Description
These Hawaiian-American baked buns use thawed dinner rolls and a savory-sweet vegetable filling. A flaky, tender crust combines with sticky, aromatic vegetables and sauces for a halal-friendly version of the classic treat. Quick and easy, they bring comfort to the table with no pork needed.
Ingredients
Frozen Dinner Roll Dough, 1 package (for 12 buns)
All-Purpose Flour, 1 cup (for dusting)
Mixed Vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, cabbage), 1.5 cups, diced
Yellow Onion, 1 medium, finely chopped
Grapeseed Oil, 2 tablespoons
Chicken or Vegetable Broth, 1 cup
Oyster Sauce, 2 tablespoons
Hoisin Sauce, 2 tablespoons
Sesame Oil, 1 teaspoon (optional)
Cornstarch Water Slurry, 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1/4 cup water
Kosher Salt, to taste
White or Black Pepper, to taste
Beaten Egg Wash, 1 large egg blended with 1 tablespoon water
Honey Glaze, 1 tablespoon (optional)
Instructions
Thaw the frozen dinner roll dough for 3-4 hours until soft and puffy
In a skillet, heat grapeseed oil over medium heat; sauté onion until softened
Add mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes
In a small bowl, blend broth, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil if using
Pour sauce over vegetables, swirling in cornstarch slurry to thicken; season with salt and pepper
Cut dough into 12 equal pieces; roll each into a ball, then flatten with a rolling pin
Place 1-2 spoonfuls of filling in the center; fold into half-moon shapes and seal edges
Brush with egg wash; sprinkle with white pepper
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until golden and puffy
If desired, glaze with honey after baking
Notes
For a halal/vegetarian version, use beet or mushroom “char siu”-style filling instead of meat
Vegetable stock is recommended for a fully vegetarian adaptation
Dust work surface with flour while shaping to prevent sticking
Buns can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days
Cornstarch slurry creates a glossy, sticky filling; adjust water amount for consistency
- Prep Time: 25
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg