Are you supposed to cook Hawaiian rolls?

Chrissy Teigen is doing good work on Twitter. The famed model and TV personality took to the social media platform to dispel a recently concocted myth. Teigen retweeted a post that suggested King’s Hawaiian Rolls needed to be baked before serving. While Teigen’s retort was hilarious and meant to be a bit sarcastic, the purveyor of rolls actually noticed. Not only did they appreciate her commitment to disseminating the truth, but they even suggested her involvement in the situation might finally put the whole thing to rest.

What is a King’s Hawaiian dinner roll?

King’s Hawaiian products are pretty easily recognized. In a bright orange package, they stand out amongst the plethora of dinner roll options in the average grocery store. They do not need to be prepared either, they can be pulled out of the package and served up cold, or sent for a short spin in the microwave to get them a little warm on the inside. The packaging and their ability to be eaten out of the package isn’t the only thing setting these dinner rolls apart, though.

King’s, unlike other dinner roll options, are both savory and sweet. The outside is flaky, while the interior of the bread is deliciously fluffy. Founded in the 1950s in Hawaii, the company eventually expanded out and brought the sweet option to the mainland United States. Since then, they’ve become the king of dinner rolls.

As Reader’s Digest suggests, King’s Hawaiian rolls are actually a take on Portuguese sweet bread. The baked treat is incredibly versatile, too. You can use them as hamburger buns, serve them up as a side to Thanksgiving dinner, or you can dip them in chocolate to create an excellent dessert option on the fly.

Clearly, Chrissy Teigen is a fan of the sweet bread

Teigen has outed herself as a massive fan of the sweet dinner roll. When she noticed that someone was suggesting that King’s Hawaiian rolls needed to be cooked, she took to Twitter to set everyone straight. Teigen shared the post, stating, “Not true and the photo on the right has been pulled from another recipe. How DARE you”

Teigen would know. Not only is she a foodie, but the mother of two seems to use the rolls for a variety of different applications. In 2015, Teigen shared a recipe for BLTs that used King’s Hawaiian dinner rolls as the bread for the recipe. She also gave the company a shoutout in her cookbook, Cravings: Hungry for More. Teigen included a pull-apart bacon grilled cheese recipe which utilized the dinner rolls.

It’s pretty clear that Teigen is a massive fan of the company, and the feelings appear to be mutual. King’s Hawaiian served up a Twitter shoutout to Teigen for her help with the dastardly rumor. It is probably safe to assume that Teigen’s Thanksgiving feast will include the famous rolls.

King’s Hawaiian offered up a big “thanks” to Teigen

When King’s Hawaiian noticed that Teigen was helping them squash the rumor they issued a public thank you. Apparently, the bread purveyor had been answering questions all day. They were hopeful that Teigen’s word would be taken as fact, setting the rumor to rest.

So, just so everyone knows, King’s Hawaiian rolls can be consumed straight out of the package. They are just as delicious as any other dinner roll. If you want to take them to the next level, though, a couple of minutes in a toaster oven won’t hurt them any. Now you can enjoy them at your Thanksgiving feast without any concerns.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.

Jump to Recipe

Hawaiian sweet rolls are some of my family’s favorite. They are great for sandwiches, as a side with dinner, or alone with honey butter.

Hawaiian sweet rolls are my favorite dinner rolls. If we’re having bread with dinner, it’s going to be these rolls. They are made similar to my easy homemade dinner roll recipe but they’re a lot sweeter.

I got hooked on this sweetly fragrant bread thanks to King’s Hawaiian. That brand is an evil genius.

Because I love the bread so much, I just could not resist making some from scratch. And then I couldn’t resist slathering them with honey butter.

These rolls really are the best and you are sure to agree!

Why this Hawaiian sweet rolls recipe works

• This recipe yields the perfect texture, the right amount of sweetness, and it comes together easily.
• Pineapple juice lends that familiar flavor of Hawaiian bread that we all love and gives the bread a subtle sweetness which is then enhanced with a touch of honey.
• Honey butter offers extra sweetness that really takes the rolls to a new level.

Hawaiian sweet rolls ingredients

These rolls use very staple ingredients. Either Instant or rapid rise yeast can be used. I don’t recommend using regular active dry yeast, though. I’ve tested it and it just doesn’t work well with this recipe.

• Pineapple juice: Pineapple juice is what gives the rolls a sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
• Buttermilk: Also offers a slight tanginess. Be sure to use whole (full fat) buttermilk.
• Butter: Is added to give the dough some richness.
• Honey: Use a mild-honey like clover honey.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is best for Hawaiian rolls.
• Yeast: Use instant or rapid-rise yeast.
• Salt: Added to help balance the sweetness.
• Egg: Is also added for sweetness.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a little extra flavor to the rolls.

How to Make the best Hawaiian sweet rolls

This homemade Hawaiian sweet roll is made with basic bread ingredients but there are a few extras to give the bread that distinct flavor of Hawaiian bread. I use half buttermilk and half pineapple juice for moisture and flavor. The two combined have a lovely sweet and tangy profile.

The Dough – The bread needs to rise twice. Each rise is about 1 to 1 and ½ hours. So make sure you plan ahead for this.

