**Air Buns: A Light and Fluffy Treat for Any Occasion**
Air buns, also known as air bread or yushengbao, are a delectable and versatile Chinese steamed bun distinguished by their airy and pillowy texture. Originating from the Guangdong province of China, these buns have gained immense popularity worldwide, captivating taste buds with their soft, cloud-like texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor. Air buns are not only a staple in Chinese cuisine but have also become a beloved addition to various culinary traditions. This article presents a collection of air bun recipes, each offering unique variations and fillings to tantalize your taste buds. From classic savory fillings like BBQ pork and char siu to sweet indulgences such as custard and red bean paste, these recipes cater to a wide range of preferences. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, let's embark on a culinary journey to create these delightful air buns that are perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a delightful snack.
MOM'S AIR BUNS (ROLLS)
This recipe for light, soft, buns did NOT come from my Mom, but it is so good that I dedicate it to all Moms who bake bread..or anyone who bakes bread for that matter! I will give the original recipe, but I admit that I now use the ABM to knead the dough, and will give instructions for this variation at the end. Preparation time is the length of time for the "dough" cycle on my bread machine. For anyone wishing to make 100% whole wheat buns,(a variation of this recipe, and equally delicious IMHO), I have submitted it as recipe #168802 with minor alterations. More tweaking...I now like Mom's 100% Whole Grain Air Buns, recipe #186744 even better for a healthier version.
Provided by Sweet Baboo
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 2h20m
Yield 16 buns
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix the 1/2 cup warm water, yeast, and 1 tsp sugar, and allow to proof.
- Melt the lard, and mix in sugar, salt, vinegar, and warm water. When body warm, add the proofed yeast, and beat in 1 1/2 cups flour. Let rest for 15 minutes.
- Knead in approximately 3 cups more flour.
- Let dough rise till double (approximately 2 hours).
- Deflate dough, and form into buns, any size, (I make 16 large) or loaves. Rise till double (takes approximately one hour, but depends on size/shape chosen).
- Bake buns at 350°F for approximately 20 minutes.
- For ABM, in my machine, on the "dough" cycle, I use 2 teaspoons of bread machine yeast, and I reduce the water to about 1 1/2 cups, the flour to 4 cups, adding a tad more water or flour as it kneads to get a smooth,soft ball of dough. I leave the other ingredients as posted.
MOM'S 100% WHOLE WHEAT AIR BUNS (ROLLS) FOR ABM
I find most 100% whole wheat buns are very dense, and let's be frank, taste like the floor of a barn. This recipe is an adaptation of my "Mom's Air Buns" #168628, and makes delicious, soft, healthy,and easy to make rolls. I think the unusual addition of vinegar is what makes the difference. Edited to include links to recipe#419620, and recipe#419622 for those of you who wish to make whole wheat loaves instead of buns...same great taste and texture! For those unfamiliar with how to shape rolls, you may find it helpful to look at the following links for instructions: http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--1121/shaping-rolls.asp http://www.finecooking.com/articles/shaping-dinner-rolls.aspx
Provided by Sweet Baboo
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 3h20m
Yield 18 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Put water, butter, honey, salt and vinegar in the machine.
- In the bottom of a one cup measure, put 2 tablespoons of gluten, and then fill the cup with W.W. flour.
- Put that, and another 3 1/2 cups of flour on top of the liquids.
- Add yeast to surface, and programme for "dough" cycle.
- I make two 9 inch pans of rolls, each with 9 rolls per pan, and let rise until double (the rolls will fill the pans).
- Bake at 350°F (I use convection bake) for approximately 20 minutes. Rolls will be deeply golden and oh so yummy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 139.5, Fat 3.6, SaturatedFat 0.8, Sodium 130.7, Carbohydrate 24.6, Fiber 3.3, Sugar 2.9, Protein 4.1
LIGHT AS AIR BUNS
This was handed down from my mother, she made these many times and would usually just make a few batches at a time and freeze them. My brother loved them so much that for his birthday he would request them over cake. Of course he always got his way!
Provided by Donna Nelson
Categories Other Breads
Time 4h50m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 1. Soften yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water, in which 1 tsp sugar has been dissolved. Let stand about 10 minutes.. Put the 3 1/2 cups lukewarm water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup lard or shortening and 1 tsp salt in a large bowl. Mix well.
- 2. Add yeast and vinegar, then 1 cup of flour at a time until enough flour has been added to the dough so that it does not stick to the hands. Let rise in warm place for 2 hours. Knead down and rise again for an hour.
- 3. Shape into rolls and let rise again for 1 hour. Bake in 400F oven for 15-20 min. Brush with melted butter when done.
AIR BUNS
There are some other air bun recipes which are the same or similar to this... but this is one my mom always made at Christmas time so I'm posting it so I don't lose it :) we eat these as part of our cold Christmas Eve dinner every year. Then we eat them with turkey after Christmas dinner! I also once accidentally used this recipe to make pizza dough... best volcano pizza ever! :) *NOTE: Prep time does not include rising time.
Provided by Dominique353
Categories Breads
Time 30m
Yield 24 buns, 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine first 3 ingredients and let proof for 10 minutes.
- Mix next 5 ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add yeast mixture to sugar-oil-water mixture.
- Mix in 8-10 cups of flour or enough to make a nice soft dough that doesn't stick to your hands.
