Welcome to the most decadent and delightful breakfast you’ll make all year. This Hawaiian Roll French Toast recipe transforms classic, sweet Hawaiian rolls into a rich, custard-soaked masterpiece. If you’ve been searching for a way to elevate your breakfast game, you’ve found it. The unique sweetness and incredibly soft texture of the rolls create a French toast that’s simply unforgettable, giving you a restaurant-quality brunch right in your own kitchen.
Forget everything you know about traditional French toast. Using Hawaiian rolls is a game-changer. Their signature sweetness perfectly complements the rich egg custard, while their fluffy interior soaks up the mixture without becoming dense. The result is a pillowy, caramelized treat that practically melts in your mouth. This recipe is incredibly simple, requires minimal ingredients, and is guaranteed to impress everyone at the table.
Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe
- Unbeatable Texture: The soft, pillowy texture of Hawaiian rolls creates a uniquely tender and custardy French toast.
- Perfectly Sweet: The rolls have a built-in sweetness that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon and vanilla custard, reducing the need for excess sugar.
- Incredibly Easy: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this impressive breakfast comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Versatile & Fun: Serve them as individual slices or as a baked casserole—perfect for a lazy weekend or a special holiday brunch. This recipe has all the comfort of classic homemade cinnamon rolls but is ready in a fraction of the time.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a few pantry staples to create this indulgent breakfast.
- Hawaiian Rolls: The star of the show. A 12-count package of King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls is perfect. Slightly stale rolls work wonderfully.
- Eggs: The foundation of our rich custard.
- Milk or Cream: Whole milk or heavy cream will give you the richest, most decadent texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Cinnamon: Adds a classic warmth that complements the sweet rolls.
- Butter: For pan-frying to golden-brown perfection.
- Optional Toppings: Maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries, or whipped cream.
How to Make Hawaiian Roll French Toast: Two Ways
We’re giving you two fantastic methods to make this recipe. The classic pan-fried version is quick and gives you those delicious crispy edges, while the baked casserole is perfect for serving a crowd or preparing ahead of time. Both deliver incredible results.
Method 1: Classic Pan-Fried Slices
This method is quick, easy, and yields perfectly golden-brown individual French toast slices.
- Prepare the Custard: In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until well combined and frothy.
- Soak the Rolls: Separate the Hawaiian rolls. Dip each roll into the custard mixture, allowing it to soak for about 20-30 seconds on each side. Don’t oversaturate them, or they can become soggy.
- Cook to Perfection: Melt butter in a large skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Place the soaked rolls onto the hot skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until they are beautifully golden brown and crispy.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the French toast warm, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup.
For a savory breakfast option that’s just as easy, give our ham and cheese croissant bake a try!
Method 2: Easy Baked Casserole
This hands-off method is ideal for brunch parties or holiday mornings. It’s a fantastic make-ahead option that’s just as delicious. This is a great choice if you also love our make-ahead breakfast sandwiches (coming soon).
- Arrange the Rolls: Lightly grease a 9×9 inch baking dish. Arrange the whole block of 12 Hawaiian rolls in the dish.
- Make the Custard: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Pour and Soak: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the top of the rolls, ensuring each one is coated. You can gently separate them to let the custard seep in between. For best results, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
- Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite toppings.
Pro-Tips for Perfect French Toast
- Use Stale Rolls: Slightly dry, day-old rolls absorb the custard better without falling apart. If your rolls are fresh, you can leave them out on the counter for a few hours to dry out.
- Don’t Oversoak: A quick dip is all you need. Hawaiian rolls are soft, and oversoaking will lead to soggy results.
- Medium Heat is Key: Cooking on medium heat ensures the custard cooks through at the same rate the exterior becomes golden and crisp. Too high, and the outside will burn before the inside is done.
- Add a Pinch of Salt: A small pinch of salt in the custard enhances all the other flavors.
Delicious Topping and Variation Ideas
While classic maple syrup is always a winner, this Hawaiian Roll French Toast is a perfect canvas for creativity.
- Tropical Twist: Top with toasted coconut flakes, macadamia nuts, and diced pineapple for a truly Hawaiian feel.
- Berries and Cream: A handful of fresh mixed berries and a dollop of whipped cream is a timeless combination.
- Caramelized Banana: Sauté sliced bananas in butter and brown sugar until caramelized and serve over the top. The sweet flavor is almost as good as in our famous pecan pie bars.
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Drizzle with chocolate sauce and add a few chocolate chips for an extra decadent treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! The baked casserole version is perfect for making ahead. Assemble the rolls and custard in a baking dish, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, simply bake as directed for a hassle-free, delicious brunch.
The key is to not oversoak the rolls. A quick dip of about 20-30 seconds per side is sufficient. Using slightly stale (day-old) rolls also helps them absorb the custard without falling apart. Finally, cook on medium heat to ensure the inside cooks through before the outside burns.
For the pan-fried method, it’s best to separate the rolls and cook them individually. For the baked casserole method, you can keep the rolls connected in a single slab, which makes for a beautiful presentation and an easy, shareable dish.
Classic toppings like maple syrup and powdered sugar are fantastic. For a tropical twist, try toasted coconut and pineapple. Fresh berries and whipped cream are also excellent choices. For a truly decadent treat, drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce.
Hawaiian rolls are perfect for French toast because of their inherent sweetness and incredibly soft, fluffy texture. They soak up the egg custard beautifully, resulting in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite that’s richer than traditional bread.
The Best Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe
Hawaiian Roll French Toast: The Ultimate Sweet & Fluffy Breakfast
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a shallow dish large enough to fit a roll, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until fully combined.
- Separate the Hawaiian rolls. Dip each roll into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for about 20-30 seconds per side. Ensure they are coated but not completely saturated.
- Melt butter in a large non-stick skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Once the butter is sizzling, place the soaked rolls on the skillet.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and the center is cooked through.
- Remove from the skillet and serve immediately with your favorite toppings like maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit.
Notes
Tip for Crispier Edges: Ensure your pan is fully preheated and the butter is melted and sizzling before adding the rolls.
Save This Recipe for Later!
We hope you love this incredible Hawaiian Roll French Toast as much as we do. It’s a recipe that turns any morning into a special occasion. If you make it, don’t forget to leave a comment below and share your creation with us on Pinterest! Your feedback helps our community of home cooks grow.
