Steaming Bao Buns: No Steamer, No Problem!

Bao buns are a delicious, soft, and fluffy Chinese bread, often stuffed with savoury or sweet fillings. They are traditionally cooked in a bamboo steamer, but if you don't have one, there are several alternative ways to cook them. This article will explore various methods to cook bao buns without a bamboo steamer, including using a metal steamer, an electric vegetable steamer, a microwave, a rice cooker, or even deep-frying them.

Metal steamer pan

Firstly, line the metal steamer with greaseproof paper to protect it. Do not overfill the pan with water and ensure the buns do not touch the sides, as the sides of the metal steamer can become quite wet. Cover the pan with a clean tea towel to absorb any condensation before placing the lid on top. This will prevent condensation from dripping onto the buns and making them soggy.

When using a metal steamer pan, it is important to place the buns on squares of baking parchment before putting them in the steamer. This will prevent them from sticking. Make sure the bottom of the steamer is at least 2 cm away from the water and steam the buns in batches of 3-4 for 10-12 minutes, depending on their thickness. Be careful when removing the lid, as condensation can drip down onto the buns.

It is also recommended to use a kitchen towel to cover the pan before placing the lid on top. The fabric will absorb water and prevent condensation from making the buns soggy.

Electric vegetable steamer

If you don't have a bamboo steamer, there are several alternatives you can use to cook bao buns, including electric vegetable steamers. Here are some tips and instructions for using an electric vegetable steamer to cook bao buns:

Choosing an Electric Vegetable Steamer

When selecting an electric vegetable steamer, look for one with a stainless steel base and stackable, BPA-free baskets. This type of steamer is ideal for cooking vegetables, fish, and meat. You can choose between a two-tier or three-tier steamer, depending on your needs. Some popular brands offering electric vegetable steamers include Ovente, Hamilton Beach, and Euro Cuisine.

Preparing the Steamer and Buns

Before using your electric vegetable steamer, be sure to read the instructions that came with your particular model. Here are some general tips for preparing your steamer and buns:

• Line the steamer basket(s) with greaseproof paper to protect them and prevent sticking.
• Do not overfill the steamer with water.
• Ensure the buns do not touch the sides of the steamer, as the sides can become quite wet.

Cooking the Buns

Follow these steps to cook your bao buns in an electric vegetable steamer:

• Place the desired number of buns into the prepared steamer basket(s).
• Cover the steamer with the lid.
• Set the timer for the desired cooking time. Most bao buns will cook in around 8-10 minutes, but refer to your specific recipe for the best results.
• Once the timer goes off, carefully remove the lid and check that the buns are cooked to your liking. If they need more time, put the lid back on and steam for a few more minutes.

Additional Tips

• If using a metal steamer, cover the pan with a clean tea towel to absorb any condensation before placing the lid on top.
• If you don't have an electric vegetable steamer, you can also use a table-top steamer or create a makeshift steamer using a bowl, plate, and wok or saucepan.

Rice cooker

Ingredients

• 539 g middle gluten wheat flour (or plain/all-purpose flour), plus extra for dusting
• 7 g fast-action dried yeast
• 200 ml warm water (adjust according to room humidity)
• 25 ml vegetable or sunflower oil

Method

• Put the dry ingredients into the bowl of a freestanding mixer fitted with a dough hook (if available).
• Mix the liquid ingredients together in a measuring jug.
• Slowly pour the liquid into the mixer while kneading on low speed for around 2 minutes until all the water is mixed into the flour.
• Once mixed, turn the speed up to high for a further 2 minutes until the dough has a smooth yet tacky feel to it.
• Once the dough has been well kneaded, dust with 2 tbsp of flour, scraping off any excess dough from the sides of the bowl.
• Shape the dough into a ball and coat it with 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Put the dough back into the bowl.
• Cover with a damp cloth in a warm, preferably moist, draft-free location (such as inside a room-temperature oven) for 1–1.5 hours.
• Once the dough has doubled in size, you can then shape it into your desired shape before steaming.
• Fill your rice cooker bowl to the white rice level 2 line and place the buns into your steaming basket.
• Close the lid and press the STEAM function on your rice cooker.
• Steaming time will vary between 10–15 minutes depending on the shape and size of your finished buns (thinner buns will steam faster).

Tips

• If your rice cooker did not come with a steaming basket, you can fashion your own out of aluminium foil. Just make sure to poke holes in it.
• If you are in a hurry, you can also wrap the bao buns in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 1.5-2 minutes at half power.

Microwave

Cooking Bao Buns in the Microwave

Microwaving is a great way to cook bao buns as it's fast, simple, and most kitchens have a microwave. However, it can be tricky to prevent the buns from drying out or becoming soggy and tough. Here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve the perfect microwave bao buns:

Method 1: Using a Microwave-Safe Plate and Bowl

For this method, you will need a microwave-safe plate and bowl.

• Dampen a paper towel with water and wring out the excess.
• Wrap the bun in the damp paper towel.
• Place the wrapped bun on the microwave-safe plate.
• Put a small amount of water in the microwave-safe bowl and place it in the microwave.
• Place the plate with the bun on top of the bowl.
• Microwave for 1 minute on medium heat.
• Check if the bun is cooked. If not, microwave for another minute and check again.

Method 2: Mug and Water Method

This method involves placing the bun on top of a mug filled with a small amount of water and microwaving it.

• Fill a mug with about one centimeter of water.
• Place the bao bun on top of the mug.
• Microwave for 2 minutes.

Tips:

• It is important to microwave the buns in short intervals on a medium setting. Avoid microwaving for too long at a high setting, as this will dry out the buns and make them hard.
• To prevent the buns from drying out, cook them in 1-minute intervals and check their progress.
• To prevent sogginess, avoid using a lid when microwaving. Instead, use a paper towel to cover the buns.
• If microwaving multiple buns, use a glass bowl and cover them with wet paper towels.

Metal pan steamer

If you have a metal steamer with a glass or metal lid, you can use it to cook bao buns, but there are some problems that can arise as these can hold condensation, which can drip back down onto the bao buns and make them soggy. To avoid this, you can follow the steps below:

• Line the metal steamer with greaseproof/parchment paper to protect it.
• Do not overfill the steamer with water.
• Make sure your bao buns don't touch the sides of the steamer, as the sides can become quite wet.
• Cover the pan with a clean tea towel to absorb any condensation and then place the lid on top.

If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a metal colander or sieve instead. Here's how:

• Fill a pan with a few inches of water.
• Place your colander/sieve in the pan.
• Before placing your buns in the colander/sieve, place them on greaseproof paper, cooking paper, or parchment paper. (You can use lettuce leaves or aluminium foil as an alternative.)
• Place the loaded colander/sieve in the pan and cover it with the pan lid before making an airtight seal with layers of tea towels.
• Set the heat to high and leave to cook for about 10 minutes. You'll need high-intensity heat to generate enough hot steam for the cooking process.

Frequently asked questions