Growing up, my absolute favorite buns from Cantonese bakeries in San Francisco were the sausage buns and scallion buns. What better way to honor those memories with a modern, combined version of the two?! This cheesy scallion sausage bun is savory, aromatic, and incredibly addicting (don’t say I didn’t warn you)!
If that isn’t convincing enough, what if I told you these can be ready in under 45 minutes?
How to make cheesy scallion sausage buns (shortcut)
Step 1: Prepare the garlic scallion oil, sausages, and spread
Start by sauteing the minced garlic and chopped scallions in neutral oil. Once the garlic has browned slightly, remove from the pan into a heatproof bowl along with the oil. Add salt and sesame oil.
cook sausages in the same panmake the mayo ketchup sauce
To the same pan, add the halved sausages, and cook until lightly seared.
Make the mayo + ketchup spread by mixing it in equal parts.
Step 2: Cut 3 slits into each Hawaiian roll, and brush garlic scallion oil all over
cut 3 slits into each rolladd garlic scallion oil
Cut 3 slits (about halfway deep) into each roll.
Brush the garlic scallion oil all over the top and into the pockets of each roll. Make sure to reserve a bit of garlic scallion oil for the top later.
Step 3: Add the sausage, spread, cheese, and remaining garlic scallion oil
Add a sausage to the middle pocket, then top with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Make sure the cheese covers most of the top of the roll. This will protect the roll from getting too toasty in the oven.
Finally, top with any remaining garlic scallion oil.
Step 4: Broil on low (350F) until cheese melts and browns
Because we only want to brown the cheese on top and keep the rest of the roll soft, we’re going to broil on low (350F) for 5-7 mins or until the cheese melts and browns.
Make sure to watch it closely. We don’t want the rolls getting too toasty on top. Enjoy warm!
Check out these other popular shortcut bun recipes:
If you enjoyed this cheesy scallion sausage bun recipe…
I’d be so grateful if you left me a review below!
Be sure to subscribe to the smellylunchbox email list to receive more delicious recipes and cooking tips straight to your inbox. You can also follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube @smelly.lunchbox to stay up-to-date on my latest posts and recipes. I can’t wait to share more with you!
Cheesy Scallion Sausage Buns (Shortcut)
A more modern take on the nostalgic Cantonese sausage buns — these are cheesy, garlicky, and incredibly addicting! Best part is, they're ready in under 45 mins!
Slice the scallions thinly. Mince the garlic. Slice the sausages in half to get 12 of them — each should be about the length of one Hawaiian roll.
1 cup scallions, 8-10 cloves garlic, 6 beef hot dogs
Heat up a pan on medium low heat. Add neutral oil, chopped scallions, and minced garlic.
3 tbsp neutral oil
Saute for about 3 mins or until garlic becomes lightly browned and fragrant. Remove from the pan into a heatproof bowl, along with all of the oil.
To the pan, add the halved sausages. Cook for 2-3 mins or until they’re lightly seared, moving them occasionally. Remove from the pan.
To the garlic scallion oil, add salt and sesame oil. Mix and set aside.
Small pinch of salt, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
In a small bowl, mix together mayo and ketchup. Set aside.
1 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp ketchup
Assemble the rolls
Remove the rolls from the package, and separate each roll by hand. With a bread knife, slice 3 slits (about halfway deep) into the rolls.
12 Kings Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls
Brush the garlic scallion oil all over the top and into the slits of each roll, making sure to save a bit for the top later. Add a sausage into the middle slit of each roll.
Top the sausage with about 1 tsp of the mayo ketchup mixture.
Add shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese all over the top, making sure to cover any exposed bread on the top (this will protect it from getting too toasty). Lastly, top with any leftover garlic scallion oil.
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
Set your oven to broil low (350F), and broil for 5-7 mins or until cheese melts and browns slightly. Make sure to keep an eye on it, as it can get too toasty quickly!