Vegetarian Bao Buns with Fried Chicken and Vegetables

Soft, pillowy bao buns meet crispy plant-based fried chicken and vibrant stir-fried vegetables in this irresistible fusion recipe that's as satisfying as it is wholesome. These Vegetarian Bao Buns with Fried Chicken and Vegetables are a showstopping combination of textures and flavors—tender steamed buns, golden-brown plant-based chicken strips coated in a savory blend of spices, and crisp, colorful sautéed bell peppers, carrots, and green onions with a hint of sesame oil. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a creative main course, this recipe is ideal for vegetarians or anyone looking to explore plant-forward cooking. With step-by-step guidance, you'll learn how to create fluffy bao buns from scratch and perfectly fry up the plant-based chicken for a restaurant-quality dish at home. Elevate your next meal with this fusion masterpiece!

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Whole milk
• 3 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 8 ounces Plant-based chicken strips
• 0.5 cup Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 2 cups Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 Red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 Carrot, julienned
• 3 Green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce for vegetables
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, sugar, instant yeast, baking powder, and salt.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, heat the whole milk and 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil until warm but not hot.

Step 3

Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.

Step 4

Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Step 6

While the dough is rising, prepare the plant-based chicken: in a medium bowl, mix cornstarch, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper.

Step 7

Toss the plant-based chicken strips in the cornstarch mixture until well-coated.

Step 8

Heat vegetable oil for frying in a deep saucepan to 350°F (175°C).

Step 9

Fry the coated plant-based chicken strips in batches until golden brown and crispy, approximately 5 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.

Step 10

For the vegetables, stir-fry the red bell pepper, carrot, and green onions in a hot pan with sesame oil until tender yet crisp. Add soy sauce for flavor.

Step 11

Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces.

Step 12

Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten it with a rolling pin into a 4-inch round circle.

Step 13

Fold the circles in half and place each onto a parchment paper square.

Step 14

Set up a steamer and steam the buns for about 8-10 minutes until puffed and cooked through.

Step 15

To serve, open each bao bun and fill with a few plant-based chicken pieces and a spoonful of sautéed vegetables for a delightful bite.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2003.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6842.0

Total Fat 555.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 82.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 31.3g
Cholesterol 29.3mg	0%
Sodium 6897.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 415.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.1g	0%
Total Sugars 65.7g
Protein 107.6g	0%

Vitamin D 107.4IU	0%
Calcium 761.1mg	0%
Iron 28.4mg	0%
Potassium 2895.5mg	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: 70.5%

Protein: 6.1%

Carbs: 23.5%