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red bean buns topped with sesame seeds

Sourdough Red Bean Buns

These baked sourdough red bean buns are the tastiest treats. The bun dough is 100% leavened by sourdough and encase a deliciously sweet red bean paste, which is easily made on the stovetop. This recipe is simpler than you might think and takes only one night & morning to complete! These can also easily be made vegan. Check the notes!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 15 hours
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Chinese, Japanese, Vegan
Servings 8 buns
Calories 605 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 baking sheet

Ingredients
  

for the bun dough

  • 400 mL canned coconut milk (shake the can before you open it!)
  • 50g sourdough starter
  • 55g sugar
  • 350g bread flour
  • 200g all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt

for the red bean paste

  • 850g cooked and drained adzuki beans
  • 140g brown sugar

for the egg wash/topping

  • 1 egg (use plant-based milk for wash if making this recipe vegan and omit the water)
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (white or black!)

Instructions
 

the night before

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the coconut milk, starter, and sugar with a fork until mostly broken up. Then add the flour and salt and mix at low speed with a dough hook until fully combined and the dough is soft and formed (about five minutes).
  • Remove the dough from the bowl and oil the bowl. Casually ball the dough and place back in the bowl. Cover and let rise overnight (12-14 hours).
    image of dough ready to rise for the sourdough red bean buns
  • Now, make the red bean paste. Place the beans in a small saucepan with the brown sugar. Stir over low-medium heat until the paste is dry and mushy (about 10 minutes). You can smash the beans a little while cooking with the back of a spatula or a fork after cooking (if you wish!). Place the bean paste in a container and let cool completely. Then cover and place in the fridge overnight.
    image of red bean paste

in the morning

  • Your bun dough should now be fully risen!
    image of risen dough for sourdough red bean buns
  • Dump out your dough and equally separate it (preferably by weight) into 8 balls on a lightly floured surface.
    image of balled up dough for sourdough red bean buns
  • Separate your red bean paste into 8 equal parts as well (you can eyeball it!) and with oiled palms, ball up the bean paste. (Note on the picture: Your bean paste balls will be much larger than these balls.)
    image of balled up dough and balled up red bean paste filling
  • With your fingertips or a small rolling pin, press the dough into wide pancake, almost the size of your hand.
  • Place a ball of red bean paste into the center of your dough pancake.
    image of ball of red bean paste filling inside of dough pancake
  • Pinch the edges into the center to wrap up the bean ball.
    image of making a red bean bun
  • Keep pinching until the dough is fully level.
    image of flattening red bean bun bottom
  • Place the seam side down on a surface and gently twist it on the surface to ensure a full sealing on the seam. Repeat with the rest of your buns, setting them on a lined baking sheet for proofing.
    image of red bean bun bottom
  • Cover and proof for 2.5 hours. They won’t look very different in size when done with proofing (the picture is them after proofing!). When almost done with the proof, preheat the oven to 350F.
    image of proofed sourdough red bean buns on baking sheet
  • Make the egg wash by whisking together the egg and teaspoon of water, or if making this vegan, just use a small amount of plant-based milk. Brush the buns with the egg wash or milk and as you do each one, place a pinch of sesame seeds on top so they stick to the wash.
  • Bake for 22-24 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before eating. Enjoy warm! Let me know what you think below in the comments or on Instagram @higheralchemybaking!

Notes

This recipe can be easily made vegan by omitting the egg wash and instead using plant based milk as the wash (as noted in the recipe ingredients). The buns won't be as golden brown, but they will still be very delicious!
Your sourdough starter needs to be thriving for this recipe to work best! Make sure to feed it twice daily at 1:1:1 (starter:water:flour) for best results.