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Mantou Recipe

Makes 6 Medium-sized buns. I use a metal steamer around one foot in diameter.

  1. Add to a large bowl and mix:
    • 150g A.P. flour
    • 30g glutinous rice flour OR potato starch OR similar starch
    • 30g white sugar
    • 1/2tsp instant yeast
    • 1/4tsp salt
  2. Add to dry ingredients and mix well, forming a shaggy dough:
    • 100g cold milk (I've used 2% or whole)
  3. Cover and allow a few minutes for the dough to relax
  4. Knead very well, for at least 10 minutes, occasionally allowing a minute of rest to the dough if it ever becomes too stiff to knead. Knead by slightly stretching out and folding the dough over itself, spinning the dough every time to evenly work all parts. By the end, it should be smooth and soft.
  5. Cut into 4 even pieces.
  6. Shape them into even, seamless balls. You can eliminate the seam on the bottom of the bun by dragging it across your work surface.
  7. ALTERNATIVELY; roll the dough out very flat, lightly oiled. Cut a line from the centerpoint to the edge. Roll the dough up like a cone from the slit, then seal the seams by tucking, pinching, and dragging. This step will create nice layers within the loaf.
  8. Set up your steamer. Have around 1 or 2 cups of hot water in the bottom. Either lightly oil the surface of your steamer, or cut out 6 slips of parchment paper for the buns to rest on.
  9. Set your buns evenly in the steamer, maximizing the space between each one. Do not overcrowd! They should each have at least an inch between. Place a tea towel between your lid and the lip of the steamer, to collect any condensation droplets. Close your steamer and allow around 30 minutes to proof in the warm, humid space. I briefly warm up the steamer on my stovetop in order to speed up the proofing time. The buns should be increased by at least 50% in size, but not more than doubled; if they get too big, they will turn out pockmarked and wrinkly.
  10. Once the buns have increasd by 50%, set your heat to maximum (with the tea towel and lid still closed) until you can hear the water boiling. Cut the heat to low and start a timer for 15 minutes.
  11. Once done, remove the steamer from the heat and allow 5 minutes for the buns to finish and cool slightly. Enjoy!


    Posted 23-May-2024. Updated 8-Nov-2025