Vegetarian Chicken Bao

Indulge in the steamy goodness of these Vegetarian Chicken Bao, a plant-based twist on the classic Chinese steamed buns. Perfectly fluffy and delightfully savory, these bao buns are filled with a flavorful mixture of tender vegetarian chicken strips, sautéed shiitake mushrooms, and aromatic ginger and garlic, all coated in a delicious umami-rich sauce of soy and hoisin. The homemade dough, made with simple pantry staples, is soft and light, with each bun sealing in the aromatic filling for a perfect bite every time. Ideal as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, snack, or light meal, these buns are a must-try for lovers of vegan-friendly comfort food. Whether you're new to making steamed buns or a seasoned fan, this recipe is sure to impress with its balance of texture, flavor, and authenticity.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:60 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams All-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Instant yeast
• 50 grams Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 220 milliliters Warm water
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 200 grams Vegetarian chicken strips
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 2 Green onions, chopped
• 100 grams Shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 1 Carrot, julienned

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Step 2

Gradually add the warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Place the dough back into the mixing bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 5

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a skillet over medium heat, add the sesame oil and sauté the minced garlic and grated ginger until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the shiitake mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 7

Stir in the vegetarian chicken strips, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and carrot. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the mixture is heated through.

Step 8

Stir in the chopped green onions and remove from heat. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 9

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a log. Cut it into 10-12 equal pieces.

Step 10

Roll each piece into a ball and flatten into a disc. Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each disc, then gather the edges and twist to seal.

Step 11

Place the filled bao buns on parchment squares and arrange in a steamer basket.

Step 12

Cover and steam over boiling water for about 15 minutes until the buns are fluffy and cooked through.

Step 13

Remove the steamer from the heat and let the bao rest for a few minutes before serving.

Step 14

Enjoy your homemade vegetarian chicken bao warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1407.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2675.1

Total Fat 62.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.2g
Cholesterol 1.0mg	0%
Sodium 5400.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 440.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 35.4g	0%
Total Sugars 73.5g
Protein 96.5g	0%

Vitamin D 18IU	0%
Calcium 368.1mg	0%
Iron 27.7mg	0%
Potassium 2489.1mg	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: 20.9%

Protein: 14.2%

Carbs: 64.9%