- STEP 1
Mix together the flour, caster sugar and ½ tsp salt in a large bowl (see tip). Dissolve the yeast and a pinch of sugar in 1 tbsp warm water, then add it to the flour with the milk, sunflower oil, rice vinegar and 200ml water. Mix into a dough, adding a little extra water if needed.
- STEP 2
Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 10-15 mins, or until smooth. Put in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth and leave to rise for 2 hrs, or until doubled in size.
- STEP 3
Tip the dough out onto a clean work surface and punch it down. Flatten the dough with your hands, then sprinkle over the baking powder and knead for 5 mins.
See AlsoHow To Make Bao Buns (Vegan) - STEP 4
Roll out the dough into a long sausage shape, about 3cm thick, then cut into pieces that are about 3cm wide – you should have 18. In the palm of your hand, roll each piece of dough into a ball and leave to rest for 2-3 mins.
- STEP 5
Use a rolling pin to roll out each ball, one by one, into an oval shape about 3-4mm thick. Rub the surface of the dough ovals with oil and brush a little oil over a chopstick. Place the oiled chopstick in the centre of each oval. Fold the dough over the chopstick, then slowly pull out the chopstick.
- STEP 6
Cut 18 squares of baking parchment and put a bun on each. Transfer to a baking tray, cover with a clean tea towel and leave to prove in a warm place for 1 hr 30 mins, or until doubled in size.
- STEP 7
Heat a large steamer over a medium-high heat. Steam the buns for 8 mins until puffed up (you’ll need to do this in batches). Prise open each bun and fill with our barbecue pork and pickled carrot & mooli. Eat while they’re still warm.
FAQs
Steamed bao buns? ›
Bao Buns (pronounced “bow”), but also known as a 'steamed buns' or 'baozi' 包子, are a delicious, warm, fluffy treat of stuffing wrapped inside a sweet, white dough. Made with a mix of flour, yeast, sugar, baking powder, milk and oil, the bao is a tad sweeter than its closely related cousin, the dumpling.
What is bao bun made of? ›Bao Buns (pronounced “bow”), but also known as a 'steamed buns' or 'baozi' 包子, are a delicious, warm, fluffy treat of stuffing wrapped inside a sweet, white dough. Made with a mix of flour, yeast, sugar, baking powder, milk and oil, the bao is a tad sweeter than its closely related cousin, the dumpling.
What is the difference between steamed buns and bao buns? ›"Bao" is a catch-all term for various filled buns and dumplings in Chinese cuisine. However, when we refer to "bao" in the context of comparing it to pork buns, we are referring to the popular steamed bao. Unlike pork buns, steamed bao are pillowy, enclosed buns that can include far more than pork alone.
Are steamed bao buns healthy? ›A standard steamed bao typically contains about 200-250 calories, positioning it as a moderate-calorie food option. Additionally, bao serves as a source of protein and dietary fiber, particularly when made with whole grain flours or filled with vegetables or lean meats.
What do you eat with bao buns? ›When it comes to the dip, hoisin sauce, sweet chilli or a simple soy sauce with sesame oil make great pairings. We love to eat bao alongside some bouncy or zingy veggies. For zingy veg, we suggest some quick pickled cucumber.
What do bao buns taste like? ›What does a bao bun taste like? The flavour in a bao bun comes mainly from its filling, which can be sweet, savoury, spicy, or zingy. The subtle flavour and soft texture of the steamed wheat bun itself is like a canvas, ready to hold whatever flavour you crave.
Do you eat bao buns hot or cold? ›Eat while they're still warm.
Is bao Chinese or Japanese? ›The Bao ('bun') developed in Chinese culture as a filled form of 'Mantou,' a plain steamed dumpling which is often compared to bread. The story behind this steamed delight explains not just its unique shape, buy why its development into Baos (or Baozi) was such a natural one.
Are bao buns Korean or Japanese? ›A gua bao, also known as a pork belly bun, bao, or bao bun, is a type of lotus leaf bun originating from Fujianese cuisine in China. It is also a popular snack in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, and Nagasaki Chinatown in Japan.
Are bao buns high in fat? ›The macronutrient breakdown is 70% carbs, 20% fat, and 10% protein. This has a relatively high calorie density, with 264 Calories per 100g.
Is chicken bao healthy? ›
While enjoying its amazing flavour and aroma, also enjoy stuffed chicken bao benefits as under- Rich in carbs that gives instant energy to our body. High in proteins that help in building a strong body. High in fibre that aids digestion.
Why are bao buns so white? ›Most Chinese restaurants will use bleached cake flour for char siu baos, which will make them white and fluffy. While bleaching flour can make the product lighter and hold in more air bubbles, it does affect the nutrient levels and structure of the flour.