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    Home » Nigerian snacks » How To Make Nigerian buns in Easy Steps

    Published: Jul 28, 2015 · Modified: Apr 23, 2020 by Ajoke

    How To Make Nigerian buns in Easy Steps

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    There is a reason this Nigerian buns recipe is popular on the blog! it works, it is absolutely delicious and more importantly easy to make. Come on, let me get you hooked to the buns thang too

    image of nigerian buns placed on old newspaper. One of the buns is already bitten to show the spongy inside

    I have been banned at home from making any more Nigerian buns, except if it’s going to be a gift or for business purposes. I make it a lot and I tell you, somebody’s waistline is not smiling at all. I’m sure you are thinking why am I starting this post with the negatives? I tell you what! These buns are very addictive and you have to be much disciplined to say no to eating them.

    Nigerian bun is the brother of Nigerian puff puff.  This Nigerian bun is rocky and crunchy outside and spongy when you break into it. It is very easy to make but can be quite tricky also if it isn’t done well or the dough overworked.

    Nigerian buns are loved by all and you have a choice, if you don’t like it then you must love its brother puff puff. I’m yet to come across a Nigerian that doesn’t love both or one out of the two. I love both puff puff and buns but in terms of oil consumption, I prefer buns as it doesn’t soak up so much oil when frying.

    It is one of the popular street snacks in Nigeria and it is best enjoyed with a very chilled drink. You can add milk to the ingredients listed below and you can also skip the egg part.

    This recipe is easily adaptable and easy to make. Also, the recipe requires nutmeg but I didn’t have it when I made this hence the use of vanilla essence. Like I said earlier, you can get addicted to this snack so do eat in moderation. This recipe can be served as party snacks, picnic and it is also loved by the kids too.

    Alright, my lovelies let’s get on to making the best Nigerian buns ever.

    over head shot of six fried dough balls

    Ingredients

    400g all-purpose flour

    3tbsp of butter

    1tbs baking powder

    100g sugar, substitute with honey

    1tsp salt

    100-150ml water

    1 egg

    Vanilla extract (optional)

    Vegetable oil for frying

    How to make Nigerian Buns

    Add all the dry ingredients with the butter in a bowl and mix to form crumble.

    Add the egg and water and mix to form a thick stretchy batter, then add water to the flour in bits till you achieve the desired consistency. Do not overwork the batter

    Place a shallow pan on medium heat, add vegetable oil and allow to heat up till hot

    By dropping in a small batter, test the oil for readiness. If the batter floats atop, then it's ready.

    Carefully drop the batter in the hot oil in batches but don’t overcrowd the oil.

    Reduce the heat and fry the buns till golden brown and well done

    Repeat this process until you have exhausted the whole batter mix.

    Tip: reduce the heat each time you are frying a new batch then turn the heat back up to for even cooking. This way the buns doesn't turn brown quickly without cooking through. Thank me later lol

    process shot of how to make buns in 4 different images

    Use a slotted spoon and transfer the buns on a paper towel. Serve buns cool or cold with any chilled soft drinks of choice or iced water.

    buns on newspaper.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 23 votes

    How to make Nigerian Buns

    What is not to love about Nigerian Buns? Crunchy on the outside, fluffy and spongy on the inside. Buns is another popular snack in Nigeria, it is made with few ingredients and very easy to make too. You can make this recipe vegan or vegetarian friendly with few smart swaps.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: African, Nigerian
    Keyword: How to make Nigerian buns, Nigerian Buns
    Servings: 5
    Author: Ajoke

    Ingredients

    • 400 g all-purpose flour
    • 3 tbsp of butter
    • 1 tbsp baking powder
    • 100 g sugar substitute with honey
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 100-150 ml water
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tsp Vanilla extract optional
    • Vegetable oil for frying

    Instructions

    • Add all the dry ingredients with the butter in a bowl and mix to form crumble.
    • Add the egg and water and mix to form a thick stretchy batter, then add water to the flour in bits till you achieve the desired consistency. Do not overwork the batter
    • Place a shallow pan on medium heat, add vegetable oil and allow to heat up till hot (About 3 inches high)
    • Drop little batter into the oil to test if it's hot enough for use. If the batter floats atop, then it's ready. 
      You can fry this in a deep fryer at 180C
    • Carefully drop the batter in the hot oil in batches but don’t overcrowd the oil.
    • Reduce the heat and fry the buns till golden brown and well done
    • Repeat this process until you have exhausted the whole batter mix.

