Best Malasadas on Big Island: Taste Paradise in Every Bite!
Welcome Big Island dessert shops explorers and malasada lovers!
During our latest journey to the Big Island, my boyfriend and I became malasadas experts, having tasted from each and every bakery Big Island offers, sampling every flavor you can think of, in our quest to find the best malasadas on Big Island. Our taste buds experienced traditional options like Lilikoi, vanilla custard, lemon, and guava, alongside inventive offerings like Nutella, cookie butter, peanut butter chocolate, raspberry, and Ube cheesecake.
Now, it’s time to pass on this valuable knowledge to all you food explorers out there looking for your own sugary journey.
I have ranked the top-notch Big Island malasadas places using criteria such as aromas, enticing texture (a little crunch is a must!), the proportion of filling, and consistent quality with each delectable mouthful. These little pockets of joy are sure to fulfill any sweet tooth!
Caution: You might experience unexpected food comas due to the extreme deliciousness of these treats. Proceed if you’re ready for an intense taste explosion!
Your quest for where to eat malasadas Hawaii and finest Portuguese dessert Hawaii has to offer ends here. Let’s begin the ultimate Big Island foodie tour, serving as your personal Hawaiian food guide. Our focus on the best malasadas spots on Big Island and the quest for the perfect Hawaiian malasadas is about to commence.
Enjoy the top Hawaiian local sweets and the authentic Portuguese cuisine Hawaii delivers!
#1. Paradise Bakery Hawaii – Best Gourmet and Island-Inspired Malasadas in Hawaii
Be careful! Once you enter this bakery, you will want to buy everything. The bakery is neat looking (tucked away in a small strip mall) with a vast display of colorful and tasty sweets. Everything smells of fresh pastry, sweetness, and jam. They pride themselves on high-end and gourmet treats. But by far, the most delicious treat they offer is the Hawaiian malasadas.
We tried all the different malasadas they offered, from the plain traditional rolled-in sugar to the delicious-filled ones. They have many choices, but my favorites were the Banana, Bavarian, Coconut, and Pineapple. The Lilikoi is also nice. They are nice-sized (larger than in some bakeries).
The dough is a perfect texture of crunchy outside and fluffy, chewy inside. There is just the right amount of filling to taste in every bite, but not overpower the dough. The filling is creamy, fruity, and natural tasting. No artificial flavor tastes here.
We visited in the morning, and everything was fully stocked. Make sure you arrive early enough to try all the flavors. Or order ahead, and they will be waiting for you the next day. The service here is fantastic. The owners are friendly and accommodating.
Paradise Bakery Hawaii has the best malasadas on the island because:
- The malasadas are large and fresh, and the dough has the perfect texture.
- There are delicious filling options that are naturally flavored, like Banana, Bavarian, Lilikoi, Coconut, and Pineapple.
- You can order ahead, and they will make you your favorite for the next day.
- The service is the best, they are friendly and helpful.
Address: 74-5533 Luhia St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
#2. Punalu’u Bake Shop – The Longstanding Local Bakery
This place is a beautiful rest stop with comfortable outside-covered seating, souvenirs, and exceptional malasadas. They have a big display of fresh malasadas and sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla smell. They make everything in-house from scratch.
Because the venue was so pleasant, we had our order and enjoyed the food in the garden gazebo. It was breakfast time, and we had coffee and two of each malasadas they offered. What we couldn’t eat we took with us on our hike, and they were still tasty late afternoon.
My favorites were the mango, strawberry, and vanilla fillings. I prefer them in traditional sugar, but there are other options too. My boyfriend liked the Lilikoi, guava, and pineapple. Each malasadas was delicious and unique in its own way.
The flavor of the filling is fantastic. Each one tastes like the most delicious jam made of fresh fruit. The vanilla custard was rich and creamy. Everything tasted natural and was made from scratch. The dough was perfectly crispy and firm. The texture overall was flawless.
If you are looking for delicious malasadas, visit Punalu’u Bake Shop because:
- The malasadas are made in-house from scratch and are always fresh.
- There are many filling options, including mango, strawberry, guava, vanilla custard, Lilikoi, and pineapple.
- The dough is perfectly textured with a crunch on the outside.
- They have a cozy space where you can sit and enjoy the malasadas with Hawaiian coffee or juice.
Address: 95-5642 Mamalahoa Hwy, Naalehu, HI 96772
#3. Manuela Malasadas – Best Malasadas from a Food Truck in Maui
This funky food truck isn’t much to see. It sits on the side of the road with a big sign for malasadas, so we tried it. After the first bite, we both fell in love with the malasadas here.
There were more flavor options than I could count. We tried as many as possible, but my highlights were Nutella, cookie butter, peanut butter chocolate, raspberry, and Ube cheesecake. My boyfriend loved banana cream and lemon. They are slightly smaller than in some bakeries, but the taste makes up for it.
All the flavors are rich and fragrant, and each bite has a generous filling. The combinations are funky, and you won’t find most of them in your standard bakery. So this is a great place to experiment. The dough is a great consistency and doesn’t get soggy, even if the malasadas are left for later. They are best when warm and fresh, as they serve them.
Visit this funky food truck for malasadas because:
- They have the most significant combination of flavor fillings on the island.
- The dough is perfectly textured and always fresh and hot.
- The service is friendly and quick, and the food is nicely packed.
