If you’re looking to shake up your weekend breakfast routine or just want something sweet, cozy, and ridiculously easy to make, then you’re in for a treat. Let’s talk about Hawaiian Roll French Toast — yes, those fluffy, slightly sweet little buns you already love are about to become your new breakfast obsession. This recipe is all about taking simple ingredients and turning them into something that feels a little fancy without the fuss. It’s perfect for lazy mornings, brunch with friends, or even as a breakfast-for-dinner situation (no judgment here).

syrup being poured on top of the Hawaiian Roll French Toast

Grab a package of your favorite Hawaiian rolls and whip up this easy Hawaiian roll French toast recipe. It has a fluffy, pillowy sweetness in each bite, a fun twist on a classic French toast recipe. Pair with salty bacon, fresh fruit, or any other breakfast item.

syrup on top of the Hawaiian Roll French Toast with a fork lifting up a piece

You know those soft, fluffy King’s Hawaiian rolls that everyone loves? Turns out, they’re kind of perfect for French toast. They’re slightly sweet on their own, which means they soak up the custardy egg mixture like a dream and get beautifully golden and crisp on the outside while staying soft and pillowy in the center. It’s like French toast bites with a tropical twist—and yes, they’re as good as they sound.

white plate full of the Hawaiian Roll French Toast topped with sliced strawberries and blueberries

This recipe is perfect for a slow weekend morning when you want to treat yourself (or your people) to something that feels a little indulgent but doesn’t take a ton of time or effort. You can whip it all up in one bowl, cook everything in batches on a skillet or griddle, and have a whole plate of warm, sweet, golden bites in under 30 minutes. Top them with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup or honey, and maybe a handful of fresh fruit if you’re feeling fancy.

syrup on top of the Hawaiian Roll French Toast with a fork lifting a bite

It’s the kind of breakfast that feels like a treat but is still totally doable on a regular morning. Great for brunch, great for a cozy breakfast-for-dinner situation, and absolutely perfect for those moments when you just want something that tastes like comfort.

Hawaiian Roll French Toast stacked on a plate with powdered sugar and fruit on top of the French toast

I love French toast and had some extra Hawaiian rolls on hand, so I thought of a different way to use them up. This was the perfect way to use up the leftover rolls. Now, we make this often on the weekends.

Check out my blueberry French toast casserole, churro French toast, or even these cinnamon sugar roll-ups. They’re all carb-lovers’ dreams.

Hawaiian Roll French Toasts stacked on a plate with fruit around it

Reasons to Make This Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe

Soft and sweet, fluffy French toast is made with pre-made sweet rolls. It is an easy breakfast recipe that you can try out soon.
This is a fast and easy recipe that you can throw together anytime. No fancy equipment is needed.
You can use homemade King’s Hawaiian rolls or buy a package at home.
You can make a few or a whole package of rolls—this is a great recipe that you can adjust to fit your needs.

Ingredients

Sweet Hawaiian Rolls: Buy a container of rolls and use them as a base for the French toast.
Eggs: The eggs are the base for dipping the mixture’s rolls in.
Half and Half: You will use half and half for the liquid. It will help to enrich the batter for soaking into the bread.
Vanilla: A vanilla splash will sweeten the bread quite a bit.
Sugar: A bit of granulated sugar will sweeten the batter.
Spices: A splash of cinnamon and nutmeg will warm the flavors of the bread batter.
Butter: A bit of butter will be placed in the skillet to help create a perfect sear on the rolls.
Powdered Sugar: Mix your French toast rolls with powdered sugar for sweetness.

egg custard mixture in a glass bowl for French toast

Hawaiian sweet rolls soaking in a French toast mixture in a glass bowl on table

Variations To The Recipe

Here are a few twists to the recipe that you might enjoy.

Stuff Rolls: Slice the rolls in half, cutting almost all through. Fill each half with Nutella, fresh fruit, cream cheese, etc.
Top with caramelized bananas for a banana foster flavor to the French toast.
Add a splash of butter rum or almond extract to change up the flavor of the bread.

Hawaiian Roll French Toast pieces on a plate with fruit around it

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover French toast, store it in a sealed container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Then, you can eat the leftovers cold or warm them up in the microwave or a skillet on low heat.

You can also freeze leftovers in a sealed freezer container for 2-3 months. Then, you can reheat them straight from the freezer or thaw them in the fridge overnight before you reheat them.

fork poking in one of the Hawaiian Roll French Toast on a plate

Tips For Making Sweet Hawaiian Roll French Toast

Here are a few tips that you might find helpful when making this sweet roll French toast.

You must avoid oversoaking the rolls in the mixture, or they will become soggy as they cook.

Using a day-old dinner roll will help absorb the custard mixture much better.

If you want smaller French toasts, you can slice the rolls in half to create mini bites. You can make them as small as you like. Just adjust the cook time.

Ensure the skillet is warmed before you place your bread in it to cook. Otherwise, it will not get that golden brown color on the outside you want.

Hawaiian Roll French Toast getting syrup drizzled on top of it on a platter on table

FAQs

Can I use a different type of rolls?

Any sweet roll works for this recipe. You can use butter rolls, yeast rolls, or another brand of sweet rolls. The sweet rolls were great, along with the sweet custard mixture for dipping and pan searing.

What is the most common mistake when making French toast?

One of the most common mistakes is soaking your bread for too long or too little. You want to dip the bread and ensure each piece of bread absorbs the egg mixture. Do not let it sit for long or it will overfill and become soggy.

Why is restaurant French toast so much better?

Restaurants use a thicker type or a better quality of bread, hence the richer and better flavor. When making it at home, reach for quality bread.

close up of Hawaiian Roll French Toast on a plate with sliced strawberries in a bowl behind it

If you’re the type to play around in the kitchen, this is one of those base recipes you can totally riff on. Add a little citrus zest to the custard, swap in a flavored syrup, or even go savory if you’re feeling adventurous. But honestly, it’s pretty perfect just the way it is—simple, sweet, and seriously satisfying.

fork poking in one of the Hawaiian Roll French Toast on plate

Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just making something nice for yourself, Hawaiian roll French toast is a total win. Cozy, easy, and totally delicious. Give it a try—you won’t regret it.

Hawaiian Roll French Toast stacked on plate with berries, and a bowl of strawberries behind it

Can you use PAM for French toast?

You can use a cooking spray to grease the pan before you add your bread to cook. I find that using some butter helps to increase the flavor, and you still get that nice golden brown coloring to the bread.

Hawaiian Roll French Toast