That first bite of tender, caramelized shredded chicken with slightly crisp edges, piled into a taco with a sweet and spicy hula sauce, is an absolute game-changer. It’s exactly the kind of next-level flavor we’re getting into today, and it is SO GOOD.
This list is a total celebration of that amazing sweet-and-savory magic, taking you from insanely delicious grilled chicken to the fluffiest homemade rolls you’ll ever eat.
1. Hawaiian Berry Smoothie
Just look at this gorgeous thing! This two-layer smoothie is a total showstopper and brings all the island feels with every single sip.
The Hawaiian layer features a delicious mix of orange, banana, and mango. Right on top of that, you have the berry layer, put together with berry yogurt, assorted berries, and a few more banana slices. It is so refreshing!
You can whip this up in just 10 minutes. And if you’re feeling a little fancy, go ahead and top it with a toothpick of fresh fruit for a fun presentation. I’m so into it.
2. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
This macaroni salad is classic, so easy, and oh-so-creamy. It’s the kind of dish that completely steals the show at outdoor BBQs and weekend meals.
If you go with the basic recipe, all you need are carrots, cooked macaroni, salt, pepper, and mayonnaise. You just toss everything together and you’re done!
It is a little heavy on the mayo, but that’s the key to its creamy texture. For a healthier twist, you can always swap the mayo for Greek yogurt or a vegan version.
3. Hawaiian Haystacks
Vibrant and so full of flavor, this Hawaiian haystacks recipe has become a total family favorite. I think it’s because it’s just so easy to put together. But also? It’s loaded with all the toppings we absolutely love!
You get a pile of creamy chicken gravy, cheese, pineapple, and green peas all stacked on top of rice. And don’t forget the chow mein noodles! You can make it your own with your favorite toppings to create the ultimate comfort food dinner. Yes please.
4. Shoyu Chicken
Here’s a dish that offers up a wonderful combination of flavors. Shoyu chicken comes to us from Japan, and its main ingredient, shoyu, is a Japanese-style soy sauce that is so rich in flavor.
The soy sauce goes into a marinade with some other spices. You just mix it all with the chicken and let it sit in the fridge overnight.
You have options here! Grilling the marinated chicken gives it that classic BBQ taste, while baking it in the oven creates a chicken dish that’s juicy and sticky. Either way, it’s a winner.
5. Hawaiian Fried Rice
When you need an easy Hawaiian lunch, this flavor-packed fried rice is the answer. It’s got everything that gives it that distinct Hawaiian taste, like ham, bell pepper, and of course, pineapple.
This dish is such a great way to use up leftover rice. You could serve this to guests and they would never guess you used cold, day-old rice. With its warm flavors and fluffy texture, it’s just so good!
6. Blue Hawaiian
Two of the most popular fruit flavors from Hawaii are right here in this amazing cocktail: pineapple and coconut. Get ready to feel the summer vibes from the very first sip!
This summery drink needs just three things: some coconut rum, pineapple juice, and blue curacao. That last ingredient is what gives the drink its blue color, which looks just like tropical waters.
You have a choice to serve it frozen or on the rocks. It’s going to keep you refreshed on a hot day no matter what. So yummy!
7. Hawaiian Rolls
Oh my gosh, these Hawaiian rolls are everything you could want in a homemade roll. They’re slightly sweet, fluffy, light, and chewy.
The pineapple juice is what brings that classic Hawaiian flavor, while the honey just bumps up the overall sweetness. You can definitely eat these plain, but I think they are so much better when slathered with some honey butter!
8. Hawaiian Chicken
These chicken thighs get marinated in a coconut milk mixture and then they’re grilled to absolute perfection. Just serve them with some juicy pineapple slices and you’ve got a tropical-flavored chicken dinner that is out of this world!
The secret is getting that marinade just right, but don’t worry, it’s so easy. All you need is a mix of brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce, and coconut milk.
You can serve this over a bed of white rice, and if you’re feeling extra, cook the rice in coconut milk for even more flavor! Dreamy.
9. Passion Fruit Bars
Passion fruit is one of Hawaii’s most beloved flavors. This yellow fruit, also called lilikoi, is one of the most abundant tropical fruits you can find on the islands.
For this recipe, you puree the lilikoi and mix it with eggs, sugar, and flour. You bake it until it’s perfect, and what you get are these delicious fruit bars that will make you think of rainbows and sunshine. So much yes!
10. Hawaiian Butter Mochi
Butter mochi is a local favorite that uses glutinous rice flour and coconut milk as its main ingredients. I love this recipe because it calls for just four easy steps: mix, pour, bake, and cut. Seriously, anyone can make this delightful mochi.
The final result looks like a cake, but it has a bouncy texture. It’s a little chewy and not too sweet. You should probably make an extra batch, because you will not be able to stop snacking on this!
11. Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs
These grilled Hawaiian delights are just the best. You get marinated chicken, pineapples, red onions, and bell peppers all together. The result is honestly the best chicken kebab ever!
I’m a huge fan of chicken recipes, and I absolutely love kebabs, so this is a total home run for me. If you make it for an island-themed summer party, I promise it will be a hit.
It uses pantry staples, but the flavor you get is heavenly and the chicken is so tender. You don’t need any special ingredients or fancy equipment, and it only takes 15 minutes to cook! It’s a must-make.
12. Coconut Syrup
You see coconut trees everywhere in Hawaii, some of them reaching up to 100 feet tall! But you don’t have to do any climbing to bring that coconut flavor to your next meal.
