Go Back
+ servings

Chinese Steamed Buns Recipe

Jaden Hair
Servings: 12-14 bunsPrep Time:30 minutes + 1 hour restingCook Time:18 minutes
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Resting 1 hour
Total Time 48 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine Asian, Chinese
Servings 14 buns
Calories 121 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil canola or vegetable, plus more for brushing
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour + more for dusting
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 14 squares parchment paper 4"x4"

Instructions
 

  • In a mixer bowl, add the warm water, oil, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 1 minute, until the yeast begins to bubble a bit. Next, add in the flour, baking powder and salt, in that order. With the paddle attachment, mix on low for 2 minutes. Add more flour, a tablespoon at a time, if the dough sticks to the sides of the bowl. Change to a dough hook, and on speed 2, knead for 4 minutes, until dough is smooth, supple and clear the sides of the bowl. If the dough sticks to the side of the bowl, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time.
  • Dust your counter with a little flour and turn out your dough. I like to hand knead it a few times, so that I can get a feel for the dough. Shape the dough into a smooth ball. Return the dough ball to the mixing bowl, cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm, dry spot for 1-2 hours, until it nearly doubles in size.
  • Turn out your dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough in half. Gently roll each half into a log shape. Cut each log into 6 or 7 little balls. We'll work with one ball at a time, so keep the rest covered with plastic wrap so that they don't dry out. Form each ball by bringing in the sides (see photos above) and pinching the center. Turn ball over to get a nice, taut ball. Roll the dough ball out to a long, oval shape about 6"x3". Brush the top with a little cooking oil. Fold over one side of the oval. Use your rolling pin to gently roll and press one last time. Place bun on a parchment paper square, place into the bamboo steamer and cover with lid to prevent drying. Repeat with the remaining dough balls.
  • Fill your pot or wok with 2" of water. Place the steamer ring (if you have one) bamboo baskets on top. Do not turn on the heat yet. Let rest for 10 minutes. Then, turn on the heat to high. When you begin to see steam coming up from the top of the steamer, reduce heat to medium-high. Let steam for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, without opening the steamer. Let rest for 1 minute. Open steamer and gently lift the steamer baskets off one another to let the buns cool.

Notes

TIP: If you are not eating right away, you can keep the buns in the bamboo steamer, on top of the pot of water. Make sure there is plenty of water in the pot. Turn heat to low, so that you have a gentle mist of steam coming up to keep the buns moist and warm. Make sure you don't run out of water in the pot!

Nutrition

Calories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 59mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
Keyword chinese buns, steamed bun recipe, steamed buns
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!