Chinese Recipes
Steamed Red Bean Buns
These soft and fluffy steamed red bean buns are filled with a naturally sweet homemade red bean paste. Made with a simple yeast dough and a rich brown sugar red bean filling, they are a classic Chinese breakfast and snack that can be enjoyed fresh or frozen for later.
- Total
- 2 hours
Quick Recipe Summary
- Cuisine
- Chinese
- Category
- Chinese Recipes
- Method
- Steaming
- Total Time
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Main Ingredient
- All-Purpose Flour
About This Recipe
These soft and fluffy steamed red bean buns are filled with a naturally sweet homemade red bean paste. Made with a simple yeast dough and a rich brown sugar red bean filling, they are a classic Chinese breakfast and snack that can be enjoyed fresh or frozen for later.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Written with clear home-cooking steps so the process is easier to follow from start to finish.
- Breaks the method into manageable steps instead of assuming you already know the technique.
- Uses gentle steaming, which makes the cooking process easier to control.
- Gives the dish a clear sweet flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.
- Useful as a reference recipe because the steps explain both what to do and what to watch for.
Ingredients
- 500 g All-Purpose Flour
- 300 g Red Beans
- 150 g Brown Sugar
- 3 g Instant Yeast
- 260-270 ml Warm Water
Ingredient Notes
These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust.
All-Purpose Flour
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Red Beans
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Brown Sugar
A small amount of sugar rounds out saltiness and helps create a more balanced finish.
Instant Yeast
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Ingredients & Techniques Used in This Recipe
These guides explain the key sauces, ingredients, and cooking techniques used in this recipe, so you can understand the dish instead of only following steps.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Combine the flour and yeast in a large bowl. Gradually add warm water and mix until a firm dough forms. Knead until smooth, cover, and let rise until doubled in size.
Step 2
Meanwhile, rinse the red beans and place them in a pressure cooker with about four times their volume of water. Cook until the beans are very soft.
Step 3
Transfer the cooked beans to a pan and cook over medium heat to remove excess moisture.
Step 4
Add the brown sugar and continue stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes thick enough to hold its shape.
Step 5
Allow the red bean filling to cool, then divide it into portions or roll into balls for easier filling.
Step 6
Punch down the risen dough and knead briefly to remove air bubbles.
Step 7
Divide the dough into equal portions and roll each piece into a round wrapper with a slightly thicker center.
Step 8
Place a portion of red bean filling in the center of each wrapper. Gather and pinch the edges together to seal, then shape into smooth buns.
Step 9
Arrange the buns in a steamer lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
Step 10
Steam over high heat for about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the buns rest in the covered steamer for 5 minutes before opening the lid.
Step 11
Serve warm or allow to cool completely before storing.
Cooking Tips
- Use warm, not hot, water to activate the yeast properly.
- Allow the red bean filling to cool completely before wrapping the buns.
- The second rise helps create a lighter and fluffier texture.
- Do not open the steamer immediately after cooking to prevent the buns from collapsing.
- Extra red bean filling can be frozen and used for future baking projects.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
- Serve with a stronger stir-fry, braised dish, or dipping sauce to balance the gentle texture.
- Steamed dishes are best when served hot, before condensation softens the surface.
Recipe Card
These soft and fluffy steamed red bean buns are filled with a naturally sweet homemade red bean paste. Made with a simple yeast dough and a rich brown sugar red bean filling, they are a classic Chinese breakfast and snack that can be enjoyed fresh or frozen for later.
Ingredients
- 500 g All-Purpose Flour
- 300 g Red Beans
- 150 g Brown Sugar
- 3 g Instant Yeast
- 260-270 ml Warm Water
Method
- Combine the flour and yeast in a large bowl. Gradually add warm water and mix until a firm dough forms. Knead until smooth, cover, and let rise until doubled in size.
- Meanwhile, rinse the red beans and place them in a pressure cooker with about four times their volume of water. Cook until the beans are very soft.
- Transfer the cooked beans to a pan and cook over medium heat to remove excess moisture.
- Add the brown sugar and continue stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes thick enough to hold its shape.
- Allow the red bean filling to cool, then divide it into portions or roll into balls for easier filling.
- Punch down the risen dough and knead briefly to remove air bubbles.
- Divide the dough into equal portions and roll each piece into a round wrapper with a slightly thicker center.
- Place a portion of red bean filling in the center of each wrapper. Gather and pinch the edges together to seal, then shape into smooth buns.
- Arrange the buns in a steamer lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
- Steam over high heat for about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the buns rest in the covered steamer for 5 minutes before opening the lid.
- Serve warm or allow to cool completely before storing.
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