Last Updated on December 28, 2023
Are you supposed to bake Hawaiian rolls? In this in-depth guide, we’ll explain exactly when, how, and how long you need to bake these tasty rolls.
And, we’ve even included a guide for slightly toasting Hawaiian rolls inside the oven! Read on to discover the secrets to baking and reheating these delicious sweet rolls.
What Are Hawaiian Rolls?
Before taking a look at the question “Are you supposed to bake Hawaiian rolls?” let’s talk about what exactly they are.
These are basically Portuguese sweet bread, but they’re made using slightly different ingredients.
Authentic Hawaiian rolls are made using pineapple juice. This juice gives it a very sweet and slightly tangy flavor. It’s best to use homemade or pure pineapple juice for the best flavor. Processed juice is not nearly as nice.
Buttermilk is also a common addition that helps tenderize the buns. It creates a super soft, fluffy, and bounce texture. And of course, as in any recipe, buttermilk helps balance the sweetness by adding some additional tangy flavors.
The remaining ingredients are all pretty standard including butter, flour, yeast, salt, eggs, and a touch of vanilla.
Are You Supposed To Bake Hawaiian Rolls?
For some reason, people are continuously asking “Are you supposed to bake Hawaiian rolls?” We aren’t sure where the myth came from that you don’t, but you absolutely without a doubt have to bake these rolls!
The better question would be instead for how long do you have to bake Hawaiian rolls?
Hawaiian rolls are still made with a regular bread dough recipe. Some ingredients are just unique. For example, instead of water, you use pineapple juice. And instead of regular milk, you use buttermilk. But, together, all the ingredients still form a dough.
The dough isn’t going to make itself, and for bread, you cannot really use other cooking methods to cook it.
So, you have to bake Hawaiian rolls. They can be baked in a preheated oven at 360ºF (180ºC).
Some people like to bake the rolls at a higher or lower temperature too. In our opinion, 360ºF (180ºC) is best because it creates a good lift in the buns while keeping a soft fluffy texture.
You can also bake Hawaiian rolls inside an air-fryer. Use the same temperature, but bake them for slightly less time. The air-fryer distributes heat a lot better and quicker. That reduces the overall cooking time of products.
Are you supposed to bake Hawaiian rolls that have been pre-made?
If you have bought pre-made (and obviously pre-baked) Hawaiian rolls, there is no need to bake them in the oven. You can eat them as-is like you would any other type of baked bun.
But, if you want to reheat them slightly, you can do so in an oven. This is simply to enjoy it differently. It does slightly sweeten the buns and will help melt butter onto its surface. But again, it’s optional and by no means necessary.
Another trick you can use when baking pre-made buns in the oven is to toast them. Use a slightly higher baking temperature – 380ºF (190ºC) will do. Then, bake them until their surface just starts toasting and their crumb is nice and soft.
Now, the exception to this pre-made rule is if you buy pre-made unbaked buns (just the dough). There are quite a few un-baked rolls out there. In that case, you can follow the instructions on the package for baking times and temperatures.
It will also indicate whether or not the rolls have to be defrosted before baking.
From our experience though, we’d say you have to first thaw the rolls. Then bring them back to room temperature, then bake them using our below-mentioned times and temperatures.
How long do you bake Hawaiian rolls?
Now that we know the answer to “Are you supposed to bake Hawaiian rolls?” we can look at exactly how long you bake them.
If you are baking Hawaiian rolls in the oven at 360ºF (180ºC) you can leave them for 20 minutes. Once baked, their internal crumb temperature has to be around 190ºF (88ºC).
But remember, if you bake at a lower temperature, the buns will take longer to completely bake. And, if you bake at a higher temperature, the outside may start browning before the inside is baked. Again, which is why we like to make it at 360ºF (180ºC).
How to heat up Hawaiian rolls?
If you reheat pre-made Hawaiian rolls, you can leave them in your preheated oven for 2-3 minutes. The rolls aren’t very dense so they reheat very quickly. Keep an eye on them because you don’t want them to dry out.
For toasted rolls, you can leave them for about 4 minutes at a slightly higher temperature.
How To Best Store Hawaiian Rolls Baked In An Oven
Because these rolls are very aerated, they can dry out extremely quickly. They are also high in moisture, which means they can become moldy quickly too. That’s why it’s essential to store these rolls very well.
Place them in an airtight container or zip-lock bag. If you use a bag, make sure as much air as possible is removed.
Then, place the rolls in a cool, dry, and dark place. This will keep them away from moisture, light, and heat. Heat can cause more moisture to build up inside the bag or container. This can ultimate cause mold very quickly.
Furthermore, do not store the rolls inside the fridge. It’s practically a dehydrator for bread! The only exception is if you plan on toasting the rolls or making bread pudding or croutons.
Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully, you can now confidently answer “Are you supposed to bake Hawaiian rolls?” And, this guide should help you determine exactly when and how long to do so.
Let us know if you still have any other questions on Hawaiian rolls. And, if there are any other topics or recipes you’d like us to cover, don’t hesitate to reach out!