Steamed to perfection, these fluffy bao buns are surprisingly simple to make at home. Fill them with your favorite sweet or savory ingredients for a delightful snack or meal.
Fluffy Bao Buns From Scratch
Steamed to perfection, these fluffy bao buns are surprisingly simple to make at home. Fill them with your favorite sweet or savory ingredients for a delightful snack or meal.
Ingredients
- 300 g all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 0.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 150 ml warm water about 105-115°F (40-46°C)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, yeast, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Lightly oil a clean bowl, place the dough inside, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Once risen, punch down the dough to release air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and roll into a log.
- Divide the log into 12 equal pieces.
- Take one piece, flatten it slightly, and roll it into an oval shape (about 4-5 inches long and 3 inches wide).
- If making filled buns, place about 1-2 tablespoons of your desired filling in the center, then fold and pleat the edges to seal. If making plain buns, simply fold the oval in half, creating a crescent shape.
- Place each shaped bun on a small square of parchment paper.
- Arrange the buns in a steamer basket, ensuring there's space between them. Cover the steamer and let the buns rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until visibly puffy.
- Bring water in a pot or wok to a boil. Place the steamer basket over the boiling water, ensuring the water doesn't touch the buns.
- Steam for 10-15 minutes on medium-high heat. Do not lift the lid during steaming.
- Once steamed, turn off the heat and let the buns rest in the covered steamer for 5 minutes before removing. This prevents them from deflating.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce or enjoy as is.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the steamer to ensure even cooking and rising. For best results, use parchment paper squares under each bun to prevent sticking. Explore fillings like char siu pork, sweet red bean paste, or spicy minced chicken. Allowing the buns to rest briefly in the steamer after cooking prevents them from deflating.
