This hawaiian bread french toast bake turns leftover sweet rolls into a custardy, golden breakfast casserole you can prep the night before and just pop in the oven.
Okay, real talk: my mother-in-law brings a bag of Hawaiian rolls to literally every holiday gathering, and there are always a few left over sitting on the counter looking sad. One sleepy Sunday I decided to turn them into a French toast bake instead of just eating them plain with butter, and now it’s the one thing my family actually fights over at brunch.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Bread French Toast Bake
This isn’t your average French toast. The sweet, slightly dense texture of Hawaiian rolls soaks up custard like nothing else, giving you a bake that’s soft in the middle and just a little crispy on top.
It’s also a total lifesaver for feeding a crowd. You mix everything the night before, stick it in the fridge, and let the oven do the work while you actually get to enjoy your coffee instead of standing at the stove flipping individual slices.
- Made with soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls for extra flavor
- Prepped the night before, baked fresh in the morning
- Endlessly customizable with pineapple, coconut, or fresh berries
- Perfect for holidays, brunch parties, or a lazy weekend treat
If you love easy make-ahead breakfasts, you’ll probably also like this lotus milk cake, which has that same soft, custardy vibe going on.
Hawaiian Bread French Toast Bake
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Oven
Ingredients
Bread Base
- 12 rolls Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, cut into cubes
Egg Mixture
- 6 Large eggs
- 1 cup Whole milk
- ½ cup Heavy cream
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
Optional Add-ins
- ½ cup Shredded coconut
- 1 can (20 oz) Crushed pineapple
- Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) To taste
Toppings
- Maple syrup For serving
- Powdered sugar For serving
- Whipped cream For serving
Garnish
- Brown sugar For sprinkling
- Pecans For sprinkling
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish so nothing sticks later. Cut your Hawaiian rolls into cubes and spread them evenly across the dish. A little rustic and lumpy is exactly the look we’re going for.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until fully combined and smooth. Whisk a little longer than you think you need to so every cube of bread gets evenly coated.
- Pour the custard mixture slowly and evenly over the bread cubes, making sure every piece gets soaked. If using pineapple, coconut, or berries, tuck them in between the bread layers before you pour the custard on top.
- Cover the dish and pop it in the fridge overnight. This step is non-negotiable if you want that soft, custardy texture instead of a dry, eggy top layer.
- The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the dish and sprinkle brown sugar and pecans generously over the top. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown and set in the middle. If the top starts browning too fast, loosely tent it with foil for the last stretch.
- Let the bake cool for a few minutes before slicing into it. Serve warm with maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream, or a handful of fresh fruit on top.
Notes
What You’ll Need for This Baked French Toast with Hawaiian Bread
Nothing fancy here. Most of this stuff is probably already sitting in your fridge and pantry right now.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bread Base | |
| Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, cut into cubes | 12 rolls |
| Egg Mixture | |
| Large eggs | 6 |
| Whole milk | 1 cup |
| Heavy cream | 1/2 cup |
| Brown sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Cinnamon | 1/2 tsp |
| Optional Add-ins | |
| Shredded coconut | 1/2 cup |
| Crushed pineapple | 1 can (20 oz) |
| Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) | To taste |
| Toppings | |
| Maple syrup | For serving |
| Powdered sugar | For serving |
| Whipped cream | For serving |
| Garnish | |
| Brown sugar | For sprinkling |
| Pecans | For sprinkling |
If you’re not a fan of coconut, just skip it entirely. This recipe is forgiving like that, which is honestly my favorite kind of recipe.
How to Make This Hawaiian Bread French Toast Bake Recipe
Here’s the step-by-step for putting together your baked french toast with Hawaiian sweet bread. Nothing here requires special skills, just a little patience overnight.
Prep the Dish and Bread
Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish so nothing sticks later. Cut your Hawaiian rolls into cubes and spread them evenly across the dish.
Don’t worry about making them perfectly even. A little rustic and lumpy is exactly the look we’re going for here.
Whisk Up the Custard
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until it’s fully combined and smooth. You want it to smell like a cinnamon roll before it even hits the oven.
Pro tip: whisk a little longer than you think you need to. A well-blended custard means every cube of bread gets evenly coated, not just the top layer.
Assemble Your Hawaiian Bread French Toast Bake
Pour the custard mixture slowly and evenly over the bread cubes, making sure every piece gets soaked. This is the moment your kitchen starts smelling incredible, by the way.
If you’re using pineapple, coconut, or berries, tuck them in between the bread layers before you pour the custard on top. That way the flavor gets distributed all through the dish instead of just sitting on top.
