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Hawaiian Pineapple Dinner Rolls Recipe

4.5 from 61 reviews

These Hawaiian Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet, infused with the tropical flavors of crushed pineapple and pineapple juice. Perfectly golden and tender, they make an ideal side for any meal or a delightful snack on their own.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup pineapple juice, warmed to 100–110°F
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast or instant yeast
  • ½ cup whole milk, warmed to 100–110°F

Finishing Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing before and after baking and greasing the baking dish)

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, salt, crushed pineapple, eggs, sugar, softened butter, pineapple juice, yeast, and warm milk. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until fully combined and a soft, sticky dough forms. Add flour a tablespoon at a time if too sticky to achieve the right consistency.
  2. Knead Dough: Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes by hand or 5–7 minutes with a stand mixer using a dough hook or paddle attachment on low speed until the dough becomes smooth. Shape the dough into a smooth ball afterward.
  3. First Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1½ to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
  4. Shape Rolls: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and divide it into 15 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place them close together in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish so they touch slightly. Brush the tops of the unbaked rolls with 1 tablespoon of melted butter or an egg wash for a golden finish.
  5. Second Rise: Cover the shaped rolls with a damp towel and let them rise again for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until puffy.
  6. Bake Rolls: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes until golden brown on top and the internal temperature reaches 190–200°F.
  7. Finish and Serve: Remove the rolls from the oven and immediately brush the tops with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Let them cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure pineapple is well-drained to avoid making the dough too wet.
  • Warming the pineapple juice and milk helps activate the yeast effectively.
  • Brush rolls with melted butter before baking for a nice golden color and after baking for a soft, shiny crust.
  • Use a kitchen thermometer to check for doneness (190–200°F internal temperature is ideal).
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep rolls soft.
  • Rolls can be frozen after baking and reheated gently before serving.

Keywords: Hawaiian rolls, dinner rolls, sweet rolls, pineapple bread, soft rolls, homemade bread