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Stacked hawaiian roll french toast featuring a golden macadamia-coconut crunch crust and drizzled maple syrup.

Crispy Hawaiian Roll French Toast

Rebecca Blumer
Experience a tropical brunch at home with this crispy Hawaiian roll French toast, featuring a soft, custardy center and a golden, buttery crust that is perfectly sweet and satisfying.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American, Hawaiian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 385 kcal

Equipment

  • Whisk
  • Wide bowl
  • Griddle or large skillet

Ingredients
 

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 12 Hawaiian Rolls, sliced horizontally
  • Confectioners' sugar, optional for serving
  • Maple syrup, optional for serving

Instructions
 

Mix the Custard

  • In a wide, deep bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg until the mixture is completely smooth and lightly frothy.
  • Set a griddle or large skillet over medium heat and brush it with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Let the pan heat through so the butter melts into a thin, even film.

Dip and Toast the Rolls

  • Working in batches, dip the sliced Hawaiian roll halves into the egg custard. Turn them just until saturated, then lift them out and gently shake off the excess to keep them fluffy.
  • Lay the dipped rolls on the heated griddle and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Flip and cook the second side for another 2 to 3 minutes until evenly toasted and the centers feel set.

Finish and Serve

  • Transfer the cooked rolls to a plate and keep them warm while you repeat the process with the remaining batches, adding more butter as needed.
  • Serve immediately with a dusting of confectioners' sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup while the edges are still crisp.

Notes

Heat Control: Use medium-low heat to ensure the sugary Hawaiian rolls don't burn before the custardy center has time to set properly.
The Soaking Rule: Limit the soak to 30 seconds or less. These rolls have a tight crumb and will become mushy if they absorb too much liquid.
Reheating Tip: To restore the original crunch, reheat leftovers in an air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes instead of using a microwave.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.
Keyword french toast, hawaiian roll french toast, sweet rolls