Skip the Takeout and Make These Flavorful Vegan Bao Buns From Scratch

Bao buns are far from new. Some experts state they have likely been eaten in China since 400 BC, more than 2,400 years ago. But in the last few years, there’s no denying that bao buns have soared in global popularity. Now, you’ll find the soft, doughy, steamed buns on menus all over the world, filled with everything from chicken to pork to plant-based ingredients, like mushrooms and tofu.

If you’re in the mood for this delicious Chinese delicacy, we have good news: with the right guidance, it is easy to make them from home. Find some of our favorite vegan bao bun recipes below, including sticky char siu plant-based pork and shiitake mushrooms.

What are bao buns made of?

Bao buns, also known as baozi, are made from a simple dough consisting of flour, yeast, sugar, baking powder, milk, and oil. Unlike most bread recipes, however, bao buns are steamed rather than baked, giving them their signature pillowy, fluffy texture.

Bao buns can be filled with a variety of ingredients. One traditional filling option is char siu, a Cantonese-style barbecue pork, where the pork is chopped and mixed with hoisin sauce. Jian bao are another popular choice—these bao are filled with ground pork combined with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and scallions. Cai bao—stuffed with a mix of cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, and glass noodles—are also a common plant-based offering.

Traditionally, the filling is fully enclosed within the dough, as is common in Chinese cuisine. However, some bao buns are served open-faced, similar to a sandwich. This style, known as gua bao, originates from Taiwan.

Are bao buns vegan?

Bao buns can be vegan, but don’t assume they always are. Even bao buns stuffed with vegetable-based fillings can contain hidden animal ingredients—primarily cow’s milk—in the dough. If you’re enjoying bao buns at a restaurant or buying frozen varieties at your local grocery store, it’s important to double-check the ingredients.

But, if you’re making bao buns at home, the dough itself can easily be made vegan by using water or plant-based milk instead of dairy milk.

Craving a bao bun? Keep reading to find delicious plant-based recipes.