How to Fry Banh Chung Without Oil
Step 1 – Cut the cake: You can use a knife or the very string that wraps the cake to cut it before frying. If using a knife, wrap it in a layer of food wrap to prevent sticking and crumbling.
Step 2 – Mash the cake: First, place a pan on the stove, add filtered water and bring it to a boil. Then, add the cut Banh Chung, making sure the water level is just enough to cover the cake. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes until the cake is soft. Next, mash the pieces of cake and form them into a thin block.
Step 3 – Fry the cake: Continue cooking until the water in the pan has completely evaporated and the cake block is stuck together and evenly mashed. Then, flip the cake and fry until both sides are golden. Adjust the heat to a medium level to avoid burning the cake. The most important thing is to ensure maximum contact between the cake and the pan, with sufficient heat.
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How to Fry Banh Chung Without Oil
Frying Banh Chung with an Air Fryer
This method of frying Banh Chung without oil is easy, less tedious, and keeps your kitchen free from oily odors. Simply follow these steps:
First, cut the cake into thick or thin slices, depending on your preference. Preheat the air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes before adding the Banh Chung. This step ensures even heat distribution, resulting in a golden-brown and crispy cake.
Line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper, and place the sliced Banh Chung on it. If you don’t have foil or paper, you can use the Dong leaf (a type of leaf used for wrapping the cake) as a liner.
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Frying Banh Chung Without Oil
Set the air fryer to 190 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes if you’re using a non-flip model. For a flip model, set it to 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. Then, check if the top of the cake is golden. If so, flip it and fry for another 10 minutes at 180 degrees. The temperature and time may vary depending on your air fryer model.
For a richer taste and crispier texture, brush the cake with a little oil before placing it in the air fryer.
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