Steamed Tuna Bao Buns finished dish
Everyday meals · China

Steamed Tuna Bao Buns

Steamed tuna bao buns are a type of steamed dumpling from American-Asian cuisine. They are made with a simple yeast leavened dough and steamed until soft and fluffy. They can be eaten plain or stuffed with a variety of fillings. This recipe uses a tuna and pineapple filling.

EST. TOTAL TIME4h 27m
DIFFICULTYMedium
SERVESSee recipe

Time and difficulty are editorial estimates; allow extra time for your equipment and experience.

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What you’ll need

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Let’s make it

  1. Step 1

    Add active dry yeast and honey to around 8 oz warm water and milk. If using instant yeast there is no need to bloom the yeast.

  2. Step 2

    Sift in a mix of all purpose flour, rice flour, tapioca starch. It should be mostly AP flour, but the exact mixture is not precise.

  3. Step 3

    Add a little salt and sugar. Begin to combine the dough with a oiled spatula, continue adding flour until it starts to come together.

  4. Step 4

    Begin kneading—it will be sticky—and continue adding flour. Oil on hands will help.

  5. Step 5

    Add a little oil if it is needed (not more than 1 tbsp) and continue kneading until the dough is elastic.

  6. Step 6

    Place the dough in a covered food-safe plastic container large enough to accommodate the expanding dough.

  7. Step 7

    Allow dough to rise somewhere warm. Check on it in around 2 hours—once it doesn't bounce back when poked, it is ready for filling.

  8. Step 8

    Combine tuna, pineapples, peanuts, and seasoning powder, and mix until the tuna has a paste-like consistency. Pineapple pieces should be small.

  9. Step 9

    Add a little barbecue sauce; it should be moist but not too wet.

  10. Step 10

    Optionally add 1 tbsp pineapple juice, which will make it sweet.

  11. Step 11

    Add mustard according to taste.

  12. Step 12

    Let rest, uncovered, for around 2 hours

  13. Step 13

    Take a piece of dough slightly larger than a golf ball and flatten in your hand. Don't make this too thin.

  14. Step 14

    Add filling and fold closed by pinching around the edges (google "folding bao" for help with this step). For plain bao they can be log-shaped.

  15. Step 15

    Add to steamer with boiling water, and steam 10–12 minutes.

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