Have you tried banh tieu aka Vietnamese hollow donut? These soft and chewy sesame topped doughnuts with a hollow inside are great to have with a coffee as such or with some jam or fruits and cheese stuffed!
Bánh tiêu is a popular street food in Vietnam, often sold by street vendors in the early morning or late afternoon. It's cherished for its simplicity, delicious taste, and the comforting nostalgia it brings to many Vietnamese people who grew up eating it. You don't have to search for banh tieu anymore. All you need is this recipe. Period.
Why we love banh tieu?
Although this hollow bread is Vietnamese in origin, this bread reminds me of our traditional breads. This bread is kind of similar to bhatura but with yeast. I can relate this as if you fry a naan dough to make this Vietnamese fry bread. This being said and with a foodie family, there is no reason needed to love this soft and chewy fry bread from Vietnam.
This bread is on the sweeter side but not overly sweet. It is perfect like the Pandesal. A mild hint of sweetness with a soft and chewy texture, this bread is the comfort food. No wonder it is a populat street food.
Ingredients
To make these banh tieu, you will need the following ingredients:
All purpose flour - I recommend using all purpose flour for this recipe to get the same traditional Vietanemese texture for the bread.
Salt - A tiny amount of salt gives flavor
Sugar - Sweetens the bread
Water - liquid to activate the yeast and knead the dough.
Sesame seeds - Adds a nutty flavor, crunchy texture. This also adds vital nutrients.
Active dry yeast - yeast leavens the bread. This recipe uses
Oil - any neutral oil will work for deep frying.
Ways to Serve this Hollow Bread
These banh tieu are an amazing treat to treat as such. Serve these with a cup of coffee ot chai for an energizing breakfast or afternoon snack. With its mild sweet flavor, is a versatile accompaniment to both sweet and savory dishes. Stuff some cottage cheese and fruits or salad to make a great brunch. Kids (and me too!) would love this stuffed with nutella or PB&J. Such a comfort meal.
Storage
These hollow doughnuts are the best if served immediately or the same day. However, it stays well retaining the softness and chewiness for 24-48 hours if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Beyond that, it loses its flavor and texture.
The recipe can be halved if you want to make smaller portions too. It works well.
Is breadmachine needed?
Absolutely not. I always use the breadmachine for anytime kneading and proving of the dough. It is just handy. You could do the process manually too.
If you are using the bread machine just like me, add the sugar, salt, and water to the bread machine first followed by the flour and finally the yeast on top. This will keep the yeast alive.
Variations
This banh tieu has many variations too. Instead of yeast, baking powder could be used for leavening. For more richness and sweetness, you could use milk or eveporated milk as an alternative liquid to knead the dough.
Is this recipe vegan?
Yes. This recipe uses water to make the dough and not milk or evaporated milk, like in some of the variants of this bread. This hollow doughnut is ideal for vegan diet.
A note about frying these banh tieu.
These hollow sesame doughnuts are simple to fry. Achieving the puffy bread may be a challenge but it is easy. This is like frying a puri or bhatura. The oil has to be at the right temperature or it will quickly burn and the inside may not be cooked. Just like puris, as soon as you slide the dough disc, swirl the disc around the edges while continuously immersing it in oil making the hot oil from the pan flow to the top. This ensures a beautiful and puffy bread.
More Fry Breads
Fry breads are very popular across the globe. Every culture has delicious and addictive fry breads and here are some of my recipes on the blog.
Hungarian Potato Fry Bread Langos
Banh Tieu
Ingredients
- 2¼ Cups All purpose flour
- Water
- 2 tsp Instant dry yeast
- ½ cup Sesame seeds
- 3 cups Oil For deep frying
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ cup Sugar
Instructions
- Add everything to your bread machine and set it on dough cycle. Let it rise for an hour. This can be done manually too.
- Punch and knead the dough. Divide it into ten equal portions. Cover the dough with a wet cloth.
- Take a portion of the dough, slightly flatten it and coat it with sesame seeds. Using a rolling pin, roll it into a 6-7 inch disc. Repeat with the remaining dough portions.
- Heat oil in a pan over low medium flame. Slide a disc into the oil, swirl and add the hot oil on top with a slotted spatula continuously until it puffs up completely.
- Flip and cook the other side until golden brown. Remove from the frying pan and drain. Repeat with remaining discs.
- Serve banh tieu as such or stuffed with fruits, cheese, or jam with coffee, tea.
Sneha Datar says
A perfect bread for stuffing, thanks for sharing this recipe!
magicalingrdnts says
Yup! Thanks, Sneha!
hobby baker Kelly says
Wow, utterly gorgeous pockets! And I love your stuffing as well. They look scrumptious!
Karen's Kitchen Stories says
I'll take one stuffed the way you did please =)
They sound delicious.
magicalingrdnts says
They are versatile to have delicious fillings. Fruits and cottage cheese are one of my favorites. Thank you, Karen!
Stacy says
I love the addition of the sesame seeds for flavor and crunch! These are so pretty!
magicalingrdnts says
Yes, sesame seeds are great giving texture and flavor. Thanks Stacy.
Priya Srinivasan says
Wow these banh tieu looks fabulous, love the one filled with fruits and cream. Pure indulgence. The sesame seeds outside such a wonderful texture to these soft buns. You have got them so well done, perfection!!
Mayuri Patel says
In 2019 hubby and I spent almost 2 weeks in the old part of Phuket. And my favourite snack or breakfast with coffee use to be this banh tieu. The owner of the restaurant had told me the name but I forgot. Coming across your post, was so happy as not only did you remind me the name of this delicious doughnut but also has a recipe I can follow. The generous amount of sesame used adds an amazing crunch.
magicalingrdnts says
Great to hear! You can try this recipe now and enjoy it at home with a cup of chai. Yes, the sesame adds a lovely crunch. Thanks Mayuri!
Kalyani says
My sister was in Phuket for a while and I remember her saying she indulged on these Doughnuts for breakfast and a quick snack too! great share, Radha!
magicalingrdnts says
Yes, these doughnuts are craveworthy! Thanks Kalyani!
Seema says
Though I have extensively traveled these areas, I hardly learnt to make these items. So happy to have a recipe that is tried and tested to try.
magicalingrdnts says
You'll love these! Our family loves them and I can guarantee your will also. Thanks Seema!
Neha (My Culinary Expressions) says
These puffed Banh Tieu look so appealing. They make versatile pockets for varied stuffings. The sesame seeds give it a nice crunch as well as look and texture. I think I should give this a try.
Preethi says
These Banh Tieu looks so delightful. The stuffing is so rich and delicious. I had tasted this during my last visit to Phuket and your post made me nostalgic. Now I have a fail proof recipe to make it at home .