Hawaiian Roll French Toast: Simple Delicious Magic

Name: Hawaiian Roll French Toast
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American French
Ingredients: 1 (12-pack) King’s Hawaiian Rolls; 3 large eggs; 3/4 cup half and half or whole milk; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; Pinch of salt; 4 tablespoons butter for cooking; Powdered sugar fresh fruit maple syrup for serving

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There’s something magical about waking up to warm, eggy bread that smells like Sunday morning. This Hawaiian Roll French Toast is making the rounds on TikTok, and yepit’s every bit as cozy and dreamy as it looks. No stress here: 5-minute prep, beginner-friendly, golden-brown perfection in under 20. Dusty powdered sugar? Optional. But, oh, it’s worth it.

Contents show

This recipe turns soft Hawaiian rolls into pillowy bites of flavorthink eggs, milk, cinnamon, and just a kiss of vanilla. It’s pantry-happy and feels like regular French toast got upgraded by a beach vacation and a grandmother’s touch. Full details in the blog!

I first made it with my youngest, when we had a leftover pack of rolls begging for love. Just like my mom taught meuse what you have, make it shine. I tested different dips, added a tiny twist to the soak. You’ll love the secret!

Why You’ll Love Hawaiian Roll French Toast

Hawaiian Roll French Toast isn’t just a recipe; it’s a mini vacation on a plate. Imagine soft, golden rolls, slightly sweet, kissed with vanilla and cinnamon, and pan-fried to perfection. This recipe is fast, beginner-friendly, and feels like pure breakfast magic.

Quick: 5-minute prep + 10 minutes to cook means breakfast is ready in no time.
Uses simple ingredients: Everything here is likely already in your pantry or fridge.
Family-approved: Perfect for a cozy morning or brunch spread with a hint of nostalgia.
Customizable: Sprinkle, drizzle, garnishmake it your own!

Key Ingredients and Tools You Need

You don’t need much here! Let’s keep things simple with pantry and fridge staples plus a trusty skillet.

Hawaiian Roll French Toast plated with berries powdered sugar maple syrup on white cloth napkin

Ingredient	Purpose
Hawaiian Rolls (12-pack)	Soft, sweet base for soaking up all the custard.
Eggs	The magic binder for creating that fluffy, custardy texture.
Half and Half or Whole Milk	Adds richness to the custard mixture.
Vanilla, Cinnamon, Brown Sugar	Key players for flavorwarm, sweet, and aromatic.
Butter	The hero behind that golden, crispy exterior.

Pro Tip: A good nonstick skillet and medium heat are your best friends here.

How It Works: Step-by-Step

In under 20 minutes, you’ll transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary bites. Here’s how:

Mix the custard: Whisk eggs, half and half, vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt in a large bowl until smooth.
Poke the rolls: Gently poke holes in the bottom of each roll to help them absorb the custard without breaking apart.
Dip, don’t dunk: Quickly dip each roll into the custard for 30 seconds, turning to coat. Avoid over-soaking!
Cook to golden: Melt butter in a nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Cook each roll 30–60 seconds per side, flipping carefully to crisp all sides evenly.
Serve & enjoy: Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple syrup, and top with fresh berries.

Pro Tip: Keep the heat low enough to avoid burning that sugary exterior while allowing the rolls to cook through.

Step	Time
Prep & Mix Custard	5 minutes
Dip & Cook Rolls	10 minutes
Total Cook Time	15 minutes

Troubleshooting Tips

Here’s how to smooth out any hiccups along the way:

Mushy Rolls? Limit the soaking time to 30 secondsjust enough to coat without oversaturating.
Browning Too Fast? Adjust to lower heat to avoid burning the butter or sugar coating.
Breaking Rolls? Use a spoon or tongs to carefully transfer rolls from custard to skillet.

Note: Hawaiian Roll French Toast is all about practice and patiencethe results are always worth it!

Serving and Storage

This recipe tastes best fresh off the skillet, but you can absolutely plan ahead or save leftovers. Here’s how:

Serving: Enjoy warm with powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or a drizzle of syrup. It’s also fun served alongside crispy bacon or scrambled eggs.
Storage: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes or pop them in a toaster oven.

