Pineapple Bun (Bolo Bao) - Easy Hack!

If you love a good Chinese pineapple bun (also known as bolo bao), this easy pineapple bun recipe is going to blow your mind.

Inspired by the classic Chinese pineapple bun or bo lo bao, this air fryer version uses just a few pantry staples and transforms simple bread slices into crispy, buttery perfection—no dough-making required.

What is a Pineapple Bun (Bolo Bao)?

Despite the name, pineapple buns don’t actually have pineapple in them! Known as bo lo bao or Chinese pineapple bread, this beloved Hong Kong-style bakery treat gets its name from the crackly golden topping that resembles pineapple skin.

Traditionally, it’s a soft milk bun topped with a sweet, crumbly crust. My version skips the dough-making and uses milk bread or brioche slices as the base—but you still get that same crunchy, caramelized top.

Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Bun (Bolo Bao) Recipe

• Super easy to make: No yeast, no kneading, and no proofing needed—just mix, spread, and air fry.
• Crispy, buttery topping: That iconic golden, sweet crust comes out crispy and caramelized right from the air fryer.
• Great for any time of day: Enjoy it for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert with a cup of milk tea.
• A modern twist on a bakery classic: All the vibes of traditional Chinese pineapple buns without all the work.

If you love this recipe, check out my other pastry recipes: Portuguese Egg Tarts and Steamed Chinese BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao).

Ingredients

• Brioche or Milk Bread: The soft and fluffy base for the pineapple bun that mimics classic milk bread buns.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create that signature golden crust.
• Sugar: Sweetens the topping and helps it caramelize beautifully.
• Egg Yolk: Adds richness and helps bind the topping together.
• Milk: Adds moisture for a smoother dough texture.
• Vanilla Extract: A hint of warmth that enhances the flavor of the topping.
• Cake Flour or All-Purpose Flour: Gives the topping its tender, crumbly texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor.
• Baking Powder: Helps puff the topping slightly for that classic “pineapple” cracked look.
• Egg (for egg wash): Creates a shiny, golden finish when brushed on top.

Customizations

• Use sandwich bread: If you don’t have brioche or milk bread, soft white sandwich bread works in a pinch.
• Make it dairy-free: Use plant-based butter and milk for a dairy-free version that still tastes amazing.

How to Make Easy Pineapple Bun (Bolo Bao)

Make the pineapple bun topping

In a bowl, mix the softened butter and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

Stir in the flour, salt, and baking powder until you get a thick, spreadable dough.

Prep your bread slices

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Take your brioche or milk bread slices and evenly spread a layer of the pineapple bun topping over each slice.

Use a butter knife to gently score a criss-cross pattern on top—this gives it that signature bo lo bun look!

Add egg wash and air fry

Brush the top of each slice lightly with egg wash. Place the slices in the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not overlapping.

Air fry for 6–8 minutes until the tops are golden brown, puffed, and slightly crispy.

Storage

These pineapple buns are best eaten fresh and warm, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for up to 1 day and reheat in the toaster oven or air fryer.

Tips

• Softened butter is key: Make sure your butter is soft enough to mix smoothly but not melted. If you are in a time-crunch, you can use a microwave to soften the butter - just heat in 10 second bursts until it is softened but not melted.
• Don’t skip the criss-cross pattern: That classic cracked look on the pineapple bun comes from the scoring and helps it bake up just like the real thing.
• Keep an eye in the air fryer: All air fryers are a little different—check around the 6-minute mark so the topping doesn’t overbrown.

Pineapple Bun (Bolo Bao)

This is my easy version of the classic pastry featuring a soft milk bread and a buttery crust with criss crosses that look like a pineapple

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

Calories: 730kcal

Author: Herman Chan

Equipment

• ▢
  Air Fryer

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

US Customary - Metric

• ▢ 3 slices of brioche or milk bread
• ▢ ¼ cup butter softened at room temperature
• ▢ 5 tablespoon granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 egg yolk
• ▢ 2 tablespoon milk
• ▢ ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ ½ cup cake flour or all-purpose flour
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ 1 egg for egg wash

Instructions

• In a bowl, mix softened butter and sugar together until a smooth paste. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract and mix well together. Add flour, salt, and baking powder and mix until you get a thickened dough.
• Preheat air fryer to 375F (190C) for a few minutes. Spread the butter evenly on top of each slice of bread. Use a knife to make diagonal marks on the butter to create cross-hatch marks. Gently brush the top with egg wash.
• Add the toast to the air fryer ensuring there is enough space. Air fry for 6-8 mins until golden brown and crispy on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 730kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 332mg | Sodium: 663mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 1433IU | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 2mg