Dousha Bao (Steamed Red Bean Buns)
Fluffy white steamed buns with a sweet red bean paste centre, made with a simple vegan dough.
- Time2 hr 20
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.33 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and baking powder in a bowl. Add the water and oil and stir to a rough dough. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and soft.
10 min - 2
Cover and leave somewhere warm for 1 hour, until doubled.
60 min - 3
Divide the red bean paste into 8 balls of about 25 g and roll them smooth.
- 4
Knock back the dough and divide into 8. Flatten each piece into a 10 cm disc, thicker in the middle. Put a bean ball in the centre, pull the edges up around it and pinch tightly to seal. Sit each bun seam side down on a square of baking paper.
- 5
Leave the buns on a tray, loosely covered, for 30 minutes, until puffy.
30 min - 6
Bring water to a simmer under a steamer. Steam the buns, spaced 4 cm apart and in batches if needed, with the lid on for 12 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
12 min - 7
Turn off the heat and leave the lid on for 5 minutes. This stops the buns wrinkling as they cool. Serve warm.
5 min
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
