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How To Make Bao Buns

If you’ve ever wondered what’s in these bad boys, well, nothing bad at all really – only a tiny bit of sugar! These homemade bao buns are fluffy, light and easier than you think to make. You can even make them up to a day ahead and then steam them before serving. So good!

WATCH THIS RECIPE

How To Make Bao Buns

PREP TIME
10 minutes
COOK TIME
45 minutes + 2 hours proving
SERVES
Makes about 14
Ingredients

360g (12.6oz) plain (all-purpose) flour, plus extra for dusting

20g (0.7oz) skim-milk powder

4g (0.14oz) baking powder

5g (0.17oz) instant dry yeast

35g (1.23oz) white sugar

35g (1.23oz) vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing the dough

200g (7.05oz) warm water

14 squares of baking paper (about 10x10cm/4x4inches)

Steps
  • Step 1

    Place flour, milk powder, baking powder, yeast and sugar in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix the vegetable oil and water. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the liquids. Stir with a spoon and then use your hands to knead until the dough comes together. Empty out onto a work surface and knead for 5 minutes or until smooth, adding extra flour a tablespoon at a time if the dough sticks to the palm of your hand. Return the dough to the mixing bowl, cover and rest in a warm place for 90 minutes or until doubled in size.

  • Step 2

    Once risen, transfer the dough to a work surface and dust with flour. ‘Punch down’ the dough by kneading it for 5 to 10 minutes. The aim here is to remove as many air bubbles as possible. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to 1cm thick. Dip your fingers in vegetable oil and lightly spread the oil over the surface of the dough. Then use an 8cm diameter pastry cutter (or a plastic cup of the same diameter) to cut out rounds. Remove the excess dough. Fold rounds in half and flatten slightly with the rolling pin. Place on a square of baking paper and place directly into a large bamboo steamer or onto a tray. Repeat with remaining dough (excess dough can be re-rolled and used). Cover the folded rounds and set aside to prove for 30 minutes.

  • Step 3

    Fill a wok one-third full with water and place over high heat. When the water is boiling, place the bamboo steamer over the wok and steam buns for 12 minutes. Then turn off the heat (don’t lift the lid) and allow the buns to rest over the hot water for 5 minutes. Buns can be made up to a day in advance and steamed to re-heat before serving.

Marion's Kitchen is for everyone who finds joy in flavour and happiness in every bite. Marion's Kitchen is for everyone who finds joy in flavour and happiness in every bite.

What our customers say

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5 out of 5 stars (based on 14 reviews)
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Prassy
September 14, 2023

Awesomeness!

So easy to do and oh so delicious! Have adapted this recipe to make stuffed boo buns too – works beautifully! Thanks so much for this gem!

Kristina
August 7, 2023

This is the one thing I can cook

Seriously good recipe and it always comes out great! Easy and honestly I’m the worst cook so you can do it.

Lauren
June 2, 2023

Best recipe!

This Bao Bun recipe is awesome. The instructions are easy and watching the YouTube video is so helpful. We make these often and our whole family LOVES them, the kids even ask for them in their lunches the next day, which is a big win. Thanks for the recipe.

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