Happy New Month to all my readers, and also happy Independence Day to my dear country, Nigeria! To mark and celebrate Nigeria’s proclamation of independence from British rule I’m sharing one of my Nigeria favorite snacks and street food; Nigerian soft buns!
Buns are super tasty snacks, very rich in flavor with a crunchy outside and very soft inside. It is easy to make and doesn’t take time, it doesn’t require a rest time like puff puff which makes it faster to prepare. It is very popular on the street, but most people don’t get the texture right.
Some people complain it turns out hard, it doesn’t turn out the way they envisage and so on. In this recipe, I showed how I make mine to be soft and very flavorful.
Buns are a little bit different in terms of the dough mixing and the texture compared to Nigerian Puff puff
Let’s get started.
You might want to try;
- 2.5 Cups All-purpose flour
- 1/4 Cup Milk
- 1/8 Cup Olive oil (or your choice)
- 1/8 Cup Sugar (adjust to your preference)
- 3 Eggs
- 1.5 Teaspoons Baking powder
- 1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- Enough oil for frying
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In a medium bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, and nutmeg
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Mix everything together, you don't want to bite on baking powder when eating...lol
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This stage can be done in two ways; in a small bowl, mix eggs, oil, milk, vanilla extract (if you're using).
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Or separate the eggs; egg whites and yolks separate. Add the rest of the wet ingredients in the egg yolks and whisk.
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Whisk the egg whites to a stiff peak, you can use a hand whisk or electric hand mixer. This is the method I prefer because it makes the buns softer than the previous step.
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Add the egg yolks mixture to the dry ingredients (flour mixture).
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Gently fold in the egg whites to whisk to a stiff peak and combine. Make sure you don't overwork the dough because that will make the buns hard. Add more liquid (just a small quantity at a time) if it is too thick.
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The dough should be sticky and stretchy.
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Heat oil in a Dutch or frying pan or fryer to about 360-365 degrees F. Gently scoop a small dollop of the dough into the oil and fry on both sides until golden brown, you will notice the buns are cracking/opening. If you're not sure if the dough cooked all the way through gently poke by inserting a fork into the buns if it's not cooked it will gently release some dough. Don't make it too big if not the dough might not cook all the way through.
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Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate/baking sheet lined with paper towels.
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Serve and enjoy.
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Nigerian soft buns with a strawberry drink.
For best result, whip the egg whites with a hand whisk or hand mixer. Adjust sugar to your taste.
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Aliyah thank you so much! I learnt to make buns like two years ago and after awhile I forgot the recipe and it always turned out hard! when I came across your recipe tbh I was sceptic…but going fowrd I saw the “separation of white and egg yolk” and I smacked myself, HARD! That was what I forgot all this years! The buns turned out super soft and awesome. Tho I increased the sugar and milk measurements ( I have a sweet tooth). The whisking hurt my arm 🙁 but it was totally worth it! can’t wait for more recipes Aliyah! and once again, Thank you!!
You’re welcome! Yeah, whisking might be a little bit of handwork sometimes….lol.
I’m glad the post was helpful.
Aliyah thank you so much! I learnt to make buns like two years ago and after awhile I forgot the recipe and it always turned out hard! when I came across your recipe tbh I was sceptic…but going fowrd I saw the “separation of white and egg yolk” and I smacked myself, HARD! That was what I forgot all this years! The buns turned out super soft and awesome. Tho I increased the sugar and milk measurements ( I have a sweet tooth). The whisking hurt my arm 🙁 but it was totally worth it! can’t wait for more recipes Aliyah! and once again, Thank you!!
plss can I use peak milk as the milk?
Yes but I’d dilute with water.
Thanks
Hello.
Thanks for this Buns recipe… Can you pls explain the 2. 5 cups of flour…..to grams or using ml cup… How much will it be. Pls clarify. Thank you.
Hi,
Please check the conversion here
https://aliyahsrecipesandtips.com/us-cups-to-grams-and-ounces-for-common-ingredients/
Thanks