Taiwanese Black Pepper Buns (Hújiāo Bǐng, 胡椒饼)
8
servings1
hour30
minutes20
minutes280
kcalTaiwanese Black Pepper Buns (Hújiāo Bǐng, 胡椒饼) are one of the most beloved street foods in Taiwan, often found sizzling in large tandoor-like ovens at night markets. These buns have a crispy, flaky shell and a juicy, fragrant filling made with seasoned pork, scallions, and plenty of black pepper for a kick. Traditionally baked in a clay oven, they can also be made in a home oven or air fryer. Enjoy your homemade Taiwanese Black Pepper Buns – crispy, juicy, and packed with bold flavors! Serve with a side of soy sauce or chili oil for an extra kick. Would you like to try making these at home? Let me know how they turn out! 😋🥢
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tsp instant yeast
3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
2 tbsp vegetable oil
- For the Filling:
1 lb (450g) ground pork (or substitute with ground beef/chicken)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
2 tbsp black pepper (freshly ground)
1 tbsp white pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp five-spice powder
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp minced ginger
4 stalks green onions, finely chopped
- For the Coating & Glaze:
1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
1 tbsp water
1/2 cup white sesame seeds
Directions
- Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- Gradually add warm water and mix until the dough starts to come together.
- Add vegetable oil and knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a damp towel and let it rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Step 2: Make the Filling
- In a bowl, mix ground pork, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, black pepper, white pepper, sugar, and five-spice powder.
- Add minced garlic, ginger, and chopped green onions, mixing well until fully combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
- Step 3: Assemble the Buns
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a 3-inch diameter circle.
- Place about 2 tbsp of filling in the center of each dough circle.
- Gather the edges and pinch them tightly to seal, forming a round bun.
- Lightly flatten each bun with your hand to create a disc shape.
- Step 4: Coat & Bake
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk egg yolk with 1 tbsp water to make an egg wash.
- Brush the top of each bun with egg wash and coat with white sesame seeds.
- Place the buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- (Alternative: Air Fryer Method)
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Place buns inside and air fry for 12–15 minutes, checking for doneness.
Notes
- Equipment Needed:
Mixing bowls
Rolling pin
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Oven (or air fryer)
Pastry brush
Small saucepan (for glaze)
Nutrition Facts
- % Daily Value *
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.