There's something truly magical about the way soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls soak up a creamy custard and bake into a golden, berry-studded delight. This Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe is my go-to when I want to impress without stress—it’s cozy, fruity, and downright addictive.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've made countless breakfast bakes, but this Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe stands out every time. Its perfect balance of sweet and tangy blueberries with pillowy, buttery rolls soaked in custard just hits all the right notes for a comforting morning treat.
- Effortless prep: You can whip this up in about 15 minutes with only six ingredients—no overnight soak needed.
- Flavor-packed: The tart blueberries contrast beautifully against the soft, sweet Hawaiian bread, making each bite exciting.
- Family and crowd-pleaser: Whether it’s a lazy weekend or a holiday brunch, everyone asks for seconds.
- Customizable: You can easily tweak the fruit, add nuts, or go dairy-free without losing any charm.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe plays a key role in delivering that dreamy texture and flavor combo. I always make sure to pick fresh blueberries for bursts of brightness and use half and half for richness without heaviness.
- Hawaiian rolls: Their sweet, soft crumb absorbs the custard perfectly and adds a hint of tropical flavor.
- Blueberries: Fresh berries keep their shape and pop with juicy tartness after baking.
- Eggs: The binder creating that luscious, custardy texture.
- Half and half: Brings richness but prevents the custard from feeling too heavy.
- Sugar: Balances the tartness and enhances the bread’s natural sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm, cozy aroma and depth.
- Powdered sugar (for dusting): A simple touch that makes each serving look pretty and adds subtle sweetness.
- Maple syrup (optional): Personal favorite topping that complements the fruity and creamy bake perfectly.
Make It Your Way
I love switching up the fruit in my Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. Feel free to add a handful of chopped nuts for crunch, or swap out half and half for your favorite plant-based milk if you want a dairy-free version.
- Variation: One time, I tried adding a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg to the custard. It bumped up the cozy factor and became an instant favorite with my family.
- Dietary tweak: Use coconut milk instead of half and half to make it vegan-friendly—just add a flax egg or chia egg for binding.
- Seasonal twist: Swap blueberries for diced peaches or strawberries when you want a summery vibe.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe
Step 1: Prep your baking dish and bread cubes
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 11x7 or 12x8 inch baking dish. Cutting the Hawaiian rolls into 1-inch cubes is easy and quick—make sure the pieces aren’t too small or they might get mushy instead of custardy. I like to spread half the cubes in the dish first, then scatter half the blueberries evenly over them.
Step 2: Layer the bread and blueberries
After spreading the first layer of bread and blueberries, add the rest evenly on top. This layering ensures every bite has pockets of juicy blueberries and soft, sweet bread.
Step 3: Whisk your custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. This custard is the magic that turns simple bread and berries into a luscious breakfast bake. Whisk well so the sugar dissolves and everything is well combined.
Step 4: Pour custard and bake covered
Slowly pour the custard over the layered bread and blueberries, giving a gentle shake or poke the bread lightly to help it soak evenly. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes to allow the custard to set without drying out.
Step 5: Uncover and finish baking
Remove the foil and bake another 20-30 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the center still jiggles slightly when you gently shake it. This is key to keeping it moist and custardy inside.
Step 6: Dust, serve & enjoy
Once out of the oven, dust the top with powdered sugar for a delicate sweetness and pretty finish. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup if you like. This is where the breakfast magic truly happens!
Top Tip
After making the Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe a dozen times, I’ve learned a few tricks to nail it every time. These tips really helped me avoid common pitfalls and get that perfect texture and flavor you’ll love.
- Choose fresh, not frozen blueberries: Frozen berries can release too much water and make the bake soggy, so fresh are best.
- Cut bread evenly: Uniform cubes soak evenly and bake uniformly—trust me, uneven pieces can lead to a mushy texture or dry edges.
- Don’t skip covering with foil: It locks in moisture during the first bake, so your French toast bakes tender, not dry.
- Watch for gentle jiggle at the end: Baking until just set but still slightly wobbly guarantees custardy perfection instead of overcooked dryness.
How to Serve Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Sometimes I sprinkle a few fresh blueberries or chopped toasted almonds on top for extra texture and color. A dollop of whipped cream or a smear of cream cheese also pairs beautifully if you’re feeling indulgent.
Side Dishes
To round out the meal, I often serve my French toast bake with crispy bacon or sausage links for savory contrast. Fresh fruit salad or a simple green smoothie adds freshness and balances the sweetness nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday brunches, I’ve set the bake on a beautiful platter surrounded by fresh berries and edible flowers—it’s an instant showstopper. You can also serve individual portions in mini ramekins for a cute, elegant presentation that feels special but is still easy to make.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the flavor actually develops a little after resting overnight—just warm it up gently before serving.
Freezing
This bake freezes beautifully! I portion it into airtight containers or wrap individual slices tightly with foil and plastic wrap. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven to preserve texture.
Reheating
Reheat covered with foil at 325°F for about 15-20 minutes, just until warmed through. Avoid the microwave if you can—it often makes the bread gummy. The oven keeps it fluffy and custardy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can assemble everything and cover it with foil, then refrigerate overnight. Bake it the next morning, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be chilled. This makes busy mornings very manageable.
An 11x7 or 12x8 inch baking dish works perfectly. It’s large enough to create a nice layer of bread and berries but not so deep that the custard won’t cook through evenly.
I recommend fresh blueberries because they hold up better and don’t release too much liquid. If using frozen, be sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid soggy custard.
The top should be golden brown and the center should still jiggle gently when you shake the pan. If it’s completely firm, it may be overbaked and dry. Let it rest a few minutes after baking—it will continue to set as it cools.
Final Thoughts
This Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe is one of those comforting, crowd-pleasing dishes that keeps me coming back for more. It’s simple enough for busy mornings but special enough to elevate any brunch. Give it a try next time you want a breakfast that feels like a hug from the inside out—I promise you won’t regret it!
Print
Blueberry Hawaiian Roll French Toast Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Hawaiian Roll French Toast Casserole with blueberries is a delightful and easy-to-make breakfast dish perfect for any morning gathering. Featuring sweet Hawaiian rolls soaked in a rich custard and speckled with juicy blueberries, it bakes into a golden, fluffy casserole that requires no overnight preparation.
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
For Serving
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease an 11x7 or 12x8 inch baking dish to prevent the casserole from sticking during baking.
- Prepare the Bread: Remove the Hawaiian rolls from the package and cut them into 1-inch cubes for even layering.
- Layer Bread and Blueberries: Spread half of the cubed bread into the bottom of the baking dish, then evenly sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bread. Repeat with the remaining bread and blueberries to create two layers and set aside.
- Make Custard Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, sugar, and vanilla until fully combined to create the custard that will soak the bread.
- Combine and Soak: Slowly pour the custard mixture over the layered bread and blueberries, trying to coat each piece evenly to ensure the casserole is rich and moist.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes to let the custard set and cook through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is just slightly jiggly, indicating it’s perfectly set.
- Serve: Dust the finished casserole with powdered sugar and serve warm with maple syrup if desired for extra sweetness.
Notes
- Use a baking dish that is around 11x7 or 12x8 inches for best results and even cooking.
- This casserole does not require an overnight soak, making it quick and convenient for morning meals.
- You can substitute half and half with whole milk or heavy cream depending on your preference for richness.
- Maple syrup is optional but recommended for serving to add classic French toast sweetness.
- Feel free to swap blueberries with other berries or fruits like strawberries or raspberries for variation.
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

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