Easy Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe

This easy Hawaiian roll French toast recipe turns soft, sweet rolls into a golden, custardy breakfast that feels a little special without any fuss. The texture is pillowy in the middle with lightly crisp edges, and the flavour is gently sweet with warm vanilla and cinnamon. It is a beginner friendly recipe that works beautifully for relaxed weekends or brunch with family. From start to finish, it takes about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

For the French toast

• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
• 3 large eggs
• 180 ml whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• A pinch of salt

For cooking

• 30 g unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

For serving

• Maple syrup
• Icing sugar, for dusting
• Fresh berries or sliced bananas

How to Make Easy Hawaiian Roll French Toast Recipe

• Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 120°C or 100°C fan. This keeps the cooked rolls warm while you finish frying the rest.
• Prepare the rolls: Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. If they are very fresh, leave them out for 10 minutes so they absorb the custard without becoming soggy.
• Mix the custard: In a wide bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, caster sugar, and salt until smooth and well combined.
• Heat the pan: Place a large non stick frying pan over medium heat. Add a little butter and oil and allow it to melt and foam gently.
• Dip the rolls: Dip each roll half into the egg mixture, letting it soak for a few seconds on each side. Lift and allow any excess to drip back into the bowl.
• Cook until golden: Fry the soaked rolls cut side down first for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown and lightly crisp.
• Keep warm: Transfer cooked rolls to a tray and place in the warm oven while you cook the remaining batches.
• Serve: Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve warm with maple syrup and fresh fruit.

Tips

Why is my French toast soggy?

Soggy French toast usually means the bread soaked for too long or the pan was not hot enough. Dip quickly and make sure the butter is gently sizzling before cooking.

Can I make this without milk?

You can use single cream diluted with a little water, or a plant based milk like oat milk. The texture will still be soft and rich.

How do I stop the rolls from burning?

Keep the heat at medium and wipe the pan clean between batches if the butter starts to darken.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with crispy bacon for a sweet and savoury balance
• Add a spoon of Greek yoghurt and fresh berries
• Finish with toasted coconut or chopped nuts

Storage

Room temperature

This French toast is best eaten fresh, but it can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours before serving.

Refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a frying pan or oven.

Freezing

Freeze cooked and cooled rolls in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month and reheat straight from frozen.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated fat: 7 g
• Sodium: 410 mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs