Steaming Frozen Buns: Quick And Easy Methods

Frozen steamed flour buns are a quick and tasty snack that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Whether you choose to steam, microwave, or pan-fry them, there are simple methods to ensure your buns are cooked to perfection.

Cooking from frozen: 15-25 minutes

There are several ways to cook frozen steamed flour buns in 15-25 minutes. Here are some options:

Using a Steamer

Place the frozen buns into a lightly oiled steamer and cover. Steam the buns over boiling water for 15 minutes if they are 100g and approximately 25 minutes if they are 150g. The buns are cooked when the meat inside is steaming hot.

Using a Microwave

Place the frozen buns in a covered, microwave-safe container. Microwave on high for approximately 1 minute for 100g buns and 2 minutes for 150g buns. The buns are cooked when the meat inside is scalding hot.

Using a Rice Cooker

Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into your rice cooker. Add your frozen buns, separating them by 1 inch. Steam the buns for around 8 minutes, then drop the heat to low and let them rest for an additional 8 minutes.

Using a Stove

Place a ring mold into the bottom of a wide pot with 2 inches of water. Put a plate on the ring mold, then place your buns on the plate. Cover the pot and boil the water.

Using a Pan

For raw buns, heat a pan with some oil and place the frozen buns inside. Add a few ounces of water and cover the pan with a lid. Cook for 5-7 minutes, adding more time if the buns are large. Remove the lid, but keep the heat on medium to medium-high and allow the water to evaporate. Give it another 2-3 minutes, depending on your stove's heat, until the buns release from the pan and have a golden crispy bottom.

Using a steamer

To cook frozen steamed flour buns using a steamer, you have a few options. You can use a bamboo or metal steamer, placing it over a pot of boiling water. Ensure that you line the steamer with baking paper or lightly oil it to prevent the buns from sticking. If you don't have a steamer, you can create a makeshift one by placing a ring mold at the bottom of a wide pot with about 2 inches of water, followed by a plate on top.

Cover the pot and let the water boil. Depending on the size of the buns, they should steam for approximately 15-25 minutes. The buns are cooked when the meat inside is steaming hot.

Alternatively, you can use a rice cooker if it has a steamer tray, or a colander placed over a pan of boiling water and covered with a lid or aluminium foil. If using a steamer basket or metal insert, place the buns on parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Pan-frying

To pan-fry frozen steamed flour buns, you'll need a non-stick frying pan, oil, and water. You can use any type of oil, but a flavourless variety like vegetable oil is best so that it doesn't impart any unwanted flavours to the buns.

First, take your frozen buns and heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil to the pan—just enough to thinly coat the bottom of the pan. Place the buns in the pan with the pleated side facing down. Leave some space between the buns so that they're not crowded in the pan.

Let the buns cook until the bottom turns golden brown. This should take around 5-7 minutes, but you may need to leave them for longer if your buns are on the larger side.

Once the buns are golden, add enough water to the pan to cover around 1-2 cm of the height of the buns. Cover the pan with a lid and let the buns cook until all the water has evaporated. This will take around 5-7 minutes, depending on how much water you added and the size of your buns.

When all the water has evaporated, remove the lid and let the buns continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes. You'll know they're done when they release easily from the pan and have a nice golden, crispy bottom.

Serve the buns warm, garnished with chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.

Microwaving

Steamed buns are a delicious snack, but what's the best way to cook them from frozen? Well, if you're short on time, the microwave is your best friend. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your buns are cooked to perfection.

Firstly, take your frozen buns and place them on a microwave-safe plate. It's important to transfer them straight from the freezer to the plate to ensure they don't start to harden. You can cook multiple buns at once, but be sure not to overcrowd the plate.

Next, you'll want to ensure the buns don't dry out. There are a few ways to do this. One method is to wrap the plate loosely with microwave-safe cling film. Alternatively, you can dampen a paper towel with water, ring out the excess, and wrap your bun in it before placing it on the plate. A third option is to wet all surfaces of the frozen bun with water, which will also prevent the dough from cracking.

Now it's time to microwave. If your buns are wrapped in a damp paper towel, or the surfaces are wet, you'll want to place a bowl over the bun on the plate and microwave for one minute at a time on a medium setting. If your buns are wrapped in cling film or not wrapped at all, simply place them in the microwave for 30 seconds to one minute on high. Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

And that's it! Your steamed buns should be hot, soft, and ready to eat. It's important to note that steamed buns harden quickly, so be sure to eat them as soon as they're cooked. Enjoy!

Cooking times and temperatures

When it comes to cooking times and temperatures for frozen steamed flour buns, there are a few different methods you can use, depending on your available equipment and personal preference.

If you have a steamer, the cooking process is relatively straightforward. First, prepare your steamer by lining it with baking paper or lightly oiling it to prevent sticking. Then, add water to a pot until it is about one-third full and place the pot on the stove over high heat. Once the water reaches a boil, place the buns inside the steamer, cover them, and place the steamer over the pot. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the buns steam. For smaller buns, they should be ready in about 6-8 minutes, while larger buns may take up to 25 minutes. The buns are cooked when the meat inside is steaming hot.

If you don't have a steamer, you can use a plate and a pot with a ring mould. Place the ring mould inside the pot, add water, and then place a plate on top of the mould. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. This setup creates a makeshift steaming environment for your buns. Follow the same cooking times and indicators as with the steamer method.

Another option is to microwave the frozen buns. To do this, wet the surfaces of the buns with water to prevent the dough from cracking. Place the buns on a microwave-safe plate and cover them loosely with microwave-safe cling film. Microwave on high for approximately one minute for a single bun or 30 seconds for a single small bun. You can also microwave multiple buns at once by placing them in a covered microwave-safe container and heating for one to two minutes. The buns are ready when the meat inside is steaming hot.

Cooking times may vary depending on the power of your microwave and the size of the buns, so it's important to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Additionally, steamed buns tend to harden quickly, so it's best to eat them as soon as they are cooked.

Frequently asked questions