Pani Popo (Sweet Samoan Coconut Rolls)

These pani popo are fluffy with a rich and sweet coconut milk sauce! They’re super delicious and easy to make without getting your kitchen messy with flour!

This recipe was originally published on April 28, 2020. It was updated with new photos and information on February 25, 2024.

Ingredients

• Water - Use lukewarm water, about 100°F (38°C), to activate the yeast.
• Active dry yeast - Yeast is a very important ingredient that helps these coconut buns rise and adds beautiful flavor. You can also use quick-rise yeast, also known as instant yeast or rapid-rise yeast. If you’re using quick-rise yeast, you can skip activating the yeast first.
• Flour - Use all-purpose flour for this recipe.
• Salt - Use fine salt.
• Sugar - Granulated sugar works best for this recipe, but you can also use cane sugar.
• Coconut oil - You can use either virgin or refined coconut oil. Adds both moisture and richness to make up for the lack of eggs and whole milk. You can also use melted butter (regular or vegan).
• Coconut milk - Use full-fat coconut milk that comes in a can. Half the can will be used for both the dough and the coconut sauce.

How to make pani popo

Step 1: Activate the yeast. In a bowl, combine the lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast. Set it aside for about 5 minutes until the mixture is frothy.

Step 2: Make the dough. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Add half a can of coconut milk, melted coconut oil, and the yeast mixture. Mix the ingredients using a wooden spoon or spatula until it comes together.

Step 3: Knead the dough. Take out the dough onto a clean surface and knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it forms a smooth ball of dough. Put the smooth ball of dough in a large bowl greased with coconut oil, cover, and let it rise for about an hour until it’s doubled in size.

Step 4: Roll the dough. After the dough’s risen, gently deflate the dough in the bowl and take it out onto your work surface. Separate the dough into 12 equal pieces, and roll them into balls.

Step 5: Let the dough rise. Place the balls in a 9x13-inch pan greased with coconut oil, cover, and let it rise again for about 45 minutes.

Step 6: Make the sweet coconut sauce. While the buns are rising, combine the leftover coconut milk and sugar in a small bowl. Pour about ⅔ of the mixture over the buns.

Step 7: Bake. Bake the buns in a preheated oven for about 30 minutes at 350°F/180°C. Once the buns come out of the oven, pour the rest of the coconut milk mixture on top.

Pani popo recipe pro-tips

• Don’t overheat the water. Cold water won’t activate the yeast, and hot water will kill the yeast, so make sure the water is at or around 100°F/38°C.
• Don’t flour your work surface. Adding extra flour will cause the sweet bread rolls to get tough. This dough generally doesn’t stick to the counter, but if you find that it sticks, sprinkle as little flour as possible on the countertop.
• Use a bench scraper. If the dough is really sticking to your work surface, use a bench scraper to help your dough release off the surface.
• Let the dough rise properly. In order to get fluffy panipopo, you need to let the dough rise and double in size. Mine took about an hour, but depending on the weather, humidity, and altitude of where you live, it can take much longer.
• Evenly cover the vegan sweet rolls with the coconut sauce. You can use a pastry brush or spoon to make sure the sweet buns are evenly coated.

Storage directions

Please note that this Samoan bread is best eaten fresh - right out of the oven! However, if you do end up with leftovers, here is how you should store them:

Storing: Allow the bread to cool completely and place it in an airtight container. Store them somewhere dark and cool like your pantry or in your fridge for 2 to 3 days. 

Freezing: Wrap each bun individually with aluminum foil and place them in a freezer bag. Thaw them in the fridge and reheat them in the oven for a few minutes until warm and fluffy.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes To Try!

• Arepas are so versatile and perfect for anyone who is intimidated by attempting to make homemade bread. This recipe doesn't involve any yeast or kneading!
• Serve popcorn shrimp or cauliflower, chicken, or veggie sticks with this creamy bang bang sauce for an easy and delicious appetizer!
• These oatmeal bars come together in one bowl and are perfect to have on hand for breakfast on the go!
• My gluten-free rhubarb crisp recipe is one of my favorites! So much so that I like to keep a bag of chopped rhubarb in the freezer so I can enjoy this crisp even after the rhubarb season.
• If you love easy cupcake recipes, try these banana cupcakes or these vegan salted caramel cupcakes.
• This mango lime sorbet is the ultimate guilt-free and easy dessert!