Steaming Bao Buns: Can Your Cooker Do The Job?

Making bao buns at home can be a fun project for couples, friends, or even solo. The soft and puffy buns can be stuffed with zesty marinated tempeh, avocado, and fresh fixings like thinly sliced carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and mint.

But can you make bao buns in a steam cooker? The answer is yes! While bamboo steamers are the traditional way to cook bao buns, you can also use a metal steamer or even a microwave. If using a metal steamer, cover the lid with a kitchen towel to prevent condensation from dripping onto the buns. You can also use a colander or sieve suspended over a pot of boiling water.

So, if you're looking to make bao buns at home, don't let the lack of a bamboo steamer stop you. Get creative and experiment with different cooking methods to find what works best for you.

How to make the dough for bao buns

To make the dough for bao buns, you'll need the following ingredients:

• All-purpose flour (or bread flour, cake flour, or special bao flour)
• Instant yeast (or active dry yeast, or fresh yeast)
• Water or milk (lukewarm)
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Oil

The first step is to combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add the wet ingredients and knead the dough with a mixer or by hand. Cover the dough and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Then, knead the dough again for a minute and let it rest for about an hour, or until the size has doubled.

Next, gently knead the dough and cut it into even pieces. Pull the dough together into a ball and roll it into a long oval piece. Brush oil onto it and fold the oval dough to shape the bun. Place the buns on a piece of parchment paper and let them rise again for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking.

Now you're ready to steam the buns!

How to shape the dough into buns

Now that you have your dough ready, it's time to shape it into those fluffy bao buns. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Divide the dough

Gently knead the dough and cut it into even pieces. Pull each piece into a ball and further shape it by rolling it into a dough ball. Make sure to cover the dough with plastic wrap while you work on the rest of it.

Step 2: Roll out the dough

Take each dough ball and roll it out into a long oval piece. You can use a rolling pin to help you achieve the desired shape and thickness.

Step 3: Apply oil

Brush a thin layer of oil on the top of the oval-shaped dough. This step is important as it will help the bun separate easily after steaming.

Step 4: Fold the dough

Now, it's time to shape the bun. Fold the oval dough in half, creating a semi-circle or half-moon shape. You can also bring the edges together to form a sealed bun, similar to a taco or empanada.

Step 5: Place on parchment paper

Place each shaped bun on a piece of parchment paper. This will prevent the buns from sticking to the surface and make it easier to transfer them to the steamer.

Step 6: Let the buns rise

Before cooking, let the buns rise for the second time. Cover them and let them rest for about 15 to 30 minutes, or until they increase in size by about 50%.

Step 7: Prepare the steamer

While the buns are rising, prepare your steamer by adding water to the base. If using a bamboo steamer, ensure the water level is about 1" to 1 1/2" high. For a metal steamer, cover the lid with a kitchen towel to prevent condensation from dripping onto the buns.

Step 8: Steam the buns

Once the buns have risen, place the covered steamer rack with the buns over the steamer. Make sure there is some distance between the buns as they will expand during steaming. Steam them for about 10 minutes over medium heat. Then, turn off the heat but keep the lid on for an additional 5 minutes to allow the buns to rest.

And that's it! You now have perfectly shaped and steamed bao buns ready to be enjoyed. You can serve them immediately or store them for later.

How to steam bao buns in a bamboo steamer

Steaming bao buns in a bamboo steamer is a great way to get that soft and fluffy texture. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparing the Steamer:

Firstly, you'll want to get your bamboo steamer set up. A 10-inch bamboo steamer is the standard size, and you'll need a 14-inch wok or a large pot/pan to generate the steam. Add about 1 to 1.5 inches of water to the wok/pot and bring it to a rolling boil.

Preparing the Buns:

While the water is heating up, you can prepare your bao buns. Roll out your dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut out circles of dough using a drinking glass or a cookie cutter. You can then brush the tops with oil, fold the circles in half, and place them on squares of parchment paper. Cover the buns with plastic wrap and let them rise for about an hour.

Steaming the Buns:

Once your buns have risen, it's time to steam them. Place the covered bamboo steamer with the buns inside over the boiling water, making sure the bottom rim of the steamer is submerged. The floor of the steamer should not touch the water. Depending on your steam time, you may need to replenish the water.

