Crispy Churro French Toast Bites with Kings Hawaiian

Let’s talk about my latest breakfast obsession – churro french toast bites made with Kings Hawaiian rolls. I’ve always had a soft spot for both churros and french toast, but combining them? Pure genius. And using Kings Hawaiian rolls makes these little bites even better than regular bread.

I started making these on lazy Sunday mornings when my family wanted something special but I didn’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen. The best part is how simple they are – you can prep everything the night before and have them ready to go in minutes when you wake up.

If you’re like me and can’t decide between sweet breakfast treats and traditional french toast, these churro bites give you both in one bite. Plus, they’re perfect for little hands to help make – just be ready for some cinnamon sugar to end up on the counter!

What Kind of Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Should I Use?

Kings Hawaiian rolls are the star of this recipe, and while the original sweet rolls are the classic choice, you’ve got a few options to play with. The original round rolls work great, but you can also use their slider buns or even their sandwich rolls – just cut them into bite-sized pieces before cooking. If you can’t find Kings Hawaiian brand specifically, other brands of sweet rolls will work, but they might not have that signature honey-sweet taste that makes Kings Hawaiian special. Just make sure whatever rolls you use are fresh, as slightly stale bread can actually soak up too much of the egg mixture and become soggy rather than fluffy.

Options for Substitutions

This fun breakfast recipe is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can swap if needed:

• Hawaiian sweet rolls: While Kings Hawaiian rolls give this dish its signature sweetness, you can use brioche rolls or regular dinner rolls instead. Just know that regular rolls will make the final dish a bit less sweet.
• Milk: Any type of milk works here! Use whole milk, 2%, or plant-based options like almond or oat milk. For extra richness, try half-and-half or even heavy cream.
• Vanilla essence: Vanilla extract works perfectly, or try almond extract for a different flavor profile. Use half the amount if using vanilla bean paste.
• Butter: For frying, you can swap butter with neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil. If using oil, you might need a bit more cinnamon-sugar coating to make up for the lost buttery flavor.
• Nutmeg: Since it’s marked as optional, you can skip it entirely or replace it with a pinch of cardamom or allspice for a different warm spice note.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making churro French toast bites is cutting your Hawaiian rolls too small – aim for 1.5-inch cubes to prevent them from becoming too crispy on the outside while staying raw inside. Another common error is having your pan too hot when cooking these sweet bites; maintain a medium heat to achieve that perfect golden-brown exterior without burning the cinnamon sugar coating. To ensure the best texture, don’t skip the important step of letting your bread cubes sit in the egg mixture for at least 30 seconds per side – but watch out, as leaving them too long (over 2 minutes) can make them fall apart. For the most even coating, make sure to mix your cinnamon-sugar mixture in a separate shallow dish and toss the warm French toast bites immediately after cooking, while they’re still slightly wet from the pan, so the sweet coating sticks perfectly.

What to Serve With Churro French Toast Bites?

These sweet and cinnamon-y French toast bites are perfect for breakfast or brunch, and there are lots of tasty ways to round out your plate! A side of crispy bacon or breakfast sausage links adds a nice savory balance to the sweetness. Fresh fruit like strawberries, bananas, or mixed berries not only looks pretty on the plate but also adds a fresh pop of flavor. For an extra special touch, serve with warm maple syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a simple chocolate sauce for dipping. If you’re serving these at brunch, a hot cup of coffee or cold glass of milk helps wash down all that cinnamon-sugar goodness.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These sweet little bites are best enjoyed right after cooking while they’re still warm and crispy. If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just keep in mind that the texture won’t be quite as crispy as when they’re fresh.

Make Ahead: Want to save some morning prep time? Mix your egg mixture the night before and store it in the fridge. The next morning, just give it a quick whisk and you’re ready to dip and cook your French toast bites!

Warm Up: To bring back some of that fresh-made magic, warm up leftover churro French toast bites in a toaster oven for 2-3 minutes, or pop them in an air fryer for 1-2 minutes. They’ll get a bit of their crispiness back and taste almost like new. Avoid using the microwave as it can make them soggy.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 30-35 g
• Fat: 40-45 g
• Carbohydrates: 100-110 g

Ingredients

• 1 package of hawaiian sweet rolls
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder (optional)
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons butter for frying

Step 1: Prepare the Rolls

Begin by separating the King’s Hawaiian rolls into individual pieces.

For smaller bites, you can cut each roll in half.

This will create perfect-sized portions for your churro French toast.

Step 2: Make the Egg Mixture

In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are well combined.

This will be used to infuse the rolls with rich flavors.

Step 3: Dip the Rolls

Take each piece of King’s Hawaiian roll and dip it into the egg mixture.

Make sure all sides are well coated.

Allow any excess egg mixture to drip off before cooking.

Step 4: Cook the French Toast

Heat a skillet or griddle over medium to low heat and add a knob of butter to coat the surface.

Once the butter is melted and foamy, place the dipped rolls onto the skillet.

Cook each side for 2-3 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.

Step 5: Serve and Add Toppings

Transfer the cooked churro French toast to a serving plate.

Optionally, while the toast is still warm, dust it with powdered sugar or roll it in a cinnamon-sugar mix for an extra sweet touch.

Serve with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, whipped cream, or fresh fruits to complement the flavor.

Step 6: Enjoy

Sit back and enjoy your delicious churro-flavored French toast, made with the sweet and soft King’s Hawaiian rolls.

This breakfast treat can be tailored to your preferences, so feel free to get creative with additional ingredients or toppings!