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No-Knead Bak Kwa/Pork Jerky Garlic Knots

written by Marvellina Updated: January 24, 2023
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Soft and fluffy buttery and garlicky knots are studded with tiny pieces of Chinese pork jerky /bak kwa made with an easy no-knead dough. These are a fun twist to the popular garlic knots/garlic bread.

No-Knead Bak Kwa/Pork Jerky Garlic Knots

Bak kwa/pork jerky garlic knots are a delicious and popular variation of “traditional” garlic bread knots. They are typically made by taking small pieces of dough, shaping them into knots, and then baking them until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. The addition of pieces of bak kwa or pork jerky to the dough adds some savory goodness and some texture to the bite.

Why you’ll love this recipe

1. It’s a no-knead dough that yields soft and fluffy buns/bread
2. It is buttery and garlicky and it’s great biting into tiny pieces of bak kwa (at least to me!)
3. The crust is slightly crisp because of the butter mixture and the inside remains soft and fluffy

Ingredients

1. All-purpose flour
It is called all-purpose flour in the U.S. but you can use any flour with medium-gluten content
2. Yeast
You can use active dry yeast or instant yeast
3. Egg
Egg contributes to a moist and rich dough. You can also replace with plain whole-milk yogurt for an eggless option I have tried both with great success
4. Milk
I use whole milk, but you can use low-fat milk or other non-dairy milk. Just take note that the fat in the milk also helps to keep the buns moist and softer longer
5. Melted butter
I used unsalted butter. You can also replace with healthier oil
6. Sugar
I use granulated sugar. It adds some sweetness to the dough, but not too much since this is more of a savory bun. But I encourage you not to omit sugar altogether
7. Salt
I use fine sea salt
8. Bak kwa/pork jerky
You can use homemade bak kwa or store-bought bak kwa.

No-Knead Bak Kwa/Pork Jerky Garlic Knots

How to bake bak kwa garlic knots

1. If you use active dry yeast, combine it with water and a small pinch of sugar and let it blooms for 10 minutes. The mixture will be foamy. If you use instant yeast, you can skip this step

2. Combine the flour, salt, sugar, cilantro leaves, instant yeast (if using). Stir to combine.

3. Make a well in the middle and add milk, lightly beaten egg, yeast mixture (if using active dry yeast), bak kwa pieces, and melted butter. Use a spatula to stir to combine into a dough that is slightly sticky to the touch. Just make sure there are no more pockets of flour in the dough. The mixture won’t be smooth at this time. Cover and let it rest for 20 minutes

4. After 20 minutes, use the spatula to fold the edge toward the center of the dough. Do this all around the dough, about 15-20 times. This step is to strengthen the dough, so please do not skip. The dough will be smoother too after this round

5. Cover the dough and let it proof until double in size at a warm place. This may take about one hour or so, depending on the temperature.

6. Once the dough has doubled, use a spatula to fold the dough several times again to degas (or punch down the dough to release gas).

7. Lightly oil your palms and divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Cover and let the dough rest for 15 minutes so they are easier to be rolled out

6. Working with one dough at a time, take one dough and roll it out into a rope, about 20 cm (8-inch long)

7. Tie it into a knot and tuck the extra dough underneath. Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the dough


8. Prepare the topping by mixing all ingredients for topping together and set aside. Place the shaped dough in a warm place to let them proof again until about 1.5 x puffier than the original, this may take 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on temperature. 10 minutes before the end of proofing, preheat the oven to 400 F (204 C) for a conventional oven, 380 F (195 C) for a convection oven

9. Brush the surface of the knots with half of the toppings and place the baking sheet on the middle rack and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown

10. When they are out of the oven, brush the buns with the remaining butter mixture

11. Serve them while they are warm

No-Knead Bak Kwa/Pork Jerky Garlic Knots

Did you make this no-knead bak kwa garlic knots recipe?

