Fluffy Homemade Tempeh Bao Buns Recipe – Steam to Perfection

Steaming hot and pillowy soft, these tempeh bao buns dance with flavors that transport you straight to the bustling streets of Taiwan.

The delicate tempeh bao buns recipe merges traditional techniques with modern plant-based goodness.

Tender wheat dough envelops savory marinated tempeh, creating a handheld delight that’s both comforting and exciting.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of textures and rich, umami-packed seasonings.

The fluffy buns cradle crisp tempeh with remarkable grace, turning a simple meal into a culinary adventure.

Vegetarians and food lovers alike will fall in love with these irresistible parcels of pure deliciousness.

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and master a street food classic that will become a staple in your cooking repertoire.

Make These Tempeh Bao Buns Step-by-Step

• Dough Preparation

Awaken the magic of bao by mixing yeast with warm water and a sprinkle of sweetness. Blend soft flour with gentle rising agents and a pinch of salt. Knead the mixture into a smooth, pillowy texture that feels like silk between your fingers. Let the dough rest and grow in a cozy, warm corner of your kitchen.

• Tempeh Transformation

Coat tender tempeh slices in a vibrant dance of hoisin, spicy sriracha, zesty ginger, and bright lime. Roast these flavor-packed morsels until they develop a gorgeous caramelized edge that promises deliciousness.

• Bun Shaping

Roll out your rested dough into delicate, thin circles. Fold each round into a gentle half-moon, creating pockets ready to cradle your savory filling. Brush with a whisper of oil to ensure a soft, glossy finish.

• Steaming Symphony

Suspend your shaped buns over gently bubbling water. Let steam work its magic, transforming the dough into pillowy clouds of deliciousness. Watch as they become soft, tender, and irresistibly light.

• Final Flourish

Nestle roasted tempeh into each steamed bun. Pile with crisp, fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs. Drizzle with a tangy sauce that brings every flavor to life. Serve immediately and watch faces light up with joy.

How to Customize Your Bao Buns with Flavors

• Learn the art of perfect bao bun texture by keeping the lid on during steaming and avoiding lifting it frequently to maintain consistent heat and moisture.
• Boost tempeh flavor by extending marination time up to 2 hours, allowing deeper absorption of hoisin and sriracha notes for more intense taste profiles.
• Swap wheat flour with rice or chickpea flour to create alternative bao buns that cater to different dietary needs without compromising authentic texture.
• Replace tempeh with crispy tofu, pulled jackfruit, or shredded oyster mushrooms for diverse protein options that match the original recipe's vibrant Asian-inspired flavors.
• Adjust sriracha quantity to personalize heat intensity, ranging from mild for sensitive palates to fiery hot for spice enthusiasts, ensuring every bite matches individual preference.

Ways to Serve Up Steamed Tempeh Bao in Style

• Pair with Refreshing Slaw: Toss a crisp cabbage and carrot slaw with rice vinegar and sesame oil for a tangy side that complements the rich tempeh bao buns.
• Create a Dipping Sauce Station: Offer small bowls of extra hoisin, sriracha, and a zesty lime-ginger sauce to let guests customize their flavor experience.
• Serve as Party Appetizers: Arrange bao buns on a beautiful platter with fresh herbs and sliced limes, perfect for social gatherings or informal dinner parties.
• Add a Cool Beverage Pairing: Serve with a light Asian-inspired cocktail or a cold green tea to balance the warm, savory flavors of the bao buns.

Tips to Store Leftover Bao Buns the Right Way

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Marinate tempeh and chop vegetables up to 2 days before cooking to save time during meal preparation.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store cooked bao buns and tempeh separately in airtight containers for maximum freshness, lasting 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap unsteamed bao dough or cooked buns individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm steamed buns in a bamboo steamer for 2-3 minutes or microwave with a damp paper towel to maintain softness and prevent drying out.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Those Fluffy Tempeh Bao Buns

• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of soft, pillowy bao buns, choose unbleached flour for best texture and flavor.
• Active Dry Yeast: Magical rising agent that brings lightness and airy structure to your buns, ensure it's fresh and hasn't expired.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds subtle sweetness, helping the dough develop a beautiful golden color.
• Avocado Oil: Provides moisture and tenderness, creates a silky smooth dough with a hint of richness.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Team up to create extra lift and tenderness in the buns, ensuring a cloud-like texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps control yeast growth, balancing the dough's taste.

