Chinese Steamed Buns (Mantou)

Light, fluffy, and versatile, Mantou are Chinese steamed buns traditionally served plain or filled with sweet or savory ingredients.

Whether you enjoy them as a side dish, a snack, or with a filling of your choice, these soft buns are incredibly satisfying to make at home. This vegan-friendly recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and delivers beautifully soft, pillowy buns.

INGREDIENTS (Makes about 12 buns):

• 500g all-purpose flour
• 240g water
• 3g salt
• 5g sugar
• 6g dry yeast

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix the dry yeast with lukewarm water and sugar. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This indicates the yeast is active.

2.First kneading: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and start mixing until a dough begins to form. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 10 minutes.

3.Final kneading: After resting, knead the dough again until it becomes smooth and elastic. This step ensures that the buns will be soft and fluffy.

4.Shape the buns: Roll out the dough with a rolling pin into a rectangular shape. Then, tightly roll it up into a log. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal pieces.

5.Second rise: Place each piece on a small square of parchment paper and arrange them directly in a bamboo steamer. Cover and let them rise for about 1 hour, or until they double in size.

6.Steam the buns: Fill a large pot or wok with water and bring it to a boil. Place the bamboo steamer over the boiling water, cover, and steam the buns for 15–20 minutes. Make sure not to open the lid during steaming to prevent a sudden drop in temperature.

7.Cool and serve: Once done, turn off the heat and leave the buns covered for 5 minutes to prevent them from collapsing. Serve warm and enjoy plain or with your favorite filling!

Tips for Perfect Mantou:

• For sweeter buns: Add 15–20g more sugar to the dough.
• Extra softness: You can add 1 tbsp of vegetable oil to the dough before kneading for a softer texture.
• Fill them up: Try adding red bean paste, sweet sesame paste, or savory fillings like sautéed vegetables or mushrooms for a fun twist.

Storage:

Mantou can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat by steaming for 3–5 minutes. You can also freeze them and steam directly from frozen when ready to eat.

Enjoy your homemade Mantou—soft, fluffy, and absolutely delicious. They're great as a snack, with savory dips, or even with a sweet spread. Let me know how they turned out for you!

VIDEO RECIPE: