Chinese Steamed Buns Mantou

Fluffy, soft, and delightfully versatile, Chinese Steamed Buns (Mantou) are a beloved staple in Chinese cuisine. Made with simple pantry ingredients like all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and just a touch of sugar, these pillowy buns boast a subtly sweet flavor and light, airy texture that make them perfect for any meal. This easy-to-follow recipe guides you through kneading the dough to achieve smooth elasticity, proofing for optimal rise, and steaming to perfection. Whether enjoyed plain, dipped in sweetened condensed milk, or paired with savory dishes, Mantou are a crowd-pleasing addition to your table. Ideal for beginners and culinary experts alike, this authentic recipe delivers restaurant-quality buns in the comfort of your kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:90 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 300 g All-purpose flour
• 6 g Instant yeast
• 30 g Granulated sugar
• 15 ml Vegetable oil
• 150 ml Water
• 1 pinch Salt

Directions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix the dry ingredients together thoroughly.

Step 2

Gradually add the water to the dry mixture while stirring, then pour in the vegetable oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 3

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 4

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Step 5

Punch down the dough to release any air. Transfer it to a floured surface and roll it into a log shape, approximately 2 inches in diameter.

Step 6

Cut the dough log into 10 even pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball or your desired shape.

Step 7

Place each piece on a small square of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Arrange the prepared buns on a steamer tray, leaving space between them to expand.

Step 8

Allow the buns to rest in the steamer for 15 minutes to undergo a second rise.

Step 9

Fill a large pot or wok with water (make sure it does not touch the steamer bottom) and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, place the steamer over the pot and cover it with a lid.

Step 10

Steam the buns over high heat for 12-15 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid during steaming to maintain consistent cooking.

Step 11

After steaming, turn off the heat and let the buns sit in the steamer for 2 minutes before carefully removing the lid to prevent collapsing.

Step 12

Serve the steamed buns warm. They can be enjoyed plain, with sweetened condensed milk, or alongside savory dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(502.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1337.9

Total Fat 16.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 150.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 261.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.9g	0%
Total Sugars 30.6g
Protein 33.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 52.5mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 389.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 11.1%

Protein: 10.1%

Carbs: 78.8%