Fluffy Filipino Puto – No Oven, No Yeast Needed!

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 and 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! 🌈