Put a fun twist on classic French toast with this Hawaiian roll French toast casserole. It’s the ultimate breakfast treat– perfect for brunch, lazy weekend mornings, or a fuss-free holiday meal, allowing you to spend time with loved ones instead of flipping slices at the stove.
What are Hawaiian Sweet Rolls?
Hawaiian rolls are soft and fluffy dinner rolls with a touch of sweetness. Their pillowy texture and size make them perfect for sandwiches, sliders, kid-friendly snacks, or a breakfast dish like Hawaiian roll French toast casserole. King’s Hawaiian is the most popular brand of Hawaiian rolls, and I use the original sweet rolls in this recipe. But you can use any brand you choose.
Key Ingredients
Make this easy breakfast recipe using simple ingredients from your pantry. And King’s Hawaiian bread might be the best way to enjoy French toast! Here’s what you need to get started.
- Milk: Whisk whole milk into the egg mixture, or add heavy cream, half n half, or a non-dairy option like almond milk or oat milk. Shake things up by replacing the dairy with pineapple juice or orange juice for a fresh-tasting tropical twist.
- Eggs: You will need four large eggs to fully coat the bread.
- Vanilla Extract: Add a splash of vanilla extract for extra flavor or swap it out for orange extract, almond extract, cardamom simple syrup, or honey lavender simple syrup.
- Sugar: Sweeten the egg mixture with light brown sugar.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg lend warmth, and a pinch of salt balances the flavor of the Hawaiian roll French toast.
- Butter: Use a little butter or cooking spray to prepare the baking dish to prevent the bread from sticking.
- Bread: King’s Hawaiian rolls aren’t just for sliders and sandwiches—they make incredible French toast. Their light, fluffy texture soaks up the egg custard perfectly.
Additions and Substitutions
- Experiment with Sweeteners. Replace the brown sugar with natural sweeteners like pure maple syrup, agave nectar, and honey, or try a sugar-free option like golden Monk Fruit.
- Switch up the bread. Use leftover dinner rolls from a holiday meal or break up pillowy soft Challah bread, French bread, or brioche bread. This easy recipe is also a great way to breathe new life into almost stale bread that’s on its way out.
- Spice things up. Replace the cinnamon and nutmeg with Chinese five-spice, Pakistani garam masala, or pumpkin spice for a Fall-inspired flavor. Before serving, toss the French toast bites with a cinnamon and sugar spice blend for a sweeter finish.
Tools You’ll Need
Combine the ingredients for the egg mixture in a large bowl and bake the French toast rolls in a ceramic 9×13 baking dish. I like baking in ceramic dishes because they heat slowly and evenly, which helps prevent hotspots and ensures your meal cooks uniformly. You can also prepare the French toast recipe in a large cast-iron skillet.
How to Make Hawaiian Roll French Toast Casserole
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl until smooth and combined. Set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with softened butter and preheat the oven to 350℉ (177℃).
Step 3: Quarter the Hawaiian rolls with kitchen shears and transfer the bread pieces to the baking dish.
Step 4: Pour the French toast batter over the bread, using a silicone spatula to coat all the pieces. Set aside for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Bake uncovered for 35-55 minutes (depending on your oven) until the top is golden brown with crispy edges.
Baking Tip
If you notice the tops browning too quickly or have oven hot spots, tent a piece of aluminum foil over the top to prevent over-browning.
Step 6: Remove the cooked French toast from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving, and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Cut or tear the rolls. Tear or cut the Hawaiian rolls into pieces to help them soak up the custard and cook more evenly.
- Bake low and slow. Bake the casserole at low temperature for 35-55 minutes so the custard cooks through without drying out the top.
- Watch the bread closely. If you notice the tops browning too quickly, tent the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the tops from burning before the insides cook.
If you enjoy Hawaiian roll French toast, check out these breakfast recipes!
How to Serve French Toast with Hawaiian Rolls
Hawaiian roll French toast casserole is an easy, hands-free meal that bakes to golden perfection without much work. Serve the sweet rolls with fruit, air fryer sausage patties, bacon or turkey bacon, and a plate of fluffy scrambled eggs.
I sprinkle powdered sugar over the top and pair it with fresh berries and maple syrup, but switch things up with your favorite toppings—whipped cream, peanut butter, cream cheese frosting, fig jam, or zesty cranberry jalapeno sauce.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftover French toast pieces in an airtight container or wrap the baking dish with beeswax or plastic wrap once it cools. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days, though the texture may change once refrigerated.
- Freeze: Freeze the leftover Hawaiian rolls individually or layer them in a freezer-safe container or bag with parchment paper in between them. Hawaiian roll French toast freezes for 2-3 months.
- Reheat: Warm the French toast in the oven, toaster, or microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make King’s Hawaiian classic French toast on the stovetop?
Start with the King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls. You can leave them whole for fluffy French toast or cut them in half horizontally.
1. Combine the ingredients for the custard in a large bowl. Then, add a few rolls to the egg mixture, allowing them to soak for no more than 30 seconds so they don’t get soggy.
2. Warm a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
Tip: If the heat is too high, the outside will brown or burn before the inside can cook.
3. Melt butter in the pan or prepare it with cooking spray. Transfer the soaked rolls to the skillet and cook for 30-45 seconds per side until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining rolls.
More Sweet Breakfasts:
Hawaiian Roll French Toast
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 12 Hawaiian rolls
- Whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl until smooth and combined. Set it aside.
- Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with softened butter and preheat the oven to 350℉ (177℃).
- Quarter the Hawaiian rolls with kitchen shears and transfer the bread pieces to the baking dish.
- Pour the French toast batter over the bread, using a silicone spatula to coat all the pieces. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- Bake uncovered for 35-55 minutes (depending on your oven) until the top is golden brown with crispy edges. Tip: If you notice the tops browning too quickly or have oven hot spots, tent a piece of aluminum foil over the top to prevent over-browning.
- Remove the cooked French toast from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving, and enjoy.
- Cut or tear the rolls. Tear or cut the Hawaiian rolls into pieces to help them soak up the custard and cook more evenly.
- Bake low and slow. Bake the casserole at low temperature for 35-55 minutes so the custard cooks through without drying out the top.
- Watch the bread closely. If you notice the tops browning too quickly, tent the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the tops from burning before the insides cook.