Hawaiian rolls were invented in 1950s Los Angeles by a Portuguese baker who accidentally created America's softest French toast base.
French Toast Hawaiian Rolls
Indulge in a tropical twist on a breakfast classic with our French Toast Hawaiian Rolls! These fluffy, sweet rolls soak up a rich custard made from eggs, milk, and a hint of vanilla, then are pan-fried to golden perfection. Serve them warm, drizzled with maple syrup, and enjoy a taste of paradise with every bite!
Prep
15
min
Cook
15
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- 3 tbsp salted butter, divided (42 g)
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup 1/2 & 1/2 (180 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- Maple syrup for dippingoptional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
- 1/4 cup white sugar (50 g)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (2.5 ml)
📦Other(1)
- 1 pack @kingshawaiian rolls
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Whisk eggs, half and half, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- 2
Tear rolls apart and dip each piece for 15 to 20 seconds.
- 3
Heat 2 tbsp butter on medium, cook rolls on all sides until golden.
- 4
Remove, add remaining butter, finish the batch.
- 5
Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl, toss warm rolls until fully coated.
- 6
Serve with warm maple syrup.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Dip Hawaiian rolls for exactly 15-20 seconds because their high sugar content (8-12%) causes faster browning - any longer and they'll become soggy and fall apart.timing15-20 seconds
- ✓Cook French toast at 275-300°F (medium-low) instead of high heat because Hawaiian rolls' sugar content will burn before the custard sets, creating bitter flavors.technique275-300°F
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of half-and-half to eggs for the custard because Hawaiian rolls are already tender - too much egg will make them dense and rubbery.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Toss rolls in cinnamon sugar while still warm (above 140°F) so the residual heat melts the sugar slightly, creating better adhesion than coating cold toast.timingabove 140°F
- ✓Tear rolls by hand rather than slicing to create irregular surfaces with more nooks and crannies that hold 25-30% more custard for richer flavor.technique25-30% more custard
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
15
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Hawaiian rolls were invented in 1950s Los Angeles by a Portuguese baker who accidentally created America's softest French toast base.
French Toast Hawaiian Rolls
Indulge in a tropical twist on a breakfast classic with our French Toast Hawaiian Rolls! These fluffy, sweet rolls soak up a rich custard made from eggs, milk, and a hint of vanilla, then are pan-fried to golden perfection. Serve them warm, drizzled with maple syrup, and enjoy a taste of paradise with every bite!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- 3 tbsp salted butter, divided (42 g)
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup 1/2 & 1/2 (180 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- Maple syrup for dippingoptional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
- 1/4 cup white sugar (50 g)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (2.5 ml)
📦Other(1)
- 1 pack @kingshawaiian rolls
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Whisk eggs, half and half, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- 2
Tear rolls apart and dip each piece for 15 to 20 seconds.
- 3
Heat 2 tbsp butter on medium, cook rolls on all sides until golden.
- 4
Remove, add remaining butter, finish the batch.
- 5
Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl, toss warm rolls until fully coated.
- 6
Serve with warm maple syrup.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Dip Hawaiian rolls for exactly 15-20 seconds because their high sugar content (8-12%) causes faster browning - any longer and they'll become soggy and fall apart.timing15-20 seconds
- ✓Cook French toast at 275-300°F (medium-low) instead of high heat because Hawaiian rolls' sugar content will burn before the custard sets, creating bitter flavors.technique275-300°F
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of half-and-half to eggs for the custard because Hawaiian rolls are already tender - too much egg will make them dense and rubbery.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Toss rolls in cinnamon sugar while still warm (above 140°F) so the residual heat melts the sugar slightly, creating better adhesion than coating cold toast.timingabove 140°F
- ✓Tear rolls by hand rather than slicing to create irregular surfaces with more nooks and crannies that hold 25-30% more custard for richer flavor.technique25-30% more custard