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Mantou: Fluffy Chinese Steamed Bread Buns

Mantou: Fluffy Chinese Steamed Bread Buns are pillowy-soft with a mild sweetness and tender chew, perfect for savoring warm on their own or alongside savory dishes. A touch of sugar and oil keeps the crumb plush, while proper proofing gives them that signature airy bounce. Serve for breakfast, as a snack, or as a comforting side at dinner.

  • Prep30 mins
  • Cook45 mins
  • Serves24
  • DifficultyMedium
Mantou: Fluffy Chinese Steamed Bread Buns
  1. 1

    Assemble all the ingredients.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let it rest for 30 minutes.

  3. 3

    Stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, the remaining 1/2 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons sugar, vegetable oil, and salt. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.

  4. 4

    Move the dough to a greased bowl, roll it to coat with oil, and let it sit until tripled in size, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

  5. 5

    Punch down the dough and spread it out on a floured board. Evenly sprinkle baking powder over the surface of the dough; knead for 5 minutes.

  6. 6

    Divide the dough in half; place one half in a covered bowl. Cut the remaining half into 12 equal pieces.

  7. 7

    Shape each piece into a ball; place each ball on a small square of waxed paper with the smooth side facing up. Repeat dividing and shaping with the remaining dough half. Cover all 24 dough balls and let them sit until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

  8. 8

    Bring water to a boil in a wok, then lower the heat to medium to keep a gentle boil. Set the steam plate on a small wire rack in the center of the wok, ensuring at least 2 inches of space between the plate and the wok. Working in batches, arrange the buns on their waxed paper squares on the steam plate, leaving 1 to 2 inches between buns.

  9. 9

    Cover and steam the buns for 15 minutes. Lift the lid carefully so condensation does not drip onto the buns. Continue steaming the remaining buns until all are cooked.

About This Recipe

Mantou: Fluffy Chinese Steamed Bread Buns is a Chinese breakfast recipe made with 7 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 15 mins, serves 24, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Active Dry Yeast, All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt. Each serving provides about 41.55 kcal.

Recipe Questions

What is Mantou: Fluffy Chinese Steamed Bread Buns?
It is a Chinese bread recipe made with 7 ingredients, usually served for breakfast or side dish or snack.
What is Mantou: Fluffy Chinese Steamed Bread Buns made of?
The main ingredients are Active Dry Yeast, All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Sugar. The full list of 7 is above.
How long does it take to make Mantou: Fluffy Chinese Steamed Bread Buns?
About 1 hr 15 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 45 mins to cook.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving provides about 41.55 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
Is Mantou: Fluffy Chinese Steamed Bread Buns easy to make?
This recipe is rated medium, with 7 ingredients and 9 steps.

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