At home, I love finding ways to elevate the classic French Toast dish — and today, I’m sharing a recipe that feels both indulgent and playful: Hawaiian Roll French Toast. Using King’s Hawaiian rolls as the base adds a touch of sweetness and a pillowy texture that makes this dish stand out from traditional bread-based French toast.
There’s just something about that golden-brown crust, fluffy center, and sweet toppings that makes it irresistible. Whether you’re whipping this up for a weekend brunch, a special holiday breakfast, or just because, these bite-sized pieces are sure to be a hit. Let’s dive in.
Why Choose Hawaiian Rolls for French Toast?
If you’ve ever torn into a pack of King’s Hawaiian rolls, you already know the magic. They’re soft, slightly sweet, and almost melt in your mouth. These qualities make them perfect for French toast because:
- Texture: Their light, fluffy structure absorbs the egg mixture beautifully without becoming too heavy.
- Sweetness: The subtle honey flavor complements cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
- Portion-Friendly: Since the rolls are small, you can serve them whole, halved, or even quartered, making them ideal for individual servings or sharing plates.
Using Hawaiian rolls instead of sliced bread transforms this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the complete list of ingredients for this recipe. Most of these are pantry staples, so you might already have everything on hand:
- Sweet Hawaiian Rolls
- Eggs
- Half and half (or substitute milk)
- Vanilla extract
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
Optional toppings: fresh fruit, maple syrup, honey, whipped cream, Nutella, bananas, or chopped nuts.
Step-by-Step Directions
Making Hawaiian Roll French Toast is simpler than it looks. Here’s how:
1. Prepare the Rolls: Separate the rolls into individual pieces. For smaller bites, slice them in half horizontally.
2. Mix the Batter: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
3. Heat the Skillet: Warm a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Starting with a lower temperature helps avoid burning while ensuring the inside cooks through.
4. Butter the Pan: Melt two tablespoons of butter to coat the skillet.
5. Dip the Rolls: Dip 4–6 rolls at a time into the egg mixture, ensuring all sides are evenly coated. Avoid soaking too long, or the rolls may become soggy.
6. Cook in Batches: Place the coated rolls into the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side — that’s the tops, bottoms, and all four sides. Rotate to get that perfect golden brown exterior.
7. Serve Warm: Dust with powdered sugar and serve with your preferred toppings.
Pro tip: Keep cooked pieces warm in the oven (set at 200°F) while you finish the rest.
Serving Suggestions for Hawaiian Roll French Toast
One of the joys of this recipe is its versatility. Here are a few delicious serving ideas:
- Classic Style: With powdered sugar and maple syrup.
- Fruity Fresh: Top with berries, sliced bananas, or even tropical fruits like pineapple and mango.
- Decadent Dessert-Style: Drizzle with Nutella, add a dollop of whipped cream, and sprinkle with nuts for a truly indulgent treat.
- Autumn Twist: Swap cinnamon and nutmeg for pumpkin spice and serve with a warm apple compote.
These little golden bites can lean sweet or even slightly savory depending on what you pair them with.
Tips for Perfect Hawaiian Roll French Toast
French toast might be simple, but small details make all the difference. Keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t Over-Soak: Hawaiian rolls are delicate, so a quick dip is all you need.
- Cook Low and Slow: Medium-low heat ensures the outside doesn’t burn before the inside cooks through.
- Rotate the Rolls: Unlike sliced bread, these rolls have more sides — make sure each one gets a golden brown color.
- Experiment with Spices: Try pumpkin spice, cardamom, or even chai spice for fun variations.
- Batch Cooking: Work in small groups of 4–6 rolls to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (though they tend to disappear quickly), here’s what to do:
- Refrigerate: Store cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a toaster oven or air fryer for a crispy exterior. The microwave works in a pinch, but you may lose some of that golden texture.
- Freeze: For longer storage, place cooked French toast in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven.
Why I Love This Recipe
I’ve always been partial to French toast. When I’m out for breakfast, it’s usually the first thing I scan for on the menu. It feels like a treat — comforting yet just fancy enough to make breakfast feel special.
This Hawaiian Roll French Toast recipe brings that restaurant-style indulgence into my own kitchen. It’s playful, a little whimsical, and perfect for mornings when you want something more exciting than scrambled eggs and toast.
And let’s be honest: food is just more fun when it’s bite-sized!
When to Make Hawaiian Roll French Toast
The beauty of this recipe is that it fits so many occasions:
- Weekend Brunches: Serve alongside bacon, sausage, or a fresh fruit salad.
- Holiday Breakfasts: Perfect for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or Mother’s Day.
- Sleepovers & Gatherings: Kids (and adults!) love the mini-size portions.
- Special Treats: Sometimes you just need a little sweet comfort food.
Whenever you want a dish that feels special without being overly complicated, this recipe fits the bill.
Variations to Try
If you like to experiment in the kitchen, here are some fun twists:
- Stuffed Rolls: Add a little cream cheese or Nutella inside the roll before dipping it in the egg mixture.
- Savory Version: Skip the cinnamon/nutmeg and instead add herbs like chives and thyme. Serve with bacon and cheese.
- Caramel Drizzle: Replace maple syrup with homemade caramel sauce for a dessert-style finish.
- Tropical Twist: Serve with toasted coconut and pineapple.
Wrapping Up This Sweet Breakfast Treat
Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day, and I believe it should also be the most enjoyable. This recipe is quick to prepare, family-friendly, and endlessly customizable. The combination of Hawaiian rolls with a classic French toast batter creates something a little unexpected — and completely delicious.
If you’re like me and love French toast when eating out, this homemade version might just become your new favorite weekend tradition. So grab a pack of Hawaiian rolls, fire up your skillet, and treat yourself to something special.
Other Breakfast Dishes:
Individual Frittatas
Egg Stuffed Peppers
Bisquick Coffee Cake
French Toast Bake
Hawaiian Roll French Toast
Ingredients
- 12 King's Sweet Hawaiian Rolls
- 4 large Egg
- 1/2 cup Half and Half (or milk)
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tbsp Granulated Sugar
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp Nutmeg
- 4 tbsp Butter, divided
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Separate the rolls into individual pieces. For smaller bites, slice them in half horizontally.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the mixture is smooth.
- Warm a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Starting with a lower temperature helps avoid burning while ensuring the inside cooks through.
- Melt two tablespoons of butter to coat the skillet.
- Dip 4–6 rolls at a time into the egg mixture, ensuring all sides are evenly coated. Avoid soaking too long, or the rolls may become soggy.
- Place the coated rolls into the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side — that’s the tops, bottoms, and all four sides. Rotate to get that perfect golden brown exterior.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve with your preferred toppings.
Notes
- For smaller portions, slice each roll in half horizontally. This will give you 24 bite-sized pieces instead of 12.
- Don’t let the rolls soak in the custard mixture too long, especially if they’ve been sliced in half — they’ll absorb quickly and can become soggy.
- Keep your heat on medium-low. This allows the rolls to cook through while turning golden brown on all sides without burning.
- Swap out the cinnamon and nutmeg for pumpkin spice to add a cozy seasonal twist.
- Serving ideas: drizzle with Nutella, top with sliced bananas, add a swirl of whipped cream, or sprinkle with chopped nuts for extra crunch.
Storing
Let the French toast cool completely before storing. Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet, toaster oven, or air fryer to restore that crisp golden exterior.
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