If you spend a morning exploring the misty, rain-kissed rainforest around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you’ll quickly realize why hot, fried comfort food holds such a special place in local culture. While visitors often think of Hawaiʻi as tropical fruit and shaved ice, the cooler temperatures around Volcano and the rainy east side make warm bakery treats especially welcome after a morning of exploring. Enter the malasada. These pillowy, sugar-dusted treats have become a cornerstone of local culture, evolving from a traditional plantation-era recipe into one of the most beloved comfort foods in the islands.
This guide covers what malasadas are, where they came from, and where to find them near our Big Island bed and breakfast.
What Is a Malasada?
At its heart, a malasada is a yeast-leavened fried doughnut made from an enriched dough of flour, eggs, milk, fresh butter, and sugar. Unlike a standard American doughnut, an authentic malasada has no hole in the center, allowing it to retain a remarkably light, pillowy core. The magic of the pastry relies entirely on contrast; the moment it hits the hot oil, the outside forms a delicate, golden crust that crisps perfectly, while the interior remains incredibly soft, airy, and steaming.
The traditional way to enjoy them is immediately, straight from the fryer while the dough is still warm, after being rolled in sugar or cinnamon sugar. Over the years, island bakers have put their own distinct spin on the treat by introducing rich, tropical cream fillings. Today, you can find them stuffed with everything from traditional haupia (coconut pudding) and tart lilikoi (passionfruit) to more contemporary local favorites like vibrant purple ube cheesecake, sweet guava, and decadent caramelized crème brûlée.
Where Did Malasadas Come From?
The story of the malasada begins in the late 19th century, when Portuguese immigrants arrived from the Azores and Madeira islands to work on Hawaii’s booming sugarcane plantations. They brought with them a deep-seated culinary tradition, including a custom of making mal-assadas (which translates literally to “under-cooked” or “badly baked,” referencing their soft, doughy interiors) to mark the end of the pre-Lent season. It was a practical and delicious way for families to use up their remaining household stores of butter, lard, and sugar before the traditional fasting period of Lent began.
Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, became known throughout the islands as Malasada Day, and it is still celebrated with long lines and fresh batches at bakeries across Hawaii every year.
Over generations, Hawaiian bakers made the malasada their own, experimenting with local flavors and fillings that go well beyond the Portuguese original. Today, it is as much a Hawaiian dish as a Portuguese one.
Where to Find the Best Malasadas on the Big Island
Punaluʻu Bake Shop
HI Route 11, Naalehu, HI 96772
Punaluʻu Bake Shop holds the distinction as the southernmost bakery in the United States. It sits right on the winding coastal highway between the Kona coast and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, making it an essential resting point during a day of coastal exploration. The shop is best known for its famous Hawaiian sweet bread, but the malasadas are a close second. The local favorite here is the guava-filled option, which offers a bright, tropical acidity that beautifully cuts through the richness of the sugar-coated dough. There is also a gift shop, garden, and a full cafe menu on site. Even if you are not hungry, it is worth stopping to stretch your legs on the long coastal stretch of Highway 11.
© Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Ben Ono
Tex Drive In
45-690 Pakalana St, Honoka’a, HI 96727
Tex Drive In has been a Big Island institution since 1969, and its malasadas are the main reason people make the stop in Honoka’a. They are made fresh daily, served plain, sugared, or with a filling of your choice, and there is a windowed section so you can watch them being made and fried from scratch. The menu goes well beyond malasadas, with an all-day breakfast, loco moco, Hawaiian plates, burgers, and more, but the doughnuts are what put this place on the map. If you are driving the Hamakua Coast, this is a required stop.
Manuela Malasada Co.
Waimea location: 1 Puako Beach Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
Hilo location: 2023 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
Manuela Masada Co. has grown into one of the most talked-about malasada operations in Hawaii, with locations on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and even the mainland. What sets Manuela apart is the commitment to making malasadas and nothing else. Every order is made fresh to order, which means you wait a few minutes and get something hot, crispy on the outside, and properly gooey inside. The filling options are extensive and change regularly, including haupia, mango, ube cheesecake, guava, crème brûlée, and poi.
Many guests describe them as the best malasadas they have ever had. If you are exploring the northern side of the island, you can find their Waimea location at 1 Puako Beach Dr. If you are staying closer to us, their Hilo location is a food truck operated alongside Country Grounds Coffee at 2023 Kilauea Ave, making it the ultimate stop to grab a hot espresso and a fresh pastry.
On-the-Go Alternatives
If you find yourself in a rush between island excursions and don’t have the time to wait for a custom bakery order, you can often find pre-packaged malasadas at the local KTA Super Stores. They are convenient when you need a quick island treat to fuel a hike or a long drive, but, for the absolute best, ultra-fresh experience, the dedicated bakeries listed above are well worth the short wait.
© Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Ben Ono
Planning Your Pastry Route from Volcano
When you stay with us at Volcano Village Estates, you can easily build these iconic culinary stops into your daily island adventures, as each bakery highlights a completely different region of the Big Island. Punaluʻu Bake Shop is an easy, scenic 45-minute drive south through the historic Ka’u district, serving as the perfect midday reward if you are heading down to explore the black sand beaches or South Point.
Manuela’s Hilo food truck is just 30 minutes down the mountain, making it incredibly easy to combine with a morning spent wandering through downtown Hilo’s historic streets and antique shops. For those embarking on a grander day trip to the northern end of the island, you can stop by Manuela’s Waimea location or hit Tex Drive In in Honoka’a, which is roughly an hour and a half away and anchors a gorgeous drive along the sheer cliffs and waterfalls of the coastline. If your travel dates happen to fall around Shrove Tuesday, make sure to plan for extra travel time. Malasada Day is taken seriously here, and joining the morning line is half the fun.
Ready to find your favorite flavor on the Big Island? Plan your stay today.