Puto Bigas, made with rice flour and coconut milk, are soft, fluffy, and tasty! These Filipino steamed rice cakes are delicious on their own or paired with savory dishes such as pancit and dinuguan.
I have recipes for morcon and kilawing labanos atay ready to publish in my draft box, but since I posted my dinuguan a couple of days ago, I thought the best follow-up would be its perennial pair: puto. Because what's better to serve with hearty and savory pork blood stew than soft and fluffy steamed rice cakes?
What is Puto
Puto is a popular Filipino steamed rice cake usually enjoyed as a filling midday snack or as an accompaniment to savory dishes.
Although all-purpose flour, cake flour, or even hotcake mixes are used for puto cake or cheese puto, traditional putong puti is made by soaking rice grains in water overnight and then processing them into a smooth batter called galapong. The fermented rice batter is then steamed in banana-lined bamboo platters (bilao) or individual molds.
Leavening agents, such as baking powder or yeast, are used to give the batter a rise. Coconut milk provides moisture, while sugar adds sweetness, and a sprinkling of salt balances the flavors.
Over the years, home cooks have spun these native cakes into a wide variety of delicious dishes by adding pandan or ube extracts or by topping them with slices of cheese or salted duck eggs.
How to Make Puto with Rice Flour
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth and blended. Strain the mixture using a fine-mesh sieve to remove lumps.
- While you can steam the rice batter as soon as you make it, I highly recommend refrigerating it first overnight before steaming. It makes for a softer, fluffier, and less crumbly texture.
- I find it unnecessary to grease the molds. Just allow the puto to cool enough before removing it from the molds to prevent it from falling apart.
- Cover the steamer lid with cheesecloth or another cotton material to prevent condensation from dripping onto the steamed muffins.
- Adjust the steam time based on the size of the molds or ramekins used. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the steamed cake is done.
Helpful Tip
To create the cracks on top, make sure the water is rapidly boiling before placing the puto in the steamer and steam on high heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Filipino puto gluten-free?
It depends on the recipe. Some puto varieties are made with wheat flour, but this particular recipe for putong puti, or bigas, uses rice flour only and is gluten-free.
Serving suggestions and storage instructions
- Serve this Filipino delicacy on its own or as a side to other dishes such as dinuguan, pancit palabok, or chicken sopas.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container; they will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, warm in the microwave for a few seconds or in the steamer for about 3 to 5 minutes until softened.
More Snack Recipes
Ingredients
- 4 cups rice flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups water
- 1 can (13.5 ounces) coconut milk
- non-stick cooking spray or melted butter
Equipment
- Steamer
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine rice flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until distributed.
- Add water and coconut milk. Stir until smooth and well-blended. Strain using a fine-mesh sieve.
- Cover with film and refrigerate overnight.
- Pour batter into molds up to ¾ full.
- In the bottom part of the steamer, add water and bring to a boil. Arrange filled puto molds in a single layer on the steamer basket. Place steamer basket over the bottom part. Wrap lid of the steamer with cheesecloth or any cotton material (to prevent condensation from dripping onto puto) and cover steamer.
- Steam for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool and gently remove puto from the molds.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Daniii says
Helo pwde po ba oven gamit ko kaso ang temparature na pwde is 100celsius lng sa steam ok lng po ba yan .. ikang minutes kya bago maluto?
Patricia Ann De Guzman says
Hello, can I use this recipe in making puto cake?
The one with salted eggs and cheese? I prefer the taste of this (with rice flour) than the one with only cake flour.
Aurora Damasa says
Hi there, I like to make this recipe, puto puti but can I put ube powder in this recipe. Thanks
walaakongname says
wala po akong comment hehe
Julie Abarintos says
yung rice flour po sa puto recipe, same lang po ba yun sa glutinous rice flour?
Pwde din po ba milk instead of water ang ilagay?
Lalaine Manalo says
Hindi po. Use regular rice flour po at hindi sticky.
Teresita Buaquen says
Instead of steaming can we bake your recipes and also add 3 eggs
ivy says
maam after take out sa fridge pwede na ba steam right away or need pa i leave nang few minutes in room temperature?
Glenn says
Can I use giniling na bigas as a rice flour?
Kay says
Hello! Do I still need to use a cloth on the lid with a bamboo steamer?
Nene Dizon says
Can u sent me a receipie of rice flour puto and ingredients
Rose Borcena says
Tried it today and I love it.
DORY says
HI, thank you for sharing. i just realized i bought glutinous rice instead of rice. would it be as good? thanks
Vicky says
Hi Ms Lalaine, what brand of rice flour do you regularly used? Thank you😊
Mel says
Good day Lalaine!
Do you have a recipe of puto pao using rice flour? I usually found recipes using cake flour or all purpose flour. I want to try this recipe of yours using rice flour in making puto pao. I hope you have to share. Thanks!
Mel
ichirako says
Hello Ms. Lalaine! I would just like to ask if regular milk (or any milk) with suffice with this recipe or is it really a must for the coconut milk? Is it possible for an alternative? Thank you!
Heide says
Hi Ms. Lalaine, is it ok po ba na later na ma-luto yung puto maski na-refrigerate na sya nang overnight, or kailangan lutuin agad kinabukasan.