Hawaiian Roll French Toast

There are Saturday mornings when only sweet and fluffy French toast will do but using King’s Hawaiian rolls turns this classic breakfast into something truly special. The buttery rolls soak up a cinnamon-spiced custard and fry up with delicately crisp edges and soft, creamy insides. It is a quick way to make a bakery-worthy treat with just a handful of ingredients.

I discovered Hawaiian roll French toast while hosting a last-minute brunch the rolls made it so simple and now my kids request these every birthday morning

Ingredients

• King’s Hawaiian Rolls: these provide irresistible sweetness fluffy texture and soak up the custard perfectly choose a package with the freshest date for softness
• Large eggs: form the custard base making the toast tender and rich select eggs with bright yellow yolks for best color
• Half and half or whole milk: creates a luxurious creamy soak go for half and half if you love extra decadent French toast
• Vanilla extract: warm and aromatic pure vanilla goes a long way use real extract if possible for the richest flavor
• Ground cinnamon: delivers a gentle spice fragrant and comforting opt for fresh ground or quality brands for more aroma
• Brown sugar: adds mellow caramel sweetness choose soft brown sugar to blend smoothly into the mix
• Salt: just a pinch sharpens all the flavors Kosher salt dissolves evenly and enhances sweetness
• Butter for cooking: this is what creates the golden crust unsalted butter is best so you can control salt levels
• Powdered sugar and fresh fruit: give a pretty finish look for berries that are plump and bright for that burst of freshness plus classic maple syrup for serving

Instructions

Make the Custard:

In a large bowl whisk the eggs and your chosen dairy until fully blended and smooth this ensures even cooking and a creamy interior

Spice It Up:

Whisk in vanilla cinnamon brown sugar and a pinch of salt into your mixture making sure everything is dissolved and flecked beautifully with spice

Prep the Rolls:

Take a toothpick or skewer and poke several holes in the bottom of each Hawaiian roll this lets the custard seep deep inside for ultra moist toast

Soak the Rolls:

One batch at a time dip the rolls into the custard mixture and let them soak for about 30 seconds turning all sides you want them saturated but not soggy

Get Ready to Fry:

Melt part of the butter on a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium low heat give it time to be fully melted and sizzling but not browned

Cook Each Side:

Place the soaked rolls onto the skillet cook each side for 30 to 60 seconds gently turning so every surface becomes golden and crisp

Serve It Up:

Arrange the finished French toast warm on a platter dust with lots of powdered sugar and top with fresh berries and a drizzle of maple syrup

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I am especially attached to the cinnamon in this recipe it is the scent that brings my family running into the kitchen every time and the caramelized edges are always picked off first by little fingers

Storage Tips

Let any extra French toast rolls cool to room temperature then pop them in an airtight container They will keep in the refrigerator for up to two days Warm them in a toaster oven to bring back their crisp edges and creamy centers If you want to make them ahead you can freeze cooled rolls on a tray then transfer to a bag and reheat straight from the freezer

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have half and half use whole milk with a splash of heavy cream For a dairy free version almond milk works in a pinch though flavor changes a bit You can swap in another sweet bread like brioche for the rolls Vanilla paste instead of extract gives extra rich vanilla notes

Serving Suggestions

These rolls are wonderful with a little dusting of cocoa or a spoonful of lemon curd They work well as part of a brunch spread with crispy bacon and scrambled eggs For a fun dessert version try topping with vanilla whipped cream and a handful of chocolate chips

Cultural and Historical Context

French toast itself dates back centuries and exists in nearly every cuisine around the world Adapting it with sweet bread rolls is a more recent home cook trick Hawaiian rolls bring a soft pillowy texture inspired by Portuguese sweet bread that gained popularity in Hawaii Their slightly tropical flavor perfectly balances the warm cinnamon vanilla custard

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This brunch is as beautiful as it tastes and comes together with minimal stress. Every time I make it the whole family gathers joyfully at the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use regular dinner rolls instead of Hawaiian rolls?

Yes, you can use regular dinner rolls, but the sweet, fluffy texture of Hawaiian rolls adds unique flavor and softness.

→ Do I need to let the rolls soak for long?

Let the rolls soak in the custard for about 30 seconds per batch to avoid making them soggy.

→ What toppings work best with Hawaiian roll French toast?

Powdered sugar, fresh berries, and maple syrup complement the warm, spiced flavor perfectly.

→ Is it possible to prepare the custard in advance?

Yes, the custard can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated until needed for dipping.

→ Should I use half and half or whole milk?

Both options create a creamy custard, but half and half yields a richer taste and texture.