Hawaiian Roll French Toast – A Sweet, Buttery Breakfast Dream

Thank you for being here. If you’ve ever shared a cup of coffee with a loved one or sat at the kitchen table with the morning sun streaming in, then you already understand the magic of breakfast. It’s more than just fuel—it’s comfort, connection, and, when done right, a celebration. I’m so thrilled to share today’s recipe, because it’s truly all of that and more. This Hawaiian Roll French Toast is the kind of dish that transforms a regular morning into something memorable.

Soft, sweet, golden on the outside, and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside—these custard-soaked, pan-fried rolls are irresistible. And the best part? It comes together in less than 20 minutes with ingredients you likely already have on hand.

Hawaiian Roll French Toast is our cozy, buttery breakfast hero. It’s the brunch you’ll want to serve when family is visiting, when the kids need a treat, or when you’re just craving something indulgent and heartwarming. After all, why settle for ordinary when you can start your day with something extraordinary?

What Is Hawaiian Roll French Toast?

At its core, this recipe is a fun, slightly decadent twist on classic French toast. Instead of using regular sliced bread, we turn to the pillowy-soft King’s Hawaiian rolls. These rolls are subtly sweet and buttery—just the kind of bread that soaks up custard beautifully and caramelizes perfectly in a hot skillet. Once they’re soaked in a cinnamon-spiced vanilla custard and seared in butter until golden and crisp on the outside, they become little bites of breakfast bliss.

Rather than slices, think of these as French toast nuggets—perfect for stacking on a plate and drizzling with warm syrup or dusting with powdered sugar. They’re individually portioned, tender in the center, and slightly crispy on the outside. Perfect for serving to guests or even as a weekend treat for yourself.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are dozens of reasons why this version of French toast has become a staple in my kitchen, but here are the highlights:

• Ridiculously easy to make. Minimal prep, simple ingredients, and no fancy equipment required.
• Incredibly flavorful. The rolls bring their own sweetness, so the cinnamon-vanilla custard doesn’t need much added sugar.
• Kid-friendly and party-ready. Serve them bite-sized for brunch gatherings or a sweet morning surprise for your kids.
• Flexible. Add fruit, swap ingredients, or turn it into a make-ahead bake.
• Perfect texture. Soft and creamy on the inside, golden and slightly crisp on the outside.

What Does It Taste Like?

Every bite is soft, buttery, and just sweet enough. The custard adds richness, while the cinnamon and vanilla provide warmth and aroma that practically wraps around you like a cozy blanket. Cooked in butter, the outside crisps just enough to give that golden crunch, while the inside stays almost souffle-like. Add powdered sugar, and it’s like breakfast met dessert in the best way.

Benefits of Making Hawaiian Roll French Toast

This recipe is more than delicious—it’s practical and versatile:

• Great use for leftover rolls.
• Perfect for batch cooking and freezing.
• Minimal cleanup.
• Comfort food at its finest.
• A blank canvas for flavor additions.
• Fantastic for kids and picky eaters.
• Feeds a crowd with very little effort.

When you’ve got guests coming over and want something that looks impressive without being stressful, this recipe delivers.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s the full list of ingredients to make Hawaiian Roll French Toast:

• 1 (12-pack) King’s Hawaiian rolls
• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup half-and-half or milk
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 4 tablespoons butter, for frying
• Powdered sugar, for topping
• Maple syrup, optional for serving

These simple ingredients combine to make something truly special.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

You won’t need much to make this recipe come together smoothly:

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Bread knife or serrated knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Non-stick skillet or griddle
• Spatula
• Serving plate

If you’re making a large batch, you might also want a baking sheet and oven to keep the finished pieces warm.

Ingredient Swaps and Additions

This recipe is extremely forgiving and easy to customize. Here are some ideas:

• Dairy-Free? Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk in place of half-and-half.
• Richer Custard? Use heavy cream or even add a splash of sweetened condensed milk.
• Bolder Flavor? Add a pinch of nutmeg, orange zest, or almond extract.
• Fruit Additions? Fold in sliced bananas or sautéed apples as a topping.
• Savory Twist? Omit the sugar and cinnamon, and add shredded cheese, chopped herbs, or cooked bacon.

Make it your own—it’s hard to go wrong here.

How to Make Hawaiian Roll French Toast

Here’s how to bring this dish together from start to finish:

1. Prepare the Rolls

Use a bread knife to slice each King’s Hawaiian roll in half horizontally, just like you would for a sandwich. Set them aside.

2. Make the Custard

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and well combined.

3. Soak the Rolls

Dip each roll half into the custard mixture. Let them soak for a few seconds on each side. Be careful not to let them sit too long—these rolls are soft and absorb quickly.

4. Cook the French Toast

Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add butter and let it melt until it begins to foam slightly. Place the soaked roll halves cut-side down in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and slightly crisp.

5. Serve

Stack the cooked French toast on a plate. Dust generously with powdered sugar and serve with warm maple syrup, fresh fruit, or even whipped cream. Get creative with your toppings—you’ve earned it.

What to Serve With Hawaiian Roll French Toast

If you want to build a complete brunch around this dish, here are some favorite pairings:

• Crispy bacon or sausage links
• Fresh berries or fruit salad
• Greek yogurt with honey and granola
• Eggs, any style—scrambled, poached, or baked
• Breakfast potatoes or hash browns
• A warm latte, spiced chai, or mimosa

This dish also works wonderfully as a sweet side for a more savory breakfast spread.

Tips for Success

• Don’t over-soak the rolls. A few seconds is all it takes.
• Use a good non-stick skillet for even browning and easy flipping.
• Keep your skillet at medium heat—too hot and the rolls will burn before cooking through.
• Let them rest on a wire rack after cooking if you want to maintain their crispiness.
• Double the recipe for a crowd and keep batches warm in a 200°F oven.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in a toaster oven or pan for best texture.

Freezer: Lay the cooked rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to two months. Toast straight from frozen when ready to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep the custard and slice the rolls the night before. In the morning, just soak and cook.

Can I turn this into a baked casserole?
Definitely. Layer the roll halves in a greased baking dish, pour the custard over, and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes in the morning.

Can I use other types of rolls?
Yes, brioche or potato rolls work well too. But Hawaiian rolls are uniquely sweet and soft—they really make this dish shine.

Is this kid-friendly?
Absolutely. Kids love the bite-sized pieces and sweet flavors. Serve with fruit or a dip and they’ll be thrilled.

Conclusion

Breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. This Hawaiian Roll French Toast is proof that with a few ingredients and a little love, you can turn a simple morning into something special. It’s quick, cozy, and full of flavor—and whether you’re enjoying it with your family or treating yourself to a slow morning, it’s sure to make your day a little sweeter.

If you loved this, you’ll probably want to explore more comfort-style sweets and cozy breakfast treats. Here are a few you’ll enjoy just as much:

• Fudgy Dairy Milk Caramel Blondies – Perfectly chewy and gooey with bits of caramel, ideal for dessert after brunch.
• Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake – A one-minute fix for cinnamon roll cravings.
• Oreo Ice Cream Cake (No Bake) – A chilled, creamy treat you can prep ahead for dessert.

Have you tried this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment with your thoughts or share a photo on Pinterest. Your feedback helps others and makes this community even sweeter.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per Serving – 2 Roll Halves)

• Calories: 230
• Fat: 13g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Sugar: 10g
• Protein: 6g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fiber: 0.5g

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