Learn how to make Asian bakery style pineapple buns in your own kitchen. These buns are light, soft, and airy, with an extra crispy, buttery, and sugary crust that cracks perfectly into a pineapple pattern. Detailed step-by-step pictures and video are included to walk you through each detail.
Pineapple buns, called Bolo Bao in China, are a popular sweet treat from Hong Kong. They are light, soft, and airy inside. And on top they have this cracked surface with a delightfully crispy texture.
Perhaps the most fascinating thing about these sweet pineapple buns is that there is no pineapple inside of them. None! They have the name ‘pineapple buns’ because the cracked exterior somewhat resembles the outside of a pineapple.
I always feel I should warn people about this – if you’re expecting a pineapple filling, you’re going to be disappointed! But just so you know, you can split the buns in half and stuff them with any filling you like.
Why this recipe
From the looks of it, this might seem intimidating, but not to worry! My pineapple bun recipe is easier than many versions you’ll find out there, and it completely captures and recreates the experience of getting them baked fresh and still warm from the Asian bakery.
- Use a KitchenAid mixer to make the kneading process super easy.
- Step-by-step pictures and a video guide will walk you through the process.
- The bread dough is easy to work with, and it creates the airy and fluffy texture.
- Recreate the crispy and buttery topping that cracks naturally.
- The buns hold up well in the freezer. You can make them in advance and serve them later, and the texture will be just as great.
Following my recipe, your pineapple buns will turn out every bit as heavenly as the real deal that you’d find at busy street stalls and bakeries lining the streets of Hong Kong.
Cooking process
Pineapple buns are made of two parts: a bread dough on the bottom and a cookie dough on top. You will need to work on them one at a time.
Make the cookie dough – topping
My recipe starts with the topping. I found out the dough will be easier to work with if it’s chilled in the fridge (not in the freezer). Starting with the cookie dough will ensure you have enough time to chill the dough before cutting it.
- Combine the melted butter, milk, egg yolk, vanilla, and sugar.
- Stir until it forms an even and smooth texture.
- Add the dry ingredients
- Stir until everything is combined
- Press it into a dough log
- Wrap the dough with plastic wrap, then roll it into a cylinder. Chill it in the fridge.
Make the bread dough
- Activate the yeast by combining the warm milk, sugar, and yeast.
- Combine the rest of the dough ingredients in a stand mixer and knead them into dough.
- Add the butter, then knead the dough for 14 minutes in the mixer.
- Once done, cover the dough loosely and let it rest for 1 hour.
NOTE:
- When you cover the stand mixer bowl with plastic, make sure to leave some small gaps so there’s enough oxygen to help the dough rest.
- Try to find a warm place in your room to rest the dough. Depending on your room temperature, it might take 15 minutes, more or less, to reach the desired texture.
Shape the dough
- The dough size will double once it’s done resting.
- Softly punch the dough to push out the air.
- Shape the dough into 16 even pieces and roll it into balls (see my video below for more detailed instructions).
- Cover the dough balls and let them rise again, for 30 minutes.
Cut the topping
While you’re resting the shaped bread rolls, the topping should be chilled completely.
- Cut off both ends of the log, and discard the ends. Mark the dough log with 15 evenly spaced marks, to divide it into 16 even pieces.
- Slice the topping.
- Roll the topping between two pieces of plastic wrap until slightly flattened, just enough to cover the risen bread.
NOTE: The topping dough is very crumbly and fragile (so it will crack naturally and taste very crispy). If you find the rolling too difficult, you can simply press the dough with your fingers to lightly flatten it. In this case, the topping will be thicker and won’t cover the dough completely. But it does not affect the taste after baking.
Assemble and bake
- Once the bread dough has risen, gently place the topping disks onto each bread.
- Brush the egg wash onto the topping. Let it dry slightly, then brush it a 2nd time.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes.
NOTE:
- Chilling the egg wash before brushing will help it thicken, so it will coat the dough better.
- Brushing the egg wash twice will help it form a thicker layer, giving you the beautiful golden yellow look of Asian bakery bread.
Serve and store
How to serve
The pineapple buns are ready to serve once they’re out of the oven and hot.
- Traditionally, the pineapple buns are served warm with a piece of butter in between. When the buns are hot, the butter will melt and it makes the buns taste heavenly.
- You can add jam to your buns too.
- Make savory pineapple buns with BBQ char siu pork. I’ve had it in Hong Kong, and OMG, it was SO GOOD.
- I enjoy eating pineapple buns by themselves, because they taste perfect already!
How to store and reheat
To store, place the buns in a ziplock bag and squeeze out as much as much air as possible.
- Store them at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.
- Store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
PS: I don’t like to store the bread in the fridge, because it dries out the bread. If you plan to store them for a longer time, the freezer method works better.
To reheat:
- Place the buns in a 350° F (176° C) oven until reheated through (no thawing needed).
- When I’m extra lazy, I microwave the buns until heated through. The topping won’t be as crispy, but the buns still taste very good.
Afterthought
Pineapple buns aren’t something you’ll want to make on a weeknight, but you will be happy to make the effort on a weekend. You may find they make a perfect addition to your Sunday brunch spread or a lovely dessert to finish a weekend meal. You’ll likely also use them as a snack. They are worth every bit of effort.
More delicious Asian baking recipes
- Char Siu Bao (Steamed BBQ Pork Buns)
- Chinese Steamed Custard Buns (nai wong bao)
- Easy Milk Bread Rolls
- Soft Cinnamon Rolls with Sesame
- Sesame Checkerboard Cookies
If you give this recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it (once you’ve tried it), and take a picture and tag it @omnivorescookbook on Instagram! I’d love to see what you come up with.
Pineapple Buns (Bolo Bao)
Ingredients
Topping
- 60 g (4 tablespoons) butter
- 2 teaspoons whole milk
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 140 g (2/3 cup) sugar
- 150 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
Bread
- 180 g (3/4 cup) whole milk
- 70 g (1/3 cup) sugar
- 7 g (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 160 g (3/4 cup) heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 300 g (2 cups) bread flour
- 225 g (1 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 5 g (1 teaspoon) salt
- 50 g (3 1/2 tablespoons) butter , softened
Egg wash
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
Make the bread topping dough
- Heat the butter in the microwave until it melts completely. Once the melted butter is slightly cooled, add the milk, egg yolk, vanila, and sugar. Mix with a spatula until smooth.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda in another medium-sized bowl. Stir to mix a few times, then transfer it to the bowl with the wet ingredients.
- Mix with a spoon or fork until a dough forms. The dough should be very crumbly. Use your hand to press the crumbs together until a thick dough log is formed (see picture in the blog post).
- Transfer the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap and wrap the dough. Continue shaping the dough once wrapped, so it forms a thick cylindrical log, about 2” (5 cm) in diameter.
- Transfer the dough to the fridge until ready to use.
Make the bread dough
- Add the milk into a small bowl and warm it to approximately 100-110°F (38°C), about 30 seconds in the microwave. The milk should be warm, just a bit above body temperature. Pour it into the KitchenAid mixing bowl. Add the sugar and yeast. Stir it slightly and let it sit for 5 minutes to activate the yeast. You can tell the yeast has activated when there are bubbles forming in the liquid and a strong yeasty smell.
- Add the heavy cream, egg, bread flour, all-purpose flour, and salt into the bowl (add the salt at the end to prevent it from directly touching the yeast).
- Install the dough hook on your KitchenAid. Mix at setting 2, until a dough forms, about 2 minutes.
- Turn off the mixer. Add the butter to the dough. Use a spatula to smear the butter into the dough to prevent it from splashing. Turn the mixer to setting 6. Knead for another 14 minutes, until the dough is smooth and stretchable. During mixing, turn off the mixer and scrape the sides as needed to make sure all the butter is incorporated. Test the dough by pulling a piece of it using both of your hands. It should stretch into a very thin and translucent sheet.
- Form the dough into a tight ball by pulling its sides to the bottom, then place back in the mixing bowl. Cover the top of the bowl loosely with plastic wrap and place it in a warm and humid part of your home. Allow to rise until it double in size, about 1 hour.
Shape the bread dough
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Once the dough is rested, punch the dough softly to push the air out. Place the dough onto an unfloured working surface and knead it a few times. Use a bench scraper or a knife to cut the dough in half, then halve it again into four pieces, and cut each piece into four even pieces, so you get 16 pieces in total. For a more accurate result, you can weigh the dough so each piece is 62 to 63 g (2.1 to 2.2 oz).
- Loosely cover all the dough pieces with plastic wrap and work on the dough pieces one at a time.
- Pinch the ends of a dough ball into its bottom and place the pinched side down. Place your hand over the ball, forming a cage with your fingers and working the ball in a circular motion, applying light pressure with all of your fingers, until the ball is well rounded.
- Place the dough ball onto the lined baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the dough balls. Make sure there is 2” (5 cm) of space between each ball. Cover the dough balls with plastic wrap while you form the rest, to prevent the dough from drying out.
