Aussie Buns

Aussie Buns are white rolls loaded with a savoury mince and rice mixture that somehow tastes so much better than you’d imagine as you browse the simple ingredient list.

They’re a quick and tasty meal – you’ll have them on the table in about 15 minutes flat.

Never heard of them?

Read on and let me tell you all that I know about the humble Aussie Bun.

The Recipe for Aussie Buns

This recipe was tucked away in a little yellow notebook that my Mum, my sister and I all added to over the years.

That recipe book contains recipes for classics like Mars Bar Slice, Caramel Slice and Apricot Chicken.

And this one for Aussie Buns.

Aussie Buns were sold at my high school’s canteen during the late 80s and early 90s.

Kurri Kurri High School, nestled in the coalfields area of the Hunter Valley in Australia, wasn’t the most prestigious school.

But I remember some great teachers, a handful of nice friends, and learnt enough to earn myself a spot at Newcastle’s law school.

And, importantly at the time, the canteen was pretty exceptional.

I’d like to go back in time and order a salad roll. They were wonderful.

The sausage rolls were better than average and we also had these little creations, Aussie Buns, which I’ve never found anywhere else.

They were so good that the recipe ended up in our family’s little yellow recipe notebook.

And 30-ish years later, I’m curious to see how this recipe lands as I share it here on the web – well beyond the gates of my high school.

The ingredients for Aussie Buns

This is a quick-mix, microwave meal.

You’ll need four fresh white rolls, along with:

• beef mince
• an onion
• tomato sauce
• rice
• curry powder
• salt.

Quantities for all ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Making Aussie Buns

Okay, these are super easy to cook provided you have a microwave and a microwave-proof bowl.

Measure out the ingredients and mix everything together in a microwave-proof bowl.

Make sure it’s all well combined.

Cover the bowl with plastic food wrap and place it in the microwave on high for 5 minutes.

Remove the bowl from the microwave. Carefully uncover (noting steam may escape) and stir the mixture.

Cover again with plastic food wrap and place in the microwave on high for 7 minutes.

Remove from the microwave oven and allow to cool for a minute or two.

Carefully uncover again (noting steam may escape). Stir.

Cut rolls in half horizontally, place cooked mince mixture into rolls.

You can serve them straight away, or, to get the version I remember, place them in an air fryer or oven on low heat for 10 minutes before serving. That way you get that tuck shop “been in a pie oven to stay warm” touch.

That’s it.

You’ve got yourself a KKHS Aussie Bun. Four, in fact.

But to really perfect the recipe, keep reading the FAQs before moving on to the recipe card.

Recipe FAQs

Q. Will any type of mince do?

Yes, but I’d recommend premium beef mince for the ultimate Aussie Bun experience.

Q. What type of curry powder do you use?

I’ve used Keen’s Curry Powder, but any mild curry powder will be fine.

Q. What type of rice do you use?

Any type of rice works, but I recommend long grain white rice.

Q. Who invented Aussie Buns?

I unfortunately don’t know. All I know is that I discovered them and enjoyed them for years at high school and have never come across them since.

There was a lovely lady who ran my high school canteen, Mrs Hallett. Perhaps she came up with the recipe or idea?

If you do know more, let me know in the comments below.

Q. Do they still sell Aussie Buns at Kurri Kurri High?

I don’t know, and I’m not going back to find out!

If you’re a current student or have kids there, let everyone know if they are still on the menu in the comments below.

Q. Do you have other quick meal ideas?

I sure do! You might like to check out my recipes for Curried Eggs, Impossible Quiche or Zucchini Slice. Or browse through the entire collection of recipes in date order here.