King’s Hawaiian rolls are a sweet, soft dinner roll or sandwich bun that originated in Hawaii. They are known for their fluffy, pillowy texture and slightly sweet flavor from the addition of sugar. King’s Hawaiian rolls have become popular across the United States and are now a staple item found in many grocery stores. They can be used for making sandwiches, burgers, or even served along side a meal. With their growing popularity, many consumers wonder about the ingredients that go into King’s Hawaiian rolls and specifically, if they contain eggs. In this article, we will dive into the details around the ingredients and answer the question – are there eggs in King’s Hawaiian rolls?
About King’s Hawaiian Rolls
King’s Hawaiian was founded by Robert R. Taira in Hilo, Hawaii in the 1950s. Taira worked to perfect a sweet and fluffy dinner roll recipe inspired by his experiences working in bakeries as a teenager. After years of experimenting, he landed on the iconic King’s Hawaiian bread recipe that is still used today. The company operates several commercial bakeries in the United States that produce King’s Hawaiian rolls and other products. Their largest bakery is located in Torrance, California.
King’s Hawaiian products are now sold throughout all 50 U.S. states and even internationally in some locations. Their signature product remains the original sweet rolls, which catapulted the company’s success early on. The dough used to make the rolls includes wheat flour, water, sugar, eggs, and vegetable oils, resulting in the signature taste and texture. While the exact recipe remains a secret, those core ingredients are what give King’s Hawaiian rolls their distinct characteristics.
Do King’s Hawaiian Rolls Contain Eggs?
After reviewing the ingredients list printed on the packaging of King’s Hawaiian rolls, **the answer is yes, they do contain eggs as an ingredient**.
Specifically, the Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls list the following ingredients:
| Enriched unbleached wheat flour |
| Water |
| Sugar |
| Eggs |
| Vegetable oil (palm fruit, soybean and/or canola) |
| Yeast |
| Nonfat dry milk |
| Sea salt |
| Modified cornstarch |
| Dough conditioners (DATEM, sodium stearoyl lactylate) |
| Potassium sorbate (preservative) |
| Wheat starch |
| Natural flavors |
As you can see, eggs are listed as the 4th ingredient after enriched wheat flour, water, and sugar. This confirms that yes, King’s Hawaiian rolls do contain real eggs.
The Role of Eggs in King’s Hawaiian Rolls
Now that we’ve established eggs are present in the rolls, it’s helpful to understand why they are used in the bread recipe.
Eggs serve multiple important purposes in baked goods like breads and rolls:
– **Structure and Binding** – Eggs provide structure to help bind ingredients together into a cohesive dough. The proteins in eggs help create an elastic dough that can rise well.
– **Leavening** – Eggs assist with leavening, which is the rising of dough during baking. As eggs cook, the proteins denature and firm up, trapping air bubbles which allows the dough to rise.
– **Color and Browning** – The proteins in eggs promote maillard browning reactions during baking which results in the golden-brown crust and richer color.
– **Moisture** – The water content in eggs keeps baked goods like bread moist and soft. This is especially important for King’s Hawaiian rolls which are known for their soft, pillowy texture.
– **Flavor** – Eggs provide a mild flavor and richness that complements the sweetness of the King’s Hawaiian rolls.
As you can see, eggs play several integral roles in achieving the unique taste, texture, appearance, and overall quality that King’s Hawaiian rolls are known for. Removing eggs from the recipe would significantly alter the finished product.
Egg Allergies and King’s Hawaiian Rolls
For those who need to avoid eggs due to allergies or dietary restrictions, the presence of eggs in King’s Hawaiian rolls is important to note. Egg allergies are one of the most common food allergies, especially in children. Thankfully, there are a few options for those looking for egg-free dinner rolls or sandwich buns:
– Check grocery stores for egg-free brand alternatives like Against the Grain rolls or Schar bread products. You can find some options in the freezer section.
– Specialty bakeries may offer custom egg-free rolls or buns on request.
– There are homemade egg-free dinner roll recipes available online. While these won’t replicate the exact King’s Hawaiian taste and texture, they provide a convenient homemade option.
– Those with egg allergies can try ordering egg-free sandwiches from restaurants using egg-free buns or rolls. Some sandwich shops may accommodate special requests.
Always carefully read the labels and know how to identify egg-containing products. For those with egg allergies, it’s safest to avoid King’s Hawaiian products due to the egg content. Being aware of egg-free alternatives helps make managing an egg allergy more feasible.
The Takeaway on Eggs in King’s Hawaiian Rolls
In summary:
– King’s Hawaiian rolls contain egg as their 4th listed ingredient, confirming eggs are present in the recipe.
– Eggs provide important functions for structure, leavening, moisture, color, and flavor. They help create the light and fluffy texture the rolls are famous for.
– Individuals with egg allergies will need to avoid King’s Hawaiian rolls and instead opt for egg-free alternatives that are specially made without eggs.
– Carefully reading ingredient labels enables consumers to be informed about egg content in King’s Hawaiian rolls and other products.
So for those asking “are there eggs in King’s Hawaiian rolls?”, the answer is a clear yes. Eggs help create the signature taste and texture, but it means the products must be avoided for anyone with an egg allergy. Knowing the ingredients empowers consumers to make the right dietary choices.
Nutrition Facts for King’s Hawaiian Rolls
For those watching calories, carbs, or certain nutrients in their diet, examining the full nutrition facts label of King’s Hawaiian rolls can be helpful.
Here is the nutrition information for a serving of 1 roll (55g):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 130 |
| Fat | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 8g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Calcium | 4% DV |
| Iron | 4% DV |
| Potassium | 2% DV |
% Daily Value is based on a 2000 calorie diet.
As you can see, a single King’s Hawaiian roll contains 130 calories and 24g of carbohydrates, making it a higher glycemic index food. Each roll also provides 4% of the daily recommended amount for calcium and iron.
Those monitoring sugar intake will want to take note of the 8g of sugar per roll, which comes mostly from the added sugar in the dough recipe itself. The small 1g of fiber means these rolls offer minimal fiber content.
Overall, while King’s Hawaiian rolls make a tasty occasional treat, they are considered more of an indulgent bakery item rather than a daily health food due to their higher calorie, carb, and sugar numbers. Eating them in moderation is advised, especially for those with specific dietary needs related to blood sugar management, weight goals, or other health factors.
Cost of King’s Hawaiian Rolls
In addition to nutrition, the cost of King’s Hawaiian rolls may be another consideration for shoppers. The price can vary depending on the bundle or package size.
Some average price points for King’s Hawaiian rolls include:
– 12 pack of Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: $3.99
– 6 pack of Original Hawaiian Sweet Slider Buns: $3.49
– 6 pack of Pretzel Hawaiian Rolls: $3.99
– 2 pack of Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread: $5.99
King’s Hawaiian products are sold at most major grocery chains such as Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Target, and Walmart. Prices may be slightly lower at discount warehouse stores like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Coupons are sometimes available either online or through newspaper inserts to save on King’s Hawaiian purchases. Buying larger packs typically provides a lower per-unit cost compared to smaller packages.
Those looking for budget-friendly options can sometimes find good deals on day-old King’s Hawaiian rolls at bakery outlet stores for up to 50% off retail prices. Freezing any extras can extend freshness.
Overall, King’s Hawaiian rolls cost moderately more than regular white enriched bread options. Their unique taste and quality make them worthwhile for an occasional indulgence. With strategic shopping methods, discounts can bring down the price to make them more affordable.
Compare Nutrition to Other Bread Options
To better evaluate the nutrition numbers of King’s Hawaiian rolls, it’s helpful to compare them to some other popular bread choices:
| Bread Type | Calories | Carbs | Protein | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King’s Hawaiian Roll (1 roll) | 130 | 24g | 3g | 1g |
| White Enriched Bread (1 slice) | 75 | 13g | 3g | 1g |
| Whole Wheat Bread (1 slice) | 60 | 12g | 3g | 2g |
| Sourdough Bread (1 slice) | 110 | 20g | 3g | 1g |
In comparison, King’s Hawaiian rolls provide significantly more calories, carbohydrates, and sugar at 130 calories and 24g carbs per roll compared to 60-110 calories and 12-20g carbs in standard bread slices. Fiber content is low across all options shown.
Rolls also equate to a standard serving size of 1 roll versus 2 slices of bread. This further increases the comparative calorie and carb counts.
The takeaway is that while tasty, King’s Hawaiian rolls are one of the higher glycemic choices among bread options based on their nutrition numbers. Light or diet bread varieties with fewer net carbs would be the healthiest choice for blood sugar regulation. But for an occasional treat, King’s Hawaiian rolls can be enjoyed in moderation alongside balanced meals and activity levels.
King’s Hawaiian Rolls: An Iconic Sweet Bakery Treat
King’s Hawaiian rolls have become a beloved pantry staple thanks to their Pillowy texture and signature sweet taste. While the exact recipe remains proprietary, it’s clear eggs play an integral role in creating the rolls’ distinct qualities.
For those with egg allergies, viable egg-free alternatives are available in stores or can be made at home. Regular consumers should enjoy King’s Hawaiian rolls as an indulgent bakery treat in moderation rather than a daily health food.
Regardless of dietary needs, ingredient awareness allows consumers to make informed choices when purchasing King’s Hawaiian and other products. Now that you know definitively that yes, King’s Hawaiian rolls contain egg, you can enjoy your favorite slider buns or dinner rolls to your liking.