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Irresistible Bao Buns Recipe

Irresistible Bao Buns Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 5 reviews

This irresistible Bao Buns recipe guides you through making soft, fluffy steamed buns filled with savory cooked pork belly or chicken thighs, combined with crisp cabbage and a flavorful soy and Sriracha sauce. Perfect for a delicious appetizer or light meal, these bao buns are a delightful blend of textures and flavors inspired by traditional Asian cuisine.

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. Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and active dry yeast. Gradually pour in the warm water while stirring continuously until a soft dough begins to form.
  2. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  3. Let the Dough Rise: Place the kneaded dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
  4. Prepare the Dough Portions: Once risen, punch down the dough to release air, divide it into small equal portions, and roll each portion into a circular shape.
  5. Cook the Filling: In a pan, cook the shredded pork belly or chicken thighs with soy sauce and Sriracha until the meat caramelizes lightly, then stir in the finely chopped cabbage, cooking until slightly softened.
  6. Assemble the Bao Buns: Place a spoonful of the prepared filling onto each dough circle, fold to enclose the filling and pinch the edges to seal.
  7. Steam the Bao Buns: Line a bamboo steamer with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Arrange the filled buns inside, leaving space between each, and steam over boiling water for approximately 15 minutes until the buns are fluffy and cooked through.

Notes

  • Ensure water is warm but not hot to activate the yeast without killing it.
  • Letting the dough rise properly is key to fluffy buns.
  • Substitute hoisin sauce if you prefer a sweeter filling.
  • Use parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent the buns from sticking to the steamer.
  • Variations include using tofu or vegetables for a vegetarian option.

Nutrition

Keywords: Bao buns, steamed buns, pork belly bao, chicken bao, Asian appetizer, steamed bread, homemade bao

Find it online: https://topreci.com/irresistible-bao-buns-recipe/