I love it when you guys snap a photo and tag it to show me what you’ve made. Simply tag me @WhatToCookToday #WhatToCookToday on Instagram and I’ll be sure to stop by and take a peek for real

No-Knead Bak Kwa/Pork Jerky Garlic Knots
No-Knead Bak Kwa/Pork Jerky Garlic Knots

No-Knead Bak Kwa/Pork Jerky Garlic Knots

Prep Time 35 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Proof the dough twice: 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins
Servings 8 knots
Please rate the recipe if you have tried it!
REVIEW & RATE PRINT

Ingredients

Activate the yeast if using active dry yeast (skip if using instant yeast):

  • 1 tsp active dry yeast
  • Pinch of sugar
  • 1 Tbsp water

For the dough:

  • 250 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp finely minced cilantro leaves
  • 20 g sugar
  • 3 g salt
  • 55 g egg weight of one egg without the shell. See notes
  • 100 g whole milk 115 g if using instant yeast
  • 30 g unsalted melted butter plus more for brushing
  • 60 g bak kwa cut into very fine pieces

For topping:

  • 20 g unsalted melted butter
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced or grated
  • Small pinch of salt

Instructions
 

Prepare the dough:

  • If you use an active dry yeast, combine it with water and small pinch of sugar and let it blooms for 10 minutes. The mixture will be foamy. If you use instant yeast, you can skip this step
  • Combine the flour, salt, sugar, cilantro leaves, instant yeast (if using). Stir to combine. Make a well in the middle and add milk, lightly beaten egg, yeast mixture (if using active dry yeast), bak kwa pieces, and melted butter. Use a spatula to stir to combine into a dough that is slightly sticky to touch. Just make sure there are no more pockets of flour in the dough. The mixture won't be smooth at this time. Cover and let it rest for 20 minutes
  • After 20 minutes, use the spatula to fold the edge toward the center of the dough. Do this all around the dough, about 15-20 times. This step is to strengthen the dough, so please do not skip. The dough will be smoother too after this round

First proofing:

  • Cover the dough and let it proof until double in size at a warm place. This may take about one hour or so, depending on the temperature

Shaping:

  • Once the dough has doubled, use a spatula to fold the dough several times again to degas (or punch down the dough to release gas)
  • Lightly oil your palms and divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Cover and let the dough rest for 15 minutes so they are easier to be rolled out
  • Working with one dough at a time, take one dough and roll it out into a rope, about 20 cm (8-inch long). Tie it into a knot and tuck the extra dough under neath. Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the dough

Final proofing:

  • Prepare the topping by mixing all ingredients for topping together and set aside
  • Place the shaped dough at a warm place to let them proof again until about 1.5 x puffier than the original, this may take 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on temperature. 10 minutes before the end of proofing, preheat the oven to 400 F (204 C) for a conventional oven, 380 F (195 C) for a convection oven
  • Brush the surface of the knots with half of the toppings and place the baking sheet on the middle rack and bake for 15 minutes, rotate halfway throughout baking
  • When they are out of the oven, brush the buns with the remaining butter mixture. The buns won't be shiny because we don't use egg wash. The outside will be slightly crisp because we brushed with butter before baking. The inside remains soft and fluffy. So good!

To serve:

  • Serve them while they are warm

How to store:

  • Let them cool down completely and then store in air-tight container or plastic bag, push all the air out and seal. They can be kept at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for about 1 month for the best result. Simply thaw at room temperature and reheat in the microwave for a few seconds until warm

RECOMMEDED TOOLS

Mixing Bowl
digital kitchen scale
digital kitchen scale

Marv’s Recipe Notes

  1. You can also replace with same amount of whole-milk plain yogurt instead of using an egg

*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*

Nutrition Facts
No-Knead Bak Kwa/Pork Jerky Garlic Knots
Serving Size
 
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
222
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
8
g
12
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Trans Fat
 
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Cholesterol
 
44
mg
15
%
Sodium
 
365
mg
16
%
Potassium
 
124
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
29
g
10
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
 
217
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
 
0.1
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
28
mg
3
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how you like this recipe and consider rating it! Tag me @whattocooktoday I’d love to see your photos/videos on Instagram
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