- Grab a delicious mango-lilikoi lemonade with your treats.
Address: 1 Puako Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
Related: Best Malasadas in Maui: Top 6 Places You Can’t Miss Out On!
Top Malasadas Place on Big Island Hawaii
| Bakery Name | Specialty | Favourite Flavours | Quality of Dough | Other Features | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise Bakery Hawaii | Gourmet and Island-Inspired Malasadas | Banana, Bavarian, Coconut, Pineapple, Lilikoi | Crunchy outside, fluffy, chewy inside | Early stock, order ahead available, excellent service | 74-5533 Luhia St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 |
| Punalu’u Bake Shop | Malasadas made from scratch | Mango, Strawberry, Vanilla, Lilikoi, Guava, Pineapple | Crispy and firm | Beautiful rest stop, comfortable outside seating, souvenirs available | 95-5642 Mamalahoa Hwy, Naalehu, HI 96772 |
| Manuela Malasadas (Food Truck) | Wide variety of flavors | Nutella, Cookie Butter, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Raspberry, Ube Cheesecake, Banana Cream, Lemon | Consistent, doesn’t get soggy | Fast service, funky flavor combinations, delicious Mango-Lilikoi Lemonade available | 1 Puako Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743 |
Best Malasadas on Hawaii Island
Conclusion
The Big Island has a rich food tradition. Especially for the delicious Hawaiian malasadas. Most bakeries, grocery stores, and shops like KTA Super Stores, have them.
But if you are looking for the absolute best, visit the choices on this list. Whether for lunch, dinner, or a snack, these places won’t disappoint.
Manuela Malasadas, located at 1 Puako Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743, is more than just a hot malasadas truck; it also has an outdoor seating area. It boasts the most extensive and diverse menu of fabulous fillings and toppings in the Kona District.
Punalu’u Bake Shop, near the renowned Punaluʻu Beach with its distinctive black sand, has a tradition of producing this treat from scratch. You can enjoy their malasadas along with a refreshing drink in their picturesque garden gazebo, not far from the Volcanoes National Park.
Paradise Bakery Hawaii, presents a high-end gourmet version of the malasadas. This standard bakery also provides amazing deep frying techniques to get that golden brown crust, creating absolutely delicious malasadas.
Whatever you are craving, whether it’s a yeast dough malasada rolled in cinnamon sugar or a malasada filled with ice cream, they have it. And don’t forget about Tex Drive-In, a popular stop in Honokaa that serves hot malasadas you can enjoy on the go.
Enjoy your trip, and let us know what you think of our choices. If you wish to support our efforts, please share this article. Aloha and bon appetite!
If you wish to support our efforts, please share this article.
Bon appetite!
FAQ
Which bakery offers the best malasadas on the Big Island?
On the Big Island, Paradise Bakery Hawaii in Hilo, Hawaii is known for offering absolutely delicious gourmet and island-inspired malasadas. Punalu’u Bakery and Manuela Malasadas are also popular choices among enthusiasts seeking their fried dough fix. In Honolulu, Leonard’s Bakery on Kapahulu Ave and in Maui, especially in towns like Makawao and Kihei, Hawaii, different flavors of malasadas are enjoyed.
How do Hawaiian hot malasadas differ from traditional Portuguese ones?
The Cuisine of Hawaii, especially the Hawaiian version of hot malasadas brought by Portuguese laborers as immigrants to the United States, tends to have unique filling options such as Lilikoi or tropical fruits that give it an island twist, making them an absolutely delicious treat.
Are there any food trucks with amazing Hot Malasada options?
Yes, Manuela Malasadas is a hot malasadas truck located at 1 Puako Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743. They offer a wide range of flavors and maintain excellent quality. Another hot spot is Tex Drive-In on Pakalana St, known for its deep fried delicacies.
What’s special about Fat Tuesday when it comes to enjoying Malasadas?
Fat Tuesday, known as Mardi Gras in many places, is historically celebrated by indulging in sweets before Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. In Hawaii, consuming sumptuous treats like malasadas has become a tasty tradition on this day.
How does Leonard’s Bakery compare to other bakeries on the Big Island?
Although Leonard’s Bakery is famous for its mouth-watering malasadas in Oahu and Honolulu, if you’re exploring the Big Island, you’ll be delighted by stops such as Paradise Bakery Hawaii and Punalu’u Bakery for their own iconic takes on this beloved pastry.
Do these spots offer outdoor seating when enjoying your malasada treat?
Punalu’u Bake Shop provides lovely outdoor seating where you can relish fresh pastries like lilikoi-filled delights along with refreshing drinks in their picturesque garden gazebo. Also, Tex Drive-In has a comfortable drive-through system for quick and efficient service.
What’s the difference between plain sugar and powdered sugar malasadas?
Plain sugar malasadas involve rolling freshly fried dough in granulated sugar, while powdered sugar variants use a coating of fine, dust-like confectioner’s sugar. Both styles add sweetness and texture to these delectable treats.
Which malasada filling would you recommend for first-time visitors to the Big Island?
For an authentic Hawaiian experience on your visit to the Big Island, I would highly recommend trying the Lilikoi filled option – it perfectly balances fruity tanginess with creamy sweetness in every bite! Other filling options like Taro, commonly found in the Plantation style of cooking and Chantilly, Oise, a popular cream used in the creamery industry, are also worth trying.
Last Updated on July 24, 2023 by Brigitte