    Notes

    Tip:

    reduce the heat each time you are frying a new batch then turn the heat back up to for even cooking. This way the buns don't turn brown quickly without cooking through
    Image of nigerian buns

    See how easy this recipe is. If you would prefer softer buns then you should try this recipe here

    If you made this recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback. Tag me on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julee says

      May 09, 2022 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this recipe, I've always had issues with my buns it doesn't look crunchy on the outside, It used to be smooth but when i tried this recipe and it came out excellently 👍

      Reply
    2. Ajokeade says

      April 20, 2022 at 4:04 pm

      Thank you so much

      Reply
    3. Aisha Ujunwa says

      April 12, 2022 at 9:26 am

      Thank you ma for the informations I'm guard ma

      Reply
    4. Mear sac says

      April 11, 2022 at 9:53 am

      It is really an enjoyable and easy process

      Reply
    5. Mary says

      March 26, 2022 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      This is well detailed and it suits me but how many buns can we make with 400g flour

      Reply
    6. Evelyn says

      December 21, 2021 at 12:35 pm

      How can imake it last longer

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        January 03, 2022 at 11:00 am

        Buns can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days in a freezer bag. Reheat in the microwave, air fryer, or oven before consuming.

        Reply
    7. Oghenekevwe says

      October 08, 2021 at 7:43 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for this recipe! It made a satisfying breakfast for my family.

      Reply
    8. ALOR EVELYN says

      October 04, 2021 at 2:26 pm

      WHAT IS DIFFERENT B/W BAKING POWDER AND YEAST

      Reply
    9. Doris says

      August 20, 2021 at 6:58 am

      thank you for the recipe

      Reply
    10. Annie says

      August 18, 2021 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      I've been using yeast as a recipe buh since i followed up its been coming out great. Thank you so much ma'am. We love you!

      Reply
      • Jj says

        October 02, 2021 at 6:54 pm

        By using yeast you are making puff- puff not buns

        Reply
    11. Emirich says

      August 16, 2021 at 7:19 pm

      Am gonna try this,i would love to be reading how to prepare nigerian foods when reading this site thankyou very much.

      Reply
    12. Michelle says

      July 31, 2021 at 11:45 am

      It is really good. Thanks, i really enjoyed it.

      Reply
    13. Rhoda says

      July 14, 2021 at 9:35 pm

      Thank you so much good job well done. Can you please help us to transfer the kg measurements to cup for those of us that do not have scale. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Ndifreke says

        August 06, 2021 at 7:53 am

        Dear sister Ajoke, is it really necessary to use nut meg or vanilla flavour in buns? What, if they are not used?

        Reply
        • Ajoke says

          August 17, 2021 at 9:26 pm

          Hello, nutmegs or vanilla is added to flavour the buns, you can omit it if you want.

          Reply
    14. Fatima says

      July 02, 2021 at 1:17 pm

      Thank you very much,,,I will try this one day

      Reply
    15. Sonia says

      June 19, 2021 at 1:17 pm

      Ajoke thanks very much God bless you dear?

      Reply
    16. Favymitchelle says

      June 19, 2021 at 12:19 pm

      Thanks ma'm for the recipe, u made my day ,I'm a lover of snacks, I was able to work by ur recipe to produce my first HOMEMADE NIGERIAN PUFF PUFF. 😂😂

      Reply
    17. Oluwaseun says

      May 27, 2021 at 11:19 am

      This is wonderful and very detailed! But I wanna know if a baking method can fit into it instead of frying

      Many thanks Sis!

      Reply
    18. Funke says

      May 26, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      God bless you for this excellent post! I just had a really satisfying supper 😊

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        May 26, 2021 at 2:07 pm

        God bless you too and thanks for the feedback.

        Reply
    19. Nwosu chinny says

      May 22, 2021 at 6:03 pm

      i and my sister just tried this out and trust me, it came out beautiful. did i mention it was our first time too?
      Thanks Ajoke🌼🌼

      Reply
    20. Chioma says

      April 10, 2021 at 12:06 pm

      Nice recipe thanks ajoke i guess my kids will love them

      Reply
    21. Emaend dangel says

      November 30, 2020 at 6:04 am

      Thanks ma I will try it

      Reply
    22. Chiamaka Gloria says

      July 16, 2020 at 2:13 am

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for dis recipe,but I want to ask a question can u use yeast to bake buns?

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        July 16, 2020 at 9:13 am

        Hello Gloria, no, you do not need yeast in buns. You only you use yeast in puff puff, doughnuts etc but not buns

        Reply
    23. Meg wise says

      June 19, 2020 at 3:42 pm

      thanks so much for your time I will try my recipe tonight

      Reply
    24. Udokzy says

      June 12, 2020 at 5:26 pm

      Hi, thanks for this recipe I love it. will be trying it tomorrow.

