Steamed buns also known as baozi or bao are a popular food item in many parts of Asia, especially China. They are soft, fluffy, and have a slight sweet taste.

Steamed buns can be filled with a variety of fillings like meat, vegetables, mushrooms, or bean paste and are perfect for a quick snack or a light meal.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour – 3 cups
Instant yeast – 2 teaspoons
Sugar – 3 tablespoons
Veg oil – 1 tablespoon
Salt – ½ teaspoon
Warm water – 1 cup +2 tablespoons
Filling (of your choice)

Instructions

Making Bread Dough

In a large bowl, add all-purpose flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar. Mix them well using a spoon.
Add warm water and oil to the dry ingredients and mix again to form a soft dough.
Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes till it is smooth and elastic.
Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 1-2 hours or until it becomes double in size.

Making Filling For The Steamed Buns

You can create the filling for the buns by using any ingredient that suits your taste. Popular options may include chicken, pork, beef, vegetables, mushrooms, or sweet fillings like red bean paste.

Below is a simple recipe for a vegetable filling that you can use for your steamed buns:.

Boil some chopped vegetables in a pot for about 3-4 minutes.
Add salt, sugar and soy sauce to taste.
Stir-fry the mixture on medium heat for 2-3 minutes and let it cool.
Use the cooled filling in your steamed buns

Shaping the Steamed Buns

After the dough has doubled in size, knead it again for a few minutes to make it smooth. Now roll the dough into a cylinder shape and then cut it into small pieces.

Take one small piece of dough and press it between your palms to make a flat circle.
Add 1-2 teaspoons of filling (as per size of dough) in the center and then seal the edges, pinching them together to create a closed circular shape.
Repeat this process for all the pieces of the dough.

Place these buns on a small piece of parchment paper and let it rest for another 10-15 minutes. In the meantime, you can prepare your steamer.

Steaming the Buns

For steaming the buns, you will need a steamer basket. You can use a bamboo steamer or a stainless steel one.

Bring water to boil in the steamer basket.
Place the steamed buns, along with parchment papers into the steaming basket carefully.
Cover the lid of the steamer and let it steam for 10-12 minutes over high heat.
After steaming, turn off the heat and carefully open the lid, taking care not to burn yourself from the steam.
Carefully remove the buns from the steamer basket using a tong or a flat slotted spoon.

Serving Suggestions

Steamed buns are best enjoyed hot as soon as they are made. They can be served with a variety of sauces or dips like soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, or sweet chili sauce.

Steamed buns are also great when served with a hot bowl of noodle soup or alongside some stir-fried vegetables.

Conclusion

Steamed buns are a lovely addition to any meal. They are easy to make and are a delicious snack or light meal. With the above recipe, you can make your own steamed buns at home, fill them with your favorite stuffing, and enjoy a taste of Asia.