• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

China Sichuan Food

Chinese Recipes and Eating Culture

  • Recipes
    • All Time Popular
    • Sichuan Food
    • Staple| Rice|Noodles
    • Pork
    • Beef & Lamb
    • Chicken & Poultry
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Egg & Dairy
    • Salad & Cold dishes
    • Beverages & Tea
    • Dessert
    • Soup
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Pantry
  • Blog
  • About
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Video
  • How to
  • Hot Pot
    • Chinese Hot Pot e-Cookbook

Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller

December 10, 2016 53 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5) baking soda
  • 1 small egg (60g)
  • 100g milk
  • 20ml vegetable oil
  • 1/2 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

5 from 4 votes
Print
Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller
Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 20 mins
 
Homemade youtiao also known as Chinese oil stick or Chinese cruller. It is a traditional Chinese snack especially for breakfast time.
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: youtiao
Servings: 3
Calories: 428 kcal
Author: Elaine
Ingredients
  • 240 g all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 small egg
  • 100 g milk
  • 20 ml vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • oil for deep-frying
Instructions
  1. 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.
  2. Shape into a ball and then cover with plastic wrapper and set aside in fridge overnight.
  3. In the next morning, bring the dough outside and set aside for around 2 hours until it is returned to room temperature.
  4. Heat the oil to around 200 degree C (400 degree F).
  5. 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).
  6. 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 Facts
Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller
Amount Per Serving
Calories 428 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 77mg26%
Sodium 588mg26%
Potassium 323mg9%
Carbohydrates 63g21%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 160IU3%
Calcium 132mg13%
Iron 4.2mg23%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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

Filed Under: Breakfast, Featured, Recipes

« Pickled Daikon Skin
Chinese Cured Pork Belly (Chinese Bacon) »

You may also like

Scallion oil noodles

Scallion Oil Noodles

homemade noodles

Homemade Handmade Noodles

vegan pot stickers|ChinaSichuanFood

Chinese Vegan Pot Stickers

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *






    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Vero Yang says

    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 says

      October 27, 2020 at 8:33 pm

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

      Reply
« Older Comments

Hi, Welcome!

Please not be limited by site name, as Elaine shares Chinese recipes beyond Sichuan dishes. Know me more from About Page

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe for Updates

Most Popular

Fried Mantou with Condensed Milk

fried mantou with condensed milk

Mini Sweet Bean Paste Buns

sweet red bean buns--simplified version

Chinese Braised Chicken (卤鸡)

braised chicken (master stock), super soft-6 copy

Chinese Pantry

homemade meat floss

Homemade Meat Floss

Black Bean Sauce—Homemade Spicy Version

Spicy Black Bean Sauce

Dou-Chi--Black bean paste

DouChi | Fermented Black Beans

Mei Fun—Rice Noodles

Mei Fun—Rice Noodles

ChinaSichuanFood.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use only images without prior permission. 图片和文字未经授权,禁止转载和使用。

Copyright © 2021 · Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in