Spirulina Dim Sum

Name: Spirulina Dim Sum
Prep time: 90 min
Total time: 110 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 4 cups all purpose flour; 9.80 fl oz water; 1 packet yeast; 1 tsp caster sugar; 1 tsp salt; 3 tsp spirulina

An easy and delicious vegan recipe for making Chinese dim sum with marbled effect

by Cory Varga

Updated 19 November 2024

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If you are a dim sum enthusiast just like I am, this post is for you. I decided to create the most delicious spirulina dim sum which look like a marbled bao bun. Of course, it has a soft and fluffy interior, perfect to be eaten as it is or with fillings of your choice.

I'm honestly obsessed with Chinese dim sum. I already created the most perfect jackfruit bao bun as well as Liu Sha Bao. I now added spirulina bao to my list of awesome steamed buns and I know you are going to love them. They are super easy to make!

spirulina dim sum in a ready steamer basket

What are spirulina dim sum

I'm going to start by saying that spirulina dim sum are steamed buns which contain spirulina in them. I make them to look visually stunning and have that marble effect. You will want to devour them immediately.

In case you don't know, spirulina is a biomass of cyanobacteria used as a dietary supplement or whole food. In dried powder format (which is how I use it for my dim sum) spirulina is a rich source of numerous essential nutrients and dietary minerals.

I use around 1/4 tsp of dried spirulina for every single steamed bun. But of course you can adjust this measurment to suit your own taste. It's important to note that spirulina has a specific taste and smell so too much will overpower your food. I always recommend starting with small amounts and building up from there.

Spirulina dim sum picked up from a steamer basket with chopsticks

How to make the best ever spirulina steamed buns

You won't believe how easy these are to make. And to prove it, I will help you make these steamed buns with step by step instructions and pictures to know exactly how to obtain that perfect marbled effect.

You will need, flour, warm water, yeast, sugar and salt. And of course, a little bit of spirulina. Ready? Let's get started!

In a bowl, mix the flour, warm water, yeast, sugar and salt together. Knead the flour until your dough becomes smooth and easy to handle

Place the elastic dough in a bowl and cover with a damp towel. Allow to proof for 40 minutes or until double in size. Line a steamer basket with parchment paper. When the dough has risen, remove from the bowl and place onto a lightly floured surface.

Leave the bao bun dough to rise in a large bowl

Press on the dough to remove any pockets of air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.

Roll each piece into a round disk. Dust the round disk with 1/4 tsp spirulina on the side facing up.

Roll the dim sum dough into a flat disc and add spirulina to it

Roll the disk tightly into a log. Try and elongate the log by pressing and rolling it on the surface.

Roll the disc into a log and elongate it

Twist the roll into a tight spiral, tucking the end underneath.

Twist the dough into a snail shape

Flatten gently with your hand, then re-roll into a disk.

Flatten the snail into a round disc

Repeat the roll, twist and flatten process three times.

How the final spirulina dough disc should look like

Roll the dough into a ball and place inside the steamer. Repeat with the rest of your dough.

ready rolled spirulina dim sum

Allow the rolls to rise for another 20 minutes. Steam for 10 minutes and serve fresh with the dipping of your choice.

Steamed spirulina dim sum in a steamer basket

This recipe has been developed entirely by Yuzu Bakes. Any resemblance with other recipes is purely coincidental.