Bao Buns
Make pillowy bao buns using ingredients you already have in the pantry! Fold these soft steamed buns around savory fillings like juicy char siu pork to recreate a Chinese favorite at home.
Servings: 8 buns
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ⅔ tablespoon active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water
- ¼ cup warm milk
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
- vegetable oil for brushing
Instructions
- Activate the yeast. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, yeast, water, and milk. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes or until foam appears at the top.
- Add the dry ingredients. Mix the flour, baking soda, and salt into the yeast mixture. Mix until a ball of dough forms. Add more water if the dough feels dry.
- Knead. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic - it should spring back at you when poked.
- Rise. Brush a bowl with vegetable oil and place the dough ball inside. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Cut. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to ~ ¼” thickness. Use a glass or a cookie cutter to cut the dough into 3 ½” rounds. Transfer the rounds to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the rounds with oil and fold them in half to create half-moons. Press down on each half-moon lightly so that it stays folded. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 1 hour at room temperature.
- Steam the buns. Bring 1-2 inches of water to a boil in a pan. Place a steamer basket over it. Transfer the buns to the steamer, being careful not to crowd the basket (you will likely have to steam in batches). Cover the steamer and steam the buns for 10 minutes.
- Assemble. Stuff the bao buns with char siu pork (or your choice of filling), green onions, and sesame seeds, then serve.
Notes
- If you don't have a steamer basket, add ½ inch of water to a large lidded pot and place a trivet (or rack) inside, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water. Grease a heat-proof plate and set it on the trivet. Bring the water to a boil, place the bao buns on the plate, cover the pot with a lid, and steam.
Nutrition
Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 0.001mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
