Steam Bun Microwave Cooking: Is It Possible?

Steamed buns are a delicious staple at dinner tables across the world, but what's the best way to cook them? While the traditional method involves using a bamboo steamer, it's also possible to cook them in a microwave. This is a quick and convenient method that will leave your buns soft, warm, and ready to be eaten. There are several ways to microwave steam buns, including using a paper towel, a small cup of water, or a microwave steamer. However, it's important to note that microwaving steam buns can sometimes result in soggy and gummy buns.

Microwave cooking times for steam buns

For a quick and easy single Chinese bun, you can follow this recipe which takes a total of 5 minutes to prepare and cook. You will need 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 tablespoon of condensed milk. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until you have a smooth, thick batter. Line a small round plate with parchment paper and pour the batter into the center. Smooth out the batter with a spatula to form a 4-inch circle. Place the plate in the microwave and cook for about 1 minute. The bun is now ready to be filled with your desired fillings and folded in half.

If you are cooking frozen store-bought steam buns, the cooking time will differ. For a 100g steam bun (4 pack), place the frozen buns in a covered microwave-safe container and microwave on high for approximately 1 minute. For a 150g BIG steam bun, follow the same instructions but microwave for approximately 2 minutes. The buns are cooked when the meat inside is steaming hot.

You can also steam buns in the microwave if you don't want to use a stove, rice steamer, or steamer basket. To do this, take a paper towel, dampen it with water, and wring out the excess. Wrap your bun in the damp paper towel and place it on a microwavable plate. Take a bowl and lightly wet the inside by running it under the tap before placing it over the wrapped bun on the plate. Microwave for 1 minute at a time on a medium setting until the bun is suitably cooked. It is important to microwave the bun in short intervals on a medium setting to prevent it from drying out and becoming hard.

Additionally, you can steam an entire bag of buns by placing the whole unopened bag in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes on high. If the bag is sealed with a twist tie, remove it and fold the end under the buns to seal it, as metal cannot go in the microwave. Open the bag slowly as hot steam will escape, and gently pull the buns apart as they will be extra soft and may break.

Microwave cooking temperatures for steam buns

Steam buns, also known as baozi in China or nikuman in Japan, are delicious when they're fresh from the steamer. However, if you're short on time or don't have access to a stove or steamer, you can always turn to your microwave to heat up your steam buns.

Heating up frozen steam buns in the microwave:

If you're working with frozen steam buns, you can place them in a covered, microwave-safe container and follow these guidelines:

• For 100g steam buns (4 pack): Microwave on high for approximately 1 minute.
• For 150g BIG steam bun (bun for 1): Microwave on high for approximately 2 minutes.

The buns are cooked when the meat inside is steaming hot.

Reviving stale or leftover steam buns in the microwave:

If your buns are feeling a little dry or stale, you can refresh them with steam. Here are two methods to try:

Method 1: Paper Towel Wrap

• Wet a paper towel by running it under water until it's damp, then wringing it out. Be careful not to make it too wet, or your bun will get soggy.
• Wrap one bun at a time in the moist paper towel.
• Microwave on high for 30 seconds.
• Unwrap carefully, as the bun will be hot.

Method 2: Mug Steamer

If you're looking for a fluffier texture, try this hack:

• Place your bun on top of a mug filled with about one centimetre of water.
• Microwave for two minutes.
• The water in the mug will create steam, giving you a bun that's light and fluffy.

Heating multiple buns:

If you have a whole bag of buns, you can place the unopened bag directly into the microwave. Remove any metal twist ties and fold the end under the buns to seal. Heat on high for one to two minutes. Open the bag slowly, as hot steam will escape, and gently pull the buns apart as they will be extra soft.

Please note that cooking times may vary depending on your microwave's power and settings. Always be cautious when handling hot food and steam to avoid burns.

Microwave cooking preparation for steam buns

Steam buns are a delicious staple at dinner tables across Asia and the world. They are irresistible due to their soft, airy texture, elasticity, and freshness. Traditionally, they are cooked using a bamboo steamer, but you can also cook them in a microwave. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare and cook steam buns in the microwave:

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients and tools

• First, gather your ingredients. You will need all-purpose flour, baking powder, and condensed milk. You will also need some parchment paper, a small bowl, and a whisk for mixing. Additionally, you will require a small round plate that can fit into your microwave.
• Prepare a work surface by laying out all the ingredients and tools you will need. This will make the preparation process more efficient.

Step 2: Make the batter

• In your small bowl, add 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 tablespoon of condensed milk.
• Using your whisk, mix all the ingredients until you have a smooth and thick batter.

