Warm the water in the microwave for thirty seconds. Add the sugar, and canola oil to a medium-sized bowl, and add in the active dry yeast. Mix ingredients until the active dry yeast are dissolved. Let the yeast mixture rest for five minutes or until bubbly.
Place all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder in the mixing bowl and mix using a wire whisk. Attach the mixing bowl to the electric stand mixer and attach the hook attachment. Add in the yeast mixture and mix at low speed until the yeast mixture and the flour mixture starts to combine. Scrape the flour on the sides of the bowl and change the speed to medium. Continue mixing until the dough forms, This takes about seven to eight minutes of mixing. The dough will be wet, so add in bout 1/8 cup of all purpose flour for easy handle..
Remove the dough from the bowl and brush the bowl with oil. Form the dough into a ball and put it back in the oil bowl. Turn the Bao Bun dough to coat with the oil. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place to rise for one hour.
After an hour, sprinkle your working space with flour and form the dough into a log and divide the dough using a dough cutter. This recipe yields five pieces of buns. Fill the dough with homemade filling and seal. Cut parchment paper into 5 pieces. And place it under the dough. Line the dough into the Instant Pot dehydrating tray and let it rest for another thirty minutes.
Add three cups of water into the inner pot. Place the steamer rack and cover with a pressure cooker lid. Set the timer to three minutes and push the steam button.