There’s something wonderfully comforting about waking up to a warm, fruity breakfast that feels both indulgent and easy. This Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe hits all the right notes with its soft, sweet bread and bursts of fresh blueberries—making mornings a little sweeter and way more special.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This is one of those recipes I keep returning to when I want something that feels homemade but isn’t fussed over. The Hawaiian rolls give it a unique, fluffy sweetness that traditional French toast sometimes lacks, and the blueberries add a fresh pop without any extra work.
- Sweet and pillowy texture: Hawaiian rolls make the casserole incredibly soft and tender inside while baking to a golden top.
- Fresh blueberry bursts: The blueberries scattered throughout keep every bite juicy and add a slight tartness that balances the richness.
- Simple, minimal ingredients: You only need six staple ingredients to pull off this crowd-pleaser — no overnight soaking required.
- Perfect for gatherings: Makes a beautiful centerpiece for brunch with friends or a comforting weekend breakfast at home.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe plays a big role, bringing together a balance of creamy, sweet, and fresh flavors that make it so memorable. Plus, they’re easy to find at any grocery store—no special trips required.
- Hawaiian rolls: Their naturally sweet and fluffy texture creates the perfect base for the custardy bake.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen, they provide juicy bursts and a lovely contrast to the richness of the eggs and cream.
- Eggs: The binding agent that turns the dish into a creamy, custard-like casserole.
- Half and half: Adds richness without being too heavy; you can swap for whole milk, but the texture will change slightly.
- Sugar: Just enough sweetness to enhance the bread and berries without overpowering them.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth of flavor, taking the whole bake up a notch.
- Powdered sugar (for dusting): A pretty finishing touch that melts on warm bites.
- Maple syrup (optional): For drizzling, if you love that classic French toast sweetness.
Make It Your Way
I like to keep this Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe straightforward, but it’s so easy to personalize depending on your mood or what’s in your pantry. You can easily swap out the blueberries for other berries or add a crunchy topping for texture.
- Berry swap: I once made it with a mix of raspberries and blackberries, and it brought a lovely tartness that paired beautifully with the sweet rolls.
- Nutty crunch: Sprinkling chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking adds a delightful contrast to the softness inside.
- Dairy-free twist: If you’re avoiding dairy, try using almond or oat milk with an added tablespoon of coconut cream for richness.
- Overnight soak: For a hands-off morning, assemble it the night before and bake fresh in the morning—just add 10 minutes to the baking time!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Bread and Blueberries
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing an 11x7 or 12x8-inch baking dish—I find this size works perfectly for even cooking without overcrowding. Cut the Hawaiian rolls into about 1-inch cubes, which soak up the custard beautifully. Layer half the cubed bread in your dish, then sprinkle half the blueberries over it before repeating the layers. This layering helps the berries stay nicely distributed rather than sinking to the bottom.
Step 2: Whisk Your Custard Mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, sugar, and vanilla until well combined and silky smooth. The key here is to mix it enough so the sugar dissolves but not so long that you incorporate too much air—this helps keep the texture custardy and rich.
Step 3: Pour and Soak
Slowly pour the custard over the layered bread and blueberries, using the back of a spoon or your hands (cleaned, of course!) to gently press down so each bite absorbs all that creamy goodness. Don’t rush this part—take your time to coat the bread evenly for the best texture.
Step 4: Bake Covered, Then Uncover
Cover your dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes to gently cook through. Then remove the foil and bake for another 20–30 minutes until the top is beautifully golden and the center still jiggles slightly when you shake the pan—a sign it’s perfectly set but still moist inside.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once out of the oven, dust the top with powdered sugar for a pretty touch and serve warm. A drizzle of maple syrup on the side makes it extra special, though I find the bake itself is sweet enough to enjoy solo.
Top Tip
From making this Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few little tricks that make it even better—and will help you nail it on your first try, too.
- Use fresh or frozen blueberries: I’ve found frozen blueberries work just fine if fresh aren’t in season; just thaw and drain them a bit before layering to avoid excess moisture.
- Don’t overbake: It’s tempting to keep going until the center is 100% firm, but a slightly jiggly center means the custard will be creamy as it cools.
- Grease your dish well: Hawaiian rolls can stick if you’re not careful, so I use a generous coat of butter or a nonstick spray to avoid any frustration during serving.
- Let it rest briefly: After baking, allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes so it sets up just enough for cleaner slices.
How to Serve Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe
Garnishes
I love keeping it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar and a few extra fresh blueberries scattered on top for color and freshness. If I’m feeling extra indulgent, a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes gives it a tropical vibe that pairs perfectly with the Hawaiian rolls.
Side Dishes
This bake plays so nicely with crispy breakfast sausages or a side of bacon to add savory balance. For a lighter option, a green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or a fruit salad with citrus segments complements the blueberries beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch gatherings, I’ve styled the Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe on a large wooden board surrounded by small bowls of syrup, fresh fruit, and toasted nuts—making it both inviting and interactive for guests to customize their plates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover French toast bake in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps well for up to 3 days. Reheated gently, it almost tastes like freshly baked again, which is always a win for busy mornings.
Freezing
Believe it or not, this casserole freezes beautifully. Just portion it into freezer-safe containers after baking and cool completely. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Reheating
To keep that crispy top and custardy inside, I reheat leftovers in the oven rather than the microwave—15 minutes at 350°F usually does the trick. If in a rush, a quick zap in the microwave wrapped loosely with a paper towel works fine, but you might lose a bit of that lovely texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Assemble all the layers and custard the night before, then cover and refrigerate. Bake in the morning, adding about 10 extra minutes to your baking time since it will be cold going into the oven.
You can substitute with heavy cream for a richer bake or whole milk for a lighter one. Keep in mind that the texture might be a little less creamy with milk.
Definitely, but Hawaiian rolls give a unique sweetness and fluffy texture that’s hard to beat. Brioche or challah would be the closest substitutes if you don’t have Hawaiian rolls on hand.
Look for a golden-brown top and a slightly jiggly center. The edges may be firmer, but the middle should have a gentle wobble indicating it’s soft and custardy inside.
Final Thoughts
This Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe has become my go-to for lazy weekend mornings or special brunches because it feels like a treat without needing complicated steps. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s one of those recipes that brings warmth and smiles around the table, every single time.
Print
Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful Hawaiian Roll French Toast Casserole bursting with sweet blueberries and a rich custard, baked to golden perfection. This easy, no-overnight recipe is perfect for breakfast gatherings or a special weekend treat.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 package (12 rolls) Hawaiian rolls
- 1 cup blueberries
- 8 eggs
- 1 ⅓ cups half and half
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- powdered sugar (for dusting)
- maple syrup (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 11x7 or 12x8 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Bread: Remove Hawaiian rolls from the package and cut into 1-inch cubes for even baking and custard absorption.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread half of the cubed bread in the bottom of the baking dish, then evenly scatter half of the blueberries on top. Repeat layering with the remaining bread and blueberries.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and well combined.
- Pour Custard: Slowly pour the custard mixture over the layered bread and blueberries, ensuring each piece is coated thoroughly.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes to cook the custard and soften the bread.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is just slightly jiggly.
- Serve: Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with optional maple syrup for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Use an 11x7 or 12x8 inch baking dish to ensure the casserole cooks evenly without overflowing.
- Do not skip the foil covering during the initial baking stage to prevent the top from drying out.
- This casserole does not require an overnight soak, making it convenient for last-minute breakfasts.
- Feel free to substitute blueberries with other fresh berries or fruit for variation.
- For a richer flavor, you can use heavy cream instead of half and half.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 312 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 207 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 186 mg
Leave a Reply