Breakfast & Brunch

King's Hawaiian French Toast Bites

The Ultimate Churro-Style French Toast Cubes

Difficulty
Easy
Time
30 mins
Serves
4-6
The top down view  of a plate of french toast bites with powdered sugar and fresh fuit.

If you love French toast, get ready to take it to an entirely new level. King's Hawaiian rolls are buttery, sweet and incredibly soft, which makes them the perfect base for French toast bites that are crisp on the outside and custardy inside.

Skewering each roll helps the batter soak evenly all the way through, and a quick toss in cinnamon sugar gives them a churro-style finish that is completely addictive.

These are perfect for breakfast, brunch or even a dessert served with warm maple butter.

Watch How It's Made

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Ingredients

Base

  • 1 full pack King's Hawaiian rolls (12 count)
  • Skewer for dipping and handling each roll

French Toast Batter

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk or half and half
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Maple Butter Finish

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons maple syrup

Cooking

  • Butter for the pan or griddle
  • Optional: powdered sugar, whipped cream or fresh berries

Instructions

1

Prepare the Rolls

Remove all 12 King's Hawaiian rolls from the package, keeping them whole.

Insert a skewer into each roll to make dipping and rotating easier.

This also helps the rolls soak the batter evenly.

Using a skewer to poke holes in King's Hawaiian rolls for French toast

Inserting skewers into each roll for even batter absorption

2

Make the French Toast Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk or half and half, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar and a pinch of salt.

Whisk until smooth and fully combined.

3

Dip and Soak

Working in batches, dip the skewered rolls into the French toast batter.

Let them soak for 20 to 30 seconds per side.

The goal is to let the rolls absorb enough custard to become soft inside without falling apart.

Dipping King's Hawaiian rolls in French toast batter

Soaking the skewered rolls in the custard batter for 20-30 seconds per side

4

Cook the French Toast Bites

Heat a skillet, griddle or flattop over medium heat.

Add a small amount of butter to coat the surface.

Place the soaked rolls on the hot cooking surface.

Rotate each roll as it browns, cooking on all sides until golden.

Continue until every side is crisp and the center is tender and set.

Cooking King's Hawaiian French toast bites on a griddle

Rotating the skewered rolls on the griddle until golden brown on all sides

5

Make the Cinnamon Sugar

Combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.

Toss the warm cooked rolls in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

The coating sticks best while the rolls are hot.

Tossing French toast bites in cinnamon sugar mixture

Coating the warm French toast bites in cinnamon sugar for that churro-style finish

6

Maple Butter Finish

Melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl.

Stir in the maple syrup until glossy and smooth.

Drizzle the warm maple butter over the French toast bites right before serving.

Drizzling warm maple butter over French toast bites

Pouring the glossy maple butter sauce over the cinnamon sugar-coated bites

7

Serve

Serve immediately while hot. You can finish with powdered sugar, whipped cream or berries.

These bites are crispy outside, soft and custardy inside and seriously addictive.

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