- Once done, make sure the whole tray is loosely covered with plastic wrap. Place it in a warm and humid place. Let it rise for another 30 to 45 minutes, until the size doubles again.
Egg wash
- Make the egg wash by combining the yolk, milk, and sugar in a small bowl. Whisk together until everything is combined.
- Cover with plastic and place in the fridge. Chilling the egg wash will make it slightly thicker so it will stick better when brushed on the dough.
Shape the topping
- Once the topping is chilled, unwrap it. Use a knife to slice off the uneven ends and discard them. Carve marks on the dough so you can slice the log into 16 even pieces (see the blog post for instructional pictures). Then slice the dough accordingly. If the dough is too hard to slice, rest it on the kitchen counter for 10 to 15 minutes to let it soften before cutting.
- Place each piece between two pieces of plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough without cracking it, until it forms a round disk that is about 2.5” (6 cm) in diameter and 1/4” (5 mm) thick. The dough will be very crumbly and the ends might crack a bit (it’s totally OK!). If you find the dough too difficult to roll out without cracking, you can use your hand to lightly flatten it instead of rolling it. (*Footnote 1)
- Place the rolled/pressed topping disks onto a large sheet of plastic wrap using a thin spatula (you can also stack them together by placing plastic wrap or parchment paper between each piece of dough). Cover with plastic wrap until you’re ready to assemble the buns. (*Footnote 2)
Assemble and bake
- Preheat the oven to 350° F (176° C).
- Once the bread dough has risen again, remove the plastic wrap. Gently place the topping dough disks onto the bread dough rolls.
- Brush all the buns with egg wash. Allow the egg to dry slightly. Then brush them again for a second time to get the beautiful yellow color.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until the top is golden yellow and the bottom is slightly browned.
- Let the buns rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them onto a cooling rack.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Store
- Once the pineapple buns have cooled completely, you can store them in an airtight container on your kitchen counter for up to 2 days. The rolls will stay delicious at room temperature. You can also warm them up in the microwave for 10 seconds or leave them in a 350° F (176° C) oven to warm before serving.
- For longer storage, place the dinner rolls in a ziplock bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and store them in the freezer for up to a month. To reheat, bake the rolls at 350° F (176° C) without thawing, until warm throughout, 10 minutes or so.
Notes
- The topping dough will be very crumbly. We’ve tried both rolling the dough and pressing the dough, and found that the rolling method generates a slightly better result. The topping will cover the bread better and the buns will look better. On the other hand, pressing the dough is much easier and the result is just as tasty. Although, the topping will be slightly small and won’t cover the bread fully in that case.
- If your bread has risen while you were working on the toppings, you can place the topping directly onto the bread rolls.
Video
Nutrition
Lilja Walter is a part of the Omnivore’s Cookbook team and worked closely with Maggie to develop and test this recipe.
Thank you for this!!! Loveee pineapple buns! Question – do we use unsalted butter for this recipe?
Yes, unsalted butter for this recipe.
Can I sub bread flour? I only have AP flour.
Did you try it with all AP? If so how was the outcome? Thanks
I’ve done it twice with all AP flour (I measured by weight, so 525g total) and it turned out great!
I even surprised myself on this recipe. They turned out beautifully and I’m not much of a baker. LOL. The recipe is time consuming but worth it. I served with classic Chinese rice/pork congee. WOW. The directions are easy to follow. Thanks. BTW, unsalted butter, yes.
Also, the shelves here are empty of AP and Bread flour but voila, in lieu of Bread Flour, semolina flour, which is higher in protein than AP worked superbly. I bet Italian 00 would sub for bread flour as well. Fortunately I had the required AP flour to balance.
Has anyone tried this with gluten free cup for cup flour? I have food allergies in my household… want to make these for the kids ….
Amazing recipe! Baked these today and they were just like fresh ones from a Chinese bakery. I did not have cream on hand, so I used more whole milk and 50g more butter to make up for the fat. Also didn’t have a machine so kneaded this by hand – took about 40 min for me. The dough wasn’t perfect (couldn’t achieve the windowpane effect; might’ve needed to knead more but was afraid of overkneading) and it was slightly tacky, but after I let it rest for an hour it rose well and smoothed itself out. Thank you so much for this recipe!!!
These are the best! My family, including my picky Chinese son, ate them up. No worries about storing them, as they are almost gone . Thank you for sharing this bao recipe. Definitely a keeper for my meals.
