Hawaiian Rolls Recipe: Soft, Sweet Homemade Dinner Rolls
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If you love those sweet Hawaiian bread rolls, and baking bread you’re going to love this sweet Hawaiian rolls recipe that tastes just like (or even better than) those famous store-bought ones. These soft, pillowy rolls have that signature sweet taste from pineapple juice and honey that makes them absolutely irresistible.
Why This Hawaiian Rolls Recipe is Special
I love baking bread. In my opinion, it always tastes better than store-bought. After some trial and error in my kitchen, I created these homemade beauties that are fresher, fluffier, and cost about half as much to make. The best part? They’re surprisingly easy, even if you’re new to bread baking!
What makes this recipe a winner is the perfect balance of sweetness from pineapple juice and honey, combined with rich buttermilk that creates the softest texture. Our grandkids love helping make bread because it’s like playdough with benefits. They know they’ll get to sneak a warm roll fresh from the oven!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Hawaiian Rolls
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about what makes these hawaiian rolls so special:
- Pineapple Juice: This is the secret to authentic flavor! Use canned juice for consistent results. In a pinch, orange juice works but gives a slightly different taste.
- Buttermilk: Creates that tender, soft crumb we love. No buttermilk? Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice with enough regular milk to make 1 cup.
- Instant Yeast: Make sure it’s fresh! Old yeast is the #1 reason bread fails. I keep mine in the freezer.
- Honey: Feeds the yeast and adds natural sweetness. Local honey is wonderful if you have it.
- All-Purpose Flour: Regular flour works perfectly – no need for bread flour here.
- Eggs: Always use large eggs at room temperature for best results.
Pro Tips for Making the Best Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
After making these rolls countless times for family gatherings and potlucks, here are my best tips:
- Temperature Matters: Your liquid mixture should be exactly 110°F – too hot kills the yeast, too cool won’t activate it properly. An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out!
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix just until combined. This dough should be slightly sticky – that’s what makes the rolls so soft.
- Create a Warm Rising Spot: I turn my oven on for just 1 minute, turn it off, then place the covered dough inside. Works like magic!
- Even Sizing: Use a kitchen scale to divide the dough into 15 equal pieces (about 2 ounces each). They’ll look more professional and bake evenly.
- The Honey Butter Secret: Brushing with honey butter before AND after baking gives that shiny, sweet top that makes these rolls irresistible.
Step-By-Step Success
Making this hawaiian rolls recipe is easier than you might think! Here’s the simple process:
- Warm your wet ingredients to 110°F
- Mix dry ingredients in your stand mixer
- Combine wet and dry, mixing gently
- First rise: 90 minutes until doubled
- Shape into 15 rolls and place in greased 9×13 pan
- Second rise: 45-60 minutes
- Brush with honey butter and bake 20 minutes
Brush again with honey butter while warm will make the crust soft and moist as well as add another tough of sweetness. Do you have to do this? No, you don’t. They’re still delicious but will not have that glossy appearance.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Cinnamon Sugar Hawaiian Rolls: Add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon to the dough and sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar before baking
- Everything Bagel Hawaiian Rolls: Top with everything bagel seasoning for a savory twist
- Mini Slider Rolls: Divide dough into 24 pieces for perfect slider-sized buns
- Whole Wheat Version: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a healthier option
- Coconut Hawaiian Rolls: Add 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut to the dough
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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container or bread bag for up to 4 days. These stay soft longer than most homemade breads thanks to the honey and butter.
Freezing: These hawaiian bread rolls freeze beautifully! Wrap cooled rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave individual rolls for 20-30 seconds.
Make-Ahead Option: Shape the rolls, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and finish rising (about 2 hours) before baking.
Reheating: Wrap rolls in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes. For individual rolls, microwave 10-15 seconds.
Serving Suggestions That’ll Wow Your Family
These sweet hawaiian rolls are incredibly versatile! Here are our favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Ham and Cheese Sliders: Split the entire pan horizontally, fill with ham and swiss, brush with butter, and bake until melty
- Breakfast Sandwiches: Perfect with scrambled eggs and bacon
- Pull-Apart Bread: Leave rolls connected after baking for a fun presentation
- French Toast Casserole: Day-old rolls make amazing French toast!
