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Just calling out to the dumpling lovers out there! This week I'm sharing this quick pan-fried meat buns that have no yeast (yes!) and involve no kneading (double yes!).
Although this is not the traditional way of preparing these buns, but they are equally delicious. Trust me! I mean, when have I ever lied to you right?
Fluffy soft buns, flavourful juicy filling, no fuss, ready in no time. Let's get started.
Quick Buns
These buns are my adaptation to the Chinese pan-fried buns or baozi. The dough is typically made using yeast.
First of all, just letting you know, I love to make breads and work with yeast. I make breads every week. But now and then I just want a no fuss, quick recipe that doesn't involve the whole process of working with yeast. Which is kneading, proofing, shaping and proofing again.
You know those times when you just want to enjoy something delicious but have no desire to put so much effort. Take outs or eating out are out of the question since it's too much work to get properly dressed up and be presentable to the world (I don't know about you but I'm in my PJs all the time these months). Besides why bother when you can make them better and more delicious at home. Right?
Well that's when this quick buns recipe comes extremely handy! Lets see what's all the excitement about.
All purpose flour - Yes, just plain old all purpose flour. No bread flour needed.
Baking powder - Just a small amount as the leavening agent, instead of using yeast. And no, it's not going to have a cakey texture, so don't you worry.
Corn starch - Helps to create the soft texture of the buns in this quick bun recipe.
Yogurt - Combined with the use of corn starch, a perfect duo for the soft texture factor. I'm even using a natural low fat 3.8% yogurt here.
Salt - Well, of course.
And that's all! Basic ingredients that we always have in our kitchen. What could be better than that?
If you want to use Greek yogurt, no problem. I've tried it and it worked just beautiful. Since it's with a thicker consistency, you'd take a minute longer to bring the dough together but no worries.
Blank Canvas Filling
It is, really.
You can make whatever filling that your heart desires. Chicken? Seafood? Vegan? Why not? Add the seasonings and condiments to your likings. Use whatever tickles your tummy. And if somebody told you that's not the way to enjoy the buns or that's not the way their grandmothers made it, well then just smile and move away. Because we all know that food is freedom, my friends.
As for me, I'm keeping it simple with just a handful of ingredients and using the condiments that are easy to find. I've used a combination of cabbage, chicken and shrimps and they tasted delish.
Adding just a touch of water really makes the filling juicy. Have a napkin ready when you give the bun your first bite. Just saying.
These buns are great with some drizzle of chili oil. Super yum! Let me know if you want to see my super easy chili oil recipe.
Hungry For More?
Check these recipes out:
- Chicken and shrimp boiled dumplings
- Shrimp pot stickers
- How to make dumpling dough
- Japanese curry buns
- Vegan green curry dumplings
Video
📖 Recipe
Pan-Fried Meat Buns
Video
Ingredients
The Filling
- ½ cup minced meat (100 g)
- ½ cup chopped spring onion (40 g)
- 1 small carrot , julienned
- ½ thumb sized ginger , grated
- 1 garlic clove , grated
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ tablespoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
The Dough
- 1 cup all purpose flour (130 g)
- ¼ cup corn starch (30 g)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsweetened natural yogurt (125 g)
Instructions
The Filling
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
The Dough
- Add all ingredients, except yogurt, into another bowl and mix well using a wooden spoon. Now add in yogurt and bring everything together. The dough will look like it's not going to come together but it will. Switch to using your hand, it'll be easier.
- Place on a working surface and form the dough into a log. Cut into 8 equal pieces and form each piece into a ball. Cover them with cling film to prevent from drying.
- Roll a ball into a more or less 4 inch (10 cm) disc. Place the filling inside, pleat the surrounding to fully cover the filling. Please refer to the video recipe above for better understanding. Continue with the rest of the balls, covering them as you go to prevent from drying.
Cooking
- Heat a pan with some oil on medium heat. Meanwhile rub some water to the bottom of the buns and lightly press on some sesame seeds.
- When the pan is hot, place all the buns in it making sure they're not touching each other. Continue cooking for a few minutes until you see the bottom is crispy.
- Now carefully add in hot water into the pan until ⅓ of the buns' height and immediately cover the pan. Continue cooking until the water evaporates (around 8-10 minutes). The water should be fiercely simmering the whole cooking time. Turn the heat off, sprinkle some sesame seeds and chopped spring onion on top and cover the pan for another minute (this will help them stick on the buns). Serve immediately with some chili oil.
Notes
- Be careful when adding hot water into the hot pan because there will be splatters of hot oil everywhere, so try to add the water fast.
- Serve immediately, like any other dumplings.
kim says
As a meat bun newbie, these took more like 3 hours than 38 minutes, but my young daughter joined in the preparation and we had lots of fun. The result was delicious, and there was no problem with the buns staying intact even though our pleating was far from perfect. I used 6% balkan yogourt, garlic powder instead of fresh garlic, and served with soy sauce, but otherwise kept to the recipe exactly. thanks!
Bea & Marco says
I'm happy to hear that the two of you had fun making them. I bet next time it'll be faster, no worries! Thanks for giving the recipe a go!
Tahier says
Excuse me please respond this is an urgent matter could I use water instead of yogurt in the recipe or would that ruin it?
Bea & Marco says
Hi! I don't recommend it as it's not going to produce the same softness and fluffiness. Hope it helps!
Rose says
Can these be frozen ?
Bea says
Yes, they can 😊.
Amy says
So I found this recipe and used it as a guideline. It's a very good foundation. The filling is absolutely incredible to were I may just through some Miso paste in it and make a meatloaf! I only had a GF premix available and plain Greek yogurt. They still turned out fine, a bit delicate, but still good. If you find yourself in my boat, then you'll have to add more yogurt. Also for cooking I did them in the air fryer @ 375 for 10 minutes flipped and for about 8 minutes. I used the air fryer due to how delicate my dumplings were.
Bea says
I'm happy that you loved it, Amy! Thank you for your feedback and for sharing your version of it ❤️.
Lisa says
Is the minced meat cooked before filling the dough? How do you know the meat is cooked? Thank you.
Bea & Marco says
No, the minced meat is not cooked before filling the dough. The 8-10 minutes of cooking time is enough to cook the filling, so it stays juicy (not double cooked). Hope it helps!
IW says
Hi Bea, what are the ingredients of the dough if I want to put red bean paste for the filling? Thank you!
Mike not Martha says
Lord smack me and call me Martha!!!
Genius shortcut for the dough, I tell you. I'm going to be famous amongst my family for these genius buns.
THANK YOU!!
Bea says
Haha! Well happy to know that you love it, Mike! May your family worship your buns to infinity and beyond 🙌!
Mia says
Oh my goodness, they are so delicious! Unfortunately I only made 8 of them because I assumed that my girls wouldn't love them that much (especially the younger one who is so into potatoes). My bad. Next time I will definitely make double the amount. Thanks so much for this easy to follow recipe with not too many special ingredients! Wish I could give more than 5 stars...
Bea says
Yeay! I'm so excited to hear that! Yes, make double (or triple? 😂 ). I love to make these whenever we crave for some dim sum but don't have time for elaborated recipe. Thank you for your feedback Mia 😍!