Snack all of your worries away with delicious, satisfying, and easy Nigerian Buns at home!
What are Nigerian Buns? They’re popular African snacks that taste sweet. All you have to do is make the batter and deep fry it in hot oil for something crunchy on the outside yet soft on the inside.
It’s easy to cook it at home, especially when you want to enjoy the weekend with the family. I’m sure everyone will love how pleasant they taste and how comforting they are.
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Cooking Nigerian Buns is like making bread at home but they’re fried and shaped in balls. Let me tell you everything about this recipe so you can see what you’re missing out on!
How to Make Nigerian Buns
Nigerian Buns are essentially bread but instead of baking them in the oven, you will deep fry the batter. As long as you know how to make the batter, you won’t have any problems with this recipe.
Let’s start with the ingredients for Nigerian Buns.
Ingredients
Add these to your grocery list to make the Nigerian Buns batter:
Self-rising flour
To make Nigerian Buns extra light, puffy, and soft, use self-rising flour. It’s one of the best flours to use for this dish because it’s already a mix of baking powder and flour.
I suggest using self-rising flour because it also fries well in hot oil. It won’t make the buns soggy and it will actually make the food soft and tender with a slight crisp outside.
You can also use self-rising flour to cook Puff Puff, Vanilla Cake, and American Pancakes!
Granulated white sugar
Nigerian Buns have a signature sweet taste, so be sure to use granulated white sugar. Not only does it add flavor, but it also gives the buns a beautiful golden brown color.
Moreover, the sugar improves the gluten network of the batter to let it rise. It also keeps the buns moist and well-flavored even after cooking for the best snack yet.
Egg
In this recipe, the egg is an optional ingredient that you can use to further make the batter better, in flavor and in texture. It helps activate the flour to leaven the batter.
Your Nigerian Buns will surely be lighter with an egg in the batter. Just like the sugar, the egg will give the buns an even better color than you expect.
I especially love eggs for Scotch Eggs, Egg Rolls, and Fried Eggs!
Evaporated milk
Adding milk is a good way of adding moisture to the mixture. It will make the buns feel soft and tender, even after you take them out of the oil.
The milk will also add a subtle creamy flavor to the dish. Aside from evaporated milk, you can also use Almond Milk or other plant-based milk options as alternatives.
It is my secret ingredient for recipes like Mashed Potatoes, French Toast, and Pound Cake!
Baking powder
The baking powder in self-rising flour may not be enough, so why not add a little bit more baking powder to the batter? It’s an excellent leavening agent that will give buns their puffy shape.
Baking powder also allows the dough to expand as it deep fries, creating the impression of a large bun. I also use it to cook Nigerian Chin Chin, Sponge Cake, and Plantain Loaf.
Salt
Even a little bit of salt can go a long way. It tightens the gluten network to keep the shape of the buns even after deep frying. Slat also helps balance out all the flavors of the buns.
Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil is one of the best oils for deep-fried foods because of its high smoke point. It will certainly give the buns the best texture without making them soggy.
Isn’t it amazing how you can make an easy yet extraordinary dish from simple ingredients? Always use these to make the best Nigerian Buns ever!
Directions
Put on your apron, and let’s make some Nigerian Buns!
- Mix self-rising flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, egg, and evaporated milk in a bowl.
- Add water to form a thick batter.
- Mix everything with a spatula.
- Then, set it aside.
- Heat sunflower oil in a pot over a medium fire.
- Dip an ice cream scooper in the hot oil.
- Scoop out some batter and lower it into the oil.
- Wait for them to turn golden brown.
- Toss the buns in the oil with a skimmer.
- Once cooked, transfer them to a lined plate.
How did the Nigerian Buns turn out? From the crust to the crumbs, it is a delightful treat that can warm your heart and fill your stomach!
Tips
Self-Rising Flour
According to Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen, you can make self-rising flour by mixing all-purpose flour and baking powder. You can also add a bit of salt as an additional leavening agent like bicarbonate of soda.
Tips to Make Nigerian Buns
- One of the best tips for this recipe is to prepare the batter properly. It should be thick enough to separate as you fry it.
- In addition, remember to wait for the oil to heat up.
- Preheating oil can prevent the buns from sticking together and avoid oily buns.
- Cook the buns in batches to deep fry them properly. Turn the buns over in the oil to fry them all over.
- I suggest using a slotted turner to drain the oil.
Storing Nigerian Buns Batter
Keep the batter in a container or resealable bag and refrigerate it to use within two days. Before deep-frying, let it cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
You can also freeze the batter in freezer bags for several weeks.
Nigerian Buns Variations
There are many ways to make your Nigerian Buns fun and interesting!
If you want to give the buns more flavor, then you can add grated lime, nutmeg, vanilla extract, coconut flakes, butter, cinnamon, and other seasonings of your choice.
On the other hand, you can replace the milk with almond milk and the eggs with effective egg substitutes. However, note that this will likely change the texture and flavor of the buns.
Baked Nigerian Buns
Suppose you prefer to bake the buns, grease cupcakes, or muffin tins with butter, and scoop out some batter. Then, preheat the oven to 190°C for five minutes. Bake the buns for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
More Nigerian Snacks
- Coconut Buns – enjoy a whole new flavor with coconuts in the buns.
- Nigerian Chin Chin – here’s another classic snack with a crunch.
- Akara – it’s like buns but Akara is made with beans.
- Egg Rolls – give your eggs a whole new quality by turning them into rolls.
Recommended Tools
- Pot: Deep fry the butter in a pot of oil.
- Wooden spatula: Stir the ingredients together to form the batter.
- Ice cream scooper: Scoop out the batter for uniform-sized buns.
- Skimmer: Use the skimmer to cook the buns on all sides.
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How to Serve Nigerian Buns
In just twenty minutes, your Nigerian Buns are ready to serve!
You can serve these Nigerian buns as appetizers, snacks, or desserts. Eat these buns within two hours or before they become soggy outside.
Pair it with sauces and dips of your choice, such as chocolate syrup or ketchup. For added flavor, you can add Strawberry Jam or Peanut Butter for filling.
Alternatively, slice the buns into halves and pipe your preferred filling. The batter can even coat other food, such as hotdogs, hard-boiled eggs, and other ingredients appropriate for deep-fried pastry.
Here are some dishes and drinks you can serve with Nigerian Buns:
- Turmeric Tea – it will surely be a comforting meal with tea and the buns.
- Iced Coffee – enjoy your coffee time with buns on the side.
- Strawberry Jam – smear some jam on those buns for a sweet flavor.
- Banana Ice Cream – the Nigerian Buns will also go well with your desserts.
- Egusi Soup – relish savory soups with buns as your side dish.
Storage Tips
At room temperature: Keep the buns in a container at room temperature to eat within a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between puff puff and buns?
Most of the ingredients of puff puff and buns are the same but puff puff usually uses yeast. The puff puff is also more elastic which means it is lighter while the buns are more dense and richer.
Why is my buns too hard?
There are several reasons why the buns are too firm. It may be due to overmixing, lack of moisture, overcooking, and improper rising.
Why is my buns soaking oil?
Oily and soggy buns are likely caused by cooking them in oil that’s not hot enough. You need to heat the oil over medium fire to prepare it for deep frying.
Is buns business profitable?
Buns can be a profitable business but it will depend on other factors such as demand, competition, cost, pricing, and marketing.
Nigerian Buns (Plus Video)
Ingredients
- 2 cups self-raising flour
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- 1 egg (optional)
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- ¼ cup water
- 1 pinch baking powder
- 1 pinch sea salt
- sunflower oil (enough to deep fry)
Instructions
- Make the batter. Combine the self-raising flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, egg, and evaporated milk in a bowl. Add water and mix thoroughly until it forms a thick batter. Set it aside.
- Cook the buns. Heat sunflower oil in a pot over a medium fire. Dip an ice cream scoop in the hot oil. Scoop out some batter and lower it into the oil. Wait for them to turn brown. Deep fry the buns and turn them over in the oil occasionally. Total frying time can take between 10 to 15 minutes. Once golden brown, transfer them into a lined plate or container to drain excess oil.
Video
Notes
- Use the seasoning of your choice to make the buns more flavorful.
- Use a deep pot to cook the buns properly.
- Wait for the oil to heat up before frying the batter.
Nutrition
