Delicious Hawaiian Roll French Toast to Brighten Your Morning
Hawaiian Roll French Toast mornings just hit different, don’t they? You ever roll out of bed, hungry but not ready to face sad cereal again? Or maybe you’ve got a whole pack of those soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls sitting on your counter and absolutely zero ideas. I’ve been there, trust me. One day I dunked those little pillowy rolls in eggs and—wow, total breakfast upgrade.
What are Hawaiian rolls?
Okay, let’s back up a sec. If you haven’t had Hawaiian rolls, you’re missing out. They’re these sweet, squishy dinner rolls—sort of like a cross between bread and dessert? King’s Hawaiian is the big name brand (the orange bag, you know the one). They taste almost buttery and have this soft, addicting texture. I’d say they’re a little sweeter than regular dinner rolls, which is exactly why they turn into five-star French toast.
Kids tear into them like candy at any family BBQ. Grown-ups, too, honestly. In my house, they rarely make it to day two. You can find them in most grocery stores these days. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me “where did you get those rolls?”, I’d probably be eating out more often.
Why you’ll love this recipe
So, what’s the big fuss? I’ll spill: Hawaiian Roll French Toast is ridiculously easy. Like, “forgot half my ingredients but it still works” easy. And it tastes better than any diner breakfast. You get that caramelized, custardy outside, and then boom—the super soft, slightly sweet middle.
My cousin came over last week, and I made this. He swore I’d snuck in some secret ingredient. Nah, it’s literally just the rolls and some regular French toast stuff. Here’s the fun part—no fancy kitchen gear. If you can whisk, you can make this. Plus (and this is big for me) you can pile on toppings like nobody is judging. A little syrup? Sure. Peanut butter and bananas? Why not.
If you want a breakfast that feels special but doesn’t take forever, this is it. I’d bet your Saturday feels way more exciting after a plate of this.
How to make Hawaiian roll french toast
No fluff here—let’s do this. Start by grabbing a whole package of Hawaiian rolls. Don’t pull them apart just yet. Whisk together a few eggs with milk, a splash of vanilla, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Pour it in a shallow dish, something big enough to fit all the rolls if you can.
Now, gently pull the rolls apart. Dunk each one in the egg mix. Let them soak, but not too long—just enough to absorb the goodness. Meanwhile, get a nonstick pan or griddle heated up with a bit of butter. When it’s sizzling, add the soaked rolls. A couple minutes on each side till they’re golden brown is all it takes. You want that perfect bit of crisp on the outside.
That’s sort of it. No stress, no weird ingredients. Sometimes I prep two batches because my crew devours them so fast I barely get seconds. (Fair warning.)
Best French toast I’ve ever had—my picky teen actually asked for thirds, which is a Christmas miracle in July. Thanks for this!” – Liz from Chicago
Serving suggestions
Okay, this is where you can really get wild (I do, anyway). Some easy ideas:
- Drizzle with maple syrup for old-school comfort.
- Add a scoop of whipped cream and fresh berries if you’re feeling extra.
- Dust with powdered sugar for that café look.
I’ve even seen people sandwich ham and cheese in the middle, then top with syrup. So basically, you do you!
Variations
Promise me you’ll try this at least once “the classic way”—then mess with it. I love adding orange zest to the egg mixture. Sometimes I’ll swap in coconut milk or almond milk for a twist. My neighbor told me she likes hers filled with a spoonful of Nutella (smart move, right?). You can even crank up the cinnamon, or try pumpkin spice in the egg dip.
If you’re dairy-free, grab oat milk and use a dairy-free butter substitute. It all works, I say. You can even bake them in a casserole dish for a make-ahead situation (great for a crowd or lazy Sunday mornings after a late night). There’s no wrong way, just tasty ways.
Common Questions
Do I have to use King’s Hawaiian rolls, or can I swap in another kind?
You really want the soft, sweet thing you get from Hawaiian rolls, but honestly, any squishy sweet roll will do in a pinch.
Can I make Hawaiian Roll French Toast ahead of time?
Yeah, you actually can. Soak and bake ’em in a casserole dish if you want to make life easier for future-you.
How do I keep the rolls from getting soggy?
Don’t leave ’em soaking too long, and fry till golden brown. That’s the secret.
What’s good for toppings, besides syrup?
Honestly, whatever you’re into—berries, chocolate chips, honey, peanut butter, extra cinnamon, or, dare I say, bacon crumbles.
Could I freeze them after making?
Yep! Let them cool, then wrap tightly and freeze. Just warm in the oven or microwave when the craving hits.
Give your morning a sweet glow-up
To sum it up, Hawaiian Roll French Toast is a breakfast hero in my house. Soft rolls, quick prep, and endless toppings—there’s something for everyone. So next Sunday (or Tuesday, hey, no rules), why not shake up your breakfast routine? Oh, and if you want even more fun breakfast inspiration, check out this helpful French toast basics guide. Now, go make breakfast magic and tell someone about it.
Hawaiian Roll French Toast
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
- Pull the Hawaiian rolls apart gently and dunk each in the egg mixture, allowing them to soak briefly.
- Heat a nonstick pan or griddle over medium heat and add butter.
- Once the butter is sizzling, add the soaked rolls and cook for a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown.