Tips for Success:

• Leave at least 1 inch of space between your buns as they will expand during steaming.
• Stack multiple bamboo steamers on top of each other to cook more buns at once.
• Do not open the steamer to check on the buns, as the rush of cool air can cause them to collapse.
• After turning off the heat, let the buns sit covered in the steamer for an extra 5 minutes before opening the lid.

Maintaining your Steamer:

To care for your bamboo steamer, wash it with mild soap and warm water after each use and air dry. If there is dough stuck on the steamer, use a nylon brush to scrub it off. Do not put the steamer in the dishwasher. If you live in a dry area, you can occasionally brush the steamer with vegetable oil to prevent cracking.

How to steam bao buns in a metal steamer

Yes, you can make bao buns in a steam cooker. Here is a detailed guide on how to steam bao buns in a metal steamer:

Firstly, prepare your dough by combining all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and then adding the wet ingredients. Knead the dough with a mixer or by hand, cover, and let it rest for 10 minutes. Then, knead the dough again for a minute and let it rest for about an hour.

Once the dough has doubled in size, gently knead it, cut it into even pieces, and form it into balls. Then, roll each dough ball out into a long oval piece. Brush oil onto it to ensure the bun will separate easily later, fold the oval dough to shape the bun, and place it on a piece of parchment paper.

Now, let the buns rise again before cooking. If you are using a metal steamer, lay some towels under the lid to prevent water from dripping onto the buns.

When the buns have risen, add the covered steamer rack with the risen buns over the steamer. If using a metal steamer, use two layers of clean kitchen towels between the steamer rack and the lid to prevent water from dripping. Turn on the heat to medium and cook covered until steam starts coming out of the pot, then turn the heat down to medium-low. Steam for another 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, turn off the heat but leave the lid on for an additional 5 minutes. Do not open the lid during this time, as the buns might deflate.

Finally, remove the buns from the steamer and place them on a wire rack to cool. You can serve the buns immediately or store them for later use.

How to steam bao buns in an oven

Steaming bao buns in an oven is possible, but it won't give you the same fluffy texture as traditional steaming methods. However, if you don't have a steamer, there are some alternative ways to steam bao buns without one.

Using a Baking Dish and Boiling Pan

You can make a quick and easy improvised steaming device using a tin foil baking dish and a boiling pan. Here's how:

• Take a deep circular foil baking dish, such as one used for a pie.
• Get a boiling pan with a cover lid that is slightly larger than your foil baking dish.
• Cut out a circular piece of baking paper that is roughly the same size as your foil baking dish.
• Turn the foil baking dish upside down and place the baking paper on top of it.
• Using a sharp knife or another pointed tool, poke about 12 evenly spaced holes through the paper and foil.
• Coat the paper with oil to prevent the buns from sticking.
• Fill the boiling pan with a few inches of water, ensuring the water level is just below the depth of the aluminium baking tray.
• Place the foil baking tray and paper inside the pan.
• Place the bao buns on top of the baking paper and cover the pan with its lid.
• Cook over medium-high heat for around 20 minutes to generate enough steam.

Using a Plate in a Pot

Another option is to use a plate inside a larger pot:

• Place a ceramic plate inside a bigger pot.
• Create a ring with aluminium foil and place it in the pot, or use at least three balls of aluminium foil.
• Pour water into the pot, place the plate on top, and you've got a makeshift steamer!

Using a Rack and Pan

You can also use a rack placed inside a pan with boiling water:

• Place a rack or steamer insert inside a pan and fill it with water, ensuring the water doesn't go above the rack.
• Put the bao buns on the rack or a plate placed on the rack.
• Cover the pot and heat the water.

Using a Cookie Sheet and Plate

• Place a cookie sheet or cutter and a plate on top of it inside the oven.
• Pour water into a separate pan and place it in the oven as well.

While these methods can help you steam bao buns without a steamer, traditional steaming methods using a bamboo or metal steamer are still the best way to achieve the soft, airy texture that bao buns are known for.

Frequently asked questions