Are you thinking of venturing into the snacks business? Then you’re in the right place. One of the most lucrative and easy-to-start snack businesses in Nigeria and beyond is selling buns. These golden, crunchy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside delights are popular with people of all ages. Whether you’re catering to school children, busy workers, or street food lovers, Nigerian buns never go out of demand.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make buns for business, from selecting the right ingredients to mastering the frying technique, plus helpful tips to ensure your buns stand out in the market.
Why Choose Buns as a Business?
Starting a buns business has several advantages:
- Low startup cost: You only need basic ingredients and kitchen equipment.
- High demand: Buns are a staple street snack in Nigeria.
- Quick turnover: You can sell directly to consumers, making daily profits.
- Scalable: Start small and expand as your customer base grows.
But to succeed, you need the perfect bun recipe for commercial use — one that balances taste, texture, and cost.
Ingredients for Making Buns (Commercial Quantity)
Here’s a tried-and-tested Nigerian buns recipe for about 100 medium-sized buns. You can scale it up or down depending on your daily production goal.
Dry Ingredients:
- 2.5 kg all-purpose flour
- 500g granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg (for flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 6 medium eggs
- 500ml evaporated milk (or a mix of milk and water)
- 300g margarine (or butter, for richer flavor)
- Water (as needed to get the right consistency)
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying)
Pro Tip: For a more affordable version, especially when starting out, you can substitute part of the milk with water and reduce the egg count slightly. Just ensure the taste remains pleasant and consistent.
Equipment Needed
To run a small to medium-scale buns business, you’ll need:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring scale/cups
- Frying pan or deep fryer
- Slotted spoon or skimmer
- Cooling rack or tray with paper towels
- Storage container
Optional but useful:
- Dough cutter or ice cream scoop (for uniform shapes)
- Aprons and gloves (for hygiene)
Step-by-Step: How to Make Buns for Business
Let’s get into the process of making perfect Nigerian buns that customers will keep coming back for.
1. Mix Your Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and grated nutmeg. Mix thoroughly to distribute all the dry ingredients evenly.
2. Add the Margarine
Cut in the margarine using your hands or a dough cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly, like breadcrumbs. This gives the buns a rich texture.
3. Incorporate the Eggs and Milk
In another bowl, beat the eggs and mix with the milk. Slowly pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture and stir.
4. Adjust with Water
Add water gradually and mix until you have a thick, sticky dough. The consistency should be stiffer than pancake batter but softer than bread dough.
Tip: Don’t overmix. Overmixing can make the buns hard or chewy.
5. Heat the Oil
Pour enough oil into your deep fryer or pan to allow the buns to float freely. Heat it up on medium heat. To test, drop a small dough into the oil; if it sizzles and rises slowly, the oil is ready.
6. Shape and Fry the Buns
Use your hands or an ice cream scoop to drop small balls of dough into the hot oil. Fry in batches, turning occasionally to ensure even browning.
7. Drain and Cool
Once golden brown, remove the buns and place them on a tray lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Tips for Perfect Commercial Buns
To run a profitable buns business, your product must stand out in taste, appearance, and consistency. Here are some essential tips:
- Use fresh ingredients for better flavor and shelf life.
- Maintain oil temperature: If the oil is too hot, the buns will brown quickly but stay raw inside.
- Standardize your measurements for uniform size and quality.
- Test your recipe before scaling. Run a small batch, get feedback, and tweak as needed.
- Label and package well if selling in supermarkets or online.
- Be hygienic: Clean equipment and wear protective gear.
Pricing and Profitability
Let’s break down the business side of it.
Example:
If 2.5kg of flour produces about 100 buns, and you sell each at ₦150:
- Revenue: ₦150 x 100 = ₦15,000
- Estimated Cost of Production (flour, eggs, sugar, milk, oil, etc.): ₦7,000 – ₦9,000
- Profit per batch: ₦6,000 – ₦8,000
Now imagine making and selling three batches a day — that’s over ₦18,000 in profit daily.
The key to profit is bulk buying, cutting waste, and building loyal customers.
Marketing Your Buns Business
Once your recipe is set, focus on attracting buyers:
- Sell at bus stops, schools, markets, and offices.
- Partner with tea vendors to supply buns every morning.
- Offer samples to get feedback and referrals.
- Leverage social media: Post photos, videos, and customer reviews on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
- Add branding: A simple sticker with your business name and phone number goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
Starting a buns business is more than just knowing how to make buns for business. It’s about consistency, good hygiene, strategic marketing, and understanding your customers. Whether you’re doing it full-time or as a side hustle, buns are a profitable snacks business with high potential.
With this detailed guide and a little dedication, you can build a successful buns brand in your area.
Thank you for sharing.