Steamed Bao Buns
Steamed Bao Buns
These delicate, pillowy buns are easy to prepare and quick to bake. Let your imagination—or refrigerator contents—inspire an endless number of exciting fillings: pork belly, tofu, mushrooms, even fried chicken.
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Preparation Method
- Combine all ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer. With the dough hook in place, mix on low until the dough begins to come together. Increase the speed to medium-low and continue mixing for 7 minutes. If the dough seems dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time; conversely, if the dough seems too moist and is not pulling away from the sides of the mixing bowl, add a teaspoon of all-purpose flour at a time.
- Remove dough from mixing bowl; place inside a lightly oiled, rigid container. Cover with plastic wrap or damp towel. Let dough proof until doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
- Remove dough from the proofing container and place on the counter. Divide dough into two equal portions; shape each portion into a log.
- Divide each log into 10 equal pieces (20 total). Roll each piece into a ball and place on a lightly floured counter. Cover with plastic wrap or warm damp towels; let proof for 15 minutes.
- One at a time, roll out 10 of the dough balls into three-inch rounds; lightly brush top with oil and fold each round in half. Reserve the remaining 10 pieces of dough.
- Grease a perforated pan with non-stick spray. Place buns onto greased perforated pan. Cover with a warm towel; let proof for 15 minutes.
- While the first batch is proofing, roll, shape, and proof the remaining 10 dough balls.
- Place the perforated pan at rack position “2.” Set oven to 210°F Steam Mode. Steam for 10 minutes.
- Remove pan from oven. Remove buns from pan. Squares of parchment paper can help prevent cooked bao from sticking together.
- Grease the perforated pan again; place the second batch of proofed buns on the pan. Steam for 8 minutes; steaming will take less time because the oven is preheated. Serve buns immediately.