How to freeze Hawaiian rolls for soft bread and sandwiches is easy. And when you serve these amazingly good bread products and have leftovers, knowing how to save them is key.
My family and I enjoy having sweet Hawaiian rolls with different types of dishes. And one dish that goes great with them is this easy recipe, gluten free chicken salad. I traditionally will serve it on croissants or bread. But using the rolls makes them Hawaiian roll sliders. It is a great option to have.
The fresh Hawaiian rolls can be served at room temperature or warmed up. And some other options for them to be served are plain, with melted butter, or jelly. Enjoy it in the middle or tops of the rolls. And they make for a great way to add a side dish to the dinner table. Their sweet flavor and fluffy texture help to make them a family favorite.
Frugal Tip
Thinking outside of the box can possibly help us save money. This definitely did and helped to use up leftovers as well.
I had made shredded barbecue chicken for sandwiches, and then realized I did not have buns. We could have used bread, but buns were what I was wanting to use. I was not going to go to the grocery store to purchase some. Then I realized that I had a package of leftover Hawaiian rolls in our freezer. I pulled them out, heated them up and used them in place of buns. And our barbecue chicken was so delicious on the rolls.
Do Hawaiian rolls freeze well?
The good news is, yes, Hawaiian rolls do freeze well. When frozen properly, you can help prevent them from freezer burn. And there are several reasons why you may want to freeze them. Times to consider freezing them are for your leftover Hawaiian rolls and stocking up when they are on sale.
I typically do not freeze the Hawaiian rolls for a very long time. We will use them up within three months at most. So, this is the time frame I go by to use them.
How To Freeze Hawaiian Rolls for Soft Bread and Sandwiches!
For best results, there are some simple steps to freeze your store-bought rolls. It is important to label the date of when you put them in the freezer on the package. This serves as a helpful reminder to know how long they have been in the freezer. So, you can use them up before going bad.
If you make homemade Hawaiian rolls, let them cool before freezing.
Here are some ideas on how to freeze Hawaiian rolls.
- Plastic wrap
- Aluminum foil
Take the rolls out of their packaging and wrap them a couple of times in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can wrap them all together or several in a pack. Wrap them snug but not too tight where they could smash. Then place them in a plastic bag such as a grocery bag.
- Airtight container
- Freezer bag
Placing the rolls in an airtight container or freezer bag works as well. If placing in a freezer bag. I would keep them in their original packaging and then place them in the freezer bag.
How do you defrost frozen Hawaiian rolls?
There are different ways to defrost frozen Hawaiian rolls. Depending on how quickly you need them will determine which way may be best.
- Microwave
The best way I have found for Hawaiian rolls to defrost in the microwave, is twenty seconds for one roll. When I microwave them more than thirty seconds, mine have been chewy. This is a helpful hint. For those that do not want chewy rolls and for those that may.
- Room temperature
After removing the rolls from the freezer, place them on the counter at room temperature. I sometimes keep them in the package or take them out and place them on a paper towel. At room temperature, it takes approximately an hour and a half to thaw out.
- Refrigerator
If you do not need them soon, you could place them in the refrigerator to thaw. This will take longer. Placing them in the refrigerator the day before may be the best.
How do you heat up frozen Hawaiian rolls?
An easy way to heat up the frozen Hawaiian rolls is in the microwave. I have found them to heat up nicely in twenty seconds. Another good idea is placing them unpackaged in a single layer on a baking sheet in the oven. Follow directions on package.
How do you soften frozen rolls?
I have found that microwaving individual rolls at twenty seconds, softens them best. And to help keep the rolls warm, simply place them in a clean, dry dish towel and fold it over them. You can place the wrapped rolls in a basket and serve them with your meal. Making for delicious, warm bread.
What to do with Hawaiian rolls for dinner. (Or lunch)
Enjoy fresh rolls, such as King’s Hawaiian rolls with your dinner or lunch. I used to think of them as simply soft dinner rolls as a side to a meal. But they can be used in so many other ways too. And they can be served with a meal and used differently the next day. Here are some ideas.
- Hawaiian sweet roll sliders such as cheese sliders.
- Cheeseburger sliders
- Hamburgers
- Barbecue sandwiches.
- Luncheon meat sandwiches.
- A side to spaghetti
Are there any other ways that you like to integrate Hawaiian rolls into your meals? Please share in the comment section.
Great information! They freeze so well. I have recently started using them to make ham, egg, and cheese breakfast sliders (in bulk). I freeze the sandwiches for later, and it’s makes mornings so much easier!
Thank you! I love that idea. I would like to make those as well. Thank you too!
I love Hawaiian rolls. Thanks for these tips so I won’t feel pushed to eat them all so quickly. I can freeze them for later without destroying their taste.
You’re welcome! Love not feeling like we have to rush to eat them all. And they still taste great after being frozen.