Homemade Hawaiian Dinner Rolls Recipe

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This recipe for Hawaiian dinner rolls is perfect for your next family meal. The soft, sweet rolls are a crowd favorite and easy to make. They also make great slider buns for your next appetizer night.

A dozen of dinner rolls in a basket with a stripped yellow dish towel.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Irresistibly soft and fluffy, it melts in your mouth with a slight hint of sweetness.
And it’s an easy-to-follow recipe with simple ingredients you likely already have at home.
They are versatile enough to be used as dinner rolls, sandwich buns, or even a snack on their own.

Close view of a homemade Hawaiian dinner roll in a basket.

Equipment Needed

This is a list of the equipment that you will need to make this recipe for Hawaiian dinner rolls.

stand mixer or hand mixer with dough hook
baking dish 9″x13″
pastry brush
cooling rack

Ingredients

This is a list of the ingredients that you need to make your grocery shopping easier. You can find the full list of the ingredients and amounts needed in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

pineapple juice
warm milk
butter
granulated sugar
large eggs
vanilla extract
instant yeast
bread flour
salt

How to Make This Recipe For Hawaiian Dinner Rolls

This is a quick overview of the step-by-step instructions for making this recipe. You can find the complete list of instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients to make hawaiian rolls in a mixer.

In the bowl of a stand mixer combine the pineapple juice, milk, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and yeast. Mix together with a fork slightly.

Flour added to ingredients to make dinner rolls.

Use a dough hook and mix in 2 cups of the flour. Then add an additonal 2 cups of flour and mix until combined.

Add ¼ cup of the remaning flour in at a time until you get a soft but slightly sticky dough. Continue kneading the dough for 5-6 minutes.

First rise proofed dinner rolls dough before forming and baking.

Remove the dough from the spray, spray the bowl with cooking spray and then return the dough ball to the bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled in size.

Roll dough before placing in a baking dish.

Punch the dough down, and then use a pastry cutter to cut the dough into 15 pieces. Use your hands to shape them into balls.

Second rise proofed Hawaiian rolls before baking with melted butter on the side with a pastry brush.

Place the dough balls in the greased baking dish. Cover and allow the rolls to dough in size. Gently brush the tops with the egg wash.

Baked Hawaiian rolls in a white baking dish.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes.

Dinner roll on a white plate with butter on the side.

Remove from the oven and cool slightly. Serve the rolls warm with butter or honey.

What To Serve With This Dish

These rolls pair well with a bowl of your favorite soup, such as this creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup. They also make great slider rolls for these Baked Turkey Sliders or these Ham and Cheese Sliders.

Top view of rolls with butter on the side.

Substitutions and Additions

Love herbs? Try mixing in some freshly chopped rosemary, thyme, or even garlic powder to the dough for a savory twist.
For a slightly sweeter roll, consider adding a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the mix.
You can also sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning on top before baking to add texture and flavor.

How To Store

Storage – Let the sliders cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing – These sliders are also freezer-friendly! Once cooled, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a resealable bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Reheating – To reheat the sliders, simply pop them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through. You can also place them on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

Hawaiian roll sliced in half with butter and drizzle of honey.

Sandra’s Pro Tips

I used instant yeast for this recipe. You can use active dry yeast. However, you will need to allow it to bloom for 5 minutes or until it becomes frothy before adding the flour.
You may need to add some additional flour depending on the heat and humidity in your kitchen. So, add the remaining 1/2 cup flour in small batches until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is slightly sticky to the touch.
If your house is on the cooler side you can speed up the rising process by placing the dough covered in the oven with the oven light on.
Covering your dough with plastic wrap? Lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the dough from sticking to the wrap. You can also cover the dough with a damp, lightweight kitchen towel.

FAQs

Do you have questions about this recipe for Hawaiian rolls? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.

What makes Hawaiian bread different?

Hawaiian bread is different because it is slightly sweet and fruity instead of the buttery flavor of traditional rolls.

Does Hawaiian rolls have pineapple juice in it?

Yes, traditional Hawaiian rolls typically include pineapple juice as one of the ingredients. The pineapple juice adds a subtle sweetness and a hint of tropical flavor, which contributes to the rolls’ unique taste and soft texture.

Are Hawaiian rolls the same as brioche?

No, while they are both soft and slightly sweet, Hawaiian rolls have a distinct flavor that sets them apart from brioche. Brioche is made with butter and milk, while Hawaiian rolls often contain pineapple juice, honey, or sugar to achieve their signature taste.

Homemade Hawaiian dinner rolls in a basket before eating.

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