Introduction

Cheat Scallion Buns are a quick and easy twist on the traditional steamed buns, perfect for a flavorful snack or appetizer. With simple ingredients like self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt, you can whip up these fluffy buns filled with scallions, garlic, and cheese in no time.

Cheat Scallion Buns Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

200g self-raising flour
170g Greek yoghurt (use vegan yoghurt for a plant-based option)
4 spring onions, finely sliced
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tbsp grated mozzarella cheese
Olive oil, for drizzling
Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt. Stir in a clockwise motion until a rough dough forms. Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead for a couple of minutes. Cover with cling film and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the spring onions, garlic, and mozzarella cheese and set them aside.
Step 3: Divide the dough into 4 equal parts.
Step 4: Lightly flour your surface and roll out one piece of dough to about 0.75cm thick. Fold the two outer edges inward to create a thin rectangular strip. Roll it out again to maintain the thickness, trimming the edges to form a neat rectangle.
Step 5: Drizzle olive oil on one side of the dough strip. Sprinkle the top half with scallions, garlic, and mozzarella. Cut slits into the bottom half to create a pattern, then carefully roll the dough into a bun. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces.
Step 6: Place each bun on parchment paper and steam for 15-20 minutes until fluffy.
Step 7: Optionally, pan-fry the buns on high heat for about 3 minutes to crisp the bottoms before serving. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use vegan mozzarella and yoghurt to make this recipe fully plant-based without losing flavor.
Swap mozzarella for cheddar or a spicy cheese for a different flavor profile.
Adding a touch of sesame seeds inside or on top before steaming adds a nice crunch and nuttiness.

Storage

Store leftover buns in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat by steaming gently or microwaving with a damp paper towel to keep them soft. You can also freeze the buns before steaming; thaw and steam before eating for best results.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of self-raising flour?

Using regular flour will require adding baking powder or another leavening agent to help the buns rise. Self-raising flour simplifies the recipe by providing the leavening already.

Do I have to steam the buns or can I bake them?

Steaming is essential for the soft, fluffy texture of these buns. Baking will make them denser and less tender, which changes the characteristic texture.

Cheat Scallion Buns Recipe

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4.8 from 147 reviews

These Cheat Scallion Buns are a quick and easy homemade steamed bun recipe bursting with fresh scallions, garlic, and melted mozzarella cheese. Made with simple ingredients like self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt, these fluffy buns can be steamed to perfection and optionally pan-fried for a crispy bottom, perfect for a savory snack or appetizer.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 buns 1x
Category: Snack
Method: Steaming
Cuisine: Chinese-inspired
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

200g self-raising flour
170g Greek yoghurt (use vegan yoghurt for a plant-based alternative)

Filling

4 spring onions, finely sliced
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tbsp grated mozzarella cheese

For Cooking and Garnish

Olive oil, for drizzling
Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt. Stir the mixture in a clockwise motion until a rough dough forms. Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead for a couple of minutes until smooth. Cover with cling film and set aside while preparing the other ingredients.
Prepare filling ingredients: Finely slice the spring onions, chop the garlic cloves, and grate the mozzarella cheese. Set these aside for later use.
Divide the dough: Take your dough and slice it into 4 equal parts for easier handling and shaping.
Roll and shape the dough strips: Lightly flour your clean surface. Roll out one piece of dough until it is approximately 0.75cm thick. Fold the two outer edges inward to create a thin rectangular strip, then roll it out again in one direction to maintain a thickness of about 0.75cm. Trim the top and bottom edges to form a perfect rectangle.
Add filling and cut pattern: Drizzle olive oil onto one side of the dough strip. Sprinkle the top half evenly with spring onions, garlic, and grated mozzarella. On the bottom half, slice vertical mini strips to create a lattice pattern. Carefully roll the bun from one end to the other to encase the filling. Repeat this process for all four buns.
Steam the buns: Place each rolled bun on parchment paper in a steamer basket. Steam over boiling water for 15-20 minutes until the buns become fluffy and cooked through.
Optional pan-fry for crispiness: Once steamed, optionally pan-fry the buns in a hot skillet for about 3 minutes to get a golden, crispy bottom. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Use vegan yoghurt to make these buns completely plant-based.
If you don’t have a steamer, you can improvise with a pot and a heatproof plate or sieve above boiling water.
The optional pan-frying step adds a delightful crispy texture but can be skipped for softer buns.
Feel free to add other fillings such as chopped mushrooms or cooked minced meat for variety.
To keep buns soft, cover them with a clean kitchen towel after steaming if not eating immediately.

Keywords: scallion buns, steamed buns, easy buns recipe, homemade scallion pancakes, Chinese snacks, vegetarian buns, garlic scallion buns