Fluffy Filipino Puto – No Oven, No Yeast Needed!
Chef RV Manabat adapted by JojoM
Make soft and fluffy Filipino puto at home—no yeast, no oven required! This easy steamed rice cake recipe uses flour, milk, and butter, with optional cheese toppings for a perfect merienda or party snack.
Fluffy Filipino Puto – No Oven, No Yeast Needed! 🥮✨
If there’s one Filipino snack that brings instant comfort and nostalgia, it’s puto—the beloved steamed rice cake often paired with dinuguan or enjoyed as a sweet merienda treat. The best part? You don’t need an oven or yeast to make these soft, fluffy delights at home. Chef RV’s version keeps things simple with pantry staples like flour, milk, butter, and baking powder.
Whether you’re serving them plain, topped with cheese, or flavored with ube and pandan, this Filipino steamed cake recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. 💛
Why You’ll Love This Puto Recipe 💡
- No oven required – just a bamboo or metal steamer.
- Quick & easy – ready in less than 30 minutes.
- Soft and fluffy – thanks to baking powder instead of yeast.
- Customizable – add cheese, pandan, or ube flavor for variety.
- Perfect for any occasion – from family merienda to party snacks.
Chef’s Tips for Perfect Puto 🧑🍳
- Mold alternatives: No puto molds? Use small ramekins, llanera, or even aluminum cups.
- Flavors & colors: Try ube extract, pandan essence, or even matcha for creative twists.
- Prevent sogginess: If not using a bamboo steamer, line your steamer lid with cheesecloth to stop condensation from dripping onto the cakes.
- Timing matters: Steam for 10–15 minutes (depending on mold size) and avoid lifting the lid too early for the fluffiest results.
- Serving idea: Best enjoyed warm with butter or alongside savory dishes like dinuguan.
A Filipino Classic Made Simple 🇵🇭
Traditionally, puto was made with fermented rice batter, giving it a tangy depth of flavor. But this modern shortcut version uses cake flour (or all-purpose flour), making it more convenient while still keeping that signature fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
And of course, no Filipino party is complete without cheese-topped puto—a salty-sweet bite that both kids and adults love! 🧀
When to Serve Puto 🎉
- As a merienda snack with coffee or hot chocolate ☕
- Alongside savory dishes like dinuguan or pancit 🍜
- For fiestas and holidays, served on a banana leaf-lined tray 🎊
- As a lunchbox treat for kids that stays soft even the next day
This easy puto recipe proves that you don’t need complicated ingredients or special equipment to make a Filipino favorite. With just a steamer and a few simple steps, you’ll have a tray of fluffy, golden-white cakes ready to share with family and friends.
👉 Try it with cheese on top, or go bold with ube and pandan versions for a festive spread! 🌈
Fluffy Filipino Puto – No Oven, No Yeast Needed!
Chef RV Manabat adapted by JojoMMake soft and fluffy Filipino puto at home—no yeast, no oven required! This easy steamed rice cake recipe uses flour, milk, and butter, with optional cheese toppings for a perfect merienda or party snack.
Chef's Tips
In the absence of puto molds, use aluminum cups or small Pyrex ramekins.
Add ube flavoring or pandan essence for extra flavor and color.
Line a metal steamer lid with cheesecloth to prevent condensation if not using bamboo.
Steam until the tops are firm, about 10–15 minutes depending on mold size.
Tools Used
Wire Whisk
Ice Cream Scooper
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Ingredients
Batter
Optional Toppings
Instructions
Prepare Batter
- 1
In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- 2
Add water, evaporated milk, and melted butter. Mix just until smooth—do not overmix.
Steam the Puto
- 1
Fill ungreased puto molds with batter using an ice cream scooper.
- 2
Place molds in a bamboo steamer to reduce condensation. If unavailable, use a regular steamer with a towel-lined lid.
- 3
Steam over high heat for 10–15 minutes. Avoid opening the lid during steaming to maintain temperature.
- 4
After 5 minutes of steaming, optionally add a small cheese slice on top of each puto.
- 5
Once firm and fluffy, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before unmolding.
Serving Suggestions
- 1
Serve warm with a spread of butter or paired with Dinuguan (Filipino pork blood stew).
- 2
Store in an airtight container if not consuming immediately.
Comments & Reviews
Liza S.
8/12/2024
Tried this with ube flavoring and cheese—super fluffy and delicious! Thank you Chef RV!
Mark A.
11/8/2024
Love how simple this was to make without yeast or oven. A hit at our merienda!
Tin G.
4/1/2025
Thanks for the tip about bamboo steamer. It really made a difference with texture!
Carla D.
Invalid Date
I made this for my kids’ snack box and they loved it—soft even the next day.
Jerome V.
7/2/2025
Perfect with coffee in the morning! Will try pandan next time.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 60g)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