The first rise happens once the dough is mixed together and kneaded. The second rise is after you’ve portioned and shaped the dough into individual rolls.

Step 1: Combine the wet ingredients

Mix the pineapple juice, buttermilk, butter, and honey together in a microwave-safe bowl or large liquid measuring cup. Then microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals until it reaches 110°F.

It may appear curdled at this point. That’s perfectly normal so don’t fret.

Step 2: Make the dough

A stand mixer will be your best friend with this recipe or any yeast bread recipe. It makes the process so much easier!

Fit the stand mixer with the dough hook. Add the flour, yeast, and salt to the bowl. Mix on low speed for a few seconds to get everything combined.

Leave the mixer on low speed and slowly pour in the warm pineapple juice mixture. Then add the egg and vanilla. Let the mixer run on low for about 2 minutes until dough starts to form a ball.

Increase the speed to medium-low and continue to mix for 7 minutes. The dough will stick to the bottom of the bowl but should pull away from the sides.

It’s a soft dough that will be slightly tacky. Avoid adding excess flour.

Step 3: Let the dough rise

Very lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out. Knead it briefly and shape it into a ball. Place the dough in a bowl that has been lightly greased and cover with plastic wrap.

Set the bowl in a warm place to rise for 1 and ½ hours. I like to have my oven preheating and use the microwave right above it as the warm environment.

If you do not have a microwave above the stove, you can heat your oven on the lowest temperature setting then turn the oven off and set the dough inside with the door slightly cracked open.

Step 4: Shape the dough and rise again

Once the dough has doubled in volume, gently punch it down to release some of the gas. Turn the tough out onto your work surface and divide it into 15 equal-sized pieces.

Shape each piece into a ball by pulling the edges under so the top of the dough is smooth.

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch pan and arrange the dough balls in 5 rows of 3. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise again until doubled in size. This can take up to another 1 and ½ hours.

The rolls should be almost as tall as the top of the pan.

Step 5: Bake

Brush the tops of the rolls with melted honey butter and bake until golden brown. The honey butter will help give the rolls a rich golden color.

Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the rolls. They are done when they reach 190°F.

Brush the tops with more melted honey butter and let the rolls cool for about 10 minutes. Slide the rolls out of the pan onto a cooling rack and let them cool for another 20 minutes.

The rolls are best served warm on the day they are made.

Homemade honey butter

Homemade honey butter complements the sweet bread perfectly and can easily be whipped up in a matter of minutes.

You don’t even need a recipe for honey butter. Just take some unsalted butter, let it soften to room temperature, beat it with an electric mixer until is smooth and creamy, and slowly beat in some honey. Use as little or as much honey as you prefer.

You can store any leftover honey butter in the refrigerator and use it on toast or English muffins for breakfast!

More delicious yeast bread and rolls to try:

• Cheesy Pull-Apart Rolls with Garlic
• Ciabatta Bread
• Slow Cooker Orange Sweet Rolls
• Slow Cooker Bread

Did you try this recipe?I would love for you to leave me a 5-star rating or comment. This way, I have a better understanding of which recipes you like and can create more of them.

Please take a moment to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Youtube or sign up for my free newsletter to never miss the newest recipes and blog updates.

You can also shop my favorite baking tools. Thank you so much for your support!

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) pineapple juice
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
• 6 tablespoons (89 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 5 ½ cups (715 g) all-purpose flour, measured correctly
• ⅓ cup (113 g) honey
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast, SEE NOTE 1
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons honey butter, SEE NOTE 2

Instructions

1. Combine the pineapple juice, buttermilk, butter, and honey in a large liquid measuring cup. Microwave in 30 second intervals until the temperature reaches 110°F. The mixture may become curdled, this is normal.
2. Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix the flour, yeast, and salt on low speed until combined.
3. With the mixer on low speed, gradually pour in the pineapple mixture followed by the egg and vanilla.
4. 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. It may still stick to the bottom.
5. 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 1 and ½ hours.
6. 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 9x13-inch baking pan. 
7. Cover the pan with plastic and set in a draft-free area to rise until doubled in size, about 1 and ½ hours.
8. Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 375°F.
9. 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.
10. 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. Rolls are best when eaten the day they are made.

Notes

1. Use either instant or rapid rise yeast. Active dry yeast will not be as efficient with this recipe.
2. Honey butter is made by mixing butter and honey. Start with ¼ to ½ cup of room temperature unsalted butter and mix in 2 tablespoons of honey at a time until you achieve the desired taste. Store leftover honey butter in the refrigerator and use it on toast, muffins, or rolls.

Make ahead tip

1. Make the recipe through step 6. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Set the rolls out at room temperature for 1 to 1 ½ hours until the rolls have doubled in size. Bake per the recipe instructions.
2. Or you can freeze the rolls 10 minutes after shaping. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Set the rolls out at room temperature for 1 to 1 ½ hours until the rolls have doubled in size. Bake per the recipe instructions.
3. Fully baked rolls can also be frozen in an airtight container. Thaw overnight at room temperature then reheat in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 15 Serving Size: 1 roll
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 251Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 355mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 5g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the values shown are just an estimate.

Recipe adapted from Cooks Country.