Soft, fluffy, filling and healthy, these homemade sweet potato mantou (steamed buns) are made with flour, yeast, salt, sweet potato and water. Thanks to the addition of cooked mashed potatoes, these mantou bread has a winning combo of flavors, textures and color! Plus, these are easy to make if you have a stand mixer at home. You’ll love these if you’re looking for something new, or for a slightly healthier alternative to the traditional mantou buns made with just flour, milk, sugar and yeast.
Why I love this Recipe
- Soft and fluffy
- Easy to make if you have a stand mixer
- No eggs, no milk, no dairy needed!
- Healthy way to incorporate sweet potatoes into bread
Here’s how YOU can make this Sweet Potato Mantou below
Ingredients Used to Make Sweet Potato Mantou
**I’ve linked some of these ingredients to amazon.com to give you an idea of what they are, but you should also be able to find them in your local grocery store (usually, the natural & organic food section). They are also affiliate links, which means that I earn a commission as an Amazon Associate if you decide to purchase the items. The price will be the same for you, link or no link 🙂
- Bread Flour – I used bread flour for this recipe (I use King Arthur Bread Flour most), which I prefer and highly recommend for the best texture and structure. Please read the note on the substitution section below if using other flours.
- Instant Yeast – you can find instant yeast in the baking section near the flours. My favorite is SAF Instant Premium Yeast, which works quickly and consistently produces great results. I recommend using instant yeast over active yeast for this recipe since active yeast (unlike instant yeast) needs to be activated in water, which we don’t add until the very end.
- Sugar – I used raw cane sugar, but you can use regular granulated white sugar, or healthier alternatives like coconut, date, or maple sugars which are less processed and more natural. I also sometimes like to use honey powder.
- For yeasted breads, I would not recommend using sugar-free substitutes such as monk fruit sweetener or stevia powder since they can cause the bread to not rise properly. If you prefer a lower sugar recipe, you’re welcome to leave out the sugar. The bread might taste slightly plain, but it will not significantly impact the shape or texture of the bread.
- Salt – Pink Himalayan salt is what I have at home, so it’s what I use, but you can use any kind for this recipe.
- Baking Powder – helps to puff up the dough during the steaming process.
- Sweet Potato – You’ll need mashed sweet potatoes for this recipe. You can steam, bake or boil them until soft but here’s the easy method: Wash and wrap a whole sweet potato in a microwave-safe silicone bag (like this one) or in a plastic wrap, then microwave on high for 6-7 minutes (or more depending on the size of the potato). You can make sure it’s cooked by sticking a fork or toothpick into the center. Let them cool somewhat before handling and mash it with a fork.
- Olive Oil – I like using light olive oil since it has a neutral flavor, but you can also any cooking oil of your choice like coconut oil, or avocado oil instead
Equipment
- I used a KitchenAid Stand Mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough. You’re also welcome to use a bread machine, or knead the dough by hand.
More Sweet Potato Recipes (HERE)
Step by Step Guide
How to Make Sweet Potato Mantou
STEP 1
Cook and mash sweet potatoes.
STEP 2
Mix all the dry ingredients (bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, and baking powder) in the bowl of the stand mixer.
Add the mashed sweet potato and 2 Tbsp of water to the dry ingredients.
NOTE: If using purple sweet potato or Asian sweet potatoes, more water will be needed since these varieties have lower water content.
STEP 3
Start to knead the dough at a low setting (speed 2) for about a minute, until all the ingredients are mostly combined.
STEP 4
Add the olive oil next, and continue to knead for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the dough pulls away from the bowl and forms a smooth, supple ball.
STEP 5
Remove the finished dough from the mixer bowl and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Let rise for 60-90 minutes until doubled in size.
It’s best if the bowl is put in a warm place, for example, inside an oven that’s been preheated for just a quick 10 seconds and spritzed with some water. Or, inside a microwave with a cup filled with hot water (as pictured)
STEP 6
When the dough is ready, punch down the dough then remove from bowl. Use a rolling pin to stretch and roll out the dough into a large rectangle, about 16 x 5 inch in size.
