Steaming Bao Buns: No Steamer, No Problem

Steamed buns are a staple at dinner tables across Asia and the world. The soft, airy texture and freshness of bao buns make them irresistible and suited to a wide range of cooking applications. Traditionally, they are cooked using bamboo steamers, but there are alternative methods to achieve the same fluffy texture. Here are some ways to cook bao buns without a steamer.

Metal steamer pan

If you have a metal steamer pan with a glass or metal lid, you can use it to cook bao buns. However, there are certain problems that can arise as these can hold condensation and drip back down onto the bao. To prevent this, you can follow the steps below:

• Line the metal steamer with greaseproof/baking paper to protect it.
• Do not overfill the steamer with water.
• Make sure the bao buns do not 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.
• Steam the buns in batches of 3-4 buns for 10-12 minutes. Be careful when removing the lid so that condensation doesn't drip down onto the bao buns.

Electric vegetable steamer

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by mixing the dry ingredients: plain flour, cornflour (cornstarch), yeast, caster sugar, and baking powder. Then, mix lukewarm water with vegetable oil and pour it into the dry ingredients. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to mix the ingredients for about 10-12 minutes until you have a smooth, elastic dough.

Step 2: First Proofing

Shape the dough into a tight ball and place it in a large, clean bowl. Cover the bowl with cling film and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.

Step 3: Knead and Roll the Dough

Once the dough has doubled in size, scrape it onto a kitchen surface and gently knock out the air. Knead the dough for a few minutes, then use a rolling pin to roll it out into a large rectangle, approximately 0.5 cm thick.

Step 4: Cut and Prepare the Buns

Brush the dough with vegetable oil and use a 7-8 cm pastry cutter to stamp out disks of dough. You should get around 18-22 rounds. Cut squares of baking parchment, brush them with oil, and place the dough rounds on them. Fold each round over and press down to create a semi-circle shape. The oiled surface will ensure the buns open up slightly during steaming.

Step 5: Second Proofing

Lightly cover the buns with oiled cling film and let them prove again in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes. The buns should puff up but not double in size. You can test if they are ready by gently pressing the surface of a bun with your finger. If it springs back slowly, they are ready; if it springs back immediately, they need more time.

Step 6: Preheat the Electric Steamer

Preheat the water in the water compartment of the electric vegetable steamer. Most electric steamers have a built-in water reservoir that needs to be filled before use.

Step 7: Steam the Buns

Place the shaped buns in the second tier of the steamer, still on the baking parchment squares. Ensure the buns don't touch the sides of the steamer to prevent water from dripping onto them. Cover the steamer and steam the buns for 10-12 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the buns.

Step 8: Enjoy Your Bao Buns!

Once the buns are cooked, carefully remove them from the steamer. You can fill them with various savoury or sweet fillings, such as pulled pork, crispy honey chicken, or sticky Chinese pork belly. Enjoy your homemade bao buns!

Rice cooker

Cooking Bao in a Rice Cooker

If you have a traditional rice cooker, you can use it to steam buns when the water and rice start to boil. You can cook the buns together with rice to save time and electricity, or cook the buns alone with just boiling water.

• Prepare the steamer basket: Line the steamer basket with parchment paper to prevent the buns from sticking.
• Place the buns: Put the buns on the steamer basket, leaving some space between each bun to allow for expansion.
• Add water: Put 1 to 2 cups of water into the rice cooker and place the steamer basket on top.
• Cover and steam: Put the lid on the rice cooker and steam for about 10 minutes. If you are also cooking rice, place the steamer basket inside once the water boils and cook for a minute or more.

Note: The method may vary depending on the type of rice cooker you use. Some rice cookers have a steamer setting, while some don't have the capacity to place an additional layer of the steamer basket on top.

Microwave

Cooking Bao in the Microwave

Microwaving is a great way to cook bao as it's fast, simple, and most kitchens have a microwave. However, it can be tricky to get the right texture and consistency, and it's easy for the buns to dry out or become soggy. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

Step 1: Prepare the Paper Towel

Firstly, take a paper towel and dampen it with water. It's important to remove any excess water by wringing out the towel—you don't want the buns to become too wet.

Step 2: Wrap the Buns

Now, wrap your bao in the damp paper towel and place them on a microwave-safe plate. If you are cooking multiple buns, you may need to use more than one paper towel to ensure they are all covered.

Step 3: Prepare the Bowl

Take a microwave-safe bowl and lightly wet the inside by running it under the tap. Place this bowl over the wrapped bao on the plate.

Step 4: Microwave

Tips and Tricks:

• If you are reheating frozen bao, you will need less time in the microwave. For two buns, start with 30 seconds, and add 10 seconds for each additional bun.
• To avoid soggy bao, place the buns on top of a mug filled with about one centimetre of water and heat in the microwave for two minutes. The water will create steam, preventing the buns from drying out.
• You can also place a glass or plastic bowl over the buns in the microwave to trap the steam and prevent drying.
• If you are cooking multiple buns, you can place them in a glass bowl and cover them with wet paper towels. Microwave in one-minute intervals until ready.

Microwaving is a convenient way to cook or reheat bao, and with these tips, you can achieve delicious, soft, and fluffy buns.

Oven

Cooking Bao Buns in the Oven

If you have an oven, you can easily steam buns using this method.

Firstly, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Now, arrange the buns on the baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Boil some water and pour it into a roasting pan or a heatproof dish. Place the roasting pan or dish on the bottom rack of the oven. Put the baking sheet with the buns on the middle rack. Close the oven door and let the buns steam for about 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked.

Alternatively, you can make a quick and easy improvised steaming device using a tin foil baking dish and boiling pan!

You will need:

• A deep circular foil baking dish (for a pie)
• A boiling pan with a cover lid (with a slightly larger circumference than your foil baking dish)

Here's how to make your own bun steamer:

• Cut out a circular piece of baking paper roughly the same size as your foil baking dish.
• Turn the foil baking dish upside down and put your piece of baking paper on top of it.
• Poke about 12 evenly-spaced holes through the paper and foil using a sharp knife or other pointed implement.
• Coat the paper top in a layer of oil to stop buns sticking.
• Fill the boiling pan with a few inches of water and put the aluminium baking tray and paper top inside, the water level should be just below the depth of the aluminium baking tray.
• Place the buns on top of the baking paper layer and cover the boiling pan with its lid.
• Cook over a medium-high heat to produce enough steam for around 20 minutes.

Frequently asked questions