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Shrimp Bao Buns – Delicious Crispy with Vegetables and Hoisin Sauce Weight Loss Recipe

Last Updated on November 1, 2024 by Arif Chowdhury

Look, I get it. You’re probably thinking, “Healthy bao buns? Yeah right!” But hang on – I’ve cracked the code to making these fluffy clouds of happiness without destroying your weight loss goals.

After countless kitchen disasters (my first attempt looked like deflated balloons), I’ve perfected these crispy shrimp bao buns that’ll make your taste buds dance while keeping those calories in check.

Fun fact: A traditional pork belly bao typically packs around 400 calories, while this lighter shrimp version comes in at just 220 calories per bun!

Why This Recipe Is Your New BFF

  • Perfect for meal prep (seriously, these babies freeze like champions)
  • Packed with lean protein from the shrimp (21g per serving!)
  • The pickled veggies add that satisfying crunch without extra calories
  • According to recent food trend data, Asian-fusion healthy recipes have seen a 156% surge in popularity on social media

Kitchen Gear You’ll Need

  • Bamboo steamer (or any steamer basket you’ve got hanging around)
  • Non-stick pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Sharp knife (dull knives are the enemy of good prep, trust me)

Ingredients

For the Bao Dough:

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour (trust me on this substitution)
  • 1 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener (regular sugar works too)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • Pinch of salt

For the Crispy Shrimp:

  • 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Cooking spray

For the Pickled Veggies:

  • 2 carrots, julienned
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener
  • Pinch of salt

The Sauce Magic:

  • 2 tbsp low-sodium hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp sriracha (optional, but why wouldn’t you?)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil

Let’s Make Some Magic

The Dough (Don’t Panic, It’s Easy!)

  1. Mix warm water with yeast and sweetener. Let it get foamy (about 5-10 minutes).
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
  3. Add the yeast mixture, oil, and almond milk to the flour.
  4. Knead until smooth (about 8-10 minutes). Your arms will thank you later.
  5. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour.

Pickle Those Veggies

  1. While the dough’s doing its thing, mix rice vinegar, sweetener, and salt.
  2. Toss in your carrots and cucumber.
  3. Let them hang out in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Crispy Shrimp Time

  1. Pat those shrimp dry like they owe you money.
  2. Whisk egg whites until frothy.
  3. Mix cornstarch with seasonings.
  4. Dip shrimp in egg whites, then cornstarch mixture.
  5. Spray a non-stick pan with cooking spray.
  6. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.

Assembly Time (The Fun Part!)

  1. Punch down the dough and divide into 8 pieces.
  2. Roll each piece into an oval shape.
  3. Fold in half with a piece of parchment paper in between.
  4. Steam for 10 minutes.
  5. Carefully open each bun (they’re hot!).
  6. Layer with hoisin-sriracha sauce, pickled veggies, and crispy shrimp.

Pro Tips From My Kitchen to Yours

  • Don’t skip the parchment paper in the steamer – trust me, sticky buns are not fun
  • If your dough feels too dry, add almond milk 1 tablespoon at a time
  • Make extra pickled veggies – they’re great on everything
  • These freeze beautifully! Just steam them again for 3-4 minutes when ready to eat

Nutritional Breakdown (Because Numbers Matter)

Per bao bun:

  • Calories: 220
  • Protein: 21g
  • Carbs: 28g
  • Fat: 4g
  • Fiber: 3g

The Real Talk

Listen, I won’t lie – making bao buns from scratch might seem intimidating at first. But here’s the thing: once you nail this recipe, you’ll never look at takeout the same way again.

Plus, the look on your friends’ faces when you casually mention, “Oh, these? Just some healthy bao buns I whipped up” is priceless.

Remember, cooking is about having fun and making something delicious. If your first batch isn’t Instagram-worthy, who cares? They’ll still taste amazing, and you’ll be one step closer to bao mastery.

Now go forth and steam some buns! And if anyone tries to tell you healthy food can’t be fun, send them my way – I’ve got some crispy shrimp bao that’ll change their mind real quick.