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Hawaiian Roll French Toast

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🍍 Sweet and fluffy Hawaiian rolls transformed into golden-brown French toast with a delightful tropical twist for an unforgettable breakfast
🥖 Perfectly soft texture with subtle sweetness that makes this breakfast treat stand out from traditional French toast recipes

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 package (12-count) Hawaiian rolls Soft, sweet base that absorbs custard beautifully for kings hawaiian french toast

4 large eggs Bind the custard, adding protein and rich texture

1 cup half-and-half or milk Creates creamy soak for custardy interior

¼ cup granulated sugar Balances flavors with gentle sweetness in this sweet french toast

1 teaspoon vanilla extract Infuses aromatic depth

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Warm spice that complements the rolls’ tropical notes

Dash of (about ¼ teaspoon) ground nutmeg Adds subtle warmth and complexity

24 tablespoons butter For golden browning in the skillet

Maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries Optional toppings for extra flair

Instructions

1-Prep Your Ingredients (Mise en Place): Start this easy hawaiian rolls french toast recipe by slicing 1 package of Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, yielding 24 pieces. This exposes more surface for soaking, key for that perfect custardy bite. Beat 4 large eggs in a wide shallow bowl until smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour in 1 cup half-and-half (or milk for lighter version), whisking vigorously to combine. Stir in ¼ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and a dash of nutmeg until fully dissolved. The batter should be smooth and slightly frothy. Set aside while you heat the pan. Prep time here: 5 minutes.

2-Dip and Soak the Rolls: Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat until foaming subsides, about 1-2 minutes. Working in batches, dip each roll half into the custard for 20-30 seconds per side. Let excess drip off to avoid sogginess. For overnight hawaiian roll french toast, soak all pieces now, layer in a baking dish with extra batter, cover, and refrigerate up to 12 hours. Pro tip: Stale rolls absorb better, so leave out overnight if fresh. This step takes 3-5 minutes per batch.

3-Cook to Golden Perfection: Place soaked rolls in the hot skillet, not overcrowding (4-6 at a time). Cook 2-3 minutes per side until deep golden brown and puffed, flipping once with a spatula. Adjust heat if browning too fast. Add more butter between batches as needed. Keep finished pieces warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack-lined baking sheet. Total cooking time: 10-15 minutes for all 24 pieces. Internal temperature should reach 160°F for safety. This method yields crispy edges with soft centers.

4-Serve and Enjoy: Stack on plates, dust with powdered sugar, and drizzle maple syrup. Add fresh berries, sliced bananas, or whipped cream for party appeal. Serves 4-6 generously. Total time: 20 minutes. For baked hawaiian roll french toast, pour soaked rolls into a greased 9×13 dish, bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until set. Pair with coffee or juice for busy parents. Troubleshooting: Soggy? Cook hotter. Dense? More whisking in batter.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍍 Don’t oversoak the Hawaiian rolls – they’re already soft and will become mushy if left in the custard too long
🔥 Keep the skillet at medium heat – too high will burn the sweet rolls before the inside is cooked through
🥖 Make the custard mixture ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours for even better flavor infusion

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Pan-frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 roll halves
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 380mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 140mg