Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Made from pantry staples like flour, yeast, and milk, these buns are easy to prepare without the need for special ingredients.
- Versatility: These buns can be filled with various fillings such as braised pork, fried chicken, or even vegetables, catering to different taste preferences.
- Light and Fluffy Texture: Steaming the buns gives them a soft and airy texture, making them a perfect vessel for your favorite fillings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (290 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (3 g) instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon (3 g) baking powder (double-acting)
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) full-fat milk, cold or at room temperature
- Vegetable oil, for brushing
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Form the Dough and First Rise:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Slowly pour in the milk while mixing with a spoon or spatula until the liquid is fully incorporated.
- Knead the mixture using the stand mixer for 5 minutes until a firm and coarse dough ball forms. Alternatively, knead by hand for about 10 minutes.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
- After resting, knead the dough by hand for another minute until smooth. Cover again with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Buns and Second Rise:
- Gently punch down the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces and shape each piece into a ball.
- Roll each ball into an oval shape, approximately 4×3 inches.
- Lightly brush the surface with vegetable oil and fold the oval in half to create the classic bun shape.
- Place each bun on a small piece of parchment paper and cover with plastic wrap. Let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Steam the Buns:
- Prepare a steamer by bringing water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Place the buns in the steamer, leaving space between them to expand.
- Cover the steamer and steam the buns over medium heat for 10 minutes.
- After steaming, turn off the heat and let the buns rest for 5 minutes before uncovering to prevent them from collapsing.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields 10 buns.
- Preparation Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
- Cook Time: 20 minutes.
- Resting Time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes.
Variations
- Whole Wheat Bao Buns: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and added fiber.
- Sweet Bao Buns: Increase the sugar to 4 tablespoons and fill the buns with sweet fillings like red bean paste or custard.
- Vegetarian Bao Buns: Fill the buns with sautéed mushrooms, tofu, or pickled vegetables for a vegetarian option.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Place cooled buns in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the buns in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: To reheat, steam the buns for 5 minutes until warmed through. If frozen, steam for 8-10 minutes without thawing.
FAQs
What are bao buns?
Bao buns, or gua bao buns, are steamed, slightly sweet buns popular in Chinese cuisine, often filled with various savory or sweet fillings.
Can I make bao buns without a stand mixer?
Yes, you can knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Why did my bao buns turn out dense?
Dense buns may result from insufficient kneading or not allowing the dough to rise adequately. Ensure the dough doubles in size during the first rise.
Can I use plant-based milk in this recipe?
Yes, plant-based milks like almond or soy milk can be used as substitutes for full-fat milk.
How do I prevent the buns from sticking together during steaming?
Brushing the surface with oil before folding and placing each bun on parchment paper prevents sticking.
What fillings pair well with bao buns?
Common fillings include braised pork belly, fried chicken, pickled vegetables, or sweet options like custard.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, prepare the dough and let it rise, then refrigerate overnight. Allow it to come to room
Steamed bao buns
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 buns
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make soft, fluffy steamed bao buns (gua bao) at home! These versatile Chinese buns are perfect for filling with savory or sweet toppings. Simple ingredients, easy preparation, and delicious results make this recipe a must-try.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (290 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (3 g) instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon (3 g) baking powder (double-acting)
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) full-fat milk, cold or at room temperature
- Vegetable oil, for brushing
Instructions
- Form the Dough and First Rise
- Combine flour, yeast, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Gradually mix in milk until a coarse dough forms. Knead for 5 minutes using a stand mixer or 10 minutes by hand.
- Cover with plastic wrap, rest for 10 minutes, then knead until smooth.
- Let the dough rise for 1 hour in a warm place, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Buns and Second Rise
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 10 equal pieces.
- Shape each piece into a ball, then roll into an oval (4×3 inches).
- Brush lightly with oil and fold in half. Place on parchment paper, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Steam the Buns
- Heat a steamer with boiling water.
- Arrange buns with space between them and steam for 10 minutes over medium heat.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before uncovering to maintain their shape.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, substitute half of the flour with whole wheat flour.
- To store, keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Reheat by steaming for 5 minutes or 8–10 minutes if frozen.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
