Hawaiian Rolls French Toast is made by soaking sweet hawaiian bread in an egg mixture and then cooking it up until golden brown on all sides. Sprinkled with powdered sugar and paired with fresh berries before serving, this easy breakfast recipe is perfect for brunch, the weekend, or special occasions.
Hawaiian Bread French Toast
This soft, pillowy Hawaiian rolls French toast recipe is a twist on classic French toast.
Instead of thick slices of brioche bread, we’re using fluffy Hawaiian rolls. No need to use day-old bread because the rolls are thick enough to not get soggy and keep light and fluffy on the inside.
This breakfast recipe will be done In just 25 minutes and you’ll have a whole batch of freshly made sweet bread for the kids to dive into.
They are golden and caramelized on the outside, soft and pillow-like on the inside, and look adorable and impressive when served for special occasions like Easter, Christmas, baby or bridal showers, anniversaries, Valentine’s day, mother’s day, or regular Sunday family function, you name it!
Why you’ll love Hawaiian Rolls French Toast
Easy yet impressive – Sometimes it’s nice to switch things up! Even nicer when it takes no more effort than the original 😉 They look cute, are fun to eat, and are a hit no matter the occasion.
The flavor – Cinnamon and sugar are a pair that go hand in hand. The warming flavors are why French breakfast muffins and cinnamon sugar baked donuts are also popular breakfast treats! It’s the perfect indulgence.
Simple ingredients – These French toast rolls are a simple decadence made with basic pantry items and kitchen staples. Nothing you don’t already have. Great for when you’re looking for ways to use up Hawaiian rolls that aren’t sliders!
Equipment you’ll need
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
- For the Custard: Large eggs, granulated white sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon are whisked together to make the egg mixture that gets lightly soaked into the bread before pan frying.
- Butter: To coat the bottom of the pan. It helps make it a nonstick surface and the buttery flavor is a bonus!
- Hawaiian Rolls: These are pull apart rolls that come in sheets of 12. Gently pull them apart before beginning. King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls will deliver that extra sweetness, if that’s what you’re looking for.
- For Serving: Powdered Sugar, fresh berries, warm maple syrup, jam, or your favorite toppings.
How to make Hawaiian Roll French Toast
- Step One: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Step Two: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Swirl it around to ensure the entire bottom is coated.
- Step Three: Dunk the rolls into the delicious custard (use your hands or a pair of tongs) and place it into the pan. Work with 4 at a time to not overcrowd the pan. Work quickly to cook each side of the roll, flipping every 30 seconds. Make sure each side is cooked.
- Step Four: Repeat with remaining rolls. When they’re all done and set on a serving platter, dust with powdered sugar and serve with berries, syrup and jam. Enjoy!
What to serve with Hawaiian Rolls French Toast
This is where you can have fun with all the toppings! Chocolate sauce, warm syrup or honey, a berry compote, fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, yogurt, or caramel sauce. The options are endless.
When serving a larger crowd for breakfast or brunch I like to have a variety of dishes, many of them salty or savory to balance the sweet.
Bacon and eggs are always a crowd-pleaser. Scrambled, easy sheet pan eggs or spinach and zucchini frittata are simple sides worth exploring.
Tips & Suggestions
- Take your cue from the Hawaiian rolls and serve with fresh pineapple and whipped coconut cream or coconut syrup for a tropical flare. You can even sprinkle it your rolls with shredded sweetened coconut instead of powdered sugar.
- It’s just a quick dip in the egg, there is no soaking the bread.
- For a thinner bread, cut the rolls in half before dipping them.
- These take no time to cook on each side so make sure you check them frequently so they don’t burn.
- Original or butter flavored Hawaiian rolls work.
- Use brown sugar instead of white granulated sugar, if desired.
How to reheat and store leftovers
Keep leftover Hawaiian rolls French toast in an airtight container.
How long will they last in the fridge?
These will be good for up to 4 days. Otherwise, pop them in the freezer for a while longer.
Can I freeze Hawaiian rolls french toast?
You can! Once they are completely cooled, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
How to reheat them?
Place them in the oven at 325 degrees until warmed through or the air fryer if you want a nice toasty “crust” on them. In a pinch, you can use the microwave instead.
FAQs
What’s the best way to keep these warm before serving?
Place them on a baking sheet to keep warm in the oven. Keep at anywhere from 200-300 degrees and cover them with foil so they don’t dry out.
Are Hawaiian rolls the same as dinner rolls?
Yes and no. They’re both small slider-sized buns that can be used in sweet or savory recipes.
The main difference is Hawaiian rolls are noticeably sweeter because of the pineapple juice and brown sugar that gets added, whereas traditional dinner rolls aren’t sweet.
How do you avoid soggy French toast?
Normally, I’d say use day-old, slightly stale bread, however for this recipe that’s not a must. We’re not soaking the buns, we’re just coating them in the egg mixture which means there’s very little time to soak too much up. Just be sure not to leave it in too long and you’ll be fine!
Need more breakfast treat recipes? Try these:
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Easy Belgian Chocolate Waffles
Semi-Homemade Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls
Click here for my entire collection of breakfast recipes.
Hawaiian Rolls French Toast
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk I use 2%
- 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter for greasing pan
- 12 pack Hawaiian Rolls
- ½ cup powdered sugar for dusting
- fresh berries for serving
- syrup for dipping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and butter the bottom.
- Use tongs (or your fingers) to dunk each side of the rolls in the egg mixture and place into the pan, 4 at a time.
- Work quickly to cook each side of each roll for about 30 seconds before flipping. Make sure to cook each side of the roll.
- Repeat with the rest of the rolls.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve with berries, syrup, and jam.
Notes
- Original or butter flavored Hawaiian rolls work.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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