This Women’s Month, we’re inspired by the creativity and flair of our female MK foodies. We couldn’t resist these crispy buns by digital creator and mom of three Mubina Ajaz. You won’t stop at just one… 

These buns are inspired by the popular Shanghai street food called mantou. It’s worth the effort, and oil, to make them from scratch. My family and I love sharing these at a picnic lunch or kicking back and enjoying them for a movie night.  

Instagram: mubina_18_kitchen   

Crispy burger buns with fried chicken 

MAKES 20 • TOTAL TIME 1 HR 30 MIN 

Ingredients 

For the marinade

1 cup buttermilk  
1 tsp paprika  
1 tsp salt 
¼ cup hot sauce  
½ tsp garlic powder  
½ tsp white pepper  
½ tsp cayenne pepper 

For the crispy chicken

4 chicken breasts, sliced into nugget-sized pieces   

For the arabic dough

2 cups warm water  
5 Tbsp sugar  
2 Tbsp yeast  
2 cups flour 
¾ tsp salt  
2 Tbsp milk powder (optional) 
½ cup oil  
3 cups flour  
1 tsp baking powder  

For the bun coating

1 cup breadcrumbs 
¼ cup black sesame seeds 
Oil, for frying  

For the chicken coating

¼ cup milk  
1 ¾ cups flour  
2 tsp paprika  
1 tsp baking powder 
1 tsp oregano  
1 tsp salt  
½ tsp onion powder  
½ tsp garlic powder 
½ tsp cayenne pepper 
¼ tsp black pepper  

For the spicy mayo  

½ cup mayonnaise  
1 tbsp sriracha  
1 tbsp peri peri sauce 
1 tbsp tomato sauce   

For serving

Handful fresh lettuce leaves 
Quartered cherry tomatoes  
2-3 sliced radishes  
Chopped fresh herbs
Lime wedges  

Method 

1. Combine marinade ingredients in a large bowl. 
2. Add sliced chicken and mix to coat. Set aside for 2 hours. 
3. Combine water, sugar and yeast. Set aside for 5 minutes to bloom. 
4. Add remaining dough ingredients and mix together until soft. 
5. Tip out onto a floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. 6. Oil a bowl, add dough, cover and rest in a warm place for 30 minutes. 
6. Punch dough down and divide into 20-25 golf-sized balls.
7. Flatten each ball in your hand, creating a disc. 
   
8. Heat a deep pan of oil until hot enough to fry. 
9. Arrange two bowls on your work surface. Add milk to one and sesame seeds and breadcrumbs together in the second. 
10. Dip each flattened ball into milk, then into crumb mixture. 
11. Fry dough in batches for 2-3 minutes until puffed and golden, remove and drain on kitchen towel. 
12. Mix chicken coating ingredients in a large bowl. 
13. Dredge chicken in the coating to cover, then fry in batches for 3-4 minutes until crispy and tender. Drain on a kitchen towel. 
14. Combine ingredients for spicy mayo together in a serving bowl. Season well. 
15. To serve, slice open buns, layer with spicy mayo, lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, radishes and herbs with lime on the side.