- Put dough in a well greased container and let rise in a warm place.
- Knead down once and let rise again.
- Form into small balls (about 2" diameter or so) and place on a cookie sheet.
- Let rise again until light and fluffy.
- Bake in preheated oven 400F for 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 420.7, Fat 9.9, SaturatedFat 1.3, Sodium 197.7, Carbohydrate 72.7, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 8.9, Protein 9
MOM'S 100% WHOLE GRAIN AIR BUNS (ROLLS) (KNEAD DOUGH IN THE ABM)
I submitted Mom's 100% Whole Wheat Air Buns (#168802) recently, but I have done some tweaking of that recipe, (which does not contain egg or milk), and I like this one better. Unlike many whole grain breads, these rolls are delicious, soft, and light. This is a reincarnation of Mom's Air Buns #168628, which uses white flour, and is a winner in the taste and texture department, but this one is much healthier because of the added protein and fibre.
Provided by Sweet Baboo
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 3h20m
Yield 16 rolls, 16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Put egg in a 2 cup measure, whisk, and add enough warm water to come up to the 1 1/2 cup line.
- Put this water/egg mixture, oil, honey, salt, vinegar, oats and seeds, in the bucket of the bread machine.
- Sprinkle the powdered milk on top.
- In the bottom of a one cup measure, put 2 tablespoons of gluten, and then fill the cup with whole wheat bread flour.
- Put that, and another 3 cups of flour on top of the liquids.
- Add yeast to surface, and programme for "dough" cycle.
- You may need to add an additional tablespoon or two of water to give a smooth slightly sticky dough when the machine begins to knead.
- I make either 2 9" round cake pans of rolls, each with 8 rolls per pan, or one pan of rolls, and form the other half of the dough into a rounded loaf, and let both rise till double (the rolls will fill the pans).
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes for the rolls, and approximately 25 minutes for the loaf. The rolls will be deeply golden brown, and oh so yummy!
SUPER SIMPLE AIR BUNS
There are recipes everywhere for buns but these take the cake. Anyone can do it, takes a little elbow grease to knead but they are amazing. My Mom shared this recipe with me and it's been in high demand ever since. I use All Purpose flour because it's what's usually on hand but Whole Wheat flour can easily be substituted.
Provided by ashleystone7
Categories Breads
Time 4h12m
Yield 24-28 buns
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. In a large metal bowl combine water (this water should be tap hot, NOT BOILED if it's too hot you'll kill the yeast, if it's too cool it won't activate), sugar, salt and Vegetable Shortening. Stir until shortening has almost completely dissolved or is in very small lumps.
- 2. Sprinkle four cups of flour across the top of the liquid mixture creating a "blanket" effect (this is important) sprinkle on yeast.
- 3. Working quickly whisk in the yeast and flour to mixture, then switch to a wooden spoon and stir in another 2 cups of flour.
- 4. From this point forward your flour amounts will vary. Due to weather, climate, altitude etc the dough will continue to accept any where from another 1 to 2 and half cups of flour.
- 5. Knead in as much flour as the dough will accept until it is no longer sticky and feels smooth on the exterior. This takes usually about 15 minutes of good kneading and you'll be surprised at how much flour the dough will take.
- 6. Wash out metal bowl with hot water and dry thoroughly (do this quickly as you want the bowl to stay warm), place dough in bowl and cover with a clean tea towl.
- 7. Let rise 1 hour.
- 8. Punch down dough and let rise another 30 minute.
- 9. Shape dough into balls (this can vary based on desired finish product bun size. eg golf ball dough will rise and bake to about a small dinner roll size. I usually make them about the size of a small clementine for larger lunch size buns) and place on a greased cookie sheet.
- 10. Pre Heat Oven to 400 degrees. Cover and let rise another 1 hour, they will have doubled in size by then.
- 11. Bake in 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. You'll know buns are done by their golden color.
- 12. If you'd like a super soft exterior to these buns rub with a small amount of butter or margarine immediately after removing from the oven. This isn't necessary and the buns are excellent without this step.
Tips for Making Airy and Fluffy Buns:
- Activate the Yeast Properly: Ensure the water or milk is lukewarm (about 110-115°F) to activate the yeast and encourage its growth.
- Use Bread Flour: Bread flour contains more protein, resulting in a stronger gluten structure and airier buns.
- Proper Kneading: Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Adequate kneading develops the gluten, which contributes to the bun's structure.
- First Rise: Allow the dough to rise in a warm place until it doubles in size. Cover the dough to prevent it from drying out.
- Shaping the Buns: Divide the dough into equal portions and shape them into smooth, round balls. Tightly pinch the seams to ensure a uniform shape.
- Second Rise: Let the shaped buns rise again until they're noticeably puffy. This second rise gives the buns their final volume.
- Baking Temperature: Bake the buns in a preheated oven at a high temperature (around 400°F) for a short time to create a crispy crust and a soft interior.
- Glaze or Brush: Before baking, brush the buns with melted butter or an egg wash to give them a golden brown color and a shiny glaze.
Conclusion:
Creating airy and fluffy buns requires careful attention to the ingredients, techniques, and timing. By following these detailed tips and adhering to the provided recipe, you can achieve bakery-style buns with a crispy crust, a soft and tender interior, and an irresistible aroma that will elevate any meal or occasion. Remember to enjoy the process and let your passion for baking shine through in every bite. Happy baking!
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