STEP 7
Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a tight cylinder (like a sushi roll or cinnamon roll). Pinch the ends to seal.
STEP 8
Use a sharp serrated knife to divide the log into 16 equal pieces.
Place the buns on a parchment sheet or steamer paper, then cover and let rise for 20-30 minutes.
STEP 9
Transfer the buns to the steaming pan and steam for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
STEP 10
Enjoy!
Recipe Variations and Optional Add Ins:
- Use other varieties of sweet potato! NOTE: If using purple sweet potato or Asian sweet potatoes, more water will be needed since these varieties have lower water content.
- Add color to the buns – matcha powder, food coloring, etc!
- Other than coloring you can also add different flavorings to the dough before cooking. For example, you can add either a teaspoon of coffee extract or espresso powder, cocoa, cinnamon or Cardamom Powder. They’re not typically added in a traditional recipe, but you’re welcome to experiment!
- Instead of eating them plain, fill the mantou dough with a sweet or savory filling, like below!
How to Store Sweet Potato Mantou
- These steamed buns can be kept covered at room temperature for up to 1-2 days, or in the fridge inside an airtight container for 3-5 days.
- For longer storage, place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
NOTE ON SUBSTITUTIONS
- Unfortunately, gluten-free flours cannot be substituted for bread flour in this recipe.
- While bread flour is highly recommended, all-purpose flour can be used instead with 1 tsp of vital wheat gluten for every cup of flour.
TIPS
- Weigh your flour for the best results. 1 cup of bread flour = 120 grams / 4.23 oz. This is recommended since scooping the flour directly from the bag can can pack the flour into the measuring cup, and this means you’ll end up with more flour than what’s called for in the recipe. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, you can measure the flour by spooning pre-sifted flour into the measuring cup, then using the straight end of the spoon to level the flour across the top to sweep off the excess.
- To make this recipe in the bread machine: add all the dry ingredients into the machine, stir briefly before adding the wet ingredients. The machine can be set for basic. Check the dough for consistency and adjust by adding additional water (or flour) before the end of the first kneading cycle. If you want to add additional nuts or dried fruits, leave them aside, and only them 3 minutes before the end of the second kneading cycle.
More Steamed Recipes (HERE)
Sweet Potato Mantou (Healthy Vegan Steamed Buns)
Equipment
Ingredients
Bread Dough
- 4 cups bread flour (480 g) sifted and leveled*
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 3 Tbsp sugar**
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups mashed sweet potato , or 380g of sweet potato***
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp light olive oil, melted coconut oil or avocado oil
Instructions
- Mix all the dry ingredients (bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, and baking powder) in the bowl of the stand mixer.
- Add the mashed sweet potato and 2 Tbsp of water to the dry ingredients
- Start to knead the dough at a low setting (speed 2) for about a minute, until all the ingredients are mostly combined.
- Add the olive oil next, and continue to knead for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the dough pulls away from the bowl and forms a smooth, supple ball.
- Note: Additional 1-2 Tablespoons of water (or additional bread flour) may be necessary depending on the protein content of the flour, the water content in the puree, as well as the humidity and temperature of the kitchen.
- Remove the finished dough from the mixer bowl and place in a lightly greased bowl.
- Cover and let rise until doubled, about 60-90 minutes***
- When the dough is ready, punch down the dough then remove from bowl. Use a rolling pin to stretch and roll out the dough into a large rectangle, about 16 x 5 inch in size.
- Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a tight cylinder (like a sushi roll or cinnamon roll). Pinch the ends to seal.
- Use a sharp serrated knife to divide the log into 16 equal pieces.
- Place the buns on a parchment sheet or steamer paper, then cover and let rise for 20-30 minutes.
- As the dough rests, boil water and prepare the steamer
- Transfer the buns to the steaming pan and steam for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Enjoy!
- Note: You can store these steamed buns, well wrapped, at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can place them in a plastic freezer bag or airtight container and freeze up to 3 months, then defrost them at room temperature or steam them again for just 10 minutes to enjoy them just like fresh.
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