There’s something incredibly cozy about waking up to a warm, fruity breakfast that feels both indulgent and easy. This Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe is exactly that—soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls soaked in a vanilla custard, with bursts of fresh blueberries baked right in. It’s a breakfast game-changer you’ll find yourself making over and over.

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 can’t stress enough how this recipe hits all the right notes—not too complicated, bursting with flavors, and perfect for a crowd or a weekend treat. Plus, the sweetness of Hawaiian rolls combined with juicy blueberries makes it unexpectedly delightful. It’s became my go-to for effortless brunches!

No Overnight Prep Needed: Unlike many French toast bakes, you don’t have to soak this overnight—just 15 minutes prep and you’re set.
Perfect Balance of Sweet & Fruity: The Hawaiian rolls' subtle sweetness pairs beautifully with fresh blueberries, creating a tasty harmony.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your kitchen—no fancy stuff needed.
Impress Without Stress: It looks fancy enough for guests but is so simple you’ll actually enjoy making it.

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

The magic here comes from mixing soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls with a custardy egg mixture, plus fresh blueberries for bursts of color and flavor. Choosing quality ingredients will make a noticeable difference, so here’s why each one is important.

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 fluffy texture and natural sweetness makes the perfect base—don’t substitute with regular bread or you’ll lose that signature softness.
Blueberries: Fresh berries add juicy pops of flavor and a natural sweetness that balances the rich custard.
Eggs: The backbone of the custard—go for large eggs for the right richness and structure.
Half and half: Adds creaminess without being too heavy—feel free to use whole milk if needed, but half and half is ideal.
Sugar: Just enough to sweeten without overpowering; you can adjust to taste or swap for maple syrup in the custard for a twist.
Vanilla extract: A little vanilla elevates the custard with warmth and depth.
Powdered sugar (for dusting): A light, pretty finishing touch that adds to the sweetness and presentation.
Maple syrup (optional): For drizzling at the table to amp up the indulgence.

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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 mixing things up a bit, and this Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe is no exception. Whether it’s tweaking the fruit or playing around with toppings, a little personalization makes me enjoy it even more.

Variation: I sometimes swap blueberries for raspberries or chopped strawberries when they’re in season. It changes the flavor but keeps that vibrant freshness.
Dairy-free version: Use coconut milk or almond milk in place of half and half—just expect a slightly different texture but still delicious.
Extra crunch: Sprinkle some chopped nuts or a streusel topping before baking for added texture.

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

Step 1: Prep the bread and berries

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your baking dish—I love using an 11x7 or 12x8 inch dish for just the right depth. Take those fluffy Hawaiian rolls out and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Then, layer half of the cubed rolls on the bottom of your dish and sprinkle half the blueberries over that. Repeat with the remaining bread and berries. This layering ensures every bite gets a good balance of soft roll and juicy fruit.

Step 2: Whisk the custard and pour carefully

In a large bowl, whisk together your eggs, half and half, sugar, and vanilla extract until everything is combined and smooth. Pour the custard slowly over the layered bread, giving the dish a gentle shake here and there to help the liquid soak into all the nooks and crannies. The goal is to coat each piece of bread, but if you spot any dry spots, just pour a little more custard there.

Step 3: Bake low and slow, then brown

Cover the dish with foil and pop it into the oven for 40 minutes. I find covering it keeps the custard perfectly moist while baking. After the timer goes off, remove the foil and let it bake for another 20-30 minutes uncovered. This second session lets the top turn golden and slightly crispy. You'll know it's ready when the center wiggles just a bit but isn't liquidy.

Step 4: The finishing touches

Once out of the oven, let it cool for about 10 minutes (patience pays off here!). Dust generously with powdered sugar for that picture-perfect look and a touch of extra sweetness. Serve warm with maple syrup drizzled on top if you like to add more depth.

Top Tip

Over the years, I've fine-tuned this Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe and discovered a few tricks that really elevate the result. These little moments of insight will help you get the best texture and flavor every time.

Choosing the right pan: Using a dish that’s too shallow causes the bake to dry out; a deeper pan ensures custard soaks in perfectly without spilling over.
Custard distribution: Pour the custard slowly and nudge the bread cubes gently to make sure every piece absorbs the mixture evenly—no dry bites!
Don’t skip the resting: Letting the bake rest helps it firm up nicely and makes slicing cleaner—plus, it cools just enough for safe, enjoyable eating.
Watch the bake time: The uncovered final bake can vary between ovens—check at 20 minutes and adjust to avoid overbaking, which can dry it out.

How to Serve Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe

blueberry French toast bake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple: a light dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Sometimes I add a few fresh blueberries or mint leaves just for that pop of color and freshness. If you want a little extra richness, a dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone on the side works beautifully.

Side Dishes

This bake pairs wonderfully with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for a savory contrast. A side of fresh fruit salad or citrus yogurt adds brightness. When I’m hosting brunch, a simple green salad with vinaigrette lightens the plate perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to bake this in mini ramekins for individual servings—it looks so charming and makes serving a breeze. Another favorite trick is layering into a clear glass casserole dish so you can see all those beautiful blueberries nestled in the bread. It’s a real showstopper on the table!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep really well in the fridge wrapped tightly with plastic or stored in an airtight container. When I’ve saved some, they’re just as tasty the next day, especially if you warm them up properly—plus, the flavors have had a chance to meld, which I love.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this bake a couple of times with great results. I recommend freezing it in portion-sized containers so you can thaw just what you need. Wrap tightly and make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight for best texture retention.

Reheating

To reheat, pop a slice in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds or warm it in a 325°F oven covered lightly with foil to keep it moist. I avoid high heat which can dry it out—slow and gentle is best!

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

You can definitely assemble it the night before and refrigerate it covered with foil, allowing the bread to soak overnight for an even richer custard texture. Just add extra baking time if it’s chilled when it goes into the oven.

What’s the best way to substitute ingredients for dietary restrictions?

For dairy-free needs, swap the half and half with coconut milk or almond milk. For sugar substitutes, try maple syrup or honey, but reduce the amount slightly to avoid too much sweetness.

Can I use frozen blueberries in this recipe?

Yes! Frozen blueberries work well—just toss them in frozen to avoid extra moisture making the bake soggy. They’ll thaw and bake perfectly with the custard.

How do I know when the French toast bake is done?

The bake is done when the top is golden brown and the center jiggles slightly but isn’t liquid. Insert a knife into the center—it should come out mostly clean but with a tiny bit of custard cling.

Final Thoughts

This Hawaiian Roll Blueberry French Toast Bake Recipe has become a little slice of joy for me and I genuinely hope it brings the same cozy morning vibes to your kitchen. It’s simple, beautiful, and full of comforting flavors. Trust me, whether it’s a lazy weekend or a festive brunch, you’ll want this on your menu often. Give it a try—you’ll see why it’s an instant classic.