An irresistible homemade Hawaiian Roll Bread Recipe with pineapple juice and honey for that perfect sweet, fluffy texture. This will become your new favorite loaf of yeast bread with a Hawaiian twist!
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🍞 While delicious on its own with a pat of butter, this Hawaiian bread makes the perfect base for paninis, grilled ham & cheese sandwiches, or toasted with a savory topping!
My 2 Best Tips For Making This Hawaiian Roll Bread Recipe
#1 – Pineapple Juice Is Mandatory: Pineapple juice isn’t just for flavor—it’s essential to achieving that signature Hawaiian sweet bread taste and texture. The natural enzymes in pineapple juice help tenderize the dough, while its acidity activates the yeast and contributes to the bread’s characteristic golden color and tropical yumminess!
#2 – Achieve the Perfect Shine: For that bakery-quality glossy finish, apply the egg wash generously just before baking. For an extra touch of sweetness and shine, brush warm bread with melted butter mixed with a tablespoon of honey immediately after baking.
Many of you are probably familiar with the round King’s Hawaiian Sweet Bread you can buy in grocery stores, but did you know it’s easy to make at home?
Just make the dough, let it rest 15 minutes, shape it in to a round loaf, and put it in a pie plate. After another 15 minutes resting time, you pop it in the oven until it’s golden brown and ready to eat.
Note that I tested this recipe with a couple different yeasts and chose Red Star Platinum Yeast for this final run-through of the recipe. You can use any dry instant yeast with great results, though it may take a bit longer to rise.
🩷 Melissa
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Hawaiian Roll Bread Recipe (Hawaiian Sweet Bread)
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 ¼ cups bread flour
- 4 ½ teaspoons 2 packages Red Star Platinum Yeast or another dry instant yeast
- ⅓ cup nonfat dry milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup water
- 5 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 eggs
Egg Wash
- 1 egg slightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, combine 2 ¼ cups flour, yeast, dry milk and salt; mix well.
- In saucepan or microwave safe dish, heat pineapple juice, ½ cup water, butter, and honey until warm (120° – 130°F; butter does not have to melt).
- Add liquids to flour mixture. Add 2 eggs. Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed.
- Switch to the dough hook and mix in the remaining flour a little at a time, to make a soft dough, adding more or less flour as needed. Knead the dough for 5 minutes.
- Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm place about 15 minutes.
- Punch down dough. On lightly floured surface, shape into a round loaf. Place in greased 9 or 10-inch round pie pan. Cover; let rise in warm place about 15 minutes.
- Combine egg and 1 tablespoon water; brush loaf. Bake at 375º for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and brush with butter, if desired. Remove from pan; cool.
Notes
- These homemade Hawaiian rolls don’t contain preservatives, so proper storage is key. Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To refresh rolls that are a day old, sprinkle with a few drops of water and warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
- This bread makes great French toast. I turned my loaf in to deep fried Hawaiian Sweetbread French Toast Sticks!
Nutrition
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough after the first rise for up to 24 hours. Punch down the dough, place it in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let the dough come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping into a loaf or individual rolls.
These rolls freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Allow freshly baked rolls to cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place in freezer bags. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes to restore that fresh-baked texture.
Yes, you can make Hawaiian rolls without a stand mixer. Combine the ingredients in a large bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until incorporated. Then knead by hand on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The process requires more physical effort, but the results will be just as delicious!
More Yeast Bread Recipes to Consider
Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram.
The Hungry Mum
I’m going to Hawaii later this year – hope I get to eat bread as yummy as this 🙂
Barbara Schieving
Lucky girl! Have a great time.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
Ahh this brings back memories of our trip to Hawaii! I’m hoping to go back this year too. Lovely recipe mum! xxx
Barbara Schieving
Maybe one day I can meet you in Hawaii!
Deborah
That is such a gorgeous loaf of bread, and I love the idea of making it into French toast!
Janet
I can’t wait to make this! I think I can literally smell it now, lol… Bookmarked!
Barbara Schieving
Thanks for stopping Miss Luv and Buttah! Let me know if you try it.
Nutmeg Nanny
My husband and I always enjoy a loaf of Hawaiian bread. Love the idea of reusing it as french toast sticks.
Kitchen Belleicious
i didn’t realize it was this easy to make at home. This is my kids favorite bread for sandwiches and my favorite bread for my family favorite apache bread so you better believe I will be trying this
Barbara Schieving
I haven’t tried it for sandwiches. I’ve been missing out.
Tiffany | baking at tiffany's
I love King’s Hawaiian Bread! I was pretty much raised on this as a child. I’ve got to try this some time! Thanks for sharing!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Hawaiian bread has been on my bucket list to make for awhile! 2 weeks ago i made a French toast bake using some I received but I want to make it from scratch. Just beautiful!
Emily
LOVE Hawaiian sweet bread!
carrian
I love this! It turned out beautiful!
Rocky Mountain Woman
Deep fried Hawaiian what? Holy cow that sounds good. I’ll be back!
Amanda
The bread looks amazing 🙂
Deon
Yeast scares the heck out of me, but I really am going to give this a go! Looks delish!
Foodiewife
Memories of our trip to Hawaii are still very fresh. I’ll be adding this bread to my repertoire very soon. Love the idea of using it for French toast. Thanks!
jehanne@thecookingdoctor
This looks great, Barbara! I wouldn’t have known about this bread if it wasnt for u:-)
Danelle
What gorgeous loaf of bread! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Wendy
Your bread is beautiful. We have always enjoyed Hawaiian bread but I never tried to make it. I was surprised that it bakes in a pie pan and rises straight up (rather than over the sides and all over the oven 😉 )
Thanks for the recipe!
Barbara Schieving
Thanks Wendy – I’ve never baked bread in a pie pan before either. I was surprised how tall and beautifully it rose.
Rosa
A wonderful bread! What great flavors.
Cheers,
Rosa
Traci
We love Hawaiian bread! I can’t wait to make a loaf now!
Maria
Beautiful bread!