Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant

My Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant is the combination of the savoury flavours of Chinese BBQ pork (char siu) with the delightful crunch and sweetness of a pineapple bun (bolo bao), all encased in a flaky croissant. Check out my shortcut recipe using Costco croissants!

I buy my croissants from Costco. The twelve pack can be hard to finish. With day-old croissants, they lose their light and crispy texture so it’s perfect for making these Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissants because they get rebaked until they are golden brown and crispy again!

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What is Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant?

The Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant is a buttery croissant that provides a base for the rich and savoury char siu with a sweet pineapple topping. The fusion recipe works perfectly together and is a fun way to reinvent the pineapple BBQ pork bun. Let me break it down for you.

Char siu is a beloved Cantonese dish, characterized by its juicy, tender pork marinated in a mixture of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and Chinese five-spice powder. I add additional seasoning that gives it a beautifully caramelized exterior with a blend of sweet, savoury, and slightly smoky flavours.

Despite its name, the traditional pineapple bun (bolo bao) doesn’t actually contain pineapple. Instead, it gets its name from the crunchy, golden-yellow topping that resembles the texture of a pineapple. The sweet and crumbly topping provides a nice contrast.

The croissant, a quintessential French pastry, is known for its light, flaky layers and buttery flavour.

Here’s Why You Will Love Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant

• Simple: You can make this recipe regardless of your cooking skill level. It’s very easy to make. Plus, I cheat and use store bought croissants from Costco. Check out how I also reinvent the Costco croissant by making Chocolate Dipped Flat Croissant with Matcha here, Garlic Croissant here and Salted Egg Yolk Lava Croissant here.
• Delicious: If you are a fan of sweet and savoury, you’ll love this combination. This recipe is a play on version of pineapple BBQ pork (or bolo char siu) bao.
• Small batch: This recipe makes two croissants. Sometimes I don’t want to make a giant batch of treats so this is the perfect recipe.

Equipment and Tools to Make Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant

Pan: To stir fry the BBQ pork

Cutting board and knife: To cut ingredients and slice croissants

Measuring spoons or cups

Medium bowl: To mix pineapple topping ingredients together

Baking sheet and parchment paper

Pastry brush: For egg wash

Ingredients

Alright, let’s make our shopping list! To make this recipe, you will need…

Croissants: Day old croissant works best. This recipe uses 2 regular sized croissants from Costco.

Chinese BBQ Pork: You can make your own or use a store bought version. For this recipe, I use approximately 1/2 lb store bought version.

Onion, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, water and starch: These are the flavouring ingredients to make the BBQ pork filling more tasty; just like your typical BBQ pork buns.

Butter (salted), sugar, flour, custard powder, egg, baking soda and baking powder: The pineapple topping has no pineapple in it. It is likes a cookie texture that resembles the look of a pineapple.

How to Make Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant

Let’s make this dish!

Prepare the Pineapple Topping. In a bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk, flour, custard powder, baking soda and baking powder, and mix until a dough forms. Roll the dough into a log, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Prepare the Char Siu. Cut BBQ pork into small cubes and measure out 2 cups. In a pan over medium heat, add BBQ pork and onion. No need to add oil as the fat from the BBQ pork will come out. Saute for 3 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add sugar, oyster sauce, light and dark soy sauce and sesame oil. Simmer for 1 minute to allow flavours to develop. Mix water and cornstarch together. Add to pan and mix until starch solution has thickened. Set aside.

Assemble the Croissants. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice two croissants in half horizontally. Fill each bottom half croissant with a generous amount of char siu. Divide the chilled pineapple topping dough into two and roll into a thin, elongated round. Brush the tops of the croissant with egg white and place a round on top of each croissant. Score crisscross lines on the pineapple topping. Brush the pineapple topping with egg wash. Bake the filled croissants for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pineapple topping is golden and slightly crispy. Baking times vary by oven. Enjoy!

Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant Options and Substitutions

Want to mix things up with this recipe? Feel free to…

• Use full size or mini croissants for this recipe. Just make sure your store bought croissant is made with butter. The butter in the croissant ensures that this will turn out flaky.
• Use your favourite homemade croissant or BBQ pork recipe if you wish. You can also use a different protein such as chicken if you are making your own.
• Substitute croissants with puff pastry. It will yield a slightly different texture but is equally delicious.
• Replace the sugar with honey for the BBQ pork filling.

Storage and Reheating Tips

The Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant refrigerates well in an air tight container for one day. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until heated through. Avoid the reheating in the microwave as it can make the croissants soggy.

Make Ahead Options

Prepare the pineapple topping dough and char siu filling as per the recipe. Refrigerate up to 3 days before assembling the croissants.

Recipe Tips

Balance the flavours by adjusting the sweetness of the char siu marinade and the pineapple topping to suit your taste preferences.

It is best to use room temperature butter to ensure a smooth pineapple topping. Creaming the butter and sugar together initially will ensure a consistent filling without lumps.

Use day old butter croissants. I buy my croissants from Costco instead of making them from scratch. This recipe is a quick and easy version and it’s okay to cheat sometimes!

Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissants are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when they’re at their flakiest and most aromatic.

Ensure the croissants are heated through but not overbaked and brown to maintain their flakiness.

If you have leftovers, it is best to reheat in the air fryer until they are heated through and crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant taste like? A Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant has light, flaky layers of the croissant, followed by the tender and flavourful char siu pork that bursts with sweet, savoury, and umami notes. Finally, the pineapple topping adds a sugary crunch and an extra layer of sweetness. It’s the perfect balance of all textures: light, flaky, tender, juicy, crispy and crumbly.

What goes well with Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant? Serve the croissants with a traditional Chinese tea like oolong or jasmine or my favourite, milk tea.

How do you heat a Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissant? It is best to reheat in the air fryer or in the oven at 350F for 3-5 minutes until heated through.

Hungry for More Costco Croissant Recipes?

Salted Egg Yolk Lava Croissant 

Garlic Croissants (they taste just like those from Paris Baguette!)

Chocolate Dipped Flat Croissant with Matcha

Lastly, if you make my Pineapple BBQ Pork Croissants, be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a star rating! I love to hear from you guys and respond to each and every comment. Also, don’t forget to tag me @cookwith.chopsticks and #cookwithchopsticks on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you have made makes me sooooo happy! You can also follow along on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest.