Name: Hawaiian Rolls French Toast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
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; 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dusting); fresh berries (for serving); syrup (for dipping)

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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 roll french toast with blackberries, raspberries, and powdered sugar.

Hawaiian Bread French Toast

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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!

stack of 3 hawaiian roll french toasts topped with berries.

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.

overhead shot of labeled ingredients laid out to make french toast with hawaiian rolls.

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!

collage of 3 photos showing the process of making hawaiian roll french toast in a skillet.

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, home fries, or spinach and zucchini frittata are simple sides worth exploring.

If you have extra rolls try these Hawaiian roll breakfast sliders.

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.

overhead shot of french toast on a white plate.

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

Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

Click here for my entire collection of breakfast recipes.

french toast with berries on a white plate.

Did You Make This?

If you made this recipe, I’d love to know how it went in the comments section below.

You can also tag me on Instagram – @melissa_pplates or share a pic in the Persnickety Plates Community Facebook group. I love seeing what you’ve tried!