Name: Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package (12 rolls) Hawaiian rolls; 1 cup blueberries; 8 eggs; 1 1/3 cups half and half; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla; powdered sugar (for dusting); maple syrup (optional, for serving)

There’s something irresistibly cozy about waking up to a warm, fruity baked breakfast, and this Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe hits all the right notes. It’s soft, sweet, and bursting with fresh blueberries—perfect for a weekend brunch or a special occasion without any fuss.

The image shows a close-up of a thick slice of bread pudding with three main layers. The bottom layer is soft and creamy with a light yellow color and visible blueberries embedded inside. The middle layer contains a golden-brown crust made from toasted bread pieces, some dusted with white powdered sugar. The top layer has fresh dark blue blueberries scattered unevenly. Golden syrup is being poured over the slice from above, adding a shiny amber glaze. The dish is served on a white plate set on a white marbled surface, with a silver fork resting to the side and blurred blueberries and a white bowl in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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

I’ve made plenty of French toast bakes over the years, but this one with Hawaiian rolls and blueberries is a true game-changer. It’s easy, doesn’t require soaking overnight, and always impresses guests with its tender, custardy layers and juicy bursts of fruit.

Effortless Prep: You can throw everything together in under 15 minutes—no overnight soaking needed, making it perfect for busy mornings.
Sweet and Fruity: The blueberries add a fresh zing that perfectly balances the rich custard and soft Hawaiian rolls.
Fluffy and Tender: Hawaiian rolls soak up all the custard goodness beautifully, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture every time.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Whether you’re feeding family or friends, this dish hits the spot and is easy to double or customize.

A white oval baking dish with a blue rim contains a golden-brown baked pudding with visible toasted bread cubes and scattered fresh blueberries throughout the top layer. The surface has a slightly crispy texture with powdered sugar lightly dusted over everything, creating a delicate white coating. Around the baking dish, there is a small bowl of fresh blueberries and a small container with powdered sugar, all placed on a white marbled surface. The scene has a soft, natural light showing the rich colors of the blueberries and the warm tones of the bread pudding. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe plays a key role in delivering the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Keeping the ingredient list simple means you can focus on the quality of each, particularly the Hawaiian rolls and fresh blueberries, which really make this dish shine.

Flat lay of a stack of soft, shiny Hawaiian rolls with a golden-brown crust, a handful of plump, fresh blueberries scattered beside them, eight uncracked brown eggs with smooth shells arranged neatly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy half and half, a small white bowl containing fine granulated sugar, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, and a white ceramic dish holding a delicate mound of powdered sugar for dusting, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Hawaiian rolls: Their soft, slightly sweet flavor is ideal for soaking up custard without turning mushy. Their pillowy texture is unmatched by standard bread.
Blueberries: Fresh or frozen works fine, but fresh offers juicy bursts and a vibrant color that makes this dish so inviting.
Eggs: These create the custard base that binds everything together; they provide richness and structure.
Half and half: A perfect creamy balance that’s lighter than heavy cream but richer than milk, enhancing the custard's luxurious mouthfeel.
Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to accentuate the natural flavors without overpowering.
Vanilla: A little vanilla extract goes a long way in adding warmth and depth to your custard.
Powdered sugar (for dusting): A delicate finishing touch that adds sweetness and a pretty presentation.
Maple syrup (optional): For a classic drizzle that brings everything together on the plate.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I often tweak this Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe depending on the season or mood. You can easily swap blueberries for strawberries or raspberries, or add nuts for crunch. The great part? It’s forgiving and welcomes your creativity.

Variation: One time, I added a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg to the custard, which gave it a cozy, autumnal vibe that made it feel like a warm hug in every bite.
Diet-friendly: For a dairy-free version, try substituting coconut milk for half and half—just be mindful it will add a subtle coconut flavor.
Extra indulgence: A handful of chocolate chips mixed with the blueberries makes for an irresistible dessert-style breakfast treat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Cube Your Rolls

First up, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your baking dish—something around 11x7 or 12x8 inches works perfectly. Then, take your Hawaiian rolls straight from the package and cut them into roughly 1-inch cubes. There’s no need to toast them first; their natural softness will soak up all that custard magic.

Step 2: Layer the Bread and Blueberries

Spread half of the cubed rolls evenly in the bottom of your dish, then sprinkle half of the blueberries on top. Repeat with the remaining bread and berries, creating a beautiful layered effect that ensures blueberries are dotted throughout the bake.

Step 3: Whisk the Custard and Pour

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, sugar, and vanilla extract. Pour this custard slowly over the layered bread and blueberries, making sure to coat each piece well. I like to pour gently and shift the dish a bit so the liquid seeps to every corner—this helps prevent dry spots.

Step 4: Bake Covered, Then Uncovered

Cover your dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 20 to 30 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crisp, and the center jiggles just a little when you gently shake the pan. This method keeps the inside soft but ensures a lovely crust on top.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Once out of the oven, dust your bake with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar. Serve warm with maple syrup on the side—though honestly, sometimes I like it just as is, enjoying the perfect balance of sweet and tart from the blueberries.

Top Tip

Through many brunches, I’ve learned just a few simple tricks to make the Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe reliable and delicious every time.

Don’t skip greasing the pan: I’ve made the mistake of under-greasing once, and it made serving a sticky chore—trust me, butter or nonstick spray is your friend.
Use room temperature eggs: They whisk and blend more smoothly into the custard, giving a consistent texture in your bake.
Allow gentle jiggling: Don’t overbake—pull the casserole out while it still jiggles slightly in the middle to keep it soft and custardy inside.
Fresh blueberries are best: Frozen blueberries can release too much water, so if you use them, toss them with a little flour first to keep the bake from getting soggy.

How to Serve Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe

blueberry French toast bake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love dusting powdered sugar over the top for that classic, Instagram-worthy look and a touch of sweetness. Fresh mint leaves add a pop of color and a refreshing contrast. Some friends swear by a dollop of whipped cream or Greek yogurt if they want a richer or tangy twist.

Side Dishes

Pair this French toast bake with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for savory balance. A fruit salad with citrus segments brightens the plate, or a simple cup of freshly brewed coffee makes everything feel complete for a brunch feast.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday mornings or special gatherings, I’ve arranged the bake in individual ramekins or mini cast-iron skillets—everyone loves their own little personal portion. Another fun idea is to swirl in a little lemon zest or a drizzle of homemade blueberry syrup just before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheating gently in the microwave or a warm oven helps bring back that soft custardy texture without drying it out.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this French toast bake before by wrapping individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then popping them in the freezer. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm up gently in the oven.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend using a 325°F oven for about 10-15 minutes, uncovered, which keeps the bake from getting soggy while warming through evenly—if you’re in a hurry, the microwave works fine, but the texture isn’t quite the same.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe the night before?

Yes! While this recipe doesn’t require overnight soaking, you can assemble it the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Bake in the morning, adding a little extra time to ensure it’s heated through.

What if I don’t have Hawaiian rolls?

You can substitute with any soft, sweet bread like brioche or challah. Just keep in mind the texture and sweetness may differ slightly, but the custard soak will still work well.

Can I use frozen blueberries in this bake?

Yes, frozen blueberries work fine! To avoid sogginess, toss them lightly in flour before adding to the dish. This helps absorb extra moisture while baking.

Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free sweet rolls or bread as your base, and the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this easy to adapt.

Final Thoughts

This Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe holds a special place in my brunch rotation because it’s simple, beautiful, and downright delicious every time. I love how it brings people together around the table, starting the day with comforting flavors and a smile. I hope you give it a try—you might just find it becoming your go-to weekend breakfast too.