How to Make Nigerian Buns.
Nigerian buns are one of the most favorite Nigerian snacks – crunchy on the outside, pillowy and soft on the inside, flavorful, satisfying, and incredibly delicious! Plus, it is super-duper easy to make! I ate many of these African donuts (aka Nigerian buns) growing up; these days, my kids want me to make them every weekend! But these Nigerian buns recipe is a little different from the ones I ate growing up.
I wanted to make these more nutritious and healthier, so I added pumpkin puree while also reducing the flour. Keep reading for an easy step-by-step process for making the best sweet Nigerian Buns that are healthier and tasty.
These Nigerian sweet buns recipe is healthier, flavorful, pumpkiny, and delicious! Whether you are looking for a quick, easy and healthy version of your favorite Nigerian Buns snack or just trying it out for the first time, these… Click To TweetIngredients for Healthier Nigerian Buns Recipe.
Though buns only require few ingredients, as my mother always says, it will leave you with an experience of a lifetime. Typically, you will need flour, butter, sugar, eggs, milk, baking powder, and nutmeg. Nutmeg is essential in every Nigerian buns recipe because it gives it that Naija vibe and flavor! And I am incredibly excited to use the nutmeg from the spice tribe’s line of single-origin spices. Side bar: I love every spice from Spice Tribe.
To clarify, there is nothing as flavorful as freshly grated nutmeg; it so soothing and refreshing. I also used homemade pumpkin puree, as well; it added more depth and excellent nutrients to these recipe.
FAQs about Nigerian Buns Recipe.
Difference between Nigerian Buns and puff-puff?
Generally, buns are very different from puff-puff; though both are usually fried, buns are rich in texture and a little dense than puff-puff. Additionally, puff-puff has fewer ingredients than buns. For instance, puff-puff does not need eggs and milk, while on the other hand, Nigerian buns recipe usually does not require yeast!
How to Make Healthier Nigerian Buns Recipe.
The easiest way to make a healthy Nigerian buns recipe is to substitute a couple of things such as butter, sugar, and flour. For example, you can substitute butter with plant butter or olive oil and sub white flour with white whole wheat or reduce the amount of flour and add mashed fruit. Like I did, I added one cup of homemade pumpkin puree. What if you don’t have pumpkin puree? One cup of mashed banana should work just fine. Finally, I used organic coconut sugar instead of granulated white sugar.
Can I Make Nigerian Buns without Eggs and Milk?
You can sure make Nigerian buns without eggs and milk; instead of adding eggs and milk, just add water. The eggs and milk make buns richer and nutritious, but they are not deal breakers for this recipe.
Can I Make Nigerian Buns without Yeast?
Yes, you can make Nigerian buns without yeast because it does not require yeast. Nigerian buns recipe calls for baking powder instead of yeast.
Nigerian Buns in Easy Steps.
Easily and quickly make Nigerian buns using this easy step/instruction. First, add the dry ingredients into a bowl. Add the wet ingredients into a separate bowl, then combine both to form a ball. Mold into small balls and get ready to fry.
How to Preserve Nigerian Buns.
You can store leftovers in a tightly-covered dry container on the kitchen counter, or you can put it in the fridge. Also, these freeze very well if you wish to keep them for a very long time.
How Many Calories are in this Nigerian Buns Recipe?
These soft, pillowy, African donuts are less than 180 calories per serving. You may not be able to keep your hands off of these because they go by very fast! These are a little crunchy on the outside and soft inside, perfect holiday… Click To Tweet
Nigerian Buns Recipe: Healthier Version with Pumpkin
- Total Time: 40
- Yield: 15 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Nigerian buns are one of the most favorite Nigerian snacks – crunchy on the outside, pillowy and soft on the inside, flavorful, satisfying, and incredibly delicious! Whether you are looking for a quick, easy and healthy version of your favorite Nigerian Buns snack or just trying it out for the first time, these will make your day! Also, I added pumpkin puree to this buns’ recipe making it more nutritious and healthier. Don’t worry you can barely taste the pumpkin.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
3 cups of flour (plus a little more, about ¼ to ½)
½ cup of coconut sugar
¼ – ½ teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of baking powder
½ – 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Wet ingredients:
1 cup of homemade fresh pumpkin puree (Canned pumpkin purée would work just fine)
¼ cup of sweet condensed milk.
2 eggs
¼ cup of plant butter (room temperature or melted)
Peanut oil (up 3 – 4 cups) or any other type of oil for frying.
Instructions
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, in a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients as well.
Add the wet ingredients to dry; use hands to combine until if forms a dough.
Set a pan on the stove, and add frying oil, and allow to heat up.
Use one tablespoon measure to scoop and mold the dough; if possible, scoop and mold all the dough before you start frying.
Start Frying the dough when the oil gets hot, not too hot, though, because then the dough would burn on the outside, and still uncooked in the inside.
Fry dough until golden light brown on all sides (about 4-5 minutes on each side; insert a toothpick or skinny skewer, and if the dough is still raw inside, you see a raw dough pop out.)
