Steamed Buns (Mantou)

4.50 from 177 votes

Cotton soft, puffy and fluffy steamed buns or mantou. This Chinese steamed buns recipe is easy, quick and 100% fail-proof, with only 20 minutes active time!

Prep Time20

Cook Time10

Additional Time1

Total Time1 30

Course: Bun

Cuisine: Chinese Recipes

Keyword: steamed buns

Servings: Buns

Author: Bee Yinn Low

Ingredients

1 cup milk
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
350 g (12 oz) all-purpose flour

Instructions

Add the milk, yeast, and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir the mixture with chopsticks or a spoon.
Add the flour to the yeast mixture. Turn the mixer to speed 1 and knead the ingredients until a smooth dough forms, about 6 minutes. If the dough starts to ‘climb up’ the dough hook, stop the mixer and push the dough back down into the bowl.
Transfer the dough out, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 5 minutes.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin from bottom to top. Turn the dough horizontally and roll again from bottom to top. Continue rolling the dough until it forms a 14×10″ (35cm x 25cm) rectangle.
Roll up the dough into a log from left to right. Make sure to tuck and roll the dough tightly to form a compact log.
Roll out the log a few times until the surface looks smooth and it reaches 12 inches (30 cm) in length.
Cut the dough into 8 equal-sized pieces using a sharp knife. Transfer each piece to a 3×4-inch (7 cm x 10 cm) piece of parchment paper. You may roll each piece into a round ball after cutting.
Place the dough into a steamer. Cover the steamer and let the dough rise for 60 minutes, or until the dough balls expand in size. Make sure to leave enough space between each dough ball so they don’t stick together.
Add water to the bottom of the steamer. You may add 1 teaspoon of Chinese white vinegar to make the steamed buns whiter. Cover the lid tightly
Turn on high heat and steam for 10-12 minutes, or until the dough expands into soft, puffy, and fluffy steamed buns. Turn off the heat and serve the steamed buns warm. Dip in condensed milk if you like sweet steamed buns.

Video

Notes

Please use the metric measurement for the flour.
You may use whole milk, low fat milk or skim milk. You can replace milk with water or soy milk. For the best flavors, you may use 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream plus half cup full milk.
If you don't have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hands, for 15-20 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth on the surface.
If the dough is still sticky after kneading for 6 minutes, you may add 1-2 tablespoons of flour to bind the dough.
If you don't have a steamer, you may steam the steamed buns using any pans or skillet.
First, add water to the pan or skillet, then add a small bowl.
Next, add a plate on top of the bowl. You can place the steamed buns on the plate, cover the pan or skillet with its lid to steam.

Nutrition