Name: Soft Fried Buns Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 150 ml milk (lukewarm); 70 ml water (lukewarm); 7 g instant yeast; 12 g honey; 30 g unsalted butter (room temperature); 400 g all-purpose flour; 7 g salt

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Introduction

Soft fried buns are a delightful treat with a light, airy texture and a golden, crispy exterior. Perfect for enjoying plain, dusted with sugar, or filled with your favorite sweet or savory ingredients, these buns bring a comforting homemade touch to any snack time.

A round black plate holds a ring of golden brown, pan-fried dumplings arranged closely together with crispy browned tops and soft, slightly translucent white sides. The dumplings have light sprinklings of thin green chopped herbs and sesame seeds on top. Next to the plate, there is a small white bowl containing dark soy sauce with a few green herb pieces floating. Below the plate, a smaller white dish holds a torn-open dumpling showing the light orange and green filling inside. Light wooden chopsticks rest on the white marbled surface next to the smaller dish. A woman's hand is gently holding one dumpling near the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

150 ml lukewarm milk
70 ml lukewarm water
7 g instant yeast
12 g honey
400 g all-purpose flour
7 g salt
30 g unsalted butter, room temperature

Instructions

Step 1: Stir the instant yeast into the lukewarm milk, water, and honey. Let the mixture rest until it becomes foamy, about 5-10 minutes.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and unsalted butter. Add the yeast mixture and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, which should take about 8-10 minutes by hand.
Step 3: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
Step 4: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 10 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball. If you like, you can fill the buns at this stage with a sweet or savory filling of your choice.
Step 5: Let the shaped buns rest for 30 to 40 minutes until they become puffy and slightly risen.
Step 6: Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 175°C (350°F). Fry the buns in small batches until golden brown on all sides, turning them carefully for even cooking.
Step 7: Drain the fried buns on paper towels. Serve plain, dusted with sugar, or filled as desired while still warm.

Tips & Variations

Use a thermometer to keep the oil at a consistent 175°C for perfect frying without sogginess or burning.
Try filling the buns with red bean paste, custard, or savory fillings like minced meat or vegetables for variety.
For an extra soft texture, replace part of the milk with yogurt.

Storage

Store fried buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them gently in a microwave or steam them briefly to restore softness and freshness.

How to Serve

A round black plate holds a ring of eleven golden-brown dumplings, each with a crispy, slightly browned top sprinkled with green chives. The dumplings have a soft, white dough base with some faint folds visible. A small white bowl filled with dark soy sauce sits in the background, accompanied by a gray cloth on a white marbled surface. Nearby, a small white plate with a few dumpling pieces and a pair of light brown chopsticks lie beside it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these buns without filling?

Yes, soft fried buns are delicious on their own. Just shape and fry them plain, then dust with sugar or serve with jam.

What oil is best for frying the buns?

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil, to achieve a crispy and golden exterior without burning.