The Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe is a delightful twist on a breakfast classic that transforms soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls into golden, custardy delights. This recipe combines the rich flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar with the signature fluffy texture of King’s Hawaiian rolls, yielding a treat that’s perfectly crispy outside and soft inside. It’s a breakfast that feels indulgent yet simple to make, guaranteed to brighten up your mornings and impress family or guests with its tropical charm and comforting warmth.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from the rich custard base to the distinctive sweetness of the rolls, enhancing the dish’s texture, flavor, and color. Here’s what you’ll need to create this irresistible breakfast:
- King’s Hawaiian Rolls (12-pack): These sweet, fluffy rolls are the star, providing a tender, slightly honeyed base perfect for soaking up custard.
- Large eggs (3): Eggs create the custard that soaks into the rolls, lending creaminess and structure.
- Half and half or whole milk (¾ cup): Adds richness and moisture to the custard, ensuring a smooth soaking mix.
- Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Brings warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the sweetness of the rolls.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Offers a subtle spice that pairs wonderfully with vanilla and brown sugar.
- Brown sugar (2 tablespoons): Adds depth and caramel notes to the custard.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the flavors.
- Butter (4 tablespoons): For cooking the French toast, giving it a golden, crispy crust with a rich flavor.
- Powdered sugar, fresh fruit, and maple syrup (for serving): Optional but highly recommended toppings that add sweetness, freshness, and visual appeal.
How to Make Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and half and half or whole milk until they are fully combined. Then add the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth and fragrant. This custard is what will infuse the rolls with flavor and moisture, transforming them from simple bread to a rich breakfast delight.
Step 2: Prep the Hawaiian Rolls
To help the custard soak in more effectively, poke several holes in the bottom of each King’s Hawaiian roll using a toothpick or skewer. This little trick makes sure the custard penetrates right through the rolls, so every bite is luscious and soft. Dip each roll into the custard mixture, turning it carefully to coat all sides. Soak the rolls for about 30 seconds each; be cautious not to leave them too long or they might get soggy and fall apart while cooking.
Step 3: Cook the French Toast
Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Carefully place the soaked rolls in the pan and cook for 30 to 60 seconds on each side until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and develop a crispy crust. Turn them gently using a spatula to ensure each side gets cooked to perfection without breaking. Repeat this process in batches, adding more butter as needed until all the rolls are cooked through.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Serve your Hawaiian Roll French Toast warm, dusted generously with powdered sugar and accompanied by fresh berries and maple syrup if you like. The combination of the sweet, custardy interior and the slightly crisp exterior paired with fresh, tart fruit and syrup is nothing short of heavenly.
How to Serve Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing is where you can get creative and add freshness and texture to your Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe. Powdered sugar sprinkled over the top adds an elegant dusting of sweetness and looks like freshly fallen snow. Fresh fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, or banana slices introduce vibrant color and a pop of natural tartness that balances the richness. Don’t forget a drizzle of pure maple syrup; its luscious sweetness perfectly complements the custard-soaked rolls.
Side Dishes
Serve this French toast with simple sides that enhance the meal without overwhelming it. Crispy bacon or sausage links bring a savory contrast that pairs beautifully with the sweet rolls. A side of yogurt or cottage cheese can add a creamy tang that refreshes the palate. For a lighter option, a crisp salad of mixed greens with a citrus vinaigrette can balance the indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try stacking the rolls like mini towers and drizzle syrup artistically over the top, creating a breakfast centerpiece. You could even assemble a French toast casserole using these soaked rolls for brunch parties, layering them with cream cheese or fruit preserves. Or serve each roll on a wooden skewer with fruit chunks and a dollop of whipped cream for a playful finger food version that’s perfect for gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days and can be enjoyed cold or reheated. To keep them from becoming soggy, avoid stacking them directly on top of each other; use parchment paper between layers if needed.
Freezing
This recipe freezes surprisingly well. Arrange the cooled French toast rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When properly stored, they maintain their flavor and texture for up to one month, making it easy to enjoy this delicious treat any time you want.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the frozen French toast rolls into a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it tends to make the rolls chewy rather than crisp. Reheating this way revives their fresh-from-the-griddle texture beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use regular bread instead of Hawaiian rolls for this recipe?
While you can substitute regular bread, the signature sweetness and fluffy texture of Hawaiian rolls make this recipe special. Using them creates a richer, more indulgent French toast experience that’s hard to replicate with plain bread.
What can I use instead of half and half or whole milk?
You can use any milk or milk alternative like almond, oat, or soy milk. Just keep in mind that half and half or whole milk lends extra creaminess to the custard, enhancing the flavor and texture.
How long should I soak the rolls in the custard?
About 30 seconds per roll is ideal. This timing allows the rolls to absorb enough custard inside to stay moist without becoming overly soggy and falling apart while cooking.
Can this recipe be made vegan?
To make a vegan version, replace eggs with a flax or chia egg substitute, use plant-based milk, and vegan butter for cooking. The flavor and texture will be slightly different, but it can still be delicious!
What toppings work best with Hawaiian Roll French Toast?
Fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and bananas, a dusting of powdered sugar, maple syrup, and even a dollop of whipped cream are all excellent options. You can also add toasted nuts or coconut flakes for extra crunch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to upgrade your breakfast game with something sweet, comforting, and a little bit special, this Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe is a sure winner. It’s easy to make, loaded with flavor, and feels like a warm hug on a plate. I can’t wait for you to try it, gather your loved ones around the table, and enjoy every delightful bite together.
Print
Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Hawaiian Roll French Toast recipe offers a delightful twist on traditional French toast, using sweet and fluffy King’s Hawaiian rolls soaked in a rich custard mixture infused with vanilla and cinnamon. The rolls are pan-fried until golden and crispy on all sides, then served warm with powdered sugar, fresh berries, and maple syrup, making it a perfect indulgent breakfast treat for family and friends.
Ingredients
Custard Mixture
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup half and half or whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
French Toast Rolls
- 1 (12-pack) King’s Hawaiian Rolls
- 4 tablespoons butter (for cooking)
For Serving
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh fruit (such as berries)
- Maple syrup
Instructions
- Prepare the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and half and half (or whole milk) until fully combined. Add the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until everything is well incorporated to create a smooth custard mixture.
- Prep the Hawaiian Rolls: Use a toothpick or skewer to poke several holes in the bottom of each Hawaiian roll. This helps the custard soak in better. Working in batches, dip the rolls into the custard mixture, turning to coat all sides. Let each roll soak for about 30 seconds, but do not leave them too long to avoid sogginess.
- Cook the French Toast: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place the soaked rolls in the skillet and cook for 30 to 60 seconds per side until golden brown and crispy. Turn carefully with a spatula to ensure all sides are evenly cooked.
- Serve: Serve the Hawaiian Roll French Toast warm. Dust with powdered sugar and add fresh berries and maple syrup on top as desired for a sweet and satisfying breakfast or brunch.
Notes
- Do not soak the rolls for too long to prevent them from becoming soggy.
- Use medium-low heat when cooking to ensure the rolls cook through without burning the exterior.
- The recipe can be doubled or adjusted easily for larger groups.
- Fresh fruit toppings such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries complement the sweet rolls well.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute the half and half or milk with your preferred plant-based milk.