Step 3: Prepare the plate and parchment paper

• Take a small round plate that fits into your microwave and line it with parchment paper.
• Lightly grease or oil the parchment paper to prevent the bun from sticking.

Step 4: Pour the batter and smooth it out

• Carefully pour the batter onto the centre of the parchment paper-lined plate.
• Using a spatula, gently smooth out the batter to form a circle approximately 4 inches in diameter.

Step 5: Microwave the bun

• Place the plate with the batter in the microwave.
• Microwave for about 1 minute. The cooking time may vary depending on the power of your microwave, so adjust accordingly.
• Keep an eye on the bun to ensure it does not overcook, as this can make it dry and hard.

Step 6: Check the bun and add fillings

• Once the bun is cooked, carefully remove it from the microwave, as it will be hot.
• If the bun is cooked to your liking, add your desired fillings. Popular fillings include char siu, pork belly, scallions, cucumbers, and hoisin sauce.
• Fold the round bun in half and enjoy your delicious, freshly made steam bun!

Tips and variations:

• You can make multiple buns by repeating the process, but microwave each bun individually to ensure even cooking.
• If you want to reheat frozen steam buns, place them on a microwave-safe plate, loosely cover them with microwave-safe cling film, and heat for about 30 seconds.
• To steam a single bun, you can wrap it in a slightly damp paper towel and microwave it on high for 30 seconds.
• For an entire bag of buns, place the unopened bag in the microwave and heat for 1 to 2 minutes on high. Be careful when opening the bag, as hot steam will escape.

Microwave cooking from frozen for steam buns

Steam buns are a delicious staple at dinner tables across Asia and the world. They are best enjoyed hot, light, and fluffy, but if you don't have a bamboo steamer, you can use a microwave. Here is a step-by-step guide to microwave cooking from frozen for steam buns:

Preparation

Before you begin, gather your equipment and ingredients. You will need:

• A microwave-safe plate
• A microwave-safe bowl or mug
• Paper towels
• Water
• Frozen steam buns

Step 1: Prepare the Paper Towel

Take a paper towel and dampen it with water. Ring out any excess water so that the paper towel is moist but not dripping wet. This step is important as it helps to ensure that your steam buns retain their moisture and don't dry out during the cooking process.

Step 2: Prepare the Bun

Wrap your frozen bun in the damp paper towel and place it on the microwave-safe plate. If you are cooking multiple buns, you can place them all on the same plate, but make sure they are not stacked on top of each other.

Step 3: Prepare the Bowl or Mug

Take your microwave-safe bowl or mug and fill it with a small amount of water. Approximately one centimeter or one inch of water should be sufficient. Place the bowl or mug in the microwave, alongside the plate with the wrapped bun.

Step 4: Microwave

Microwave the bun for one to two minutes on a medium to high setting. The exact time will depend on your microwave, so keep an eye on it to ensure the bun doesn't overcook. You may need to experiment with the timing to find the perfect setting for your microwave.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

After microwaving, carefully remove the bun from the paper towel, being mindful of the hot steam. Touch the bun cautiously to check if it is hot throughout. Alternatively, insert a fork into the bun, and if the prongs are warm or hot, your bun is ready to eat!

Tips and Variations

• If you want to cook multiple buns at once, you can place them all on the same plate, ensuring they are not stacked. You may need to increase the cooking time slightly.
• For a crispy texture, consider pan-frying the frozen buns in a hot pan with a small amount of oil. Fry for 5-7 minutes, adding more water if needed, until the buns release from the pan and have a golden crispy bottom.
• To prevent the bun from drying out, some sources suggest microwaving in short intervals on a medium setting rather than a long blast on high heat.

Microwave cooking for homemade steam buns

Steam buns are a delicious staple at dinner tables across Asia and the world. They are irresistible due to their soft, airy texture, elasticity, and freshness. Traditionally, they are cooked using a bamboo steamer, but you can also cook them in a microwave.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp condensed milk

Steps

• Using a small whisk, mix all the ingredients in a small bowl until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thick.
• Line a small round plate with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the center and use a spatula to carefully smooth it out, forming a circle about 4 inches in diameter.
• Microwave for about a minute. The cooking time may vary depending on your microwave settings. A 1000-watt microwave will take about a minute to cook the bun fully.
• Add your desired fillings and fold the round in half. Eat immediately.

Tips

• You can pair the buns with any sort of protein or vegetables and top them with scallions and hoisin sauce.
• Make sure to eat the buns immediately, as their texture starts to harden right away like any steamed bun.
• It is important to microwave the bun in short intervals on a medium setting. If you microwave it for too long at a high setting, the bun will dry out and become hard.

Frequently asked questions