- Simple and Perfect: Warm with salted butter melting into every bite
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this hawaiian rolls recipe without a stand mixer? Absolutely! Mix by hand with a wooden spoon, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
Why didn’t my rolls rise? Usually, it’s expired yeast or liquid that was too hot. Always check your yeast date and use a thermometer for the liquid temperature.
Can I use bread flour instead? Yes, but the rolls will be slightly chewier. All-purpose flour gives the softest texture.
How do I know when they’re done baking? They’ll be golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped. Internal temperature should reach 190°F.
Related Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy this Hawaiian rolls recipe, you’ll definitely want to try my Honey Butter Biscuits – they use that same delicious honey butter! For more homemade bread adventures, my One-Hour Dinner Rolls are perfect for weeknight dinners. And check out our Molasses Brown Bread. It’s another recipe using similar techniques with a slightly sweet flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Hawaiian bread rolls recipe has become one of my most-requested recipes, and for good reason! The combination of sweet pineapple flavor, ultra-soft texture, and that gorgeous golden color makes them perfect for any meal. Whether you’re making them for holiday dinners, weekend sliders, or just because you’re craving homemade bread, these rolls deliver every time.
I’d love to hear how your Hawaiian rolls turn out! Drop a comment below and don’t forget to rate the recipe – it really helps other home bakers find this treasure. And if you snap a photo, tag me on Instagram @hostessatheart so I can see your beautiful creations!
Sweet Hawaiian Bread Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice room temperture
- ½ cup buttermilk room temperature
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tbsp instant yeast
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Honey Butter
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Combine the pineapple juice, buttermilk, butter, and honey in a large liquid measuring cup. Microwave for 30-second intervals until it reaches 110 °F. Curdling is normal.
- Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, mix the flour, yeast, and salt on low speed until combined. Gradually pour in the pineapple mixture followed by the egg and vanilla.
- Mix on low speed dough begins to come together, about 2 minutes. Increase the speed to medium-low and mix until the dough is no longer sticking to the sides of the bowl.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
- Punch the dough down to deflate it and transfer it to a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough into 15 equal size portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball and arrange them in a lightly oiled 9 x 13 baking pan.
- Cover the pan with plastic and set in a draft-free area to rise until doubled in size for about 90 minutes.
- Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and pre-heat to 375 °F.
- Melt the honey butter ingredients together and brush the top of the rolls with melted honey butter.
- Bake the rolls for 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown, rotating halfway through the baking time. The internal temperature of the rolls should be 190 °F.
- Brush the rolls with more melted honey butter and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Transfer the rolls to a wire rack and cool for another 20 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
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Originally published: October 14, 2023. Updated: November 14, 2025 – Enhanced with more detailed instructions, tips, and serving suggestions. No changes were made to the recipe.
Hi,how many hours of cooling before I can wrapped them up in a bag?
What will happen if I substitute instant yeast with regular yeast? Gonna let the yeast first sit in warm milk of course. Do you see a problem with this? Thanks for any pointers!
Active yeast tends to perform better for breads that require 2 risings. However, It’s safe to use instant yeast in this recipe at a 1:1 ratio since the dough isn’t dense or difficult to rise. The difference is instant yeast doesn’t have to be activated so you can just add the ingredients together without waiting for it to bubble.
I love Hawaiian Rolls and was so happy that these came out perfect. Soft and fluffy and love the hint of sweetness.
Thank you, Minah!
These homemade Hawaiian rolls are SO much better than store-bought. We love making our favorite sliders recipe with them!
I’m in love with Hawaiian roll sliders too! Thank you.
I can never resist trying out one of your new bread recipes and this one did not disappoint!! Light, fluffy, the right amount of sweet! Thanks!
Thank you! These are a tailgating must-have.
JUST like the original and so fun to make! Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad that you enjoyed them. Thank you!
OMG! This recipe is going to save me a lot of money! No more store-bought because these are delicious! A keeper of a recipe.
Thank you, Ellen!
They’re so light and fluffy!
They really are. Thank you.
These rolls are so soft, fluffy and easy to make. Made them for dinner the other night and they were a hit!
We loved them too. Thank you!