Spread the love

This Hawaiian Roll Pumpkin French Toast is the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and buttery goodness. Made with a rich pumpkin dipping custard, each bite bursts with the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger on top of fluffy little pillows of pumpkin finished with a cinnamon sugar coating for extra crunch. This recipe is a must-try for autumn mornings, whether you’re hosting brunch or just indulging in a weekend treat!

Jump to Recipe

Hawaiian Roll Pumpkin French Toast squares on a plate

You can enjoy this King’s Hawaiian Roll Pumpkin French Toast any time you’re craving a little autumn comfort. It’s ideal for a lazy weekend morning breakfast paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea, but it also works perfectly for a festive brunch spread when you want to impress guests with something seasonal and delicious.

The cozy pumpkin flavor makes it a wonderful option for those chilly mornings or even as a special treat during the holidays.

Since you are here and love breakfast recipes, check out this Healthy Oatmeal Banana Cookies Recipe, this Quick Pumpkin Pancakes With Pancake Mix, or this Easiest Buttermilk Waffles Recipe.

Hawaiian Roll Pumpkin French Toast recipe ingredients

Ingredients for this Hawaiian roll pumpkin french toast recipe

Here are the ingredients you need to make the best French toast rolls with pumpkin flavors. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements.

Pumpkin Puree: adds a rich, earthy sweetness and the signature fall flavor to the egg mixture.
Heavy Cream: provides a creamy and indulgent texture to the custard.
Milk: balances the richness of the heavy cream and helps the mixture soak into the bread.
Eggs: act as the binding agent in the milk mixture, helping to create the structure and hold the ingredients together.
Granulated Sugar: sweetens the sweet Hawaiian rolls and gives the rolls a light caramelization when cooked.
Vanilla Extract: adds a touch of subtle flavor that complements the pumpkin and spices.
Cinnamon: brings a warm, spicy aroma and flavor.
Nutmeg and Ground Ginger: are the reason why this playful yet basic French toast recipe tastes like pumpkin pie filling.
Pinch of Salt: balances out the sweetness while enhancing the all of the other flavors.
King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: are the base of this recipe with their soft, sweet texture.
Butter: Use unsalted butter so we control the amounts and add the salt in separately.
Cinnamon Cugar: adds a final layer of sweetness and a satisfying crunch with every bite.

Hawaiian Roll Pumpkin French Toast recipe close up

How to make this Hawaiian roll pumpkin french toast recipe

This is how you can make this pumpkin version of a classic French toast recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions!

In a large bowl, combine pumpkin purée, heavy cream, milk, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
Gently poke all sides of the King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls with a fork. This allows them to absorb the custard evenly.
Dip each whole roll (top and bottom together) into the custard mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Allow them to soak briefly to absorb some custard while maintaining their structure.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt butter, coating the pan evenly.
Arrange the individual pieces in the pan in a single layer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and crisp. Depending on your pan size, you may need to cook them in batches.
While cooking, mix granulated sugar with ground cinnamon in a shallow dish.
Once the rolls are cooked and still warm, roll each one in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.

Why do you need to make this Hawaiian roll pumpkin french toast recipe?

It’s a fun twist on a traditional French toast recipe.
This quick recipe only requires a few simple ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery store.
You can customize it and add whatever toppings or other flavors you want!

overhead view of Hawaiian Roll Pumpkin French Toast on a plate

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

What type of milk should I use?

Whole milk works best because of its creaminess and high-fat content. However, you could choose whatever kind of milk you want; just know that it might affect the texture if you use 2% milk, skim milk, or plant-based milk.

How do I store my leftover Hawaiian Roll Pumpkin French Toast?

Put your leftover rolls into an airtight container or a Ziploc bag and place them in the fridge and make sure they’re at room temperature before you do. They should last up to 3 or 4 days at least. When you’re ready to reheat, pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds. Avoid reheating on the stove because the outer sugar coating might burn.

a hand putting a Hawaiian Roll Pumpkin French Toast on a plate

How can I prevent the rolls from getting too soggy?

Do not over-soak the rolls in the custard mixture. Cook them immediately in a preheated, buttered skillet for a crispy outside.

Can I make the custard mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the custard mixture and store it in the fridge a day ahead. Just give it a good whisk before dipping the rolls.