      Reply
    25. Ezinne says

      June 03, 2020 at 2:03 am

      I want to say a big thank you for this recipe on how to make buns.i will try mine today and get back to you.

      Reply
    26. Kike says

      May 30, 2020 at 2:02 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      I tried this and it came out great. Thanks for the recipe and procedure, pretty easy to make.

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        June 02, 2020 at 7:45 pm

        Yay! I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your feedback.

        Reply
    27. IFY Love says

      May 10, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks dear for your recipe, I just tried it and it turned out fine.

      Reply
    28. Azalor says

      May 04, 2020 at 11:47 am

      5 stars

      5 stars
      It was amazing wow, the vanilla just gave it an extra kick .
      It was crispy outside ,soft inside and it melts in the mouth and I did it without the egg .

      AMAZING

      Reply
      • funke says

        May 26, 2021 at 8:33 am

        5 stars
        Thanks for your feedback, Azalor, as I've run out of eggs and was wondering how my buns would turn out. Now, I can go ahead with confidence.

        Reply
    29. Jaiyeola says

      April 28, 2020 at 10:34 am

      Ajoke.
      Thanks alots.
      May I ask, why did my buns had a weak structure?
      Every other things was fine but the whole buns had a very weak structure especially when it becomes cold?

      Reply
    30. Iy Cakes says

      April 16, 2020 at 6:51 am

      Thanks for the puff puff recipe. So delicious 😋. God bless XX

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        April 18, 2020 at 9:19 pm

        Thank you for the feedback, I am glad you enjoyed it and God bless you too.

        Reply
    31. Sophia says

      April 12, 2020 at 5:53 pm

      Wow! I’ve always wanted to try making buns. I found your recipe very simple and easy to understand. I did it todsy(Easter Sunday) and it turned out well. Everyone loved it. I made it in smaller sizes(like chops).
      Thank you for this. They even want more!

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        April 18, 2020 at 9:26 pm

        Aww! thank you Sophia for the feedback.

        Reply
      • Fadeke says

        April 28, 2020 at 4:28 pm

        I just tried your recipe now and it came out so nice. I can’t believe it was my first time making buns, it was just too perfect.
        Thanks sis, God bless you.

        Reply
        • Chigozie says

          August 30, 2021 at 9:08 pm

          Thanks dear for this recipe. Just want to ask, what could make buns soak so much oil? I made some tonight (have been making buns for my family's consumption) but the oil intake today was out of proportion. The buns was a little soft (consistency) though. Could it have been the reason? I also added small yeast...

          Reply
          • Ajoke says

            September 08, 2021 at 6:26 pm

            Hi Chogozie, one of the reasons could be that the oil was not hot enough or you overcrowded the oil with the dough balls.

            Reply
    32. Folashade says

      April 04, 2020 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      I tried this recipes and steps I wasn't disappointed. It came out so well...

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        April 18, 2020 at 9:25 pm

        yay! glad to hear that. Thank you

        Reply
    33. Kpezzy says

      January 08, 2020 at 9:42 am

      5 stars

      5 stars
      Recipe came out well. But I guess I was much in a hurry to get it over with(hunger).
      Thanks ma’am

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        January 10, 2020 at 7:33 pm

        Thank you Kpezzy, I am happy you enjoyed the recipe.

        Reply
      • Monika says

        February 02, 2020 at 8:12 am

        Dear Ajoke
        Thank you for your recipe. Easy to follow and the buns are delicious.

        Reply
        • Ajoke says

          April 18, 2020 at 9:27 pm

          thanks Monika for the kind words

          Reply
        • Kanz says

          January 28, 2021 at 8:33 am

          I tried d recipe but it didn't come out round. What could have gone wrong pls?

          Reply
    34. Ekuma perpetua says

      September 04, 2019 at 11:38 pm

      Please ma, what can I do to make the outer part of buns hard and inside still fluffy? I usually add powdered milk and milk flavor, my husband keeps complaining that it's not hard.

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        October 23, 2019 at 4:40 pm

        Hello, you might be adding too much liquid to the mix.

        Reply
    35. chinyere says

      March 19, 2019 at 11:05 am

      5 stars
      wow!! thanks so much ma for this recipe. I have been looking for a better recipe for buns

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        March 21, 2019 at 11:55 pm

        Thanks so much Ma'am. I am glad you love the recipe

        Reply
    36. Steff says

      June 18, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      5 stars
      I tried it and it came out really well...thanks

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        June 18, 2018 at 7:36 pm

        Thank you Steff for the feedback

        Reply
        • Chidiebere says

          September 12, 2021 at 3:36 pm

          Am new here please but I will try it this week. Thanks for ur idea and directions

          Reply
      • Angel says

        April 22, 2020 at 12:46 pm

        5 stars

        5 stars
        I love the recipe

        Reply
    37. Yinka says

      November 21, 2017 at 12:51 pm

      Hello Ajoke
      Thank you so much for the recipe on buns. I looked at a few recipes online and noticed yours has butter in it. I tried it yesterday and it came out perfect to my taste, I cut down on the sugar though. unfortunately I didnt take any photos and made a few using only 200g of flour. It was yummy!!
      Thanks so much

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        December 01, 2017 at 11:19 am

        Hi Yinka, thank you so much for trying out my recipes and taking out the time to feedback.