Fry in batches and do not overcrowd the pot. This recipe made about 30 pumpkin buns; serving size is two buns (I ate up to 4 of these 😂).
Serve with your favorite beverage or drink; Watermelon lemonade, Zobo, tea, coffee, or hot cocoa are great. Enjoy
Notes
Sometimes flour measurement can differ for several reasons – this recipe requires 3 cups of flour and a little more (¼ – ½ cup) if the dough feels too sticky.
This would be a “light” dough; do not expect a rock-solid dough. You do not necessarily need to add the extra flour to prevent stickiness because “molding” this dough is not a deal-breaker. I personally like it that way. You can use a spoon and scoop dough into the frying pan.
The amount of time you fry your dough will depend on how big or small your “mold” dough is.
I add up to ½ teaspoon of salt, but ¼ teaspoon would be perfect if you are on a low sodium diet.
This recipe made up to 30 buns; I used one tablespoon measure. The number of buns you may end making will depend on how big or small they are.
If possible, mold all the buns before you start frying; that way, when you start frying, you just fry.
If you do not want to use pumpkin puree, that’s ok, but this recipe may change slightly. I suggest you check out My Diaspora Kitchen Buns recipe here. She has a fantastic buns recipe that did not feature pumpkin purée.
Check out how I make my homemade puree recipe for pumpkin season recipes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Nigerian
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If you like these delicious buns recipe, you will love another Nigerian snack that is hands down Nigerian best export to the world – Nigerian Meat pie! This is a savory pastry filled with minced meat and vegetables. Meat pie so good! ⤵️
Check out some more Nigerian recipes:
- The tastiest Nigerian coconut Jollof Rice.
- Healthy Plantain and Eggs Frittata (Nigerian style).
- Easy and Tasty Moi-moi Recipe.
- Chicken Tomato Stew.
- Stewed Black-eyed Peas Beans Recipe (aka Beans Porridge).
- Best Nigerian Chicken Breast Suya Recipe.
Here are some Healthy Holiday Classics:
- Perfectly Baked Brussels Sprouts.
- Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.
- Vegan Paleo Plantain Brownies.
- Plantain Stuffing Recipe.
- Healthier Pumpkin Brownies.
Do you enjoy Healthy Breakfasts?
- Coconut Milk Oatmeal with Stewed Cherries.
- Greek Yogurt Oatmeal Pancakes.
- Avocado coconut Smoothie.
- Sweet potato Hash.
While you are still here, grab my FREE (5) spinach salad recipe bundle would be a great addition to your dinner table if you like salads or you are wanting to eat healthier. Get the recipes here.
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Finally, let’s connect on social media, am on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Share this recipe post, and SAVE/PIN THIS IMAGE ON PINTEREST! ⤵️
Stay well and safe.
I love that you used pumpkin in these! I can’t wait to try them, thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much, Jessica! Glad to hear that you would be trying this recipe. YAY!
These sound delicious. I love pumpkin and haven’t tried this recipe before.
Yay, Julie! We love pumpkin here, too! Isn’t that just the best? Please let me know when you do make it; I hope you will like it as we did.
I’ve never heard of these, but now I want to try them. They look delicious and would be a perfect snack with coffee!
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I am glad you are hearing about this recipe for the first from me, Colleen! Thank you so much for stopping by; yes, Buns is very great with coffee!
These sound amazing, such a delicious snack! Might have to make some for the kids this week for half term.
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Thank you so much, Bintu! Yes, kids love Buns; let me know how it goes, and hopefully, your kids enjoy it as mine does.
Happy half term to your kids!
These sound so yummy! I love that you made an effort to make them a little more healthy too!L
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Thank you so much, Lisa! Every little chance to make meals a little healthier is worth it!😊
They look so yummy, the pumpkin flavor is interesting I would love to try it.
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I know, right? You can barely taste the pumpkin, though, but, kids said they tasted it.🤷🏾♀️ I wanted to use my leftover pumpkin purée wisely, and it worked! I hope you try it.👍🏾
Hope you will enjoy this as we did!
These buns look yummy. I love adding the pumpkin. I wonder it sweet potato would work?
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Thanks so much for your kind comments!
Yes, Ty, I believe mashed sweet potato should be a suitable replacement for pumpkin purée.
These were so fluffy and delicious. They are going to be one of my go to recipes.
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Thank you so much, Shanna; I can’t wait for you to try these. I hope you will like them as we did!
These were so good! I will be making them often! So glad I came across this recipe!
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Yay, Kevin, that makes me so glad! Let me know when you make them.
These are perfect! My family loved these delicious buns!
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Yay, Toni! I hope they do. Thanks so much for stopping by!🙏🏾
Such an interesting recipe. I think I never tried anything like this before. I love that you used coconut sugar here in this recipe. Yum! I must make this. Thanks!
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I am glad you are hearing about this recipe from me, Natalie! This recipe is easy peasy and delicious!
Hopefully, you will like it as we did!