Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe

Sweet Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe: A Tropical Breakfast Joy

Mornings burst with excitement when our delectable hawaiian roll french toast appears on the breakfast table.

Soft, pillowy rolls transform into crispy, golden delights that melt in your mouth.

Sweet hints of tropical paradise dance through each carefully crafted bite.

Cinnamon and vanilla weave their magical spell across the perfectly caramelized surface.

Memories of island sunshine emerge with every forkful of this indulgent morning treat.

Simple ingredients come together to create something truly extraordinary.

Dive into this recipe and let your taste buds embark on an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Why Hawaiian Roll French Toast Feels Like a Treat

  • Revolutionize Breakfast Basics: Transform ordinary Hawaiian rolls into a spectacular morning treat that elevates your standard French toast experience.
  • Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: Create restaurant-quality breakfast with simple ingredients and minimal culinary skills, making you feel like a professional chef at home.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Breakfast Magic: Delight kids and adults alike with a fun twist on traditional French toast that offers irresistible sweet and crispy textures everyone will love.
  • Flexible Serving Style: Adaptable recipe perfect for weekend brunches, special occasions, or spontaneous weekend morning celebrations that bring family and friends together.

Ingredients for Sweet Hawaiian Roll French Toast

Main Ingredients:

Bread Base:
  • Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: Soft, slightly sweet rolls perfect for creating a delightful French toast variation.
Custard Mixture:
  • Eggs: Provide rich binding and create a creamy base for the French toast coating.
  • Whole Milk, Heavy Cream: Contribute luxurious texture and smooth consistency to the custard.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet aromatic flavor to enhance the overall taste.

Cooking and Finishing Ingredients:

Spices and Sweeteners:
  • Granulated Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Bring warmth and sweet depth to the custard mixture.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
Cooking Fats:
  • Butter, Vegetable Oil: Provide perfect browning and prevent sticking during cooking.

Garnish and Topping:

Sweet Finishes:
  • Powdered Sugar, Maple Syrup: Create a beautiful, sweet finish with elegant presentation and additional sweetness.

How to Cook Hawaiian Roll French Toast Just Right

Step 1: Slice Rolls with Precision

Carefully slice Hawaiian sweet rolls horizontally, creating a butterfly-like opening that allows maximum custard absorption. This technique ensures each bite will be perfectly saturated with delicious flavor.

Step 2: Create Magical Custard Mixture

Whisk together:
  • Eggs
  • Whole milk
  • Heavy cream
  • Vanilla extract
  • Granulated sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Salt

Blend ingredients until the mixture becomes smooth and fully integrated, creating a luxurious coating for the rolls.

Step 3: Dunk and Soak Rolls

Generously dredge each roll half in the custard mixture, ensuring complete and thorough coating. Allow rolls to soak briefly, letting them absorb the rich, sweet flavors deeply.

Step 4: Prepare Sizzling Skillet

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Combine butter and vegetable oil to create the perfect browning environment that prevents burning and enhances golden crispiness.

Step 5: Cook to Golden Perfection

Carefully place soaked roll halves into the hot skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, watching for that beautiful golden-brown color and crispy edges that signal deliciousness.

Step 6: Transfer and Keep Warm

Move cooked French toast rolls to a serving platter. If preparing multiple batches, keep rolls warm to maintain their incredible texture and temperature.

Step 7: Add Powdered Sugar Elegance

Dust the finished rolls with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve. This creates an elegant, even coating that adds a touch of sweet sophistication.

Step 8: Drizzle with Sweet Nectar

Just before serving, cascade maple syrup over the French toast rolls. Let the syrup flow between the layers, creating a mouth-watering presentation.

Step 9: Serve with Flair

Present the rolls immediately while they’re warm and crisp. Arrange them in an overlapping or fanned display that makes them irresistibly tempting. Enjoy the ultimate breakfast indulgence!

Tips for Golden Hawaiian Roll French Toast Success

  • Slice Strategically: Cut Hawaiian rolls horizontally to create a butterfly-like opening, maximizing custard absorption and creating delightful pockets for syrup.
  • Whisk Wisely: Blend egg mixture thoroughly, ensuring sugar and spices are completely dissolved for a smooth, evenly flavored custard coating.
  • Brown Brilliantly: Use a butter-oil combination in the skillet to achieve perfect golden-brown edges without burning the delicate rolls.
  • Sugar Showering: Dust powdered sugar through a fine-mesh sieve for an elegant, even coating that adds a sweet, professional touch to the dish.
  • Serve Swiftly: Present the French toast rolls immediately while warm and crispy, arranging them in an overlapping pattern for maximum visual appeal and optimal taste.