Let It Soak Overnight
Cover the dish and pop it in the fridge overnight. This step is non-negotiable if you want that soft, custardy texture instead of a dry, eggy top layer.
I know it’s tempting to bake it right away, but trust the process. The overnight soak is really what makes this baked french toast Hawaiian bread recipe so special.
Bake It to Golden Perfection
The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the dish and sprinkle brown sugar and pecans generously over the top.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until it’s golden brown and set in the middle. If the top starts browning too fast, just loosely tent it with foil for the last stretch.
Cool, Slice, and Serve
Let the bake cool for a few minutes before slicing into it, mostly so you don’t burn your tongue in your excitement. Serve warm with maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream, or a handful of fresh fruit on top.
Expert Tips for the Best Hawaiian Bread French Toast Bake Recipe
A few small things make a big difference here, so let’s go through them quickly.
Use Slightly Stale Bread
If your Hawaiian rolls are a day or two old, even better. Slightly stale bread soaks up custard without turning to mush, giving you that perfect soft-but-not-soggy texture.
Don’t Skip the Overnight Rest
I know I already said this, but it’s worth repeating because it’s the number one thing people skip. An overnight soak is the difference between a good bake and a great one.
Watch the Bake Time Closely
Ovens vary a lot, so start checking around the 30 minute mark. You’re looking for a golden top and a custard that’s set, not jiggly, in the center.
Fun Variations to Try
Once you’ve made the basic hawaiian bread french toast bake once, it’s easy to switch things up depending on your mood or what’s in your fridge.
Tropical Version
Lean into the coconut and pineapple for a piña colada inspired breakfast. It genuinely feels like a mini vacation on a plate.
Berry Lover’s Version
Swap the pineapple for a mix of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. It’s bright, a little tart, and gorgeous when you’re serving guests.
Extra Indulgent Version
Add a swirl of cream cheese between the bread layers before pouring in the custard. It bakes up into little pockets of tangy, sweet goodness.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even easy recipes can go sideways sometimes, so here’s how to fix the most common hiccups.
My Bake Is Too Soggy
This usually means it needs more time in the oven, or your bread was too fresh and soft to begin with. Next time, let the rolls dry out slightly before cubing them.
The Top Is Burning Before the Middle Sets
Your oven might run hot, or the pecans and brown sugar are catching too fast. Just tent it loosely with foil and give it a few extra minutes.
It Came Out Dry
This can happen if it’s overbaked or the custard-to-bread ratio was a little off. Double check your measurements and pull it out as soon as the center is just set.
Storage, Reheating, and No-Waste Ideas
This baked french toast Hawaiian bread bake actually holds up really well, so leftovers are far from a bad thing.
| Method | Duration | How to Store |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 4 days | Cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container |
| Freezer | Up to 2 months | Slice, wrap individually, and store in a freezer-safe bag |
To reheat, pop individual slices in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or warm them in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes so the top gets a little crisp again. For food safety guidance on storing egg-based dishes, the FoodSafety.gov guidelines are a solid resource.
For a no-waste kitchen idea, blend any leftover custard-soaked crumbs into a quick bread pudding topping, or crumble stale leftover pieces over yogurt for an easy parfait. Nothing here needs to go to the trash.
If you love baking tips like this, King Arthur Baking’s resources are a great place to learn more about working with enriched, sweet breads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this hawaiian bread french toast bake ahead of time?
Yes, that’s actually the whole point. Assemble it the night before, refrigerate it covered, and bake it fresh the next morning for the best texture.
Can I use a different type of bread instead of Hawaiian rolls?
You can, but you’ll lose that signature soft, sweet flavor. Brioche or challah are the closest substitutes if Hawaiian rolls aren’t available.
Do I have to soak it overnight?
It’s highly recommended for the best custardy texture, but if you’re short on time, a minimum of 1 hour in the fridge will still work reasonably well.
Can I freeze baked french toast with Hawaiian bread?
Yes, this recipe freezes well for up to 2 months. Wrap slices individually and reheat in the oven for the best texture.
Can I make this recipe dairy free?
You can swap the milk and cream for your favorite plant-based alternatives without major changes to the final texture.
Final Thoughts
This hawaiian bread french toast bake recipe is proof that leftover dinner rolls can turn into the best breakfast of your week. It’s cozy, a little indulgent, and honestly hard to mess up.
If you make this, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Snap a photo, save the recipe to Pinterest so you don’t lose it, and drop a comment letting me know what toppings you went with.
While you’re at it, check out this Oreo Basque cheesecake for another cozy dessert that’s just as easy to fall in love with.
Or learn how to make egg white bread if you’re looking for a lighter bread option for your next baking project.
