Steaming Soft Buns With A Rice Cooker: A Simple Guide

Steamed buns are a staple in Chinese cuisine, often eaten as a breakfast food or as a side dish. They can be made from scratch or bought frozen from the market and are usually steamed in a bamboo steamer. However, if you don't have one, a rice cooker with a steaming basket works great. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam buns using a rice cooker.

How to steam frozen buns in a rice cooker

Steaming frozen buns in a rice cooker is a quick and easy way to prepare them. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Prepare the Rice Cooker:

Firstly, fill the inner pot of your rice cooker with water. The amount of water required may vary depending on the manufacturer's instructions, but generally, about 2 cups of water is sufficient. Place the steamer basket inside the rice cooker and plug it in.

Prepare the Buns:

Take the buns out of the freezer and remove any packaging. If you are making your own buns, prepare the dough and filling, then divide the dough and add the filling before sealing the buns tightly.

Place the Buns in the Steamer Basket:

Carefully place each bun into the steamer basket, ensuring they have space around them for the steam to circulate. Depending on the size of your rice cooker, you may need to cook the buns in batches.

Steam the Buns:

Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on. If your rice cooker has a steam setting, select that option. Otherwise, simply press the regular cooking button. It may take a few minutes for the water to start boiling.

Check for Doneness:

The cooking time will depend on the type of bun and your rice cooker. Frozen buns will take longer to cook, typically around 15-30 minutes. To check if the buns are cooked, insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the middle of one bun. If it comes out clean, the buns are ready. If there is dough on the skewer, the buns need more time.

Once the buns are cooked, let them sit in the rice cooker for about five minutes before removing them with tongs and serving.

Tips:

• You can add a light coat of sesame oil to the steamer basket to prevent the buns from sticking.
• If you don't have a steamer basket, you can create a makeshift steamer by placing a heatproof bowl or plate on top of foil balls inside the rice cooker to keep the buns out of the water.
• You can also use a microwave to steam frozen buns by wrapping them in a damp (but not dripping) paper towel and microwaving for 12-13 minutes on half power.

Enjoy your steamed buns!

How to make sure the buns don't stick to the rice cooker

To prevent your buns from sticking to the rice cooker, you can line the steaming tray or basket with parchment paper or cabbage leaves. Coffee filters can also be used as cheap non-stick liners.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that the water level in the rice cooker is below the steaming tray or basket to avoid direct contact with the buns.

How to steam buns in a rice cooker without a steamer basket

First, prepare your buns for steaming. This may involve proofing, filling, and shaping the dough. You can fill your buns with anything from crispy chicken to braised pork belly, BBQ tofu, or tempeh.

Next, prepare your rice cooker. Add 1 to 2 cups of water to the rice cooker and place a heat-resistant bowl in the middle. You can also use a metal steaming rack or a bamboo basket if you have one—these will help the buns cook evenly. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can line the bowl with parchment paper to prevent the buns from sticking.

Now, prepare your buns for placement in the rice cooker. If you're using frozen buns, wrap them in a damp paper towel before placing them in the rice cooker. This will help ensure they don't dry out during cooking.

It's time to start steaming! Place the buns into the rice cooker bowl and close the lid. Turn on the rice cooker and select the ''Steam' function, if your model has one. Steam the buns for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on their size and shape. The thinner the bun, the shorter the steaming time.

Once the buns are cooked, carefully open the rice cooker and let them rest for a few minutes. This will allow any excess moisture on the surface of the buns to evaporate. Then, transfer the steamed buns to a serving tray and enjoy!

How to steam buns in a rice cooker without overcooking them

Preparation

First, choose the right rice cooker for the job. A small appliance will do just fine, but if you plan on making large quantities of buns, then you might want to opt for a larger model, such as the Zojirushi LGC5XB.

The key to success is all in the preparation. Once you have your rice cooker, it's time to prepare the ingredients. The specific ingredients will vary depending on the recipe, but it's important to use high-quality rice flour and yeast.

Step 1: Prepare your rice cooker

Pour about 2 cups of water into the inner pot of your rice cooker, or follow the manufacturer's recommended amount. Place the steamer basket on top and plug in your rice cooker.

Step 2: Prepare your buns for steaming

If using frozen buns, take them out of the freezer and remove the packaging. If making your own, prepare the dough and filling as directed. Then, divide the dough into portions and add a spoonful of filling. Be careful not to overfill your buns so you can seal them tightly.

Step 3: Place the buns in your steamer basket

Carefully place each bun into the steamer basket, ensuring each bun has space around it for the steam to circulate. Depending on the size of your rice cooker, you may need to cook the buns in batches.

Step 4: Steam the buns

Close the lid and turn on your rice cooker. Press the "steam" button, or if your rice cooker doesn't have this setting, simply press the regular cooking button. The water should start to boil after a few minutes, and you may see steam coming from the vent in the lid.

Step 5: Check for doneness

The cooking time will depend on your rice cooker and your buns. Check for doneness with a wooden skewer or toothpick. If it comes out clean, your buns are cooked. If not, they need more time.

Let your buns sit for about five minutes in your rice cooker, then use tongs to remove them and place them on a plate. Add your desired toppings and serve with rice, veggies, or your favourite sides.

Tips to avoid overcooking:

• Check your rice cooker's instructions and familiarise yourself with the controls.
• Only add the recommended amount of water to the rice cooker – too much water will make the buns soggy, and too little will dry them out.
• Ensure the lid is on tight and locked before starting to prevent steam from escaping and causing uneven cooking.
• Check on your buns regularly to ensure they don't overcook or get soggy.
• Allow your cooker to cool down completely after use before storing it away to prevent potential damage to the electrical components.

How to steam buns in a rice cooker in batches

Steaming buns in a rice cooker is a great, simple way to cook. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam buns in a rice cooker in batches:

Firstly, you will need to prepare your rice cooker. Fill the inner bowl of the rice cooker with a few inches of water and place the bowl into the cooker's chamber. Cover the cooker with its lid and push the 'cook' button. If your rice cooker has a steam cooking setting, use this. Once the water has reached a rolling boil, you are ready to begin steaming your buns.

Next, you will need to prepare your buns for steaming. If your buns are frozen, you do not need to defrost them first. Lightly oil a steamer basket or tray and place your buns inside, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to steam your buns in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cover the buns with the lid of the steamer basket/tray.

Now, you are ready to steam your buns. Replace the rice cooker lid with the lidded steamer basket/tray. Allow the buns to steam for 10-20 minutes, depending on their size and whether they are frozen or not. Frozen buns will take longer to cook through. Small to medium-sized buns will take around 5 minutes to steam, while larger buns will need around 8 minutes. If your buns contain raw meat, you will need to steam them for longer: 8-10 minutes for small-medium buns and 15 minutes for large buns.

Once the buns are cooked, carefully open the rice cooker and remove the steamer basket/tray. Allow the buns to rest for a few minutes before serving.

You can repeat this process in batches until you have steamed all of your buns. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions