Hawaiian French Toast

This Hawaiian French Toast is a copycat breakfast recipe from the Hukilau Cafe in Hawaii. With coconut and macadamia nuts, it’s full of tropical island flavor in every bite!

This Hawaiian French Toast is a recipe we made to replicate a favorite breakfast we ate in Hawaii. There was an awesome family breakfast place in Kauai that I think we ate at three different times while we were there. We tried several different yummy breakfasts but every time we would still split an order of this sweet breakfast treat. After having this coconut French toast three times I made some serious mental notes so I could make it again at home. I have to admit, I like our version of this Hawaiian French Toast even better! It is like a little piece of paradise in every bite, and is a tropical twist on the classic French toast.

Ingredients in Hawaiian French Toast

This ultra sweet breakfast recipe pairs so well with other savory dishes typically found at breakfast. All you need are some slices of bread and a really tasty custard mixture to soak the bread slices in:

• Bread – we like to use loaves from Great Harvest Bread, but you can use brioche, Challah bread, Texas Toast, or French loaf. You can even use Hawaiian sweet rolls for a delicious Hawaiian roll French toast.
• Eggs – two large eggs, or three medium, depending on how much you want to make.
• Milk – I like to use whole milk for this recipe but you can use 2% dairy milk or whatever you have on hand.
• Lite Coconut Milk – Make sure to use the canned coconut milk, not the cartons.
• Sugar – typically regular white, granulated sugar, but you can add a little light brown sugar for extra sweetness.
• Cinnamon – one teaspoon cinnamon. You’ll love the cinnamon sugar combination with the coconut and sweet bread.
• Coconut Extract – you can also swap this for a teaspoon vanilla extract or a mixture of the two. But the coconut flavor is really what makes this dish so yummy.
• Pinch of salt – salt is optional but it actually softens the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.
• Top with our scrumptious Homemade Coconut Syrup. It’s so easy to make and really finishes off this recipe perfectly.

Toppings and Optional Ingredients

Now that you have the base of the Hawaiian French Toast, you can get creative and add all the toppings and flavors you like! This golden crusted French toast tastes delicious with any of these options:

• Fresh fruits – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or other fresh berries.
• Sliced bananas
• Powdered sugar – just a sprinkle on top adds extra sweetness.
• Macadamia nuts – or chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, any nut you like.
• Whipped cream
• Toasted coconut flakes – you can make your own in the oven by sprinkling shredded coconut onto a baking sheet and toasting at 325 degrees for about 8-10 minutes. Make sure most of the flakes are golden brown.

• Nutella or Peanut butter
• Jam – fresh strawberry or peach jam would be so delicious!
• Cream cheese – the whipped cream cheese melts beautifully onto the toast.
• Garnish with a dusting of nutmeg

Our Favorite Syrup for Hawaiian French Toast

I like this recipe by far the best with our Homemade Coconut Syrup. Anytime we visit Hawaii we load up on coconut syrup to bring home. Unfortunately it’s not that often that we get to Hawaii so I ended up creating my own coconut syrup recipe that is TO DIE FOR good! It is every bit as good as the stuff you can get on vacation. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Sugar
• Coconut Greek Yogurt – you could use regular coconut yogurt too, but the Greek variety gives it more bulk and flavor.
• Butter
• Coconut Extract

Melt all the ingredients together in a large skillet and whisk over low to medium heat until they’re all combined and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.

Other Uses for Coconut Syrup

• Pancakes – Try this scrumptious syrup on our Buttermilk Pancakes, Hawaiian Banana Pancakes, or our Whole Wheat Pancakes with Blueberries 
• Waffles – If it’s good on pancakes, you know it’s good on waffles! Try this homemade syrup on our Easy Homemade Waffles or our chocolate waffles.
• Ice Cream – Pour the cooled syrup over some vanilla ice cream and you won’t regret it!
• Soda – Add a little to your favorite soda. Make a dirty Dr. Pepper with coconut syrup and a couple of lime wedges. It also tastes delicious in our Raspberry Dream Soda)

Steps to Perfectly Golden Hawaiian French Toast

1. First, cut your favorite loaf of bread into 8 large slices. If you hate the heels, simply slice them off and make sure your slices of bread are about equal in size.
2. Next, in a shallow dish, combine eggs, milks, and spices together with a whisk.
3. Then, dip both sides of the bread in egg mixture.
4. Meanwhile, melt some butter in a large pan, skillet, or griddle. Brown each side of the bread then place on a cookie sheet.
5. When all the pieces are done, place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake at 350° for 15 minutes.
6. Top with your favorite toppings and syrups and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How to Make Hawaiian French Toast

Hawaiian French Toast

5 from 4 votes

This Hawaiian French Toast is a copycat breakfast recipe from the Hukilau Cafe in Hawaii. With coconut and macadamia nuts, it's full of tropical island flavor in every bite!

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine French

Servings 8

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 loaf bread like Texas toast, French bread, or brioche
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 1 cup milk
• ▢ 14 ounces light coconut milk
• ▢ ¼ cup sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ 2 teaspoons coconut extract

TOPPINGS:

• ▢ 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• ▢ 2 cups sliced bananas
• ▢ 1 cup toasted coconut flakes
• ▢ 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
• ▢ 1 cup coconut or maple syrup
• ▢ 1 cup cool whip or whipped cream

Instructions

View Step PhotosHide Step Photos

• Combine eggs, milks, and spices in a shallow bowl or dish.
  
• Dip both sides of the bread in egg mixture. Melt butter in a large pan, skillet, or griddle. Brown each side of the bread. You might have to cook in batches depending on the size of your skillet.
  
• Place browned toast slices on a cookie sheet. When all the pieces are done, place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake at 350° for 15 minutes.
  
• Serve with powdered sugar, sliced bananas, toasted coconut flakes, macadamia nuts, coconut or maple syrup, and whipped cream.
  

Notes

I like this recipe by far the best with our Homemade Coconut Syrup. It’s every bit as good as the original stuff you can bring home from vacation. Here’s all you need to top your Hawaiian French Toast:

• • Sugar

• • Coconut Greek Yogurt – you could use regular coconut yogurt too, but the Greek variety gives it more bulk and flavor.

• • Butter

• • Coconut Extract

Melt all the ingredients together and whisk over low heat until they’re all combined and smooth. It’s delicious on waffles, toast, homemade rolls, just about anything!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 654kcalCarbohydrates: 100gProtein: 13gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 521mgPotassium: 534mgFiber: 7gSugar: 51gVitamin A: 184IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 224mgIron: 4mg

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