14 Recipes That Prove Hawaiian Rolls Are So Much More Versatile Than You Think

There are few store bought breads that are as sweet, chewy and delightfully tender as Hawaiian rolls. Sold in sheets, these pull-apart rolls are perfectly sized for making miniature sandwiches or sliders. However, they’re good for so much more than that, and if you’ve not yet explored the other uses for them, you’re in for a treat (literally).

Hawaiian rolls have a naturally sweet flavor, so they’re perfect for making desserts or sweet breakfasts, too. We love using them to whip up a quick and easy French toast, cinnamon rolls or even shortcut cake pops. They’re an affordable and easy-to-use ingredient that can be found at almost any grocery store. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to use them, from sliders your family will love — to creative ideas that you’ve probably never tried before.

This recipe will change everything you thought you knew about how to use Hawaiian rolls. Not just for sandwiches, these petite and super sweet rolls are perfect for baking, too. In this recipe, rolls get stuffed with canned cherry pie filling then drizzled with a generous helping of chocolate-hazelnut spread.

Making cake without turning on your oven? It’s possible! These cake pops utilize Hawaiian rolls mixed with a homemade frosting to create sweet and tangy cake pops. Perfect for a party, you can yield a batch of 32 pops in just about 1.5 hours.

These sweet and spicy sandwiches are totally layered with complex flavors. The soft, pulled chicken gets sweetened from hoisin sauce and sweet chili sauce, with a bit of heat from the chili and ginger and a bite of acidity from mirin. Topped with a pickled broccoli slaw, the crunchy sandwiches are best when served on soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls.

Ready in less than an hour, these sweet treats are packed with creamy cheesecake filling. Strawberry jam adds sweet flavor and sticky texture, while fresh strawberries make for the perfect topping. A bit of lemon zest helps prevent these desserts from getting too sweet.

We love pairing spicy and sweet foods together, so these sandwiches are a fantastic combination. Spicy, crispy chicken gets piled on top of sweet, chewy rolls and layered with crunchy pickles and lettuce. Every bite is packed with flavor and texture.

A pack of Hawaiian sweet rolls is the secret to making this shortcut recipe so quick and easy. If you don’t have time for kneading or rising your own dough from scratch, these store bought rolls make the process so much easier. In fact, the recipe is so simple it’s perfect for making with kids.

The waffle iron is a great way to make softer foods perfectly crunchy. These breakfast sandwiches combine a variety of textures: the outside is crisp and crunchy while the inside is tender and soft, all stuck together with melty American cheese.

Twenty minutes is all you need to create these sweet and savory sandwiches. Perfect for lunch or dinner, this recipe yields 12 sliders. Whip up a batch for your next backyard barbecue or potluck supper.

We love that this ice cream cake recipe doesn’t require any special gadgets like a churning ice cream maker. Simply sprinkle Hawaiian rolls with colored sugar and toast in the oven until golden brown, then layer with homemade ice cream and more sanding sugar. The result is a multicolored treat that’s layered with different textures.

We love how simple it is to bake these burgers in one layer in a casserole dish — no flipping required. Once cooked to your desired doneness, slide out the giant burger patty and place the bottoms of the Hawaiian buns in the same dish. Place the large patty on top, pile with cheese, then place the tops of the buns and bake. When ready to serve, just slice along the lines of the rolls and serve.

If you like your stuffing on the sweeter side, you’ll love this recipe that uses sweet rolls instead of traditional cubed bread. Don’t worry — we still use the customary flavors like rosemary, sage, onions, celery and carrots — just with sweeter, more tender bread. We like it best when the stuffing has been crisped to golden perfection in the oven, about 30 to 45 minutes.

The brisket for these sliders boasts a bold seasoning of paprika, chili powder and garlic — for a smoky, spiced flavor that's right at home alongside the subtle sweetness of Hawaiian rolls. With perfectly balanced flavor in every bite, these are sure to become a family favorite.

This recipe is a fun spin on traditional bread pudding. Instead of cubing and toasting brioche, simply hollow out Hawaiian rolls and fill them with custard. After baking, top with fresh strawberries for tart flavor and juicy texture.