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.

A white plate holds a thick slice of bread pudding layered with plump blueberries inside. The top layer is golden brown with a crispy texture, dusted lightly with white powdered sugar. Syrup is being poured from above, glistening as it flows over the uneven surface and blueberries. On the side of the plate, a shiny silver fork rests next to the serving. The background is a soft-focus white marbled texture with a bowl of fresh blueberries slightly blurred behind. 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 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.

A baked dish in a white oval baking dish with blue rim filled with golden brown bread pieces mixed with fresh dark blueberries, all dusted with a light layer of powdered sugar. The bread cubes are toasted unevenly, showing crispy edges and soft centers, and blueberries are scattered evenly throughout the top. The dish sits on a white marbled surface, surrounded by a small bowl of fresh blueberries and a small bowl of powdered sugar in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of a small stack of golden Hawaiian rolls cut into cubes, a handful of plump fresh blueberries, eight whole eggs with smooth light brown shells arranged neatly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy half and half, another small white bowl holding fine white granulated sugar, and a third small white bowl containing clear vanilla extract, 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 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.

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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 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

blueberry Hawaiian rolls - Serving Suggestion

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:

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

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.

What size baking dish is best for this recipe?

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.

Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?

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.

How do I know when the bake is done?

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!