Steaming Soft Buns: Cooking Time And Techniques

Steamed buns are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a meal, side, or snack. But how long do they take to cook? The cooking time for steamed buns varies depending on the method used. If you're using a steamer, the buns typically need to be steamed for around 10 to 15 minutes. This process can be done in batches to ensure even cooking. Alternatively, frozen steamed buns can be reheated in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, although this method may dry them out a little more.

How to make the dough for steamed buns

To make the dough for steamed buns, you will need the following ingredients:

• Flour (all-purpose, plain, or cake)
• Sugar (caster or white)
• Salt
• Yeast (active dry, instant, or fresh)
• Oil (vegetable, canola, or sunflower)
• Water (warm or lukewarm)
• Milk (optional, warm, chilled, or whole)
• Baking powder
• Rice vinegar (optional)

Step 1: Mix the Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and salt. You can do this by hand or using a mixer with a dough hook. Dissolve the yeast in a small amount of warm water, and then add it to the flour mixture. If using milk, add it now, along with the oil, and any other remaining liquid ingredients. Mix everything together until a dough starts to form.

Step 2: Knead the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and start kneading. Knead the dough for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough feels sticky, you can add a little more flour.

Step 3: First Rise

Once the dough is kneaded, place it in a lightly oiled bowl and turn it over to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place. The dough should double in size, which can take about 2 hours.

Step 4: Punch and Knead Again

After the first rise, remove the dough from the bowl and punch it down to release the air. You can do this by pressing your fist into the centre of the dough and folding the edges into the middle. Then, sprinkle the baking powder over the dough and knead it again for about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Shape the Dough

At this point, you can shape the dough into a long rope and cut it into equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, and then use a rolling pin to flatten them into oval or circular shapes. The dough is now ready to be filled and steamed!

Remember, the key to successful steamed bun dough is to take your time and allow the dough to rise properly. The yeast needs time to activate and create air bubbles, which give the buns their soft and fluffy texture.

How to shape steamed buns

Shaping steamed buns is an important step in the process of making these delicious treats. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to shape your buns to achieve the best results:

Step 1: Divide the Dough

First, you will need to divide the kneaded dough into equal pieces. Depending on the size of buns you want, you can make 7-8 pieces for standard-sized buns or 10 pieces for mini buns. This will ensure that your buns are uniform in size and cook evenly.

Step 2: Roll the Dough into Ovals

Take each piece of dough and use a rolling pin to roll it into an oval shape. This is the starting point for creating the bun shape. You want to ensure the dough is rolled out evenly to a thickness of about 3-4mm.

Step 3: Fold and Seal

Now comes the fun part! Fold the top half of the oval into the middle and lightly press to seal it. Then, fold the bottom half into the middle as well, creating a rectangular shape. This will help enclose the filling and give the bun structure.

Step 4: Pinch and Form a Ball

Pinch together the opposite edges of the rectangle to form a ball shape. This will enclose the filling and ensure that your bun holds together during the steaming process. Gently shape the dough into a smooth sphere with your hands.

Step 5: Place on Parchment Paper

Place each ball of dough onto a sheet of parchment paper, smooth side up. This will prevent the buns from sticking to the surface and make it easier to transfer them to the steamer. Repeat this process for all the pieces of dough.

Step 6: Proofing and Steaming

Once you have shaped all the buns, it's time to let them proof. Cover the buns with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until they have doubled in size. Then, place the buns in the steamer, making sure to space them evenly with at least 1 inch between each bun.

Step 7: Steam the Buns

Finally, it's time to steam your beautifully shaped buns! Cover the steamer with a lid and steam the buns for around 10-15 minutes over medium heat. Remember not to overcrowd your steamer and work in batches if necessary.

And there you have it! A step-by-step guide to shaping steamed buns. With these instructions, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, perfectly shaped steamed buns that are sure to impress.

