Steaming Bao Buns: No Steamer, No Problem!

Bao buns are a delicious, soft, and fluffy staple in many Asian cultures. They are typically cooked in a bamboo steamer, but if you don't have one, there are several alternative ways to cook them. This article will discuss some of the most popular methods, including using a metal steamer, an electric vegetable steamer, a microwave, a rice cooker, or even deep-frying them.

Characteristics of cooking bao buns without a steamer

Metal steamer pan

If you don't have a bamboo steamer, you can use a metal steamer pan to cook your bao buns. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preparing the Dough:

Firstly, prepare the dough by mixing the dry ingredients (flour, cornflour, yeast, sugar, and baking powder) in a bowl. Then, slowly add the wet ingredients (water and vegetable oil) and mix until a smooth, elastic dough forms.

First Rise:

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Shaping the Buns:

Once the dough has risen, gently knock out the air with your palm and knead it gently. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 0.5 cm thick. Brush the dough with vegetable oil, then use a pastry cutter to stamp out disks of dough. You should get around 18-22 rounds.

Second Rise:

Cut out squares of baking parchment and brush them with vegetable oil. Place the stamped-out dough rounds on the parchment squares, fold each round over, and press down. Loosely cover the buns with oiled cling film and let them rise in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes. They should puff up but not double in size.

Steaming the Buns:

Now it's time to steam the buns! Here's how to do it with a metal steamer pan:

• Prepare the Steamer Pan: Pour boiling water into a large metal pan that fits a steamer/colander. Make sure the pan is not too large, as the steamer should sit above the water level. Bring the water to a gentle simmer.
• Steam the Buns: Place 3-4 buns (still on the baking parchment squares) into the steamer/colander, making sure they are at least 2 cm away from the water. Ensure the buns don't touch the sides of the pan to avoid water dripping on them.
• Cover and Steam: Cover the pan with a kitchen towel to absorb condensation, and then place the lid on top. Steam the buns in batches for 10-12 minutes each. Be careful when removing the lid to avoid condensation dripping onto the buns.

Final Steps:

Once the buns are cooked, you can serve them immediately or store them for later. They can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply steam them again for a couple of minutes until softened and warmed through.

Electric vegetable steamer

How to Cook Bao Buns Without a Steamer

There are several ways to cook bao buns without a steamer. Here are some alternative methods:

Metal Pan Steamer

If you have a metal steamer with a glass or metal lid, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, line the metal steamer with greaseproof paper to protect it. Second, don't overfill it with water, as this can cause condensation to drip back down onto the bao. Finally, make sure the bao doesn't touch the sides of the steamer, as they can get quite wet. It is recommended to cover the pan with a clean tea towel to absorb any condensation before placing the lid on top.

Table Top Steamer

A traditional tabletop steamer, typically used for vegetables, can also be used to cook bao buns. Line the steamer with greaseproof paper, place the bao inside, leaving some extra space, and cover the lid with a clean tea towel to absorb any excess condensation before placing the lid on top.

Microwave

This method is convenient as microwaves are common in many kitchens. First, dampen a paper towel with water and wring out the excess. Wrap the bao in the damp paper towel and place it on a microwavable plate. Then, lightly wet a bowl by running it under the tap and place it over the wrapped bao. Microwave in one-minute intervals on a medium setting until suitably cooked. Microwaving for too long at a high setting will dry out the bao.

Oven

You can create a quick and easy improvised steaming device using a tin foil baking dish and a boiling pan. Cut out a circular piece of baking paper the same size as your foil baking dish and poke about 12 evenly spaced holes through the paper and foil using a sharp knife. Coat the paper with oil to prevent sticking, then fill the pan with water just below the depth of the foil baking dish. Place the buns on the baking paper, cover the pan, and cook over medium-high heat for around 20 minutes.

Now, let's focus on electric vegetable steamers and how they can be used for cooking bao buns. Electric vegetable steamers are kitchen appliances designed specifically for steaming vegetables and other foods. They typically consist of a base unit with a water reservoir and one or more stackable steaming compartments or baskets. Here are some detailed instructions on how to use an electric vegetable steamer to cook bao buns:

• Prepare the steamer: Fill the base of the electric steamer with water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Ensure the water level is sufficient but does not exceed the maximum fill line.
• Prepare the bao buns: While the steamer is heating up, prepare your bao bun dough and any desired fillings. You can find various recipes online for making the dough and creating delicious fillings.
• Assemble the steamer baskets: Most electric vegetable steamers come with multiple stackable baskets that allow you to cook different foods simultaneously. If you are cooking multiple batches of bao buns or want to steam vegetables or other foods alongside your buns, assemble the steamer baskets accordingly.
• Place the bao buns in the steamer: Carefully place the bao buns on the steaming compartments or baskets, leaving enough space between them to allow steam to circulate. You may line the steaming compartments with greaseproof paper or lettuce leaves to prevent sticking, although this may vary depending on the specific model of your steamer.
• Set the timer and temperature: Refer to your electric steamer's instructions to set the cooking time and temperature. Different models may have different settings, but generally, a medium to medium-high temperature is suitable for steaming bao buns.
• Cover and allow to steam: Place the lid on the electric steamer and make sure it is securely closed. Allow the buns to steam according to the recommended cooking time. Depending on the model, your electric steamer may automatically shut off when the cooking time is complete, or it may have a timer that alerts you when the buns are ready.
• Serve and enjoy: Once the bao buns are cooked to your desired doneness, carefully remove them from the steamer and serve them while they're hot and fluffy. You can enjoy them as-is or fill them with your favorite savory or sweet fillings.

Using an electric vegetable steamer can be a convenient and efficient way to cook bao buns without the need for a traditional bamboo steamer. Just remember to follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of your electric steamer, as features and settings may vary across different models.

Rice cooker

Cooking Bao Buns with a 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
• Filling of your choice (e.g. crispy chicken, duck, BBQ tofu/seitan, pan-fried mushrooms and chives, braised pork belly)

Method

• Put the dry ingredients into the bowl of a freestanding mixer fitted with a dough hook (if available).
• Mix the liquid ingredients 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.
• Dust the dough 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, 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 the steaming basket.
• Close the lid and press the STEAM function on your rice cooker.
• Steam for 10-15 minutes, depending on the shape and size of your buns (thinner buns will require a shorter steaming time).
• Allow the buns to cool before serving.

Microwave

Cooking Bao Buns in the Microwave

Microwaving is a great way to cook bao buns without a steamer because it's fast, simple, and microwaves are a common fixture in many kitchens. Here are the steps to follow:

Preparation

• Take a paper towel and dampen it with water. Squeeze out the excess water.
• Wrap each bun in the damp paper towel and place them on a microwave-safe plate.
• Put a little water in a microwave-safe bowl and place it in the microwave.

Cooking

• Place the plate with the wrapped buns on top of the bowl in the microwave.
• Microwave for 1 minute at a time on a medium setting until the buns are suitably cooked. Check after each minute to avoid overcooking.

Tips

• It is important to microwave the buns in short intervals on a medium setting. If you microwave them for too long or at a high setting, they will dry out and become hard.
• To prevent the buns from drying out, you can place the plate on top of a mug filled with about one centimeter of water and heat it in the microwave for about 2 minutes. The water in the mug will act like a steamer, heating the buns from underneath and making them light and fluffy.

Metal pan steamer

If you have a metal steamer pan with a glass or metal lid, you can still cook bao buns, but you may encounter some problems with condensation. To prevent this, line the metal steamer with greaseproof or parchment paper. Do not overfill the pan with water, and make sure the buns do not touch the sides of the pan to avoid the buns getting soggy. You can also cover the pan with a clean tea towel to absorb any condensation before placing the lid on top.

To cook the buns, pour boiling water into a large pot that fits a steamer/metal colander. The water level should be below the steamer, so the buns do not get wet. Bring the water to a gentle simmer. Place 3-4 buns in the steamer, leaving at least 2 cm between the buns and the water. Steam the buns in batches for 10-12 minutes, being careful when removing the lid so that condensation does not drip onto the buns.

If you are using an electric vegetable steamer, preheat the water in the water compartment. Place the buns in the steamer, still on their baking parchment, ensuring they do not touch the sides. Cover and steam for 10-12 minutes. Again, be careful when removing the lid, so condensation does not drip onto the buns.

Frequently asked questions