Hawaiian Roll French Toast

Hawaiian Roll French Toast is a sweet, buttery, and fluffy breakfast treat that takes classic French toast to the next level.

The soft and slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls soak up the rich custard, creating a beautifully golden, caramelized exterior while remaining light and pillowy inside. Perfect for brunch, holiday mornings, or a special weekend breakfast, this dish is easy to make and absolutely delicious. Serve it with syrup, fresh fruit, or a dusting of powdered sugar for the ultimate breakfast experience.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Large skillet or griddle
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Knife and cutting board

Ingredients Overview

• Hawaiian rolls: The star of the dish, providing a soft, sweet texture.
• Egg custard: A mixture of eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon creates a rich and flavorful base.
• Butter: Helps achieve a golden, crispy exterior while adding richness.

Ingredients

For the French Toast

• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls, left whole or cut into halves
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup milk (whole milk or half-and-half for richness)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for cooking)

For Serving

• Maple syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
• Whipped cream (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare the Custard
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar (if using), and salt until well combined.
2. Soak the Rolls
   If keeping the Hawaiian rolls whole, gently separate them so they can absorb the custard evenly. If preferred, slice them in half for more surface area. Dip each roll into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for about 10-15 seconds per side. Ensure the rolls absorb the mixture but do not become overly soggy.
3. Cook the French Toast
   Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Place the soaked Hawaiian rolls onto the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and slightly crispy. Flip gently using a spatula to avoid tearing. Repeat with remaining rolls, adding more butter as needed.
4. Serve
   Transfer the cooked Hawaiian roll French toast to a serving plate. Drizzle with maple syrup, dust with powdered sugar, and top with fresh berries or whipped cream. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Total Time

20 minutes

Nutrition (per serving, ~4 servings)

• Calories: ~320
• Fat: ~12g
• Carbohydrates: ~45g
• Protein: ~8g

Expert Tips

• Don’t Oversoak: Hawaiian rolls are soft, so avoid soaking them too long in the egg mixture to prevent them from falling apart.
• Use Stale Rolls: Slightly stale Hawaiian rolls absorb the custard better and hold their shape well during cooking.
• Make It Extra Crispy: Cook the French toast in a mix of butter and a little oil for a perfectly golden crust.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Cook the French toast and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet or toaster oven before serving.

Can I bake this instead of pan-frying?
Absolutely! Arrange the soaked rolls on a greased baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

What other toppings can I add?
Try caramelized bananas, nutella, pecans, or a drizzle of honey for extra flavor.

Storing & Freezing

• Storing: Keep leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Freezing: Freeze cooked and cooled French toast on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in a toaster or oven.

Substitutions & Variations

• Dairy-Free: Use almond milk or oat milk instead of dairy milk.
• Healthier Option: Use whole wheat Hawaiian rolls and a sugar substitute.
• Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Roll the cooked French toast in cinnamon sugar for a churro-like twist.

Hawaiian Roll French Toast

Hawaiian Roll French Toast is a sweet, buttery, and fluffy breakfast treat that takes classic French toast to the next level. The soft and slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls soak up the rich custard, creating a beautifully golden, caramelized exterior while remaining light and pillowy inside.

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Equipment

• - Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Large skillet or griddle
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Knife and cutting board

Ingredients

  

• #### For the French Toast
• - 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls left whole or cut into halves
• - 3 large eggs
• - 3/4 cup milk whole milk or half-and-half for richness
• - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• - 1 tablespoon sugar optional, for extra sweetness
• - 1/4 teaspoon salt
• - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter for cooking
• #### For Serving
• - Maple syrup
• - Powdered sugar
• - Fresh berries strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries
• - Whipped cream optional

Instructions

 

• **Prepare the Custard**
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar (if using), and salt until well combined.
• **Soak the Rolls**
• If keeping the Hawaiian rolls whole, gently separate them so they can absorb the custard evenly. If preferred, slice them in half for more surface area. Dip each roll into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for about 10-15 seconds per side. Ensure the rolls absorb the mixture but do not become overly soggy.
• **Cook the French Toast**
• Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Place the soaked Hawaiian rolls onto the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and slightly crispy. Flip gently using a spatula to avoid tearing. Repeat with remaining rolls, adding more butter as needed.
• **Serve**
• Transfer the cooked Hawaiian roll French toast to a serving plate. Drizzle with maple syrup, dust with powdered sugar, and top with fresh berries or whipped cream. Serve immediately and enjoy!