Baozi Recipe Vegetarian: Easy and Delicious Step-by-Step Guide

Baozi, the beloved Chinese steamed bun, is a delightful treat that combines fluffy dough with delicious fillings. Traditionally filled with pork or beef, baozi can also be made vegetarian without compromising on flavor or texture.

This vegetarian baozi recipe offers a perfect blend of fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and a soft, pillowy bun that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re a seasoned baozi maker or trying your hand at steamed buns for the first time, this recipe is approachable and rewarding.

Perfect for a healthy snack, a light lunch, or a party appetizer, these vegetarian baozi are incredibly versatile. You’ll love how the combination of shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, and tofu creates a savory filling that’s bursting with umami.

Plus, steaming the buns retains their moisture and softness, making every bite a little cloud of deliciousness. Ready to impress your family and friends with homemade baozi?

Let’s dive into this easy and flavorful vegetarian baozi recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegetarian baozi recipe is not only delicious but also healthy and easy to make at home. The dough is soft and fluffy, thanks to simple ingredients like flour and yeast, and the filling is packed with fresh vegetables and tofu for a satisfying bite.

Unlike fried or baked buns, steaming keeps these baozi light and moist, making them perfect for any meal. You can customize the filling to your taste or dietary needs, swapping in your favorite vegetables or adding spices for an extra kick.

Plus, making baozi from scratch is a fun cooking project that brings a touch of authentic Asian cuisine into your kitchen.

Finally, this recipe is vegan-friendly and free from common allergens like eggs and dairy, making it accessible to many diet types. It’s a great way to introduce friends and family to plant-based eating without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Ingredients

• For the Dough:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• For the Filling:
• 1 cup finely chopped shiitake mushrooms (fresh or rehydrated dried)
• 1 cup finely shredded napa cabbage
• 1/2 cup firm tofu, crumbled
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking filling)

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Small bowl for yeast mixture
• Rolling pin
• Non-stick skillet or wok
• Steamer basket (bamboo or metal)
• Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Chopping board and knife

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This indicates the yeast is active.
2. Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and vegetable oil. Mix with a spoon or your hands until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
4. Prepare the filling: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Add mushrooms and cabbage: Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are soft and moisture has evaporated. Stir in crumbled tofu, soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and sugar. Cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool.
6. Shape the buns: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a 4-inch circle with a rolling pin, keeping the center slightly thicker than edges.
7. Fill the buns: Place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled filling into the center of each dough circle. Gather the edges up and pleat them to seal the bun tightly at the top. Pinch to secure.
8. Prepare for steaming: Line your steamer basket with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Place each bun on the liner, leaving space between buns for expansion.
9. Steam the baozi: Bring water to a boil in a wok or pot. Place the steamer basket over the boiling water, cover, and steam for 15-18 minutes until buns are puffed and cooked through.
10. Serve: Carefully remove buns from steamer. Serve warm with soy sauce, chili oil, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

For fluffier buns, make sure your yeast is fresh and the dough is kneaded well.

Don’t overfill the buns; too much filling can cause them to burst during steaming.

Try adding finely chopped carrots, water chestnuts, or bamboo shoots to the filling for extra crunch.

For a gluten-free version, experiment with gluten-free flour blends and xanthan gum, though texture will vary.

If you love spicy food, add a teaspoon of chili garlic sauce to the filling mixture.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Vegetarian baozi are best enjoyed fresh and warm straight from the steamer. Serve them with a variety of dipping sauces like soy sauce, black vinegar, or chili oil for extra flavor.

They make a great appetizer or snack for gatherings and pair wonderfully with a light Asian-inspired salad or soup.

For a complete meal, try serving these baozi alongside a bowl of Low Calorie Vegetable Soup Recipe for Healthy Eating or a vibrant side of stir-fried greens from Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals.

Conclusion

Making vegetarian baozi at home is a rewarding experience that brings a touch of authentic Asian cuisine right into your kitchen. With a soft, fluffy dough and a flavorful vegetable and tofu filling, these steamed buns are perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious plant-based meal.

The recipe is straightforward, adaptable, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Whether you are new to baozi or a seasoned cook, this recipe will become a staple for your vegetarian cooking repertoire. Don’t forget to explore other exciting vegetarian recipes like the Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious for dessert or try your hand at baking with the Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.

Happy cooking and enjoy your baozi adventure!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegetarian Baozi”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “Soft steamed buns filled with a savory mix of vegetables and tofu. Perfect as a snack or light meal.”, “prepTime”: “PT30M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT50M”, “recipeYield”: “8 baozi”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1/2 cup warm water”, “1 tsp active dry yeast”, “1 tbsp sugar”, “1/4 tsp salt”, “1 cup firm tofu, crumbled”, “1 cup shredded cabbage”, “1/2 cup grated carrot”, “2 green onions, chopped”, “2 tbsp soy sauce”, “1 tbsp sesame oil”, “1 tsp grated ginger”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water; let sit 10 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix flour and salt in a bowl; add yeast mixture and knead into a dough.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cover dough and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Prepare filling by mixing tofu, cabbage, carrot, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Divide dough into 8 equal pieces and roll into circles.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place filling in center of each dough circle and pinch edges to seal.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place buns in steamer lined with parchment paper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Steam buns for 15-20 minutes until fluffy and cooked through.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve warm.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “180”, “proteinContent”: “8g”, “fatContent”: “5g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “27g”}}