Nigerian Coconut Buns Recipe

You are bound to love snacking more when you have freshly cooked, flavorful, and satisfying Nigerian Coconut Buns!

They’re not ordinary buns because they’re infused with nutty and fruity coconuts. Once you taste them, you’ll realize why they’re so popular in Nigeria.

Unlike other buns, it’s a deep-fried recipe that gives you a golden brown, crunchy, and crisp delicacy. Every bite brings so much flavor and quality to your meals.

As long as you know how to cook Nigerian Coconut Buns, you will always have a dish to serve as a snack, appetizer, side dish, or dessert.

In this blog, you will learn about the unique flavors of Nigerian Coconut Buns, what makes them unique, and how to make them at home!

How to Make Nigerian Coconut Buns

How simple is it to make Nigerian Coconut Buns? First, you need to prepare the batter with the right ingredients and seasonings. All that’s left is some deep frying until they’re crispy and golden.

It’s time to surprise your family with the best Nigerian Coconut Buns!

Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to make Nigerian Coconut Buns:

Coconut

Can you really infuse your buns with the flavor of coconuts? Of course, you can!

Coconuts are delicious, healthy, and versatile fruits with coconut meat and water. These also have a fruit, nutty, and sweet taste. Indeed, they are some of the best fruits for food and drink recipes. 

The coconut meat is thick and dense, and you can use it for many dishes. Moreover, you can blend it to make a rich and creamy puree. On the other hand, coconut water has a mildly sweet taste. 

There are so many ways to use coconuts. Once you open it, you already get the coconut meat and the coconut water. You can turn them into chips, fried rice, cake, and even milk.

Plain flour

With the help of plain flour, you can easily get the shape that buns should have. Its gluten network makes it possible for the batter to expand and cook inside and out.

It makes the buns crisp outside yet still moist on the inside. The plain flour is the base ingredient that holds everything together. I also use this flour for Crispy Fish Fillet, Flat Chin Chin, and Chicken Pie!

Powdered milk 

Buns are always better when they have a milky and creamy quality to them. The powdered milk also gives the buns a golden brown color as they fry to perfection.

The milk can even keep the buns tender inside. Adding in the milk powder will also keep the crumbs of the buns light, airy, and fluffy – just as they should be.

Baking powder

You can’t make Nigerian Coconut Buns without baking powder. It’s a powerful leavening agent that makes the buns airy and puffy. The baking powder gives you a pastry quality once you bite into the buns.

As the baking powder expands the batter, it will also form the shape of the buns as they cook in the oil. I also use it to cook Nigerian Chin Chin, which is another snack you should try.

Eggs

Don’t forget to add a binding ingredient. In this case, I suggest using eggs because of how effective they are in combining everything together.

In fact, the eggs can give the buns an extra puffy quality. They also give a richer flavor and texture to make the buns look, taste, and feel better.

Butter 

You know what they say, everything is better with some butter. Aside from making the dish smell incredible, the butter also improves the quality of the crumbs.

It works with the eggs and sugar to give the dish a good level of moisture. You will certainly feel and taste the difference when you use butter.

Seasoning

Improve the overall flavor of the Nigerian Coconut Buns with sugar, nutmeg, and sea salt! These can intensify the flavor of the coconuts for tasty buns.

You will need some spices to balance the flavor of the coconuts. Even if added in small amounts, these can still make a big difference in the recipe.

Coconut oil

Just when you think you can’t get enough coconuts, deep fry the batter in coconut oil. This oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point for deep frying!

Always have these in stock to cook the best Nigerian Coconut Buns every time! 

Directions

Check out this simple guide on how I make Nigerian Coconut Buns at home:

Make the coconut milk

1. Puree the coconut meat with coconut water and drinking water in a blender. 
2. Pour the content into a nut milk bag or sieve over a glass bowl.
3. Then, squeeze out the coconut milk and set it aside.

Prepare the batter

1. Mix plain flour, sugar, powdered milk, desiccated coconut, baking powder, nutmeg, and sea salt in a bowl with a spatula.
2. Add the eggs, butter, and coconut milk in the middle.
3. Mix the wet and dry batter.
4. Then, gradually add more coconut milk. 
5. Mix until you get a thick and stretchy texture.

Deep fry the buns

1. Heat coconut oil in a pot or deep frying pan over medium fire.
2. Scoop out the batter and deep fry the buns. 
3. Then, turn them over with a skewer.
4. Fry until golden brown. 
5. Remove them from the oil with a skimmer spoon.

