamon,1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat to ensure even cooking without burning.
- Once the skillet is heated, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and coat the bottom of the pan evenly.4 tablespoons butter
- Dip each Hawaiian roll into the egg mixture, coating all sides, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Place 4-6 coated rolls in the buttered skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side (tops, bottoms, and all four sides) until golden brown, turning carefully with tongs or a spatula.
- Transfer the cooked pieces to a serving plate and repeat with remaining rolls, adding more butter to the skillet as needed.
- Once all pieces are cooked, dust with powdered sugar and serve with your favorite toppings like fresh fruit, maple syrup, or honey.Powdered sugar
Notes
- Heat management – Cook over medium-low heat to ensure the inside cooks through before the outside burns. If your French toast is browning too quickly, lower the heat.
- Dipping technique – Don’t soak the rolls too long in the egg mixture or they’ll become soggy. A quick dip on all sides is sufficient.
- Batch cooking – Work in small batches (4-6 rolls at a time) to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lead to uneven cooking and steaming instead of browning.
- Butter as needed – Add fresh butter between batches to prevent burning and ensure each piece gets that delicious buttery exterior.
- Serve immediately – These taste best fresh off the griddle. If cooking for a crowd, keep finished pieces warm in a 200°F oven while completing the remaining batches.
- Variation for smaller bites – Slice the rolls in half horizontally to make smaller French toast pieces. Reduce cooking time slightly since they’ll cook faster.
Nutrition Information
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