11 Fluffy Bao Buns Recipes
There’s something magical about biting into a fluffy bao bun—the soft, pillowy dough yielding to a burst of savory filling inside. My love for bao started in my childhood, during family trips to our local Chinatown dim sum house. I’d watch wide-eyed as steaming baskets arrived at our table, and my grandma would sneak me extras, teaching me how the perfect bao should steam just right to achieve that irresistible fluffiness. Those memories still warm me on chilly days.
Lately, I’ve been on a bao-making binge in my home kitchen, experimenting with my stand mixer and yeast doughs to recreate that nostalgia with modern twists. After countless batches (and a few dough disasters), I’ve nailed 11 foolproof recipes that deliver cloud-like texture every time. Whether you’re a bao newbie or a seasoned steamer, these are perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or meal prep—plus, they’re naturally gluten-free adaptable and freezer-friendly!
Classic Char Siu Pork Bao Buns
These timeless bao buns feature tender, honey-glazed char siu pork tucked into ultra-fluffy steamed dough. Ingredients (makes 12 buns): 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp yeast, 1 cup warm milk, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 cups diced char siu pork (store-bought or homemade), hoisin sauce, green onions. Mix dough ingredients, knead 10 mins, let rise 1 hour. Divide into 12 balls, flatten, add pork filling, pleat and steam 12-15 mins. Drizzle with hoisin.
The slow-cooked pork adds smoky sweetness, while the buns stay pillowy—high in protein and a crowd-pleaser for dim sum nights.
Teriyaki Chicken Bao Buns
A Japanese-inspired twist with juicy chicken thighs glazed in sticky teriyaki. Ingredients: Dough as above; 2 chicken breasts (cubed), 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp ginger, sesame seeds. Marinate and cook chicken, cool. Fill risen dough balls, steam as before. Garnish with sesame and cucumber slices.
Low-carb filling with fermented soy benefits for gut health; quick prep under 30 mins post-marinate.
Veggie Mushroom Bao Buns
Earthy shiitake and wood ear mushrooms for a vegan delight. Ingredients: Dough base; 2 cups mixed mushrooms (sautéed with garlic, soy, sesame oil), carrots, bamboo shoots. Chop finely, mix with cornstarch slurry for binding. Encase in dough, steam 15 mins.
Packed with umami and fiber for digestion; meat-free and naturally gluten-adaptable.
Spicy Beef Bulgogi Bao Buns
Korean heat meets bao fluffiness with marinated beef. Ingredients: Dough; 1 lb thin-sliced beef, 3 tbsp gochujang, pear juice, garlic, sesame oil. Marinate 1 hr, stir-fry. Fill and steam. Top with kimchi.
Iron-rich beef boosts energy; adjustable spice for all palates.
Shrimp and Chive Bao Buns
Fresh shrimp with fragrant chives for a seafood pop. Ingredients: Dough; 1 lb chopped shrimp, 1/2 cup chives, ginger, rice wine, egg white binder. Sauté lightly, cool, fill dough. Steam 12 mins.
Omega-3s from shrimp support heart health; light and bouncy texture.
Kimchi Pork Bao Buns
Fermented kimchi elevates ground pork with tangy crunch. Ingredients: Dough; 1 lb pork, 1 cup chopped kimchi, garlic, soy. Mix raw filling, pleat into dough, steam 15 mins.
Probiotic kimchi aids immunity; bold flavors cut through richness.
BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Bao Buns
Smoky, vegan “pulled pork” using jackfruit. Ingredients: Dough; 2 cans jackfruit, BBQ sauce, onion, smoked paprika. Shred and simmer in sauce. Fill and steam. Slaw on top.
Low-calorie, fiber bomb for weight management; BBQ taste without meat.
Custard-Filled Sweet Bao Buns
Dessert bao with silky egg custard. Ingredients: Dough with extra sugar; 1 cup milk, 4 yolks, sugar, cornstarch for custard. Cook thick, cool, fill. Steam gently 10 mins. Dust with powdered sugar.
Comforting treat with calcium from dairy; gluten-free option with rice flour.
Tofu and Bok Choy Bao Buns
Silken tofu with crisp greens for balance. Ingredients: Dough; 14 oz tofu (crumbled), bok choy, oyster sauce (or veg alt), ginger. Steam-blanch veggies, mix, fill. Steam buns 14 mins.
Plant protein powerhouse; hydrating and anti-inflammatory.
Szechuan Chicken Bao Buns
Numbing spice from Szechuan peppercorns. Ingredients: Dough; chicken thigh strips, Szechuan sauce, peanuts, dried chilies. Toss cooked chicken in sauce, fill. Steam 13 mins.
Capsaicin boosts metabolism; addictive tingly heat.
Curry Veggie Bao Buns
Thai yellow curry paste infuses veggies. Ingredients: Dough; potatoes, carrots, peas, coconut milk, curry paste. Simmer filling, thicken, encase. Steam 15 mins. Cilantro garnish.
Antioxidant-rich veggies; aromatic and satisfyingly creamy.
These 11 fluffy bao buns recipes bring dim sum magic to your kitchen—soft, steamy, and endlessly versatile. Grab your steamer, pick a filling, and treat yourself or loved ones to a homemade batch this weekend. Which one will you try first? Share your pics in the comments!
