The Best Steamed Bao Buns

Make the dough

First, add flour, sugar, yeast, baking powder, oil, and water to a large stand mixer bowl.

Next, use a dough hook to mix everything on medium speed. You will need to add a little more warm water to add a bit more moisture to the dough once it comes together.

Next, let it knead on medium speed until the dough turns glossy and soft. It should also feel smooth to the touch. The kneading will take around 5 to 7 minutes

Empty out onto a work surface and knead for 1 minute or until smooth. Add extra flour a tablespoon at a time if the dough sticks to the palm of your hand.

When the dough is ready, lightly grease the inner pot with some oil and place the dough in the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Next, cover with the lid and press the yogurt button and proof the dough for 60 minutes

Once it has risen, punch down the dough in the center. Next, transfer the dough to a work surface and dust with flour and knead it for 5 to 10 minutes. The goal is to remove as many air bubbles as possible from the dough.

Prep and steam the buns

Next, divide the dough in 12 equal parts and use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to about a 1 cm thick circle.

Once the dough circles are made, lightly spread the oil over the surface of the dough. Next, use an 8 cm diameter pastry cutter or a plastic cup of the same diameter to cut out rounds from each piece of dough

Remove the excess dough.

Next, fold the rounds in half and flatten slightly with the rolling pin and then place the round on a square of baking paper and place directly into a large bamboo steamer or onto a tray.

Repeat with remaining dough (excess dough can be re-rolled and used).

Next, prepare the Instant Pot to steam the buns by pouring in 1 cup of water into the inner pot and placing a trivet inside. Once the water is added, arrange the buns in a bamboo steamer and place it in the pot. You will need to steam the buns in batches.

Finally, close the lid and steam it for 10 minutes. Once done, open the lid carefully and remove the bamboo steamer. Once they are steamed, you can fill them up

Prep the fillings

In a pot or deep pan over high heat, combine the water, sugar, rice vinegar, and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then bring the mixture to a boil.

Add the vegetables the brine. Stir to submerge, then remove the pot from the heat. Let it sit for 20 mins, while you sear the tofu and steam the buns, then drain.

Tofu filling

Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Add the tofu and sear on one side until deep brown in color.

Flip and cook on the other side until deep brown, 5 minutes more.

Remove the tofu from the pan. Add all the sauce in the same pan and reduce until it thickens (5 minutes ) add in the tofu to the pan and stir to coat with the glaze.

Remove the pan from the heat.

Assembling the bao buns

To serve, slather the inside of the bao buns with hoisin sauce, then, glazed tofu, the pickled vegetables, cilantro, peanuts and sesame seeds.