Easy Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe: Breakfast Joy in Minutes

Sweet, pillowy Hawaiian rolls reinvent into a decadent breakfast marvel that delights taste buds and sparks morning joy.

These soft, slightly sweet bread squares absorb rich custard like delicate sponges, creating a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth.

Hawaiian roll French toast offers a playful twist on traditional breakfast fare, blending comfort with unexpected culinary creativity.

Delicate spices and creamy egg mixture elevate these humble rolls into something extraordinary, turning an ordinary morning into a special occasion.

Rich, golden edges crisp beautifully while maintaining a tender interior that promises indulgent satisfaction with every bite.

The magic happens when humble ingredients combine in surprising ways, revealing how simple techniques can produce remarkable results.

Prepare to experience a breakfast reinventation that will leave you craving more culinary adventures.

Sweet Reasons to Love Hawaiian Roll French Toast

• Elevate Breakfast Comfort: Hawaiian rolls transform the classic French toast into a delightful morning treat with their soft, pillowy texture and slightly sweet flavor.
• Quick and Easy Morning Magic: This recipe takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekend brunches without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Delight: The simple base recipe welcomes endless variations – sprinkle with fresh berries, add a dollop of whipped cream, or dust with extra cinnamon to make it your own special breakfast experience.
• Irresistible Texture Combo: Crispy golden exterior meets soft, custardy interior, creating a mouthwatering contrast that makes each bite of these Hawaiian roll French toast bites absolutely addictive.

What Goes Into Hawaiian Roll French Toast

Main Ingredients:

Hawaiian Rolls: Soft, sweet rolls with a unique flavor that provide a delightful base for French toast, best when slightly stale for better absorption.

Eggs: Rich protein that creates a custardy coating and helps bind the mixture to the bread.

Milk: Adds creaminess and helps create a smooth, luxurious egg mixture for soaking the rolls.

Flavor Enhancers:

Vanilla Extract: Warm, sweet flavoring that deepens the overall taste of the French toast.

Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds depth and classic French toast aroma.

Ground Nutmeg: Subtle, fragrant spice that complements the cinnamon and adds complexity.

Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the dish.

Serving and Cooking Ingredients:

Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps prevent sticking while creating a golden brown exterior.

Confectioners’ Sugar: Light, powdery topping that adds a sweet finish and decorative touch.

Maple Syrup: Classic accompaniment that brings additional sweetness and moisture to the dish.

Preparing Hawaiian Roll French Toast from Scratch

Step 1: Create the Magical Egg Mixture

In a wide bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg until smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Prepare the Cooking Surface

Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat and generously brush with butter to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Transform the Rolls

Gently dip each Hawaiian roll half into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak up the flavors. Let excess mixture drip off before placing on the hot griddle.

Step 4: Cook to Golden Perfection

Cook the rolls for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn a beautiful golden brown color, creating a crispy exterior and soft interior.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the French toast rolls to a serving plate. Dust with a sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar and drizzle with maple syrup if desired. Serve warm and savor every delicious bite.

Tricks for Making Hawaiian Roll French Toast Pop

• Select Fresh Rolls: Choose soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls at peak freshness for the best texture and flavor absorption.
• Gentle Dipping Technique: Briefly soak each roll half in the egg mixture, allowing it to absorb without becoming soggy or falling apart.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat to achieve a golden-brown exterior while ensuring the inside remains soft and custardy.
• Butter Bonus: Use a clean, fresh butter coating between batches to prevent sticking and add rich, delicious flavor to each batch.
• Serving Strategy: Dust with powdered sugar just before serving and have warm maple syrup ready to complement the sweet, caramelized rolls.

How to Handle Leftovers of Hawaiian Roll French Toast

• Refrigeration: Store leftover French toast in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cool completely before placing in the container to prevent soggy texture.
• Freezing: Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap or wax paper, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 1 month to maintain best quality and flavor.
• Reheating: Warm in a toaster oven or air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until crispy. Microwave works in a pinch, but may soften the rolls' signature crunch. Avoid reheating multiple times to prevent drying out the delicate Hawaiian rolls.

What to Eat With Hawaiian Roll French Toast

• Brew Sweet Hawaiian Harmony: Pair this french toast with a light, fruity cold brew coffee that complements the rolls' sweetness and cuts through the rich, buttery texture.
• Tropical Smoothie Sidekick: Serve alongside a fresh pineapple-mango smoothie that echoes the Hawaiian roll's origin and adds a vibrant, refreshing counterpoint to the warm, spiced toast.
• Creamy Caramel Companion: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the french toast and add a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the dessert-like qualities and create a luxurious breakfast experience.
• Berry Bliss Boost: Top with a quick mixed berry compote featuring strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries to introduce a tart, bright element that balances the sweet, custardy rolls.

Creative Ideas for Hawaiian Roll French Toast

• Tropical Fruit Fusion: Sprinkle diced mango, pineapple, and coconut flakes over French toast for a vibrant island-inspired flavor profile.
• Cream Cheese Drizzle: Whip softened cream cheese with honey and orange zest, then drizzle over the golden-brown rolls for a tangy, sweet complement.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Top French toast with chopped macadamia nuts and homemade caramel sauce, creating a rich and textured breakfast experience.
• Chocolate Banana Blast: Spread melted dark chocolate and sliced bananas between Hawaiian roll halves before cooking, transforming the classic recipe into a decadent morning treat.

Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Scrumptious Hawaiian Roll French Toast delivers tropical breakfast magic with pillowy sweet rolls soaked in rich custard. Crispy edges and tender centers promise a delightful morning experience you’ll savor from first luxurious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 12 Hawaiian Rolls, sliced horizontally
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk (whole milk or any dairy/non-dairy alternative)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Garnish Ingredients:

• Confectioners’ sugar, optional
• Maple syrup, optional

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Instructions

1. Craft a luxurious custard base by thoroughly whisking together eggs, whole milk (236 milliliters/8 fluid ounces), pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and freshly grated nutmeg in a spacious, wide mixing bowl until smooth and fully incorporated.
2. Preheat a large non-stick griddle or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, ensuring even temperature distribution.
3. Generously coat the cooking surface with of unsalted butter, allowing it to melt and create a golden, slick surface.
4. Gently split each Hawaiian roll in half and delicately submerge each piece into the egg mixture, ensuring complete saturation but carefully draining excess liquid to prevent sogginess.
5. Carefully place the soaked roll halves onto the heated buttered surface, allowing them to transform into a rich, caramelized golden-brown color, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
6. Monitor the cooking process closely, flipping once to achieve an even, crisp exterior while maintaining a tender, custardy interior.
7. Transfer the French toast rolls to serving plates and dust generously with powdered sugar, accompanying with warm maple syrup for an indulgent breakfast experience.

Notes

• Toast these sweet rolls for a delightful breakfast twist that transforms ordinary Hawaiian rolls into a decadent morning treat.
• Slice rolls in half to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption when dipping into the creamy egg mixture.
• Use room temperature ingredients to help eggs coat the rolls more evenly and create a smoother custard-like texture.
• Medium heat is crucial to prevent burning while allowing the rolls to develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior and soft, custardy interior.
• Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the rolls at peak crispiness and warmth, with a dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle of maple syrup.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in a toaster oven to maintain their crispy edges and prevent sogginess.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 323 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 342 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 195 mg