Hello, welcome to my beautiful world! My name is Prisca Bush. I am a food lover; I enjoy writing about my favorite recipes.

Introduction

There are certain breakfasts you try once and immediately know they’re going into your permanent recipe rotation. For me, that moment happened the first time I made Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar. It was one of those spontaneous weekend-morning creations—born from leftover dinner rolls and an undeniable craving for something sweet, warm, and comforting.

I remember opening the pantry, seeing a half-open package of King’s Hawaiian rolls, and thinking, Could these soft, fluffy, slightly sweet rolls be transformed into something magical? The answer was a resounding yes. After dipping them in a rich vanilla custard and rolling them in cinnamon sugar, the result was unlike any French toast I’d ever had before:

Warm, buttery, caramelized edges.
A soft, pillowy center.
A crackly cinnamon-sugar crust that reminded me of churros and county fair desserts.

It felt indulgent but not overwhelming—just the right balance of sweetness, spice, and buttery goodness. It quickly became one of my favorite go-to brunch recipes, and every person I’ve served it to has asked for the recipe.

Today, I’m sharing this Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar recipe, so you can bring the same comfort, joy, and deliciousness to your own breakfast table.

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Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar (2026)

Ingredients for Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar

This Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar recipe serves 4–6 people, depending on how hungry everyone is (trust me, they go fast).

For the French Toast

12 King’s Hawaiian rolls (or similar sweet bread rolls)
3 large eggs
1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons butter for cooking

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)

Optional Toppings

Maple syrup
Whipped cream
Powdered sugar
Fresh berries
Caramel sauce
Sliced bananas
Cream cheese glaze

How to Make Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar

This Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for beginners or seasoned cooks. Follow these simple steps for the most delicious, melt-in-your-mouth French toast.

Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar

In a shallow bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
Set aside.

This mixture will coat the French toast and give it that irresistible churro-like crunch.

Step 2: Make the Custard

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Prepare the Hawaiian Rolls

You can keep the rolls whole, slice them in half, or even cut them into sticks.
Keeping them whole makes them fun and bite-sized—perfect for brunch boards or kid-friendly breakfasts.

Step 4: Dip the Rolls

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter.
Working in batches, dip each Hawaiian roll into the custard mixture.
Let the rolls soak for about 5 seconds—enough to absorb flavor, but not enough to become soggy.
Shake off extra custard.

Step 5: Cook the French Toast

Place the custard-coated rolls into the hot skillet.
Cook on all sides until golden brown, turning every 1–2 minutes.
Once cooked, remove from the skillet.

Step 6: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While the rolls are still warm, lightly brush each one with melted butter.
Roll or sprinkle them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated.

They should look caramelized, sparkly, and irresistible.

Step 7: Serve Warm

Serve immediately with your favorite toppings. Hawaiian Roll French Toast is best enjoyed fresh off the skillet, when it’s warm, soft, and coated in cinnamon sugar.

How to Serve Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar

These warm, cinnamon-sugar-coated bites are incredibly versatile. Here are delicious ways to serve them:

1. Classic Breakfast Style

Drizzle with maple syrup
Add a dusting of powdered sugar
Serve with eggs and bacon

2. Brunch Board

Arrange on a wooden board with:

Fresh fruit
Syrups
Whipped cream
Nutella
Peanut butter
Yogurt

This creates a stunning brunch or holiday breakfast display.

3. Dessert-Style

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Drizzle caramel or chocolate sauce
Top with crushed nuts or toffee bits

4. Dippable Bites (Kid-Friendly)

Serve with small dipping bowls of:

Maple syrup
Cream cheese frosting
Strawberry sauce
Vanilla yogurt

Kids—and adults—love these French toast bites as finger food.

Tips for the Best Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar

To make this Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar recipe truly outstanding, keep these helpful tips in mind:

1. Use Day-Old Rolls

Slightly stale rolls soak up the custard better and prevent sogginess.

2. Don’t Over-Soak

Hawaiian rolls are soft and absorbent. A quick dip is all they need.

3. Keep Heat Medium

High heat burns the sugar quickly while the inside stays undercooked.

4. Use Butter + Oil

A mix of butter and neutral oil prevents burning while maintaining buttery flavor.

5. Coat While Warm

Cinnamon sugar sticks best to warm, slightly greasy surfaces.

6. Don’t Skip the Cinnamon Sugar

It’s what gives this recipe its churro-inspired charm and crunch.

7. Keep Warm in the Oven

Place finished rolls in a 200°F oven while cooking the rest.

Variations

Can’t get enough? Try these delicious twists to elevate the recipe even more.

1. Cream Cheese–Stuffed French Toast

Slice rolls open and fill with:

Sweetened cream cheese
Jam
Nutella

Then dip and cook as usual.

2. Orange Cinnamon French Toast

Add:

1 teaspoon orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice

into the custard for a citrusy twist.

3. Coconut Hawaiian French Toast

Use coconut milk in place of regular milk and sprinkle toasted coconut on top.

4. Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites

Add 1 tablespoon cream cheese glaze after coating in cinnamon sugar.

5. Hawaiian Pineapple French Toast

Top with grilled pineapple slices and caramel sauce for tropical flair.

6. S’mores French Toast

Add chocolate drizzle + crushed graham crackers + mini marshmallows.

7. Chai-Spiced French Toast

Replace cinnamon with chai spice blend for warming depth.

FAQs

1. Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prep the custard and cinnamon sugar ahead, but cook the rolls fresh for best texture.

2. Can I bake Hawaiian Roll French Toast instead of frying?

Yes! Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping once.

3. Can I use other types of rolls or bread?

Absolutely—any soft dinner roll works.

4. What milk works best?

Whole milk or half-and-half yields the creamiest custard.

5. Can I make this Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar recipe dairy-free?

Yes—use coconut milk and vegan butter.

6. How do I prevent soggy French toast?

Use day-old bread and shorten dip time.

7. Are Hawaiian rolls too sweet?

Their slight sweetness complements the cinnamon sugar and custard perfectly.

8. Can I use an air fryer?

Yes! Cook at 350°F for 6–8 minutes until golden, then roll in cinnamon sugar.

9. What if I only have fresh Hawaiian rolls?

Dry them in the oven at 250°F for 5 minutes.

10. What toppings go best with this Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar recipe?

Maple syrup, whipped cream, berries, and powdered sugar are classics.

Final Thoughts

This Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar is more than just breakfast—it’s a warm, comforting, irresistible treat that brings joy to any morning. Whether enjoyed as part of a fancy brunch, served to kids as bite-sized French toast poppers, or devoured with ice cream as a dessert, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of soft, fluffy, and sweet.

The Hawaiian rolls add a signature hint of sweetness that makes this dish memorable. The cinnamon sugar coating brings a churro-like crunch that transforms simple French toast into something truly magical.

Once you try this version, traditional French toast may never feel quite as exciting again. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that you’ll find yourself making over and over—especially on slow weekends, holiday mornings, or when you’re craving something special.

Warm, indulgent, and delicious in every way—this Hawaiian Roll French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite.

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