Chinese Steamed Buns (Mantou)

Name: Chinese Steamed Buns (Mantou)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 38 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: Type 00 flour (very refined) 2.6 cups; Water at room temperature 0.625 cup; Sugar 0.4 cup; Brewer's yeast 1 ¼ tsp

it de fr es br

252.3

Calories per serving

Lactose Free
Vegetarian
Vegan

Energy Kcal 252.3
Carbohydrates g 56
of which sugars g 14.6
Protein g 6.2
Fats g 0.4
of which saturated fat g 0.09
Cholesterol mg 1.3
Sodium mg 2

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 8 min
Serving: 6
Cost: Low
Note + the rising time (80 min. in total)

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Guglielmo Paolucci

When you're craving something soft and a little sweet, mantou, or steamed Chinese buns, are the perfect treat. Really, they are. These buns are known for their cloud-like texture, thanks to a dough that skips the salt and adds a touch of sugar. This gives them a moist and light feel, setting them apart from regular baked bread—seriously good. In China, these traditional Chinese buns are celebrated for their simple appearance and surprisingly tender bite. They share the same dough as baozi, just without the filling, which is great, resulting in a gentle flavor and aroma.

Often enjoyed for breakfast with jams or sweet spreads, mantou offer a lactose-free alternative to milk buns, delivering that pillowy texture without any butter or milk. And you know what? They're super versatile. In China, many people enjoy homemade mantou the classic way, but there are plenty of creative twists out there. Like, seriously, lots of them. You might find them paired with fusion flavors, like bao sandwiches filled with wagyu ribs, showing how the mantou recipe can adapt to different tastes—from savory meats to sweet toppings. No question.

No matter the pairing, the buns retain their main fluffy and golden look after steaming. For those who love to experiment, try pairing these Chinese steamed buns with everything from creamy spreads to spicy condiments. The best part is, they're easy to share, making them perfect for breakfast, a side dish, or even a fancy snack. Mantou bring a gentle touch to any meal. Here's the deal: it's easy to see why this easy mantou recipe is so popular—the flavor is mild yet just right, and the buns themselves are super versatile. Whether you enjoy them plain or stuffed with something special, mantou always adds a comforting touch to your table. So, the next time you are looking for a delicious and adaptable dish, give mantou a try. You'll love their really good simplicity.

How to prepare Chinese Steamed Buns (Mantou)

To prepare the mantou, pour the water into the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a hook 1, add the dry yeast 2, and briefly stir with a spoon to dissolve it 3.

Add the wheat flour 4 and the sugar 5, and turn on the stand mixer at the lowest speed for 5-6 minutes 6.

When the mixture becomes compact 7, transfer it to a lightly floured work surface and knead it briefly to give it a round and smooth shape 8. Place the dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap 9, and let it rest at room temperature for about 40 minutes.

After the rising time 9, transfer the dough to a work surface sprinkled with a little flour and flatten it slightly with your fingers. Divide the dough into 3 portions with the help of a dough scraper 10, then form into logs 12.

Trim the ends of the logs with the scraper, then cut them into pieces weighing about 30-40 grams 13. Straighten the edges of the dough to obtain a rectangular shape, then place each piece on a square of parchment paper 14. Transfer the buns with their parchment paper base to a tray, cover with plastic wrap, and let them rise at room temperature for another 40 minutes 15.

After this time, you're ready for cooking 16: bring the water to a boil in the steamer, place the buns inside, and close with the lid. Cook for 8-9 minutes, then turn off the heat and let them rest closed with the lid for a couple of minutes: this way the dough won't crack but will remain smooth 17. Serve your mantou in the typical bamboo basket 18!

Storage

Mantou can be stored for 1-2 days, sealed in a plastic bag. You can freeze them before cooking, making sure to thaw them in the refrigerator before cooking.

Tip

Wheat flour is a very refined, white-colored flour that can be purchased in ethnic grocery stores: if you can't find it, you can use all-purpose flour.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.

Chinese Steamed Buns (Mantou)

PRESENTATION

How to prepare Chinese Steamed Buns (Mantou)

Storage

Tip

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