Deliciously Fluffy Bao Buns Recipe
This Deliciously Fluffy Bao Buns recipe offers soft, pillowy steamed buns filled with a savory mixture of shredded meat or chicken and cabbage, seasoned with soy sauce and a hint of spicy Sriracha or sweet hoisin. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, these bao buns combine tender dough with a flavorful filling steamed to perfection in a bamboo steamer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 bao buns 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
- 1 tsp active dry yeast (3g)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar (12g)
- 1/2 tsp salt (3g)
- 3/4 cup warm water (180ml)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (15ml)
Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked meat or chicken thighs, shredded (150g)
- 1 cup cabbage, finely chopped (70g)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (30ml)
- 1 tbsp Sriracha or hoisin sauce (15ml)
Instructions
- Mixing the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Gradually add warm water while stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Kneading: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm area for approximately 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Shaping: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into small portions. Roll each piece into a circular shape suitable for filling.
- Prepare the Filling: Cook the shredded meat or chicken with soy sauce and Sriracha or hoisin sauce over medium heat until caramelized. Stir in the finely chopped cabbage and cook briefly to combine flavors.
- Assembling and Steaming: Place a portion of the filling onto each dough circle, fold them closed to enclose the filling securely. Line a bamboo steamer with parchment paper, place the buns inside, and steam for approximately 15 minutes until the buns are puffed and cooked through.
Notes
- Ensure the water used for the dough is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly.
- Use parchment paper in the steamer to prevent buns from sticking.
- You can substitute the meat with a vegetarian filling if desired.
- Rest the dough in a warm, draft-free environment for optimal rise.
- Serve bao buns fresh and warm for best texture and flavor.
Keywords: Bao buns, steamed buns, fluffy buns, Asian snack, Chinese recipe, meat buns, chicken bao, homemade bao
