Best Desserts in Oahu

Oahu is renowned for its vibrant food scene that beautifully melds together diverse cultures, from traditional Hawaiian fare to Asian and European influences. And let’s not forget about the sweet stuff – Oahu’s desserts! This island is a paradise for sugar enthusiasts, serving up a variety of delectable delights that are as vibrant and diverse as Oahu itself. Stick around as we take your taste buds on a tour through some of Oahu’s most drool-worthy desserts. It’s time to bring out the stretchy pants because this is going to be one sweet ride!

Haupia is a delightful gem in the crown of Hawaiian cuisine, a simple, yet enticing dessert that has won over the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Traditional haupia is made with just four ingredients – coconut milk, sugar, water, and pia (Hawaiian arrowroot), which lends a unique glutinous texture to the pudding. The beauty of haupia lies in its versatility. It serves as a standalone dessert, a pie filling, or a topping on cakes and doughnuts. Venture to the North Shore of Oahu and you’ll find the legendary Ted’s Bakery, renowned for its heavenly Chocolate Haupia Pie. Imagine a velvety layer of rich, dark chocolate custard, a smooth, creamy layer of haupia, and a fluffy topping of whipped cream, all nestled within a buttery, flaky crust. One bite into a slice of haupia pie or a haupia-topped doughnut, and you will find yourself transported to the idyllic beaches of Hawaii. Don’t forget to follow them on Instagram at @TedsBakeryHi for a daily dose of dessert delight!

If fluffiness had a flavor, it would taste like Leonard’s Bakery Malasadas. From the moment you step into Leonard’s Bakery, the sweet aroma of malasadas – Portuguese-style donuts – fills the air, setting the stage for a truly delicious culinary experience. The innovative chefs at Leonard’s have taken this traditional treat to a whole new level by offering them filled with luscious custard, taking your taste buds on a delightful roller coaster ride of sweet, creamy indulgence. These fluffy, sugar-dusted delicacies have a crisp exterior that gives way to a soft, warm center, making them an irresistible treat. Whether you choose the traditional sugar-coated malasadas or the ones filled with flavors like haupia (coconut), custard, or guava, your taste buds are in for a delightful ride. With its commitment to quality and tradition, Leonard’s Bakery has solidified its spot as the Malasada Maestro of Oahu. Make sure to visit their Instagram at [@leonardsbakeryhawaii]

Shave ice, a quintessential Hawaiian treat, is a must-try dessert while in Oahu. This delightful confection is far from your typical snow cone. It is a spectacle of finely shaved ice, so delicate that it dissolves almost instantly on the tongue. The ice is drenched with an array of vibrant, tropical syrups and often crowned with extras like a scoop of ice cream, sweet azuki beans, or a luxurious drizzle of condensed milk.  Enter the tropical oasis of Waiola Shave Ice, an iconic spot in Honolulu known for serving the most refreshing and delicious shave ice in Oahu. Since its opening in 1940, Waiola Shave Ice has been delighting locals and tourists alike with its perfectly shaved, melt-in-your-mouth ice drenched in an array of vibrant, handcrafted syrups. From traditional flavors like strawberry and pineapple to exotic ones like lychee and guava, there’s a flavor for every palate. Don’t forget to check them out on Instagram at [@waiolashaveice.]

If you’re a dessert lover exploring Oahu, you absolutely cannot miss trying Mochi. This delightful, chewy dessert, traditionally made of glutinous rice pounded into a smooth paste and filled with sweetened red bean paste, has a rich heritage in Japanese cuisine and has seamlessly found its way into the hearts (and stomachs) of Oahu’s locals and visitors alike.

For an unforgettable mochi experience, you must visit [\Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts\] on Instagram. This popular spot has taken the beloved mochi to a whole new level, filling the soft rice cake with their home-made, delectable ice cream. Each bite promises a burst of flavors that are a testament to Bubbies’ mastery in combining traditional recipes with their unique twists. From their best-selling passion fruit mochi to the adventurous green tea variant, their selection caters to all palates. Bubbies is certainly a must-visit spot for every mochi and ice cream aficionado exploring the dessert scene in Oahu.

Ube, a vibrant purple yam native to the Philippines, has taken Oahu by storm, adding a pop of color and a unique twist to traditional desserts. Bursting with a subtle, sweet flavor, this root vegetable is the star ingredient in numerous pastries and treats across the island. Ubae [@ube_hawaii] is a must-visit spot for ube enthusiasts, serving everything from ube cheesecake to ube crinkle cookies, all with a delightful purple hue.

Li Hing Mui Powder is a game-changer in the world of sweet treats in Oahu. This bright red, tangy powder is derived from dried plums and packs a flavor profile that is sweet, sour, and slightly salty all at once. It’s often sprinkled on fruits and gummy candies, but the adventurous sweet tooth of Oahu didn’t stop there. You’ll find it adding a zing to shave ice, rimming cocktail glasses, and even mixing it into popcorn! It’s not just a flavor, it’s an experience. A must-try? The Li Hing Mui margarita. It’s a flavor fiesta that will leave your taste buds doing the hula! One place that stands out in its use of Li Hing Mui Powder is @linshawaiiansnacks. This Instagram-famous dessert shop creatively incorporates the powder into their mouth watering and visually appealing sweet treats. Their Instagram feed is a testament to the versatility and popularity of this quintessential Hawaiian ingredient.

Those fluffy circles of joy have found a special place in the hearts of Oahu’s residents and visitors alike. One place that stands out among the rest when it comes to pancakes in Oahu is the Instagram-famous @cinnamonskailua. With a delightful selection of pancakes that are as visually appealing as they are delicious, Cinnamons has gone beyond the typical pancake stack. Their signature Guava Chiffon pancakes have taken social media by storm, featuring vibrant pink guava sauce drizzled over fluffy pancakes, topped off with a dollop of whipped cream. This aesthetically pleasing and delectable dish gives a tropical twist to the traditional pancake, embodying the essence of Oahu in every bite. No wonder Cinnamons has found its place in the feeds of Instagram food enthusiasts worldwide!

Doughnuts, an unassuming sweet treat, have become a culinary sensation in Oahu. Among the numerous donut shops, Purve Donut Shop stands out as a truly exceptional spot. It’s not just a donut shop but an Instagram sensation, tempting hoards of dessert lovers with its mouth watering posts. Purve’s menu brims with creative and delectably unique donut flavors that will send your taste buds on an unforgettable journey. Every confection is a masterpiece – handcrafted, generously iced, and garnished with a blend of traditional and unusual toppings. From the classic cinnamon sugar to their signature donuts like “Camp Fire” and “Da Dirty Monkey”, each donut tells a story. No wonder Purve Donut Shop is the most Instagrammed dessert destination in Oahu, turning casual onlookers into regular patrons. It’s not just about donuts, it’s about the experience that comes with every bite.

For those with a sweet tooth who are also mindful of their health, a trip to Oahu wouldn’t be complete without indulging in guilt-free bowls. Acai and Pitaya bowls have taken Oahu by storm, garnering a loyal following amongst locals and tourists alike. Famed for their vibrant colors, health benefits, and delectable taste, these bowls are a blend of frozen acai or pitaya (also known as dragon fruit), topped with a myriad of fruits, granola, and a drizzle of honey. They are not only visually appealing but also packed with antioxidants and nutrients, making them a guilt-free indulgence.The most famous restaurant to feature these bowls is none other than Sunrise Shack, an Instagram sensation with thousands of followers. Known for their vibrant, photogenic bowls, Sunrise Shack uses locally sourced ingredients to create their colorful concoctions. From the rich, organic acai to the vibrant pink pitaya and the crunchy, homemade granola, each bowl is a delightful burst of flavors that leaves you craving more.

If you’re a fan of refreshing drinks, Oahu’s boba and smoothie scene is a must-experience. A standout in this category is the much-acclaimed Blue Tree Hawaii. Known for their premium, organic offerings, Blue Tree Hawaii is a hot-spot for locals and tourists alike. They’ve mastered the art of boba tea, offering a variety of flavors and tea bases that are as delicious as they are picture-perfect. Their smoothies, too, are a crowd-pleaser – made with fresh, locally-sourced fruits and packed with flavor. t’s not just a place to check out their menu – it’s a visual treat that leaves followers drooling over their next visit. If you’re in Oahu and have a sweet tooth, do give this Instagram-famous spot a try!

This concludes our dessert tour of Oahu. This Island is an undisputed paradise for dessert lovers, offering a diverse array of sweets and treats that cater to every preference and dietary requirement. So next time you find yourself on Oahu, don’t miss out on exploring the vibrant, delectable, and utterly satisfying sweet side of the island. We hope you’ve enjoyed exploring the island’s sweet side as much as we did. Happy indulging and Aloha!