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Baked Manapua Recipe | Flaky, Savory Bites
Maya Bennett

Baked Manapua Recipe: Flaky, Savory Bites

A modern, halal-friendly take on Hawaiian manapua with golden, flaky buns filled with savory chickpea-flour-based char siu. Perfect for family gatherings or quick meals.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Hawaiian-inspired
Calories: 230
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Frozen Dinner Roll Dough (12 oz package)
  • All-Purpose Flour (1 cup, for dusting work surface)
  • Chickpea Flour (1 cup, halal alternative to char siu)
  • Yellow Onion (1 medium, diced)
  • Grapeseed Oil (2 tbsp, high smoke point)
  • Chicken Broth (1 cup, vegetable broth optional)
  • Oyster Sauce (2 tbsp, use vegan if preferred)
  • Hoisin Sauce (2 tbsp, store-bought or homemade)
  • Sesame Oil (1 tsp, for nutty aroma)
  • Cornstarch (1 tbsp, mixed with 1 cup water)
  • Kosher Salt (to taste, for seasoning)
  • White Pepper (to taste, optional for spice)
  • Egg (1 large, for egg wash)
  • Honey (1 tbsp, glaze—use agave for vegan)
  • Cooking Spray (as needed, non-stick alternative)

Method
 

  1. Thaw frozen dough for 3-4 hours until puffy
  2. In skillet, heat grapeseed oil over medium heat; sauté diced onion until translucent
  3. Add 1 cup chickpea flour and sizzle for 1 minute to roast
  4. Deglaze with 1 cup chicken broth, stirring up browned bits
  5. Stir in oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper; simmer 3-4 minutes
  6. Reduce heat and add cornstarch slurry; cook until mixture thickens and coats spoon
  7. Divide thawed dough into 12 pieces
  8. Flatten each dough piece on a lightly floured surface (all-purpose flour) to form a circle
  9. Fold each circle into a half-moon shape, crimp edges to seal
  10. Dollop 2 tbsp of filling into each bun; diagonally fold and crimp again to lock in filling
  11. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and press centers to create a seam
  12. Whisk egg with 1 tbsp water to make egg wash; brush over buns
  13. Spray baking sheet with cornstarch-water mixture to prevent sticking
  14. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden
  15. Elevate buns for 5 minutes under broiler to crisp further
  16. Drizzle with 1 tbsp honey before cooling slightly and serving

Notes

For vegan option: use vegetable broth and substitute honey with agave
Chickpea flour simmers quickly—stir constantly to avoid lumps
For extra flaky edges: flash-bake until set before filling