Easy Homemade Hawaiian Rolls Recipe: Sweet, Fluffy Buns from MagicInKitchen.com

Easy Homemade Hawaiian Rolls

Bake up this Easy Homemade Hawaiian Rolls recipe from MagicInKitchen.com! These sweet, fluffy, homemade rolls with a hint of pineapple are perfect for sliders, dinners, or snacks, ready in just 2 hours. A tropical twist for any meal!

Introduction

Craving the soft, sweet, and irresistibly fluffy rolls that make every meal feel like a tropical escape? This Easy Homemade Hawaiian Rolls recipe brings the iconic flavor of Hawaiian bread right to your kitchen. Infused with a touch of pineapple juice and a buttery finish, these rolls are perfect for sliders, holiday dinners, or simply slathering with butter for a snack. As someone who’s spent years perfecting baked goods that bring joy to the table, I can tell you these rolls are as delightful as a Savory Ribeye Steak and Potato Delight, but with a sweet, island-inspired charm. Ready in about 2 hours, this homemade recipe is simple enough for beginners and impressive enough for any gathering. Let’s bake up some fluffy, golden magic!

Ingredients

This recipe uses pantry staples to create 12 rolls, perfect for sharing or enjoying over a few days. The pineapple juice adds that signature Hawaiian sweetness.

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup whole milk, warmed (about 110°F)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon honey (for brushing, optional)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing, optional)

These ingredients create soft, sweet Easy Homemade Hawaiian Rolls that are perfect for any occasion.

Preparation Instructions

This Easy Homemade Hawaiian Rolls recipe is straightforward, with clear steps to ensure fluffy, golden rolls every time. Follow along for bakery-worthy results at home.

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk (110°F, not hotter to avoid killing the yeast) with 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk, stir gently, and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the foamy yeast mixture, pineapple juice, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix with a wooden spoon or the dough hook attachment until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes, or use a stand mixer with the dough hook for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly sticky but not cling to your hands.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the Rolls: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces (about 2 oz each). Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spacing evenly. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, until puffy.
6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown on top. If desired, mix the honey with melted butter and brush over the warm rolls for a glossy, sweet finish.
7. Serve: Let the Easy Homemade Hawaiian Rolls cool slightly in the pan before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature for maximum fluffiness.

Total time: About 2 hours (including rising). These rolls are best fresh but stay soft for days.

Hawaiian Bread Rolls

These Hawaiian Bread Rolls are soft, fluffy, and lightly sweet — just like the bakery favorite! Made with pineapple juice for that signature tropical flavor, these rolls are perfect for sliders, sandwiches, or served warm with butter. They’re golden on the outside, pillowy inside, and guaranteed to disappear fast at any meal or gathering.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 12 Servings

Course: Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 180

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Dough
• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour plus extra for kneading
• 1 packet 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
• ½ cup warm pineapple juice about 110°F / 43°C
• ¼ cup warm milk
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• For Brushing
• 2 tbsp melted butter for after baking

Equipment

• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Wooden spoon or dough hook mixer
• Baking dish (9×13-inch)
• Plastic wrap or clean kitchen towel
• Pastry brush
• Oven

Method

 

1. Activate the Yeast
2. In a small bowl, combine warm pineapple juice, milk, and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
3. Make the Dough
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter, salt, and vanilla. Add the yeast mixture and mix well.
5. Add Flour
6. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
7. Knead
8. Knead by hand (8–10 minutes) or with a dough hook (5–6 minutes) until smooth and elastic.
9. First Rise
10. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
11. Shape Rolls
12. Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal pieces. Shape into smooth balls and place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
13. Second Rise
14. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
15. Bake
16. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 18–20 minutes, until golden brown.
17. Brush with Butter
18. Immediately brush warm rolls with melted butter for a glossy, soft finish.
19. Serve
20. Enjoy warm, plain, or with honey butter!

Notes

Make sure your pineapple juice and milk are warm (not hot) to activate yeast properly.

For extra sweetness, brush rolls with honey butter after baking.

These rolls freeze beautifully — cool completely, wrap, and store up to 2 months.

Great for sliders, pulled pork sandwiches, or holiday dinners!

Serving Suggestions

These Easy Homemade Hawaiian Rolls are versatile enough for any meal or occasion. Here’s how to make them shine:

• Serving Ideas: Use as slider buns for pulled pork or burgers, serve alongside a holiday roast, or enjoy with butter and jam for breakfast. They’re also perfect for sopping up soups or stews.
• Pairings: Pair with a tropical fruit salad or coleslaw for a BBQ spread, or serve with a creamy soup like our Best Cream of Potato Soup for a cozy meal. For drinks, try iced tea, a fruity mocktail, or a light beer.
• Presentation: Arrange the rolls in a basket lined with a colorful napkin for a warm, inviting look. Brush with extra honey-butter for a glossy, professional touch.

These rolls are ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or as a sweet addition to any gathering.

FAQ

Conclusion

These Easy Homemade Hawaiian Rolls are a sweet, fluffy delight that bring a touch of the islands to your table. Perfect for sliders, dinners, or just enjoying with a smear of butter, this quick, homemade recipe is as crowd-pleasing as our Savory Ribeye Steak and Potato Delight, but with a tropical, bakery-style twist. Head to MagicInKitchen.com to bake these rolls and explore more delicious recipes for your kitchen. Loved the pineapple flavor or have a favorite way to serve them? Drop a comment below, share your baking tips, or tag us on social media with your golden rolls. Keep coming back for more recipes that make every meal a little sweeter. Happy baking!