Waking up on a Sunday morning usually means Max is already tugging at my sleeve for something sweet; luckily these Hawaiian Roll French Toast sliders are his absolute favorite. The smell of cinnamon and buttery bread toasting always pulls him right into the kitchen to help with the dipping. It is the best way to turn a simple pack of rolls into a tropical breakfast treat.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Hawaiian Roll French Toast
- How To Make Hawaiian Roll French Toast
- What Pairs Well With Hawaiian Roll French Toast
- Hawaiian Roll French Toast Variations
- Equipment
- Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
- Top Tips for Best Hawaiian Roll French Toast
- Hawaiian Roll French Toast FAQs
- A Sweet Weekend Tradition
- Related
- Stuffed Hawaiian Roll French Toast
Why You Will Love This Hawaiian Roll French Toast
These little sliders take everything you love about classic breakfast and make it easier to handle; plus the natural sweetness of the rolls creates a custard-like center that is hard to beat. They are perfectly bite-sized for kids and elegant enough for a brunch spread.
How To Make Hawaiian Roll French Toast
This recipe transforms thick; fluffy King’s Hawaiian rolls into golden; syrup-soaked French toast sandwiches filled with a hidden layer of sweet cream. Originating as a clever way to use leftover slider buns; this dish has become a viral sensation because the bread holds moisture so much better than standard white slices.
Hawaiian Roll French Toast Ingredients
- 12 King's Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for the filling)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Fresh strawberries and powdered sugar (for garnish)
Step by Step Method
Prepare the rolls
- Slice the entire block of rolls in half horizontally to create a top and bottom layer.
Create the filling
- Whisk the softened cream cheese with two tablespoons of maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and spreadable.
Layer and sandwich
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the bottom half of the rolls and replace the top section to make sandwiches.
Whisk the custard
- In a shallow bowl; combine eggs; milk; sugar; vanilla; and cinnamon until the spices are well incorporated.
Soak the bread
- Dip the roll sandwiches into the egg mixture for ten seconds per side so they soak up the liquid without falling apart.
Sear until golden
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the rolls for three to four minutes per side until browned.
Garnish and serve
- Dust with powdered sugar and top with fresh strawberries before drizzling with extra syrup.
MAX’S REACTION
"Mom; they look like little golden clouds! Can I have three? No; wait; I definitely need four because the middle part is like eating cheesecake for breakfast!"
What Pairs Well With Hawaiian Roll French Toast
I usually serve these with crispy bacon or savory sausage links to balance out the sweetness; though a side of scrambled eggs works just as well. If you want to keep the fruit theme going; a fresh tropical fruit salad with pineapple and mango is a wonderful pairing.
Hawaiian Roll French Toast Variations
Hawaiian Roll French Toast Casserole
Instead of stuffing the rolls; you can cube them and soak them overnight in the custard before baking them in a buttered dish until the top is crunchy.
Nutella Stuffed French Toast Bites
Swap the cream cheese filling for a generous layer of hazelnut spread and sliced bananas to make these extra decadent for a birthday breakfast.
Savory Ham and Cheese Sliders
Omit the sugar and cinnamon from the egg wash; then stuff the rolls with ham and swiss for a Monte Cristo style morning meal.
Hawaiian Roll French Toast TikTok Style
Follow the viral trend by air frying the dipped rolls at 350 degrees for six minutes; which creates an incredibly crispy exterior without the extra butter.
Equipment
- Large non-stick skillet
- Shallow mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Offset spatula
Mom Tip: Use a serrated knife to slice the rolls while they are still connected; it keeps the layers even and makes stuffing them much faster!
Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
Storage Tips That Keep It Fresh
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Note that the cream cheese filling may soften the bread over time; so they are best enjoyed fresh.
Make Ahead Strategy
You can whisk the custard and prepare the cream cheese filling the night before. Don't soak the bread until you are ready to cook; or the rolls will become too soggy to flip.
Reheating Instructions
Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the crispness. Reheat the sliders in a dry skillet over low heat or in a toaster oven at 300 degrees until warmed through.
Top Tips for Best Hawaiian Roll French Toast
The secret to that restaurant-quality finish is making sure your skillet isn't too hot; because the sugar in the Hawaiian rolls and the custard can burn quickly before the center is cooked. I always tell Max to watch for the "golden glow" on the edges before we flip them. If you find the rolls are a bit too fresh and soft; leave the pack open on the counter for an hour to dry them out slightly. This helps them hold the egg wash much better without getting mushy in the middle of the pan.
Hawaiian Roll French Toast FAQs
Can I use regular dinner rolls instead of Hawaiian rolls?
You can; but you will miss out on the signature sweetness and airy texture that makes this recipe unique.
Do I have to stuff them with cream cheese?
Not at all; you can simply dip the individual rolls; but the "sandwich" method shown in the photo makes them feel much more special.
How do I prevent the cinnamon from clumping in the eggs?
Whisk the cinnamon into the sugar first before adding the liquid ingredients to ensure it distributes evenly.
A Sweet Weekend Tradition
Sharing these sticky; strawberry-topped treats with Max is the highlight of my week; especially when we get to dive in while they are still warm from the pan. If you are looking for more family favorites to add to your rotation; you should try our savory Taco Rice Bowl or my quick Chicken Caesar Wraps for a busy school night. For those evenings when you want something heartier; nothing beats the comfort of Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken.
Share your Hawaiian Roll French Toast! Tag us @HannahCooking with #HawaiianRollFrenchToast; we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!
⭐️ Rate this Hawaiian Roll French Toast recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!
Related
Looking for other recipes like Hawaiian Roll French Toast? Try these:
- Lemon Lavender Cheesecake with Honeycomb20 Minutes
- Lemon Curd Chia Pudding5 Minutes
- Miso-Ginger Lemon Detox Broth15 Minutes
- Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Tart40 Minutes
Stuffed Hawaiian Roll French Toast
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice the entire block of rolls in half horizontally to separate the tops from the bottoms.
- Mix the softened cream cheese and syrup in a bowl until the texture is light and fluffy.
- Spread the cream cheese over the bottom bread layer and press the top half back on firmly.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, and spices in a flat dish until the custard is smooth.
- Dip the roll sandwiches into the liquid for ten seconds so the bread absorbs the moisture.
- Melt butter in a skillet and cook each side for three minutes until the surface is caramelized.
- Transfer to a plate and garnish with berries and sugar for a beautiful final presentation.
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