• Tempeh: Protein-packed soybean cake with nutty flavor, choose fresh and firm for best marination.
• Hoisin Sauce: Sweet and savory Chinese sauce that adds depth and glossy coating to tempeh.
• Sriracha: Brings spicy kick and vibrant heat, adjust according to your heat tolerance.
• Fresh Ginger: Adds bright, zesty notes and aromatic warmth to the marinade.
• Lime Zest: Introduces citrusy brightness and complex flavor to the tempeh.

• Lime Juice: Adds fresh, tangy brightness to balance rich flavors.
• Avocado: Creamy element that provides smooth texture and healthy fats.
• Mixed Vegetables: Adds crunch, color, and nutritional variety to the buns.
• Fresh Herbs

Steaming Gear & Tools for Tempeh Bao at Home

• Stand mixer or mixing bowl: Essential for combining dough ingredients smoothly.
• Rolling pin: Perfect for rolling bao dough to even ¼ inch thickness.
• Baking sheet: Helps bake marinated tempeh evenly in the oven.
• Steamer basket: Crucial for creating soft, fluffy bao buns.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for rolling and shaping dough.
• Sharp knife or dough cutter: Helps cut perfect circular bun shapes.
• Parchment paper: Prevents tempeh from sticking during baking.
• Small bowl: Needed for activating yeast and mixing marinades.

Fluffy Tempeh Bao Buns

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade tempeh bao buns combine traditional Chinese steaming techniques with plant-based protein for a delightful meal. Crisp vegetables, savory tempeh, and pillowy buns create a simple yet satisfying culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) tempeh, sliced into 12 strips and steamed
• 6 tbsps (90 mL) hoisin sauce
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) sriracha
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 tsp lime zest
• lime wedges, for squeezing and serving
• avocado slices
• cucumber
• carrot
• fresh cilantro
• mint
• diced Thai chiles

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Dissolve yeast with sugar in lukewarm water, allowing the mixture to bloom for 5 minutes until frothy and aromatic.
2. Dry Ingredients Preparation: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry base.
3. Dough Formation: Blend avocado oil and activated yeast mixture into flour, kneading methodically for 5-6 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough develops.
4. Dough Proofing: Cover and let dough rise in a draft-free space for 45-50 minutes until doubled in volume.
5. Tempeh Preparation: Slice tempeh and marinate in hoisin sauce, sriracha, minced ginger, and lime zest for 20-25 minutes.
6. Tempeh Roasting: Spread marinated tempeh on a parchment-lined baking sheet, roast at 425°F (218°C) for 10-12 minutes until edges caramelize.
7. Bun Shaping: Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness, cut into circles, fold in half, and brush interior with oil to create classic bao bun shape.
8. Bun Steaming: Allow shaped buns to rest 10 minutes, then steam over simmering water for 9-11 minutes until pillowy and translucent.
9. Filling Assembly: Combine diced avocado, mixed vegetables, and lime juice to create a fresh, vibrant filling.
10. Final Composition: Stuff steamed buns with roasted tempeh, dressed vegetables, and fresh herbs. Serve immediately with additional sauce and lime wedges for personalized garnishing.

Notes

• Yeast Activation Tip: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to activate yeast properly without killing it, creating a perfect rise.
• Dough Kneading Technique: Develop gluten by kneading consistently, which creates the signature soft and fluffy texture of authentic bao buns.
• Marinating Magic: Allow tempeh to absorb flavors fully by letting it rest in the marinade, ensuring deep, rich taste throughout the protein.
• Steaming Success: Keep water at a gentle simmer during steaming to prevent buns from becoming soggy or developing uneven texture.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Steaming
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg