The famous open-faced sandwich made popular in Germany in the 1950’s, Toast Hawaii features ham, pineapple and Swiss cheese and is topped with a cherry or fruit preserves for a delightful sweet and savory flavor combo!
Toast Hawaii, also known as Hawaiian Toast, is a German dish that was made popular in the 1950’s. It features ham, pineapple and cheese (traditionally Emmental or Gruyere) and is similar to America’s “Hawaiian Pizza” except that its base is toast rather than pizza crust.
Toast Hawaii is served as an open-faced sandwich with a cherry placed in the center or your choice of fruity preserves. The combination of sweet and savory sandwich is also reminiscent of a Monte Christo sandwich and French croque-monsieur.
The dish was made popular by Clemens Wilmenrod, Germany’s first TV chef. He was known for creating inventive recipes amidst the food scarcity of post-war Germany. Toast Hawaii offered a touch of the exotic while being made with simple and accessible ingredients, e.g., bread, ham, cheese and canned pineapple in a time when fresh pineapple was nearly impossible to find.
This dish has remained popular in Germany ever since and can be found throughout Germany’s cafe’s and restaurants.
How to Make Toast Hawaii
To make Toast Hawaii you’ll need bread, butter, ham, pineapple and either Emmental, Gruyere or Swiss cheese. The slices of bread are toasted and then buttered and then they’re topped with ham, pineapple and lastly the cheese.
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Then they’re baked in the oven until the cheese is melted.
The toasts are served with either a maraschino cherry placed in the center of the pineapple ring or a dollop of fruit preserves (cherry or cranberry are popular).
And that’s all there’s to it!
In less than 10 minutes you have a ready lunch or a light dinner made with pantry staples.
Enjoy!
For a popular American “Hawaiian-Style” hamburger be sure to try our Banzai Burger!
Toast Hawaii
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 8 slices bread
- 8 slices ham
- 8 slices pineapple rings (canned or fresh), drained and blotted with a paper towel
- 8 slices Emmental, Gruyere or Swiss cheese
- 8 maraschino cherries or 4 tablespoons fruit preserves such as cherry or cranberry
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220°C). Briefly toast each slice of bread in the toaster. Butter each piece of bread and lay the bread slices down side by side on a lined baking sheet. Place a slice of ham on each slice of bread followed by a pineapple ring and slice or sprinkling of cheese.Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.Remove from the oven and either place a cherry in the center of the pineapple ring or a half tablespoon of fruit preserves. Serve immediately.
Cat T says
I had to look up this recipe after hearing about it in the Netflix movie Dark. I think I’ll have to give it a try!
Dee says
Lol I saw that on the Netflix series also
I so want to make this
Ruby says
Looking forward to trying this after seeing it on the German TV show Dark. Just wanted to point out, the actual recipe is missing ham from the ingredients.
Annette Bishop says
I came here because I am watching Dark as well. Actually binge watching all episodes as I only just now discovered it…
Sharon says
I love lingonberries, discovered when living in Austria many years ago (was a ski instructor). You can find lingonberries at Ikea and World Market stores. I think they would be the perfect condiment for this recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Perfect indeed, Sharon!
Andreas says
It’s nice see a German recipe on an English language site, even if it’s Toast Hawaii… ;-) The traditional preserve that goes with so many German dishes, and indeed this one, is lingonberry jam. Cranberries were not available in 1950s Germany and have made their way into German markets more recently. They certainly are a good substitute though.
Suzy says
I have not heard of this toast before but what I will say is that we love ham and pineapple together! I know we’d love this too!
Beti says
This German Hawaii toast looks SO GOOD!! I can’t wait to try it!
katerina says
YUM!! This look incredible! I will definitely be trying this asap!
Toni says
Best recipe EVER! It’s so easy with delicious flavors and so filling!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you, Toni, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Vikki says
Definitely my new favorite way to make toast!
Erin says
This German Toast Hawaii couldn’t look any more perfect!
Beth says
Yum! This is so delicious! I made this for lunch the other day and it was so delicious! I will definitely be making this again! Thanks!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
So glad you enjoyed it, Beth, thank you!
Sara Welch says
What a great way to start my day! Looking forward to enjoying this for breakfast tomorrow; looks too good to pass up!