Storage Type	Duration	Best Method to Reheat
Fridge	Up to 2 days	Oven or toaster oven
Freezer (optional)	Up to 1 month	Thaw, then reheat in oven

Pro Tip: If freezing, wrap rolls individually in plastic wrap or foil before placing in a freezer bag.

Expert Says: The Charm of Hawaiian Roll French Toast

Using Hawaiian rolls for French toast adds a unique softness and subtle sweetness that stands out from traditional bread. The enriched dough soaks up the custard beautifully, creating a tender inside while maintaining a golden crust. It’s a simple twist that elevates this breakfast classic with an inviting tropical flair.

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The Joy of Perfecting Hawaiian Roll French Toast

It took many mornings and a few too-soft batches before I nailed this Hawaiian Roll French Toast. I learned the secret was soaking just long enough to keep the rolls tender but not soggy. This recipe carries all those lessons and warm family memories into every bite.

FAQs ( Hawaiian Roll French Toast )

Why use Hawaiian rolls for French toast instead of regular bread?

Hawaiian rolls make exceptional French toast because of their naturally sweet flavor and incredibly soft, pillowy texture. The slight sweetness in the rolls means you can use less sugar in your custard mixture while still achieving that perfect balance of flavors. Their dense, tender crumb also absorbs the egg mixture beautifully without falling apart, creating French toast that’s crispy on the outside and wonderfully custardy on the inside. Plus, the rich, buttery taste of Hawaiian rolls elevates this breakfast dish to something truly special!

Should I slice Hawaiian rolls before making French toast?

Yes, you’ll want to slice your Hawaiian rolls into thick pieces, ideally about 3/4 to 1 inch thick. This thickness allows the rolls to soak up the egg mixture properly while maintaining their structure during cooking. If you slice them too thin, they might fall apart, and if too thick, the center won’t cook through evenly. For best results, let the sliced rolls sit out for about 30 minutes before dipping them in the custard – this slight drying helps them absorb the mixture even better.

Can I make Hawaiian roll French toast ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare Hawaiian roll French toast the night before for an easy morning breakfast. Simply arrange the soaked roll slices in a baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just cook them as usual – the overnight soaking actually makes them even more flavorful and custardy. You can also cook the French toast completely and reheat it in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes, though fresh-cooked always tastes best.

What toppings pair best with Hawaiian roll French toast?

Hawaiian roll French toast is delicious with both classic and tropical toppings! Traditional maple syrup, butter, and powdered sugar are always winners, but you can also embrace the Hawaiian theme with fresh pineapple chunks, toasted coconut flakes, or a drizzle of coconut syrup. Fresh berries, whipped cream, or even a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt work beautifully too. For an extra indulgent treat, try it with cream cheese frosting or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar while it’s still warm from the pan.

How do I prevent Hawaiian roll French toast from getting soggy?

To avoid soggy Hawaiian roll French toast, make sure your pan or griddle is properly preheated to medium heat before cooking – this creates that golden, crispy exterior that seals in the custard. Don’t oversoak the rolls; a quick dip on each side is usually enough since Hawaiian rolls are naturally tender. Cook them immediately after dipping rather than letting them sit, and if making multiple batches, keep finished pieces warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack instead of stacking them on a plate where steam can make them soggy.

Hawaiian Roll French Toast plated with berries powdered sugar maple syrup on white cloth napkin_pin

Wrapping Up Your Hawaiian Roll French Toast Adventure

This Hawaiian Roll French Toast comes together in a flashjust 15 minutes from pantry to plate. You’ll love how the soft, sweet rolls soak up that cinnamon-vanilla custard, crisped to golden perfection. It’s the kind of cozy breakfast that feels homemade, yet effortlessly special every time.

Try swapping brown sugar for maple syrup in the custard or adding a sprinkle of nutmeg for a subtle twist. Leftovers? Pop them in the fridge and reheat gently so they stay tender. A little tip I picked up from a seasoned baker: keep your skillet warm, but never too hotyour kitchen will thank you for it.

Have you made this yet? I’d love to see your photos or hear how you jazz it up. Did you grow up with a breakfast treat that hugs you like this one does? Share the love, pass the recipe to a friend, and savor those sweet moments around your own kitchen table.