How to Make Fluffy Buns In A Pan: the Best 5 Minutes Recipe Without Oven

No matter where you’re from, chances are you’ve come across flatbreads. Enjoyed by cultures all over the world, flatbreads are not only easy to make, but they’re also versatile. Use them as a base for a delicious spread (like hummus), or to soak up the sauce from a delicious curry. These fluffy buns in a pan are made with only a few simple ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, vegetable oil, and milk.  The dough is rolled out into small flatbreads, and then baked in a pan—no oven needed! The yeast provides a slight tang and chewiness to the bread, while the pan-baking gives it a crispy crust. Serve them on their own, with a spread of hummus, as a base for mini pizzas, or with a rich, saucy stew.

What Are Buns in a Pan?

These buns are inspired by flatbreads but are slightly thicker. Flatbreads have a long, rich history dating back thousands of years. Back then, flatbreads were baked in clay ovens. The rolled-out dough was adhered to the wall of the clay oven and left to bake. Today you get all kinds of flatbreads from all over the world: Pane carasau (from Sardinia), Lagana (from Greece), Bannock (Scotland), Blini (Russia), Focaccia (Italy), Lángos (Hungary), Parlenka (Bulgaria), Piadina (Italy)—and that’s just naming a few!

Fortunately for this recipe, you don’t need a clay oven! Just a heavy, hot pan!

Tips

• For added texture and flavor, sprinkle coarse sea salt (like Maldon Sea Salt flakes) over buns after brushing with oil and parsley.
• Use high-protein bread flour for the best texture and flavor.
• You can also bake the buns in an Airfryer, put the rounds in an Airfryer basket, and bake for about 6 minutes at 180°C/360°F.
• A heavy-bottomed pan (like cast iron) will work best for this recipe as it retains heat well. This is necessary for the thick buns to be cooked thoroughly.
• The thickness of the buns determines the texture! Thinner buns will be crispier, while thicker buns will be slightly chewier and fluffier.

How to Store Fluffy Buns

Store the buns in an airtight container (at room temperature) for up to 2 days.

You can also freeze the buns! Allow the buns to cool, then transfer them to resealable Ziploc bags or an airtight container, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When you want to serve the buns, allow them to thaw and reheat in the microwave. Brush with parsley oil and serve.

How To Make Fluffy Buns in a Pan

In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, water, sugar, yeast, and olive oil.

Step 1

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, water, sugar, yeast, and olive oil.

Add the flour and salt.

Step 2

Step 2

Add the flour and salt.

Mix all ingredients and knead the dough until smooth. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise for 1 hour.

Step 3

Step 3

Mix all ingredients and knead the dough until smooth. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise for 1 hour.

Divide the dough into 16 pieces.

Step 4

Step 4

Divide the dough into 16 pieces.

Form balls and allow them to rise for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Step 5

Form balls and allow them to rise for 30 minutes.

Roll out the dough and fry in a preheated pan.

Step 6

Step 6

Roll out the dough and fry in a preheated pan.

Mix oil with garlic and parsley and brush over each bun with this mixture.

Step 7

Step 7

Mix oil with garlic and parsley and brush over each bun with this mixture.

Enjoy!