Taste Testing The Snow Puffy From Paalaa Kai Bakery

“When you sink your teeth into a Snow Puffy from Paalaa Kai Bakery on the North Shore of Oahu, your mouth fills with a glorious cloud of deliciousness. Gobs of creamy custard spilling out from between feather light but crispy layers of puff pastry.”

This is what it was like taste testing one of these famous delights.

Where is Paalaa Kai Bakery?

Paalaa Kai Bakery in Waialua on O’ahu’s North Shore, is home to the original Snow Puffy, so it’s only fitting that you stop and have one when you are spending the day in Hale’iwa. 

I had been past this inconspicuous bakery many times while visiting my daughter and son-in-law in Oahu. I never knew what delicacies lie inside the door.

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During my second visit to O’ahu recently, Megan suggested we stop there. She had heard of this popular pastry that is original to the bakery and as long as I was in town, why not stop. No need to ask me twice. The words pastry, bakery, powdered sugar, and popular, signal my mouth to salivate with an alarming urgency. 

So after spending some time shopping in Hale’iwa and on the way back home, we found one parking space in the small lot.

The bakery is attached to a small mini mart of the same name. It’s located on the corner of Kaukonahua Road and Kaamooloa Road. Be on the lookout, cause it’s easy to miss. And I’m not kidding when I say the parking lot is small. 

It can get quite busy, often with a line inside. There’s a number system so be sure and get a number when you walk in. The bakery is tiny so you may be shoulder to shoulder with other customers. 

What is a Snow Puffy?

The Paalaa Kai Bakery’s Snow Puffy (a rectangular flaky puff pastry with creamy sweet custard inside, dusted with powdered sugar and a swirl of chocolate on the top) is their signature item, but they also make mouthwatering malasadas, eclairs, bread, cookies, and a multitude of other baked delights. 

For now, the purpose of this stop is to get a half dozen Snow Puffies to take back to the house. 

Sadamu Oka, opened the Waialua Bakery in 1970 and operated the business until being purchased by Hale’iwa Super Market in 1982. The bakery was then renamed Paalaa Kai Bakery. Locals and visitors alike stop here for their puffy, which is evident by the dusting of powdered sugar on the faces of those who have to take a bite before they walk out of the store. 

I’m told that they often sell out of their Snow Puffies, but there was plenty when we visited. There were about 8 people in front of us, but the line moved fast and in no time we were armed with our box of pastries. 

I couldn’t wait to open the box when we got in the car. Against impulse we decided to wait till we got to Megan’s house before we tried one or we and the inside of her car would be one powdered sugar mess. 

They smelled good. Butter, sugar, flaky pasty, and a hint of chocolate radiating from the chocolate swirl on top which is barely visible under the intense dusting of powdered sugar.

The moment of truth: Taste testing the Snow Puffy

We barely made it inside the house before we had our hands in that white cardboard box. Fearing it would make a mess, we went outside on the patio with paper towels to have our Snow Puppies. 

The layers of dough baked to perfection.

When I sunk my teeth into that Snow Puffy, my mouth filled with a glorious cloud of deliciousness. Gobs of creamy sweet custard spilling out from between feather light but crispy layers of puff pastry that break with a delicate crunch as I chewed. It nearly melts in my mouth. Light and delicate.

Oh this is good. So good. Definitely messy, but who cares if we are covered in a layer of white sugar. A dab of custard falls on my black shirt. Oops. Megan’s rescue pup, Lulu is circling around my feet catching a misting of sugar as it falls to the patio. It’s a delightful mess. One that satisfies the tummy and puts a smile on my face. 

I have another the next day, cold right out of the refrigerator. They are meant to be cold. I find they are easier to eat cold too. The custard is thicker and the powdered sugar seems to settle a bit. Just as light and delicious as they were the day before. 

I can see why people come from all over to have a Snow Puffy. I will definitely be back when I visit next. 

Pa’alaa Kai Bakery

66-935 Kaukonahua Rd, Waialua, HI 96791