All you need is coconut syrup, and this recipe is going to show you how to make it. It just calls for three things: some coconut cream, coconut flakes, and rich condensed milk.
The result is a sugary concoction that you can use on waffles, brownies, cookies, or basically anything!
13. Passionfruit Donuts
These crisp little donuts are just oozing with a creamy passion fruit curd, and these pastries will bring such a uniquely sweet taste to your table. They’re coated with powdered sugar, and these humble-looking donuts are surprisingly light and will melt right in your mouth.
You can also find other variations that use coconut or pineapples for the filling. So delicious!
14. Haupia (Coconut Pudding)
Haupia has been around since the 1940s and was traditionally used as a topping for white cake. Now you can make this traditional Hawaiian dessert right at home using simple ingredients.
It all comes together so quickly, and you don’t need any special equipment. With just a little bit of cooking, whisking, and baking, you get these jelly-like squares that have the most lovely coconut flavor!
15. Hawaiian Pizza
Hawaiian pizza is so popular all over the world. While some people might not be a fan of this pizza flavor, I am definitely on board! You get a combination of sweet, cheesy, and salty in a single bite. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
If you are too, here’s an easy recipe for a homemade Hawaiian pizza.
This one calls for homemade pizza dough, but it’s a cinch to make with just six simple ingredients. The result is a thick, flavorful crust that can hold all that sauce, cheese, ham, pineapple, and bacon. Yum!
16. Kalua Pork
Kalua pork is a classic Hawaiian dish you’ll see at almost every luau. It’s a smoked, shredded pork that’s traditionally cooked in an “imu,” which is an underground oven.
But don’t worry, with this recipe, you won’t have to go through that whole laborious process. All you’ll need is a slow cooker to do most of the work for you!
Using just three ingredients, you’ll end up with a moist, tender, and smoky pork dish that’s perfect for entertaining.
17. Hawaiian Coleslaw
If you’re getting a little tired of the traditional slaw, this recipe brings something new and exciting to the table. It’s lightly sweet with a little bit of crunch, making this Hawaiian salad the perfect partner for grilled meats inside a toasted bun.
It’s also packed with citrus notes, thanks to the vinaigrette dressing plus bits of mango and pineapple. You should totally serve this at your summer luau to really intensify the tropical vibe!
18. Ham and Cheese Sliders
These sliders are just ideal for an afternoon snack or a light dinner. They combine two classic ingredients: ham and cheese. Anything with gooey, yummy cheese is going to get my attention, so this recipe is another winner in my book.
For an easy Hawaiian twist, you can use King’s Hawaiian rolls for this dish. They are so soft and fluffy, and they have a sweet flavor that goes so well with the smoky ham and nutty cheese. A perfect bite.
19. Hawaiian Fruit Salad
I think this fruit salad is one of the best-looking desserts I have ever seen. It’s so colorful with all the mixed fruits and it’s presented in a pineapple boat. What a real eye-catcher and a total crowd-pleaser!
If you love tropical, juicy fruits, you will find them all here. A blend of pineapples, oranges, strawberries, and green grapes get mixed together in a creamy, yogurt-based dressing. It is so pretty!
20. Furikake Snack Mix
This popular Hawaiian snack brings together a mix of sweet and salty, and the result is an addictive dish you can share with everyone. If you’ve never had furikake, it’s a dry seasoning made up of toasted sesame seeds, bits of seaweed, sugar, and salt.
You can make a huge batch of this snack mix with three boxes of your favorite cereals and chips. The furikake gets mixed into a butter-soy sauce syrup, which creates the most wonderful flavor combinations.
21. Mai Tai
The mai tai is a classic cocktail in Tiki culture. A lot of people see it as a girly drink because of its vibrant color, but it definitely packs an alcohol punch.
This drink uses both dark and amber rum as a base, with extra flavors coming from orange juice and lime juice. You just mix everything together in a cocktail shaker, and you’ve got a classic tropical drink ready in minutes. It’s a party favorite for a reason!
22. Hawaiian Oatmeal
You can start your day off right with this hearty and healthy oatmeal. This breakfast dish is just chock full of tropical flavors and has such an impressive texture.
The sliced almonds and toasted shredded coconut will get your palate excited with every single bite. And, of course, this oatmeal wouldn’t be “Hawaiian” without those pineapple tidbits!
23. Hawaiian Rice Pudding
This rice pudding is full of flavors like cream cheese, pineapple, and vanilla. This is hands down my top Hawaiian comfort food.
The mix of pineapple sauce with creamy cheese is an unexpected delight. Plus, you get a luscious pudding that is not overly sweet. You can eat it warm or cold, and either way, you are in for a real treat!
24. Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Tacos
Get ready for a fusion of flavors with these loaded, saucy tacos! They are filled with tender chicken in a hula sauce, a slaw that’s just slightly spicy, and crunchy Asian noodles that make these tacos insanely good.
For the sauce, you’ll need a combination of garlic, soy sauce, plenty of pineapple juice, chunks of pineapple, honey, and ginger. This all goes into the slow cooker with the chicken.
There is an extra step of broiling, but trust me, it is so worth it! That’s how you get shredded chicken that’s caramelized and has some nice crisp edges. A true masterpiece.
25. Spam Fried Rice
Hawaiians really love their Spam, so it’s not surprising that the state consumes millions of cans of it every single year. If you love this canned good as much as I do, then this Spam fried rice is a must-try.
It gives you a bowl of tasty fried rice with a really nice texture from the mixed veggies. Finish it off with some Sriracha sauce for a spicy kick! It’s the perfect easy meal.