Low Fat Banh Bao (Vietnamese Steamed Pork Buns)

Discover a lighter twist on a beloved classic with this Low Fat Banh Bao (Vietnamese Steamed Pork Buns) recipe! Perfectly fluffy buns encase a flavorful filling made with lean ground pork, egg whites, and nutrient-packed veggies like carrots and mushrooms for a healthier take on traditional banh bao. The dough rises to pillowy perfection thanks to a balance of yeast and non-fat milk, while the savory filling is seasoned with soy sauce, fish sauce, and green onions for that signature Vietnamese flavor. These delectable buns are steamed to preserve their delicate texture and keep them guilt-free. Whether you’re meal prepping or serving them fresh out of the steamer, this low-fat version delivers all the comfort and taste with a health-conscious spin.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 400 grams All-purpose flour
• 7 grams Instant yeast
• 50 grams Sugar
• 10 grams Baking powder
• 200 milliliters Warm water
• 50 milliliters Non-fat milk
• 300 grams Lean ground pork
• 2 whole Egg whites
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Fish sauce
• 3 stalks Green onions, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 medium Carrot, grated
• 100 grams Mushrooms, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons Low sodium chicken broth

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and baking powder. Mix well.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, combine warm water, and non-fat milk. Gradually pour the liquids into the flour mixture, mixing until a dough forms.

Step 3

Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 4

While dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a mixing bowl, combine lean ground pork, egg whites, soy sauce, fish sauce, chopped green onions, black pepper, grated carrots, chopped mushrooms, and chicken broth. Mix until everything is well incorporated.

Step 5

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.

Step 6

Flatten each dough ball into a circle about 10 cm in diameter and place approximately 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each.

Step 7

Gather the edges of the dough around the filling, pinching them together to seal and form a bun. Place each bun on a square of parchment paper.

Step 8

Prepare your steamer. Place buns into the steamer, leaving enough space between them to expand.

Step 9

Steam the buns over boiling water for 15-20 minutes, ensuring the lid is covered with a kitchen towel to prevent condensation from dripping onto the buns.

Step 10

Once cooked, carefully remove buns from the steamer and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1386.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2561.3

Total Fat 58.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 241.1mg	0%
Sodium 3844.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 383.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.7g	0%
Total Sugars 61.2g
Protein 125.9g	0%

Vitamin D 28.1IU	0%
Calcium 266.8mg	0%
Iron 25.0mg	0%
Potassium 2664.0mg	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: 20.4%

Protein: 19.7%

Carbs: 59.9%