Hawaiian rolls are a type of sweet, soft dinner roll that is a popular side dish, often served alongside meals in Hawaiian cuisine. While they may look like regular dinner rolls on the outside, Hawaiian rolls have a distinct taste, texture and ingredients that set them apart from other rolls.
What Makes Hawaiian Rolls Different?
There are a few key differences that give Hawaiian rolls their unique qualities:
- They are sweet – Hawaiian rolls have a slightly sweet taste thanks to the addition of sugar or honey.
- They use a tangzhong starter – This Asian yeast starter helps make the rolls extra soft and fluffy.
- They contain eggs – Eggs are usually added to Hawaiian roll dough, making them richer.
- They use milk – Milk is incorporated into the dough, adding moisture and tenderness.
- They have a soft, pillowy texture – The use of tangzhong and eggs gives Hawaiian rolls a very soft, airy and pillowy texture.
- They have a golden top – The tops of Hawaiian rolls get a signature golden brown color when baked.
These ingredients and techniques contribute to the distinctive taste and texture of authentic Hawaiian rolls compared to regular yeast dinner rolls.
Origins of Hawaiian Rolls
The origins of Hawaiian rolls can be traced back to the early 20th century influence of Portuguese cuisine in Hawaii. Portuguese immigrants who came to work on Hawaii’s sugar plantations brought with them their culinary traditions.
Sweet, eggy breads and rolls were common in Portuguese cuisine. Over time, local bakers in Hawaii began adapting Portuguese recipes and techniques to create a tender, sweet roll that came to be known as the Hawaiian roll.
The use of tangzhong started was likely a technique borrowed from neighboring Japan. And the use of pineapple juice in some recipes gives Hawaiian rolls a tropical twist.
While often associated with Hawaiian cuisine, Hawaiian rolls reflect a multicultural blend of baking influences from different groups who settled in Hawaii.
Popular Brands of Hawaiian Rolls
While Hawaiian rolls can be found across the United States today, some popular brand names include:
- King’s Hawaiian – Arguably the most famous and widely available brand, King’s Hawaiian has been baking these rolls since the 1950s.
- Honey Wheat and Butter Hawaiian Sweet Rolls – Sold under various store brand names, these are a budget-friendly grocery store staple.
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls – Brands like Ohana, Aloha, and Hawaiian Sun make packaged Hawaiian rolls too.
Artisan bakeries in Hawaii also produce fresh Hawaiian rolls daily. And many mainstream brands sell ready-to-bake refrigerated Hawaiian roll dough for baking at home.
Common Ingredients in Hawaiian Rolls
There can be some variation in ingredients between recipes, but most Hawaiian rolls contain:
- All-purpose flour
- Bread flour or high-gluten flour
- Granulated white sugar
- Unsalted butter or vegetable oil
- Milk
- Eggs
- Quick-rising yeast
- Salt
- Water
- Tangzhong
- Pineapple juice (optional)
The combination of these ingredients at the right proportions gives the rolls their flavor, texture, sweetness and ability to rise quickly when baked.
How to Make Hawaiian Rolls from Scratch
Making Hawaiian rolls completely from scratch takes some time but isn’t too complicated for an experienced baker. Here is an overview of the process:
- Make the tangzhong – Cook a roux of bread flour and water over low heat until it forms a thick paste.
- Proof the yeast – Dissolve the yeast and a bit of sugar in warm water.
- Make the dough – Combine the wet ingredients and dry ingredients in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Mix until a soft, tacky dough forms.
- First rise – Let dough rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
- Shape the rolls – Punch down the dough and form into round ball shapes. Place on a baking sheet.
- Second rise – Let rolls rise again for 30 minutes.
- Bake – Bake at 350°F for 13-18 minutes until golden brown.
- Brush with butter – As soon as rolls come out of the oven, brush tops with melted butter for extra flavor.
The full homemade recipe does take 4-5 hours with proofing and rising time. But the active baking time is only about 30 minutes, perfect for special occasion baking.
How to Make Easy Hawaiian Rolls
For quicker Hawaiian rolls, use a couple shortcuts:
- Use rapid or instant yeast instead of active dry yeast to shorten proofing and rising times.
- Replace the tangzhong with an extra egg and some milk for a simpler dough.
- Use refrigerated bread dough – Let it come to room temp, shape into rolls, let rise briefly, and bake.
- Use ready-to-bake Hawaiian roll dough logs from the refrigerated section of grocery stores.
Any of these shortcuts can cut active prep time down to about 10 minutes and total time to under an hour. The tradeoff is the rolls may not have quite the same softness and flavor as fully homemade.
How to Use Hawaiian Rolls
The possibilities are endless when it comes to enjoying Hawaiian rolls!
- As a side for any meal – They classically pair well with Hawaiian dishes but go great alongside barbecue, fried chicken, pot roasts and more.
- Slider or mini sandwich buns – Their small, soft texture makes them perfect for bite-sized sandwiches.
- Breakfast rolls – Split them open to make breakfast sandwiches or French toast roll-ups.
- Bread pudding – Day old Hawaiian rolls create an amazing sweet bread pudding.
- Croutons or breadcrumbs – Toast or pulse in a food processor to make your own.
- Rolls with dinner salads – Add a sweet, soft roll to complement fresh greens.
- Dessert rolls – Brush with cinnamon sugar or preserves for a sweet treat.
With a bit of creativity, Hawaiian rolls can be so much more than just a boring side bread. Their subtly sweet taste and pillowy texture make them versatile for both savory and sweet applications.
Nutrition Facts for Hawaiian Rolls
Here are some of the basic nutritional values in a typical 2-inch Hawaiian roll:
| Calories | 131 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 22g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 4g |
As you can see, Hawaiian rolls are higher in refined carbohydrates and lower in fiber than whole grain rolls. But they contain a decent amount of protein for a roll. Their calorie count is moderately high, so portion control is important.
Gluten Free Hawaiian Roll Options
Those avoiding gluten don’t have to miss out on these tasty rolls! Some alternatives include:
- Gluten-free all-purpose flour – Substitute 1:1 for regular flour in Hawaiian roll recipes.
- King’s Hawaiian gluten-free rolls – This trusted brand launched a gluten-free version.
- Hawaiian rolls made with a gluten-free bread flour blend – This gives the closest texture.
- Rolls made with alternate flours like tapioca or almond flour.
While gluten-free Hawaiian rolls may come out a bit more dense, they can still capture that sweet, mildly tropical flavor. Be sure to check labels since some brands may contain trace gluten.
Storing and Freezing Hawaiian Rolls
To retain freshness, store Hawaiian rolls:
- At room temperature up to 2 days – Keep rolls in a sealed bag or breadbox.
- In the refrigerator 5-7 days – Place rolls in a plastic bag or container.
- In the freezer 1-3 months – Flash freeze rolls on a sheet pan first, then store in freezer bags or containers.
To defrost frozen rolls, simply leave them in the refrigerator overnight or place them on the counter for 1-2 hours until thawed. Then warm briefly in the oven before serving.
Troubleshooting Homemade Hawaiian Rolls
Here are some common issues and how to fix them when making Hawaiian rolls at home:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Rolls didn’t rise | Ensure yeast was activated, dough was properly kneaded, and dough didn’t overproof. |
| Rolls are dense and heavy | Knead dough longer and let rise fully before baking. |
| Rolls are flat on top | Let them rise longer before baking. |
| Rolls are dry | Brush with butter after baking while still hot. |
| Rolls taste bland | Add a bit more sugar or honey to the dough. |
Getting the technique down does take some trial and error. But once you get it right, you’ll have homemade Hawaiian rolls worth sharing!
Hawaiian Roll Recipes to Try
Once you master the classic version, get creative with these delicious Hawaiian roll recipes:
- Malasadas – Traditional Hawaiian doughnut holes made with Hawaiian roll dough.
- Cinnamon rolls – Roll out Hawaiian roll dough with cinnamon sugar filling.
- Everything bagel rolls – Top rolls with everything bagel seasoning before baking.
- Jalapeño and cheese rolls – Add chopped jalapeños and shredded cheddar to dough.
- Hawaiian monkey bread – Pull apart tender pieces of caramel glazed Hawaiian roll dough.
- Pineapple bread – Add crushed pineapple to dough and top with streusel.
Infuse rolls with new flavors or shape them in creative ways to take this staple bread to the next level.
Where to Find Hawaiian Rolls
Finding Hawaiian rolls in stores is pretty easy these days. Check:
- Bakery section of grocers like Safeway or Kroger
- In the bread aisle of stores like Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, etc.
- Freezer section for ready-to-bake dough logs
- Some warehouse clubs like Costco
- Online retailers like Amazon Fresh for delivery
- Hawaiian bakeries and restaurants while visiting the islands
Major brands like King’s Hawaiian are sold at most mainstream grocery chains across the U.S. Specialty Hawaiian markets and bakeries offer fresh, authentic options too.
Conclusion
With their subtly sweet taste, soft and pillowy texture, and golden tops, Hawaiian rolls stand out from the average dinner roll. Though associated with the cuisine of Hawaii, the origins of these iconic rolls can be traced back to baking traditions brought by Portuguese immigrants.
Using ingredients like tangzhong, eggs, milk and sugar gives Hawaiian rolls their signature qualities. While homemade takes some effort, store-bought options bring this flavor to everyday meals. However you enjoy them, Hawaiian rolls are a delicious accompaniment to all types of cuisines.