Sweet Swaps for Hawaiian Roll French Toast Styles

  • Island Fruit Fusion: Blend diced pineapple, mango, and coconut into the custard mixture for tropical flavor notes.
  • Cream Cheese Dream: Spread a thin layer of softened cream cheese inside each roll before dipping in custard for extra richness.
  • Nutty Hawaiian Adventure: Sprinkle chopped macadamia nuts on top of the rolls after cooking, adding crunch and authentic island character.
  • Chocolate Coconut Charm: Mix cocoa powder into the custard and garnish with toasted coconut flakes for a decadent tropical experience.

Best Sips and Sides for Hawaiian Roll French Toast

  • Boost Sweet Breakfast Flavor Companions
  • Enhance Maple Syrup Pairing: Complement the rolls with high-quality pure Canadian maple syrup for deeper caramel undertones and rich sweetness.
  • Match Fruity Beverage: Serve alongside fresh passion fruit juice or tropical orange-mango smoothie to echo Hawaiian roll's origin and provide refreshing contrast.
  • Create Creamy Coffee Companion: Prepare a smooth vanilla latte or cinnamon-spiced cappuccino that mirrors the French toast's warm spices and adds luxurious depth.
  • Elevate Breakfast Texture: Add crispy bacon or candied pecans as a savory-sweet side to provide delightful crunch and balance the soft, custardy rolls.

How to Store Hawaiian Roll French Toast the Right Way

  • Store leftover French toast rolls in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture absorption and maintain crispness.
  • Arrange cooled rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Warm gently in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, ensuring crispy exterior and warm interior. Avoid microwave to preserve texture and prevent sogginess.

FAQs About Hawaiian Roll French Toast Delight

  • What makes Hawaiian rolls different from regular bread for French toast?

Hawaiian rolls have a softer, slightly sweet texture and denser crumb, which allows better custard absorption and creates a richer, more indulgent French toast experience.

  • Can I prepare the custard mixture in advance?

Yes, you can mix the egg custard up to 24 hours ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator, which can actually help the flavors meld together more deeply.

  • How do I prevent the rolls from falling apart during soaking?

Gently dredge the rolls and allow only a brief soaking time, ensuring they’re coated but not overly saturated, which helps maintain their structural integrity during cooking.

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Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe

Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 18-20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Mouthwatering Hawaiian Roll French Toast brings tropical sweetness and indulgent breakfast comfort to your morning table. Crispy edges, custardy centers, and rich maple syrup create a delightful morning experience you’ll savor with pure breakfast bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Cooking and Topping:

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Slice Hawaiian sweet rolls in half horizontally, creating a butterfly-like opening for better custard absorption.
  2. Whisk eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt in a wide, shallow mixing bowl until smooth and fully integrated.
  3. Dredge each roll half generously in the egg mixture, ensuring complete coating and allowing brief soaking for maximum flavor penetration.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, combining butter and vegetable oil for optimal browning and preventing burning.
  5. Carefully place soaked roll halves into the hot skillet, cooking approximately 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy edges emerge.
  6. Transfer cooked French toast rolls to a serving platter, maintaining a warm temperature if preparing multiple batches.
  7. Dust the finished rolls with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve for elegant, even coverage.
  8. Drizzle maple syrup over the French toast rolls just before serving, allowing the sweet syrup to cascade between the layers.
  9. Serve immediately while warm and crisp, presenting the rolls in an overlapping or fanned arrangement for visual appeal.

Notes

  • Transform Hawaiian rolls by slicing horizontally to create perfect custard pockets for maximum flavor absorption.
  • Use whole milk and heavy cream blend for extra richness, creating a luxurious texture that elevates traditional French toast.
  • Allow rolls to soak briefly in egg mixture, ensuring deep flavor penetration without becoming overly soggy.
  • Consider gluten-free adaptation by using gluten-free Hawaiian-style rolls and confirming all ingredient compatibility for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6-8 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 392
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 280 mg
  • Fat: 21 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 151 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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