        Reply
    38. Yinka Bazuaye says

      November 21, 2017 at 12:50 pm

      Hello Ajoke
      Thank you so much for the recipe on buns. I looked at a few recipes online and noticed yours has butter in it. I tried it yesterday and it came out perfect to my taste, I cut down on the sugar though. unfortunately I didnt take any photos and made a few using only 200g of flour. It was yummy!!
      Thanks so much

      Reply
    39. Abby says

      April 26, 2017 at 11:30 pm

      It's a lovely recipe. Just tried it. It's the best I've ever made. Thank you.

      Reply
    40. Abbey says

      February 19, 2017 at 8:53 pm

      Thanks for your this lovely recipe. I tried it but it doesn't come out like what is in the picture.
      I followed each step by step but my comes out rough not as round as yours.
      What did l did wrong?

      Reply
    41. Jay says

      February 13, 2017 at 4:26 pm

      Thanks, will try it... I'm a buns freak...

      Reply
    42. Joy says

      January 06, 2017 at 1:23 pm

      Hi, thanks for sharing this recipe, I always come here for help when cooking. Can you please share the quantity each recipe makes to guide anyone who might want to increase or reduce the quantity. Thanks

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        January 11, 2017 at 9:56 pm

        Thanks Joy, I will make a note on that and update accordingly.

        Reply
    43. ronke says

      June 25, 2016 at 9:46 pm

      Thanks my sister, all your recipes are keeper.

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        June 26, 2016 at 6:26 pm

        yay!!! Thanks Ronke.

        Reply
      • Mrs chiamaka says

        March 01, 2019 at 5:15 pm

        So easy and yummy
        Thank for making my work so easy
        You are the best dear

        Reply
        • Ajoke says

          March 03, 2019 at 10:34 pm

          Hi Ma'am, thank you so much for your feedback. I am glad you found the recipe helpful.

          Reply
    44. Modupe Adebambo says

      October 08, 2015 at 11:57 pm

      This is so yummy. Please can you convert into cups again. Am so bad with this grams. Thanks babes. Need to try this.

      Reply
    45. Timi Ademoyero says

      October 07, 2015 at 2:04 am

      Ajoke, thank you for being so creative with our Nigerian food. I spend time looking at master chef, come dine with me and many more food programmes including pining a lot of recipes on pintrest. To now see creativity out of Nigerian food is impressive and am proud of you.
      Keep it up. You have just taken me to another level in my kitchen, sooooo excited!

      Thank you once again

      Timi

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        May 07, 2016 at 5:44 pm

        Thank you so much Timi for your kind thoughts. I'm glad to be able to make your kitchen buzz with excitement.

        Reply
    46. Bukola says

      July 30, 2015 at 10:46 am

      Looks yummy to d eyes.

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        July 30, 2015 at 9:35 pm

        Thanks a lot Bukola

        Reply
      • Ajoke says

        August 06, 2015 at 5:49 pm

        Thanks

        Reply
      • Folake says

        May 03, 2021 at 5:03 pm

        Thanks, I will try it, quite easy to get

        Reply
    47. Dammy says

      July 29, 2015 at 7:21 pm

      This is a nice recipe, I'll be trying it soon.

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        July 30, 2015 at 9:34 pm

        Thanks Dammy

        Reply
      • Anna says

        July 01, 2020 at 2:36 pm

        5 stars

        5 stars
        Just made it now using your recipe. Although I used nutmeg instead of vanilla. It was an absolute hit! My family loved it. Thanks!

        Reply
        • Ajoke says

          July 02, 2020 at 9:03 am

          Thanks Anna for your feedback. Nutmeg is a good addition for flavour. I am glad you all enjoyed it.

          Reply

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    Hello, my name is Ajoke, and welcome to my food world,  I love to cook in my lively little kitchen. Join me in the adventure of cooking what we all call warm, hearty, and quick meals...

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    Hello, my name is Ajoke, and welcome to my food world,  I love to cook in my lively little kitchen. Join me in the adventure of cooking what we all call warm, hearty, and quick meals...

    More about me →

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