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    Home » Recipes » Pantry

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    Last Modified: September 28, 2018 by Elaine| 54 Comments

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    Youtiao is also known as Chinese oil stick or Chinese cruller is a traditional Chinese breakfast. Youtiao in fact is deep-fried Chinese breadstick.The perfect match with Youtiao is soy milk. Once the breadstick soaks in the soy milk, the bouffant texture will absorb the soy milk and thus creating a very special taste.

    Since Youtiao is deep-fried, so it is not so popular as the old days. But it can always bring happy memories. We ate youtiao and soy milk almost every day when I was still a high school student.

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    I start my journey by using a yeast version, but soon or later, I find it is quite hard to handle the yeast youtiao dough. So after reading several “academic”  papers about how to make youtiao, I turn my option to baking powder version. This is the new version and it is quite easier to handle.

    Let's start with my conclusions after testing and reading: the inflation of youtiao is due to carbon dioxide and ammonia released by the agent (there is specialized youtiao agent, but we are using baking powder) after chemical reactions. When the gas is generated, the dough expands based on the elasticity and ductility of the gluten. So we need to overlay two pieces together and press a mark in center.  When heated by the hot oil, the outside get settled quickly. While the inner part is still cooler and soft, so the dough can continually expand with the effects of gas.

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    Before you start, there are several important tips for a success homemade youtiao using this recipe.

    1. The dough should be well-kneaded until elastic (the gluten should be well formed).
    2. The dough need to be set aside until the gluten is well rested (overnight resting)and make sure the dough is back to room temperature and quite soft before frying.
    3. If you feel the dough is sticky, slightly dust the operating board with flour. But use as less as possible. Do not use oil as it separates the two strips and hinder the inflation.
    4. The deep-frying temperature should be around 200 degree C (around 400 degree F). We gives the gas enough time to expand the dough. And use enough oil!
    5. Do not twist the youtiao dough into any shape, do not hinder the inflation.
    6. Press the two ends together and make sure the two strips will not separate during deep-frying.

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups (240g) all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon (4g) baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon (2.5) baking soda
    • 1 small egg (60g)
    • 100g milk
    • 20ml vegetable oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • oil for deep-frying

    Instructions

    In a stand mixer, add all the ingredients together and then knead with hook on low speed for 7-9 minutes until the dough is quite elastic. Shape into a ball and then cover with plastic wrapper and set aside in fridge overnight.

    In the next morning, bring the dough outside and set aside for around 2 hours until it is returned to room temperature.

    Slightly dust your operating board and then shape the dough into a long log and then further to a rectangle. Cut the rectangle into strips around 3cm wide. Lay one stripe over the other one and press a mark in the center (lengthwise).

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    Heat the oil to around 200 degree C (400 degree F). Then hold the two ends and slightly stretch the strips to around 18cm (or slightly adjust the length according to your frying wok). Press the two ends so they can stick together.

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    Place it to the wok and turn quickly.

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    Until slightly golden browned.

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    The shake off extra oil and then cool on paper. The whole deep-frying process may need 1.5 to 2 minutes.

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller
    The successful youtiao should have crisp shell and large holes in center.

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    Elaine
    Homemade youtiao also known as Chinese oil stick or Chinese cruller. It is a traditional Chinese snack especially for breakfast time.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 2 hrs
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 2 hrs 20 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine Chinese
    Servings 3
    Calories 428 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 240 g all purpose flour
    • 1 tsp. baking powder
    • ½ tsp. baking soda
    • 1 small egg
    • 100 g milk
    • 20 ml vegetable oil
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • oil for deep-frying

    Instructions
     

    • In a stand mixer, add all the ingredients together and then knead with hook on low speed for 7-9 minutes until the dough is quite elastic.
    • Shape into a ball and then cover with plastic wrapper and set aside in fridge overnight.
    • In the next morning, bring the dough outside and set aside for around 2 hours until it is returned to room temperature.
    • Heat the oil to around 200 degree C (400 degree F).
    • Slightly dust your operating board and then shape the dough into a long log and then further to a rectangle. Cut the rectangle into strips around 3cm wide. Lay one stripe over the other one and press a mark in the center (lengthwise).
    • Then hold the two ends and slightly stretch the strips to around 18cm (or slightly adjust the length according to your frying wok). Press the two ends so they can stick together. Place it to the wok and fry until slightly golden brown.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 428kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 11gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 588mgPotassium: 323mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 160IUCalcium: 132mgIron: 4.2mg
    Keyword youtiao
    Tried this recipe?Mention @ChinaSichuanFood

    The best serving ways includes serving with a warm soy milk. I love to deep youtiao into soy milk. It presents a totally different taste and texture after absorbing soy milk or congee.

    Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

    chicken congee, healthy and warm breakfast

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vero Yang

      October 26, 2020 at 11:42 pm

      5 stars
      First try and I'm amazed it turned out so good! I paid attention no to break any gaz bubbles when flattening the dough.
      Had them for breakfast with soy milk as recommended and it was delicious!
      Thank you so much Elaine for this recipe and for all the other ones I have already enjoyed. Greetings from France!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 27, 2020 at 8:33 pm

        Thanks Vero for your lovely feedback!! I know how good it is with soy milk.

        Reply
    2. Kristy Voon

      February 28, 2021 at 11:31 pm

      Just made the dough. I'm a little worried that gluten might be not as developed as I need it to be? I kneaded it by machine for about 10 mins and it was elastic but failed the window pane test. So i kneaded it by hand for a further 2 minutes. Again, it did not fully stretch before breaking, BUT it was bouncy and elastic. :S

      It's resting in the fridge now. Fingers crossed for when I fry it tomorrow!

      Reply
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