Bao buns in a rice cooker

Fluffy soft steamed buns - experience the flavour of Asian street food

Closeup shot of steamed bao buns on a black surface

For many centuries in Asia the simple bao bun has been popular and recently this delicious treat has become a popular staple in restaurants all over the world. Use your rice cooker STEAM function for optimal cooking of this doughy delight.

AuthorHungry PandaCategoryDifficultyIntermediate

Yields4 Servings
Prep Time35 minsCook Time15 minsTotal Time50 mins

INGREDIENTS
 539 g middle gluten wheat flour (alternatively, plain flour/ all-purpose flour), plus extra for dusting
 ½ tsp salt
 7 g fast action dried yeast
 40 g caster sugar
 15 g baking powder
 50 ml milk
 200 - 250ml warm water (depending on how humid your room is. Add more water if room is dry)
 25 ml vegetable or sunflower oil

HOW TO MAKE
1

Put the dry ingredients into the bowl of a free- standing mixer fitted with a dough hook attached
(if available).

2

Mix the liquid ingredients together into a measuring jug. Slowly pour the liquid into the mixer while
kneading on a 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 to it.

3

Once the dough has been well kneaded, dust with 2 tbsp of flour, scraping off any extra dough on the sides of the bowl.

4

Shape the dough into a ball and coat it with 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Put the dough back into the bowl.

5

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.

6

Once the dough has doubled in size, you can then shape it into whatever shape you wish before
steaming.

7

Fill your rice cooker bowl to the white rice level 2 line and place the buns into your steaming basket.

8

Close lid and press STEAM function on your rice cooker. Steaming time will vary between 10–15
minutes depending on the shape and size of your finished buns (the thinner the bun, the shorter the steaming time).

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS
 539 g middle gluten wheat flour (alternatively, plain flour/ all-purpose flour), plus extra for dusting
 ½ tsp salt
 7 g fast action dried yeast
 40 g caster sugar
 15 g baking powder
 50 ml milk
 200 - 250ml warm water (depending on how humid your room is. Add more water if room is dry)
 25 ml vegetable or sunflower oil

Directions

HOW TO MAKE
1

Put the dry ingredients into the bowl of a free- standing mixer fitted with a dough hook attached
(if available).

2

Mix the liquid ingredients together into a measuring jug. Slowly pour the liquid into the mixer while
kneading on a 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 to it.

3

Once the dough has been well kneaded, dust with 2 tbsp of flour, scraping off any extra dough on the sides of the bowl.

4

Shape the dough into a ball and coat it with 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Put the dough back into the bowl.

5

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.

6

Once the dough has doubled in size, you can then shape it into whatever shape you wish before
steaming.

7

Fill your rice cooker bowl to the white rice level 2 line and place the buns into your steaming basket.

8

Close lid and press STEAM function on your rice cooker. Steaming time will vary between 10–15
minutes depending on the shape and size of your finished buns (the thinner the bun, the shorter the steaming time).

Bao buns in a rice cooker

For fillings you could use crispy chicken or duck, BBQ tofu/seitan or tempeh, pan fried mushrooms and chives, braised pork belly….the choice is yours