Thank you so much! This recipe is amazing! The dough is perfectly soft/buttery/fluffy. I’ve made bo lo bao from a couple other recipes and the dough is NOWHERE NEAR as fluffy and tasty. My family is Cantonese/HK so they love Chinese bakery goods. We’ve been having bakery withdrawal during this time and my FIL (who is one of the harshest food critics) gave me a score of 99, but all I did was follow the recipe! (missing 1 point because he wants me to have “room for improvement” HAHA). For all you readers and avid bakers, if you want a true bo lo bao, Make this!!!
This looks amazing! I’m out of active dry yeast, can I use instant yeast for this?
Hi Ayana, I’m pretty sure you can, but you don’t need to dissolve the yeast in warm water to activate it. You can mix it into the dry ingredients directly. You might also need to reduce the rise time by 10 to 15 minutes so the dough won’t be over proofed.
this looks like a fun or challenging baking process depending on your perspective, it looks fun to me, it’s nice to learn how to make this from scratch with your detailed step by step walk through, much appreciated!
Made this on a Saturday. They turned out great. Take your time, read through, it is foolproof
Hi Maggie,
We don’t have a stand mixer. What are your suggestions for hand kneading? I’ve never made bread before. Thank you!
Emily
Hi Emily, I think you can hand knead the dough, but the process will be quite a bit of work so you will get the correct dough texture – when you can stretch the dough into a thin semi-transparent sheet without tearing apart. I have some other readers who hand kneaded the dough and the result was very good.
It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
I have been wanting to make pineapple buns forever and finally thanks to your recipe it was successful on the first try. I wanted to make the kind filled with custard so I merged your recipe with another one I found and it was still awesome. Thank you so much from a Cantonese fan of this dessert 🙂
So happy to hear it 🙂 The pineapple buns filled with custard sounds SO GOOD! I can’t wait to make them myself.
Can you use instant yeast? If so, how much?
Hi Linda, yes you can use instant yeast. You don’t need to activate them in the warm water so you should skip that step and add the yeast with the dry ingredients directly. You should use 1 3/4 teaspoon instant yeast in this recipe.
Great recipe!
My family loved them! They were delicious! Question: I was wondering if you could split the work into two days? Will it be okay if I let the dough proof overnight so we can have fresh buns in the morning?
Hi Rachel, I’m glad to hear you like these buns! We’ve never tried proofing the dough overnight in the fridge so I’m afraid I don’t have the answer. The long proofing time might change the dough texture so I wouldn’t recommend it unless you want to experiment with it. And if you do decide to try it out, I’d really appreciate if you could leave a comment to share your result with the rest of us 🙂
Wow, these are amazing! Brought me back to my childhood and is just as delicious as my favorite pineapple buns from the bakery!
Hi, is it possible to replace the heavy cream with full cream milk?
I’m afraid not. The two ingredients contain very different fat content and will not work the same.
If you prefer milk, you should use the dough from this recipe: https://omnivorescookbook.com/baked-bbq-pork-buns/
Great recipe thank you! I’m wondering if making the topping the night before and chilling it overnight would be ok?
Hi Janie, I’m sure you can. If the dough gets tough and it’s hard to cut, simply place it at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes so it looses up a bit.
Have you noted any issues with using the KitchenAid mixer with the bread hook on speed 6? My understanding according to KitchenAid is that the bread hook shouldn’t be used with a speed other than 2 to avoid over working the motor.
Thanks!
Hi Rachel, I actually didn’t know you should always use speed 2 or less with bread hook.
The motor does get hot when you use speed 6 for a while. I always keep an eye on the mixer and stop it to let it cool down if the motor gets too hot.
My kitchen aid mixer unfortunately gave out on minute 12 of kneading on speed 6 and now I’m not sure if my mixer is permanently broken or not. I would definitely recommend not leaving the mixer on continuously for the full 14 minutes.
This is my second time making the recipe and I really struggle making the topping, mine looks lighter in color and is very crumbly and I can barely form it into a cylinder or even roll it. Do you have any further tips?
Hi Maggie, this is definitely a 5star recipe as it was very well received by both the old and young in my household! Love the little tips you gave, from weighing the bread dough to get equal sizes to how to forming it into a nice round ball to get that perfect shape. I wanted to also share a couple of tips that I chanced upon when preparing the topping. Firstly, I wasn’t able to get the perfect cylinder shape as you do which affected the equal sizing of them. I got around it by measuring them to equal weight, about 24-25g per piece, shaped them into a mini golf ball before rolling them into a flat circle between the plastic sheets. Secondly , the chilled effect of the topping dough makes it really easy to transfer them in perfect whole slice onto the round proofed dough using the bench scrapper. Therefore I find myself putting the topping dough back into the fridge to chill a few minutes whenever I find that it’s crumbling apart and couldn’t be transferred in one piece over to the bread dough.