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Deliciously Fluffy Bao Buns Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 56 reviews

This recipe for deliciously fluffy bao buns features a soft, pillowy dough filled with savory pork belly or chicken thigh mixture. The buns are steamed to perfection, creating light and airy pockets of flavor enhanced by a tangy soy and Sriracha sauce with crisp cabbage. Perfect as a snack or meal, these bao buns blend traditional Chinese techniques with accessible ingredients for a delightful cooking and eating experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 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

  • 1 cup cooked pork belly or chicken thighs, shredded (150g)
  • 1 cup cabbage, finely chopped (70g)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (30ml)
  • 1 tbsp Sriracha or hoisin sauce (15ml)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and active dry yeast. Gradually add the warm water while stirring until a soft dough forms.
  2. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  3. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and allow it to rise in a warm area for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  4. Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Divide it into small portions and roll each portion into a flat circle suitable for wrapping the filling.
  5. Prepare the Filling: Cook your choice of protein—pork belly or chicken thighs—in a pan with soy sauce and Sriracha sauce until caramelized and flavorful. Mix in the finely chopped cabbage to combine.
  6. Assemble the Bao Buns: Place a spoonful of the prepared filling on each dough circle, fold the dough closed to encase the filling securely.
  7. Steam the Buns: Line a bamboo steamer with parchment paper and arrange the filled buns inside, leaving space between them. Steam for approximately 15 minutes until the buns are fluffy and fully cooked.

Notes

  • Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area for best results.
  • For added flavor, marinate the protein in soy sauce and Sriracha for 30 minutes before cooking.
  • You can substitute the vegetable oil with sesame oil for a nuttier taste.
  • If a bamboo steamer is unavailable, use a metal steamer insert in a pot with boiling water, ensuring buns don’t touch the water.
  • Serve the bao buns hot, paired with extra dipping sauce or pickled vegetables.

Keywords: bao buns, steamed buns, pork belly bao, chicken bao, Chinese snack, fluffy buns, savory bao, homemade bao buns

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/deliciously-fluffy-bao-buns-recipe/