How to reheat steamed buns

Steamed buns are delicious and can be made in a variety of ways, with or without fillings. But how do you reheat them to retain their fluffy, soft texture?

Firstly, it is important to note that the reheating method may depend on the type of steamed bun you have. Some buns are best reheated in a steamer, while others can be reheated in the microwave. If you are unsure, always check the instructions provided with your buns.

If you are reheating buns in a steamer, the process is quite simple. Bring water to a boil in a wok or pan, ensuring you have at least 2 inches of water. Place the frozen buns in a steamer basket, being careful not to let them touch each other or the sides of the basket. Place the basket in the wok or pan, cover, and steam for approximately 10 minutes. When removing the lid, tilt it to prevent water from dripping onto the buns. Allow the buns to cool slightly before enjoying.

For microwave reheating, place the desired number of buns on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. The number of buns and the reheating time may vary depending on the wattage of your microwave. As a general guideline, heat one bun for about 20-30 seconds and two buns for 30-40 seconds. After removing the plate from the microwave, let the buns stand for 1-2 minutes before serving.

It is worth noting that some people prefer not to use the microwave for reheating buns as it can affect their texture. However, if you are short on time or do not have access to a steamer, the microwave method can still produce decent results.

Now you know how to reheat your steamed buns, you can enjoy them warm and fluffy whenever you like!

How to store steamed buns

There are a few ways to store steamed buns, depending on whether you have cooked them yet, and how long you want to keep them for.

If you have cooked your steamed buns and want to eat them the next day, you can store them in the refrigerator. Wrap them in plastic, then put them in the fridge. When you want to eat them, you can either steam them or put them on a plate, cover them with a damp paper towel, and heat them in the microwave.

If you want to eat your cooked steamed buns a few days later, you can freeze them. To do this, let the buns cool down completely, then place them on a baking sheet, making sure they are not touching each other. Put the tray in the freezer for about an hour, then transfer the buns to a freezer bag. They will keep for about a month. When you want to eat them, you can steam them straight from the freezer for five minutes, and they will be as good as new.

If you have made your dough but not yet cooked your buns, you can store the dough in the refrigerator. Cover the dough and let it rise overnight. The next day, take the dough out and let it sit for about an hour to come to room temperature. Then, cut and form the dough into the bun shapes and let them rise for another 45 minutes. After this, you can steam your buns as usual.

If you want to store your buns for longer than a few days, you can also freeze uncooked buns. To do this, form the dough into balls and let them rise. Then, cut out squares of baking parchment and put a bun on each one. Transfer these to a baking tray, cover with a clean tea towel, and leave to prove in a warm place for an hour or so, or until they have doubled in size. After this, heat a large steamer and steam the buns for eight minutes until they are puffed up. Then, let the buns cool completely before transferring them to a freezer bag and storing them in the freezer.

What fillings can be used for steamed buns

Steamed buns are a versatile treat, as they can be filled with a variety of different options, from savoury to sweet.

Savoury fillings

Steamed buns are often filled with pork, which can be marinated in hoisin sauce, or a combination of hoisin sauce and barbecue sauce. You can also fill them with chicken, which can be fried off with garlic and chilli, and then coated in hoisin sauce and vinegar. For a vegetarian option, you could fill your buns with mushrooms, fried with garlic and coated in your sauce of choice.

Other meat options include lamb, duck, or beef, which can be coated in a honey and soy sauce glaze. For a fish option, you could try salmon, mixed with sweet soy sauce glaze.

If you're looking for something a little more adventurous, you could try a Korean-inspired gochujang pork belly, or Korean spicy stir-fried squid.

Sweet fillings

For a sweet treat, you could fill your steamed buns with custard, red bean paste, peanut butter, white bean paste, coffee bean paste, black sesame paste, chocolate, mashed sweet potato, or apple pie filling.

Vegan options

There are also plenty of vegan options for steamed bun fillings. You could try tofu, corn and cheese, or a vegan custard made with almond milk.

Frequently asked questions