How To Steam Buns Without a Bamboo Steamer (2024)

FAQs

How To Steam Buns Without a Bamboo Steamer? ›

- Put a small amount of water in a wok, and put a small bowl onto the wok - Place a plate with some greaseproof paper on top of the bowl (you can also use a large saucepan if you wish) - Bring the water to boil - Put the baos onto the greaseproof paper - Place a tall lid on the wok, or a flat lid if you are using a ...

You can replicate a steamer with very little effort by placing your buns in a common kitchen sieve or colander, then suspending it over boiling water. Creating a tower from plates and tea towels will stop the steam from escaping, causing your buns to steam cook!

Another fun and quite easy solution is to use a disposable aluminum pie pan. These are available cheaply at most grocery stores and make for the perfect steamer basket substitute.

I love using a bamboo steamer, but a metal one will work too.

Foil Method

You can make a snake or balls of foil to arrange on the bottom of a lidded pot to be able to elevate a heatproof plate or bowl above the surface of your simmering liquid to create a steamer.

Alternatively you can craft a makeshift steaming rig with aluminum foil and dinner plate. Make a few large balls of foil (they should be big enough to elevate a plate inside your steaming pot of choice), fill the pot with about an inch of water, add the foil balls, and then weigh them down with a dinner plate.

The Benefits of Steaming In Bamboo

Bamboo, unlike glass or metal, actually absorbs condensation and prevents foods from getting soggy. Lightweight: Bamboo steamers are much lighter than other types of steamers. Efficient: Bamboo steamers have stackable layers, allowing you to cook a whole meal in layers.

Metal Strainer or Colander

The closest replacement to a steamer basket is a metal strainer or colander. Place the strainer over a pot of water with the water level lower than the bottom of the strainer. Cover with a lid, and bring the water to a boil.

How do you keep steamed buns warm? Keep them in the bamboo steamer with lid closed. They should stay warm like this for ~10 minutes. When having them for dinner, I usually actually cook all the bao ahead of time and then re-heat a couple at a time by steaming for 1-2 minutes before eating.

How to steam frozen bao buns? ›

Place frozen bao into a stove top steamer basket or basket of rice cooker. Steam over boiling water for about 10-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°f. Note: Steam bao from frozen, do not thaw. Flash Frozen Dumplings- 3 easy methods to prepare: boiled, steamed or pan fried.

There are a few methods you can try if you don't have a steamer. One option is to use a colander or sieve placed in a pot with boiling water. You can also use a bamboo or metal steaming rack placed inside a large pot. Another method is to use a microwave-safe plate covered with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap.

Try using a portion of or 100% bread flour for your dough. Many of these attributes can be traced back to different parts of China. To achieve the bright white fluffier buns you might see in Cantonese cuisine, you'll have to seek out very low protein, bleached flour.

So long as it's a full-steam oven (not a combi-steam), then yes. Place the mini buns on trays lined with baking parchment and steam for 8-10 minutes on 100C/210F full steam until puffed up. If your steam oven has a bread proving function, you can also use this function to prove the buns too.

Heat a large steamer over a medium-high heat. Steam the buns for 8 mins until puffed up (you'll need to do this in batches).

So long as it's a full-steam oven (not a combi-steam), then yes. Place the mini buns on trays lined with baking parchment and steam for 8-10 minutes on 100C/210F full steam until puffed up. If your steam oven has a bread proving function, you can also use this function to prove the buns too.

Air Fryer. As always, we do suggest pan frying or steaming your buns but sometimes it just makes sense to use the air fryer. It'll give your baos a calzone consistency which makes drops like the Mamma Mia extra tasty.