Bao buns have taken the culinary world by storm with their pillowy texture and ability to hold a multitude of delicious fillings. But have you ever tried them with a Korean twist? Imagine perfectly air-fried cauliflower coated in spicy, tangy gochujang sauce, within a soft, steamed bao buns. The flavors in this recipe go SO well together, and I’m super excited for you guys to try it!

I’m ALL About Shortcuts!

I know this recipe may seem intimidating due to the long list of ingredients, but when there is a recipe with 10 or more ingredients, I take as many shortcuts as possible! For example, I buy frozen bao buns with my local Asian grocery store. I also love to buy pre shredded carrots and cabbage from the produce section. They also have precut cauliflower florets if you want to save some extra time! You can use the leftovers in salads! Lastly, if I really don’t want to do extra work, I’ll buy spicy mayo from the grocery store! I know that a long list of ingredients makes it seem like recipes are exhausting, but these shortcuts will definitely save you some time and less dishes to wash!

Ingredient List

I know this ingredient list may seem super long to you, but I wanted to emphasize how practical these ingredients truly are. If you are a fan of Asian cuisine, or if you are in the early stages of learning new recipes, these are some pantry / fridge staples that you will need for most dishes. A lot of these ingredients go hand in hand and will be used in most recipes. A tub of gochujang will go a long way, and a bottle of rice vinegar will last you for months, if not years! I highly encourage you to go to your local Asian grocery store and pick up some good quality versions of these ingredients because they will make your food taste so much better 🙂

Other Recipes With Similar Ingredients

If you guys love this recipe, I have some other fun recipes with similar ingredients, but different flavors! My Korean Kimchi Tofu Sliders are such a delight, and pretty healthy for weeknight dinner! Adding kimchi to any recipes truly makes me happy!! Also check out my Vegetable Lo Mein, which I can eat almost any time, any day!! You can add any protein of your choice or double the veggies for more nutrients! 

I hope you guys love my Air Fried Gochujang Cauliflower Bao Buns! If you make this recipe, please be sure to tag @chocolateandcheeseplease in any Instagram stories! I would also love it if you could comment below and rate this recipe with your honest thoughts! If you haven’t seen me on Instagram yet, be sure to follow me and like the reel!