Bao Buns, also known as baozi, are steamed buns that are super fluffy! It’s like eating clouds! I’ve made a BBQ Mushroom filling for these.

Vegan Bao Buns with BBQ Mushroom Filling

If you’ve never had Bao Buns, then you are in for a treat! Because these are heavenly!

When people ask me what they are like, I always describe it as ‘It’s like eating clouds!’. The first bite may be weird, but with the second bite, you’re addicted (at least that’s how it was for me).

Basically, you can fill the Bao Buns with whatever you like (breaded tofu, crispy tempeh, julienned veggies,…) the possibilities are endless. For this recipe, I’ve made a BBQ mushroom filling to go with the Bao Buns. It’s simple and quick, and you can prepare it while the buns are steaming.

How to make Vegan Bao Buns with BBQ Mushroom Filling

The ingredients

For the Bao Buns you will need:

all-purpose flour
instant yeast
salt
water
oil (any neutral plant-based oil will be fine: canola, sunflower, corn, rapeseed,…)

For the BBQ Mushroom Filling you will need:

mushrooms (I am using cremini mushrooms, but simple white button mushrooms will be fine too!)
yellow onion
BBQ sauce (I use a smoky BBQ sauce)
fresh parsley

The basic steps

flour, yeast, and salt in bowl — Step 1: Combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt in a mixing bowl.

vegan pizza dough in kitchen aid — Step 2: Add the oil and water. Let it knead by a kitchen machine with a dough hook (or use a spoon to stir and then your hands to knead the dough) until it’s a smooth dough.

vegan pizza dough before rising — Step 3: Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise for 1-2 hours.

risen pizza dough — Step 3: Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise for 1-2 hours.

rolled out bao bun dough — Step 4: Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Use a wide-mouthed glass to cut out circles.

cutting out bao buns — Step 4: Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Use a wide-mouthed glass to cut out circles.

oiling up bao buns — Step 5: Brush the top with oil. Fold the Bao Buns so that the oily side is inside, place them into a steamer.

bao buns in steamer — Step 5: Brush the top with oil. Fold the Bao Buns so that the oily side is inside, place them into a steamer.

Now let’s make the filling:

Step 7: Break apart the mushrooms. In a pan, cook the sliced onion until translucent. Then add the mushrooms. Let it cook until the mushrooms are starting to get brown and crispy.

mushrooms in pan with onion — Step 7: Break apart the mushrooms. In a pan, cook the sliced onion until translucent. Then add the mushrooms. Let it cook until the mushrooms are starting to get brown and crispy.

mushrooms in pan with onion and bbq sauce — Step 8: Then add the BBQ sauce, give it a good mix, and let it cook for another 3-4 minutes. Add fresh parsley and mix again.

bbq mushrooms in pan with parsley — Step 8: Then add the BBQ sauce, give it a good mix, and let it cook for another 3-4 minutes. Add fresh parsley and mix again.

bao buns, bbq mushroom filling, and parsley — Step 9: Now we can add the mushroom filling to the Bao Buns and add more fresh parsley on top.

More recipes with mushrooms

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I hope you enjoy these Bao Buns as much as I do! Let me know if you give them a try!

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Cheers, Bianca

Vegan Bao Buns with BBQ Mushroom Filling

Elephantastic Vegan

Bao Buns, also known as baozi, are steamed buns that are super fluffy! It’s like eating clouds! I’ve made a BBQ Mushroom filling for these.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Resting Time 2

Total Time 3

Course Main Course

Cuisine Vegan

Servings Bao Buns

Calories 138 kcal

Equipment

Stand Mixer

Steamer Basket

Ingredients

For the Bao Buns

▢ 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
▢ 1/3 teaspoon salt
▢ 1 teaspoon instant yeast
▢ 1 teaspoon oil + more to brush the Bao Buns
▢ 2/3 cup lukewarm water

For the BBQ Mushroom Filling

▢ 10 oz mushrooms
▢ 1 yellow onion halved and sliced
▢ 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
▢ 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped + more to sprinkle on top

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and instant yeast. Then add the olive oil and water. Stir to combine, then knead with your hands (or use a kitchen machine with a dough hook) until it's a smooth dough. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour; if it's too crumbly, add more water.
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it sit in a warm place until the dough doubles in size (for about 2 hours).
On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a wide-mouthed glass to cut out circles.
Brush the top of the bao buns with oil. Fold the Bao Buns so that the oily side is inside, place them into a steamer basket.
Steam them for 30 minutes until puffed up and fluffy.
For the filling: Break apart the mushrooms. In a pan, cook the sliced onion until translucent. Then add the mushrooms. Let it cook until the mushrooms are starting to get brown and crispy. Then add the BBQ sauce, give it a good mix, and let it cook for another 3-4 minutes. Add fresh parsley and mix again.
Once the filling is done, we can add it into steamed the Bao Buns. Sprinkle more fresh parsley on top and enjoy!

Notes

If you have leftover Bao Buns, place them in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for months. Then add them to the steamer to re-steam until they are puffy and fluffy and good as new.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Bao BunCalories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gTrans Fat: 0.002gSodium: 118mgPotassium: 168mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 134IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 2mg

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