How To Make Bao Buns - Marion's Kitchen

My foolproof light and fluffy bao bun recipe. Whether you want to make bao buns with pork belly or bao buns with chicken...this is the 'how to bao bun' recipe you need to start with.

And here are some more recipes for what to do with your homemade bao buns:

Come chat with me on:

ABOUT MARION

Marion Grasby is a food producer, television presenter and cookbook author who's had a life-long love affair with Asian food.

Marion is a little bit Thai (courtesy of her mum) and a little bit Australian (courtesy of her dad).

​Marion lives in Bangkok, Thailand and travels throughout Asia to find the most unique and delicious Asian food recipes, dishes and ingredients.

[conorbmcgovern]

I made these today with Marion's crispy fried chicken. It worked perfectly and got the seal of approval from my daughter who was helping out - "it's the best thing you've ever cooked". Thank you!

[kara]

Made this today without milk powder as I didn't have any and substituted for half fresh milk half water and an extra dash of oil to make sure its still moist and also a little extra sugar in the flour as milk powder is just a taaaad sweet. Turned out AMAZING!! My boyfriend could've eaten the whole steamer basket if I let him but I also made the fried chicken recipe she has for the filling. MUST try!!

[Tottenhamie]

My parents are Thai and I was born in the Los Angeles. I’ve been to Thailand once as a baby, teen, and more recently, adult. All I can remember throughout these trips are the calamansi juice and bao buns (man-to?) at Chatuchak market. Can’t wait to try

[emjay]

You're communication style is the best I’ve ever seen. You explain every necessary detail and don't over complicate anything. I genuinely felt inspired to try a new recipe that previously I would have thought too difficult for me. Thankyou so much!!

[carmenvung]

I just spent the day testing out different bao recipes for an upcoming get-together, and I must report that this recipe won! It was the most white and had the nicest appearance, while also having the most appealing flavour eaten alone, but not overpowering at all against fillings. Thanks Marion!

[TheCelestialhealer]

I didn t dare make these buns for 25 years because it had to be a recipe from a person I trust and has fabulous energy. They turned out PERFECT!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉Thank you Marion❤

[TheQuietRiot]

Finally!!! After 3 failed attempts at Baos, I finally got them as perfectly as I could hope for - light, fluffy, and perfect shaped!!

My key learnings in the process:
-Instant, NOT active yeast (blooming is a pain)
-i was kneading the dough too hard and didn't have a handle on what good dough should feel like (I needed to adjust the flour quite a bit the time I got it right)
-size not time for the first proof. Using a measuring cup that let me accurately check for doubling made all the difference
-Dont get overexcited with the first bloom and forget that the second also matters a lot!!

I used coffee creamer cause I didn't have milk powder and happily, it worked all the same

[sophiesheinwald]

Fantastic recipe!!! First time I have ever made bao buns and they came out so beautifully (although mine were fatter so I think my 1cm was more like 1.5cm). Marion you made the recipe very easy to follow, in fact effortless -and I usually fail at making any bread type things with yeast. My household are blown away at how light and fluffy they were. THANK YOU!!!! Definitely foolproof!!!!

[shouqblue]

You definitely deserve more recognition because you’re my hero for mastering the art of bao buns

[inesdelahoya]

Thank you! Your recipe is so authentic. In Southern China and Taiwan, it’s called “lotus bun” 荷葉夾 or 荷葉包 or 割包. My Taiwanese friend loves to eat it with a piece of soy sauce-braised pork belly, sprinkled with peanut powder and cilantro leaves sandwiched in each one.

[joeymac]

Marion, when are you coming out with a cookbook? I absolutely love cooking Asian Cuisine and you’re one of my favorite YouTube channels to watch. Your recipes are amazing. I’m going to try your pork belly Bao buns this summer. Wish me luck! Haha

[nicmarshall]

Perfect measurements timings and instructions. Mine came out exactly the same and tasted perfect. Highly recommend this recipe as a lot of things on youtube can be far from accurate. Honestly fantastic, thanks Marion. Me and my grandmother love you and noi

[alisonmenezes]

Omg! Girl! Just tried the bao and they were brilliant!
Try it! You won’t regret it! It’s absolutely brilliant

[myrnalewis]

Hi Ms. Marion! I have been making Bao Buns for my Business, using your recipe and it's always a big hit. I am a Big Fan of yours. Thank You so Much

[blakebrothers]

Great recipe. Something to consider is that adding the oil (depending on your room temperature) may dramatically lower the temperature of your warm water. My room temperature is quite low so it had an impact on the yeast and it didn't bloom that well. Warmed up the oil to the water temperature on the second try and it made a big difference.

[fionavaz]

Made these several times now Marion. They turn out perfect each time. Thank you!

[tajdanovsak]

Just made these and they are amazing! Soft and pillowy, and just amazing in taste. Thank you so much for the recipe!

[kirkbenson]

I made these tonight with your pork belly. Unbelievable! I so love your channel and have learned so much from you. Keep up with your videos, they are so good!

[jorgeavila]

I made them some days ago and they were PERFECT. I filled them with a crab salad. Today i will make them again, with a teriyaki chicken fillling. Thank you so much Marion!!!

[ridhiraitani]

Thank You Marion for sharing this recipe .. it turned out soo sooo good.
Couldn’t believe it was home made. Followed the exact recipe.. Loved it. ♥️
For people in India ingredients that you can use are:
- Maida (all purpose flour)
- everyday milk powder, works really well
- powder sugar (blend in mixie and sift it)
- eagle brand, instant dry yeast.