Buttery Hawaiian Rolls – Soft, Sweet, and Perfectly Golden

These Buttery Hawaiian Rolls are soft, slightly sweet, and irresistibly fluffy—perfect for dinner tables, sandwiches, or snacking straight from the pan. Infused with a hint of pineapple for natural sweetness and brushed with a glossy butter glaze, they strike the ideal balance between tender crumb and rich flavor.

Whether you’re serving them fresh out of the oven at a family gathering or using them as slider buns for a party, these rolls are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultra Soft Texture: Perfectly pillowy and light.
Hint of Sweetness: Natural pineapple juice adds a tropical twist.
Versatile: Great for sliders, dinner rolls, or holiday spreads.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepped in advance and baked when needed.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup warm pineapple juice (about 110°F)
• ¼ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
• ¼ cup unsalted light butter, melted (plus more for brushing)
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ⅓ cup honey
• 3¼ cups bread flour (plus extra for kneading)
• 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, whisk warm pineapple juice, warm milk, honey, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

2. Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead & First Rise
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for about 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.

4. Shape the Rolls
Punch down dough and divide into 15 equal pieces. Roll each into a smooth ball and arrange in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

5. Second Rise
Cover and let rise for 30–40 minutes, or until puffy. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

6. Bake & Brush
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Brush warm rolls generously with melted butter before serving.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 140
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fat: 3g
Protein: 3g
Fiber: 1g

Tips for the Best Hawaiian Rolls

• Temperature Matters: Warm liquids help activate yeast—too hot and it will kill it, too cold and it won’t rise.
• Bread Flour Boost: Gives the rolls their signature chewy-yet-soft texture.
• Extra Gloss: Brush with butter both before and after baking for richer flavor.
• Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Why This Recipe Works

The pineapple juice gives just enough sweetness without overpowering, while the bread flour and careful kneading create a cloud-like texture. The final buttery glaze makes every bite rich and irresistible.