After trying one bun, you won’t get enough of these Nigerian Coconut Buns! It amazes me how flaky and light it is at the same time. Every bun is a source of happiness!

Tips

Coconuts

Buying coconuts

• Oh The Thing We’ll Make suggests buying coconuts with sloshing sounds inside for lots of coconut water.
• Ensure that the fruit’s eyes do not have discoloration or foul odor.
• Also, choose ones that feel heavy for their size.

Storing coconuts

• Store whole coconuts at room temperature for several weeks. 
• Once opened, put them in resealable bags to refrigerate for a week.
• Freeze them to extend their shelf life.

Preparing coconuts

According to Food Network, here are easy steps on how to open coconuts: 

1. Locate and poke the soft eye of the coconut with a skewer or knife.
2. Pour out the coconut water into a glass. 
3. Then, crack around the fruit with a hammer.
4. Peel the coconut with a peeler or knife.
5. Chop the coconut meat if desired.

No-Blender Coconut Milk

If you don’t have a blender, then you can also use a food processor, miller, grater, or mortar and pestle. Instead of a nut milk bag, use a cheesecloth to filter the contents. 

Otherwise, replace coconut milk with organic coconut milk from the grocery store! 

Nigerian Coconut Buns Variations

Did you find the classic Nigerian Coconut Buns delicious? Wait until you taste other variations that they come in!

Instead of plain flour, you can use oat flour or gluten-free flour for healthier alternatives. Use alternative ingredients for those that are best for your diet. 

Moreover, season it with your preferred sweeteners or spices for better overall flavor. You can replace sugar with maple syrup, honey, or even stevia.

Always try different ways you improve the buns to make your own version!

More Coconut Recipes

• Nigerian Coconut Egg Rolls – eggs and coconuts have never tasted better together.
• Coconut Puff Puff – here’s another deep-fried recipe you should try.
• Coconut Fried Rice – even rice tastes better with a touch of coconuts.
• Coconut Milk – turn coconuts into multi-purpose milk.
• Desiccated Coconut – dry and grind the coconut meat to make it last longer.
• Coconut Chips (Flakes) – snack with coconuts by making chips at home.

Recommended Tools

• Pot or deep frying pan: Cook the Nigerian Coconut Buns in a pot or deep frying pan.
• Blender: Make the coconut milk using a blender.
• Nutmilk bag: Filter contents with a nutmilk bag.
• Glass bowl: Prepare the batter and coconut water in glass bowls.
• Silicone spatula: Mix the ingredients using a spatula.
• Skewer: Toss the buns in the oil with a skewer.
• Skimmer spoon: Remove them from the heat with a skimmer spoon.

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How to Serve Nigerian Coconut Buns

What are the different ways you can serve Nigerian Coconut Buns?

Instead of eating them as they are, you can turn them into a whole new meal. If you slice them in half, then you can add in any filling or spread that you like. It can be an on-the-go meal for lunch or snacks.

I also suggest turning them into small burger buns by adding in lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and even small beef patties. The buns can also serve as the base for hot dogs and sausages.

Your favorite soups and stews will also taste better when you serve buns on the side. They go with lots of breakfast dishes like eggs, bacon, and chicken. You can also grill or toast them for an extra crunch.

You can serve Nigerian Coconut Buns for breakfast, snacks, or desserts. These are also perfect for celebrations and weekends to give everyone a great time. 

• Iced Coffee – enjoy the buns in the morning with a coffee drink.
• Strawberry Jam – use the jam as a filling for the buns.
• Coconut Milk – can’t get enough of coconuts?
• Ewedu Soup – lots of soups and stews will taste better with buns on the side.
• Plantain Porridge – have a warm and soothing porridge with your buns.

Storage Tips

At room temperature: Keep the Nigerian Coconut Buns in an airtight container. These can last up to three days at room temperature. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are coconut buns healthy?

Yes, coconut buns are healthy. They’re loaded with the freshness of coconuts to help with weight loss, heart health, energy, brain function, immunity, and more! With the added health benefits of other ingredients, coconut buns are certainly good for you!

Which flour is best for buns?

Aside from plain flour, you can also use bread or flour to make buns. These certainly give the buns a fluffy and light texture. Moreover, add baking powder to give the batter a beautiful rise.

How do you make your buns moister?

In this recipe, the buns become moist because of the coconut milk, eggs, and butter. They also make the buns soft, light, and satisfying!