Can You Steam Pork Buns in an Air Fryer?

Pork Buns

Steaming pork buns isn’t hard, but it can take some time if you have to boil your water on the stove and then carefully place the buns in the steamer basket. An air fryer with a steaming option allows you to fry your pork buns while simultaneously steaming them with hot air, which can cut your cooking time by as much as half. With an air fryer, you can cook pork buns in an instant! But does it work? Let us find out in this article.

Can you steam buns in an air fryer?

It turns out that you can steam pork buns in an air fryer. All you need is a little water, which will be transformed into steam while cooking. Fill the bottom of the air fryer with about 1/2 cup of water. 

How do you cook pork buns without a steamer?

If you don’t have a steamer, don’t worry – there are other ways to cook them upright. 

One way is to wrap each bun individually with aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet, then bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for ten minutes. 

Another option is to heat water in a pot until it boils and steam your buns inside the plastic bag they came in while submerging them. 

The other way is to use a microwave. Place two cups of water in a large microwavable bowl and set the pork buns into one layer on top of the water (this will help ensure that they steam evenly). 

Can you cook pork buns in an air fryer?

Since you can cook so many different foods using an air fryer, you might be wondering if it can also be used to steam pork buns. Check out the instructions below on how to make pork buns in your air fryer. 

  • Take a cup of water and heat it. 
  • Next, add the steaming rack to the bottom tray. 
  • Allow that to warm up before proceeding with your bun’s next steps. 

In this case, we’re going to use doughnuts. Next, take one tablespoon of soy sauce and pour it into the center of each doughnut. The more soy sauce you use, the tastier your doughnuts will be. Please make sure not to let soy sauce touch any other doughnut, or it will become soggy. Finally, add two tablespoons of sugar for sweetness.

Can you cook steamed buns in an air fryer?

The answer is yes. For example, to make juicy pork dumplings or potstickers with a crisp bottom and nice chewy skin, prepare the meat mixture by combining ground pork with scallions, ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce.

Can you steam pork buns in an air fryer?

Yes, you can also reheat and deep-fry with these versatile little ovens. 

First, all your ingredients need to be prepped before you start since microwaves and air fryers heat their dishes quickly. 

Second, microwave the buns for 30 seconds to a minute, depending on how well done you want them. If it’s a larger batch, put them into two or three microwaveable containers so they’ll cook evenly.

Ingredients for steamed pork buns 

The list of ingredients is as follows steamed rice, ground pork, soy sauce, ginger (grated), garlic (grated), sesame oil, green onions (chopped), and oyster sauce. Combine all ingredients except the rice in a bowl and mix until well combined. Then divide the mixture into ten portions and form each into a small patty.

Steaming pork buns can be done in the air fryer, but it’s not as easy as throwing them in there. Burning is not a function on most air fryers, so you’ll need to get creative and use a steamer basket or colander that fits inside the cooking space. This benefit is that you can often find a better fit for your basket or colander. And still, get full coverage from the hot air like a traditional steamer. 

Final Steps

The steaming baskets are great for cooking, but if you have an air fryer and want to explore some of its unique features, you can use it to make a crispy pork bun. For optimal results, adjust the time, so the buns are crispier and don’t take on too much liquid from the filling. If your air fryer has two or more racks, you can cook them at different temperatures. The top rack should be set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, while the bottom shelf should be at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.