Alternatives to burger buns you won't believe
Niamh Ollerton
05 October 2016
It's not about bread anymore...
Instagram/ eddiefleisher
Watching your weight, giving paleo a go, cutting out carbs or just feel like a change? Check out our round-up of the most delicious alternatives for sandwiching your burgers!
Eggplant/aubergine bun
Instagram/ jennyirving
To make this recipe a success, all you need to do is roast the eggplant until it's browned and fork-tender, then stack and you're good to go.
Roasted Portobello mushroom bun
Instagram/ brookebytheway
At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was your run-of-the-mill bun. But the meaty goodness, paired with the fleshy mushroom (and isn't it the perfect size for your hand!), means you won't be able to tell the difference.
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Avocado bun
Instagram/ fitfoodieculture
Why not go for the ultimate green monster and use an avocado as your bun replacement? But we're pretty sure this will be a very messy meal.
Butternut squash bun
Instagram/ mintylouise_sw
Here we have a bacon cheeseburger with a butternut squash bun. Just think of the delicious sweet and savory going on here!
Sweet potato bun
Instagram/ amberscooking
It would be rude not to include the superfood that is loved by all! Sweet potato is now a favorite alternative over toast, so it was only a matter of time before this match made in heaven would happen.
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Mac 'n' cheese bun
Instagram/ chapspitbeef
Pulled pork sandwiched between a deep fried mac 'n' cheese bun. No, this isn't the healthiest option on our list, but you wouldn't mind giving it a go, right?
Spiralized veggie bun
Instagram/ roseandcardamom
Spiralized veggies are everywhere now, from courghetti to butternut squash fettuccine. Here we have spiralized potatoes to pair with your patty, in case you want to mix up your spiralizing skills a little. There's nothing like a balanced carb meal!
Lettuce bun
Instagram/ slidersburgers
This burger pairing might not seem like much, but if you're watching your waistline it's definitely the way to go. Although we're sure the smothering of delicious cheese over the patties makes it a little more enticing...
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Tomato bun
Instagram/ joiedeiris
Be prepared to send some tomato juices flying from this paleo-inspired burger. But who can pass up a tomato and burger combo?
Cauliflower bun
Instagram/ sjanedevore
There are lots of great alternatives out there to keep your burger low carb – one of them being a cauliflower bun. However, the finished, cooked texture will remind you of a regular bun. So there's another silver lining!
Sushi bun
Instagram/Emily.vans
Sushi has become a lunchtime staple across the world and has now spawned a burger. Do you think they're onto a winner?
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Bacon bun
Instagram/ mmk6612
This is the burger we've all been waiting for! Meat, on meat, on meat. Look at the beautiful criss-cross design!
Zucchini/courgette bun
Instagram/ yo0luhhbri
A zucchini bun will have a more of an earthy taste to an eggplant bun, but sprinkle a dash of chili or add some garlic into the mix and you'll be having a healthy and happy burger day.
Donut bun
Instagram/bakersdonuts
This little treat of sweet and savory usually consists of a ham/cheeseburger patty sandwiched in between one or two glazed doughnuts. But with each sandwich coming in at between 800 and 1,500 calories, it isn’t for the faint hearted.
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Fried chicken bun
Instagram/ chickenfryday
Yes, deep-fried ingredients are very popular, so why wouldn't this be a thing? The Indonesian Chicken Fry Day has incorporated a love for fried chicken, around the usual fillings of a burger. Because why choose between fried chicken or a patty when you can have both?
Pineapple bun
Instagram/ francesboaboa
Up your sweet meat game with this creation sandwiching your patty in between two grilled pineapple buns.
Plantain bun
Instagram/ ivys_food
Here's another popular paleo burger option. You could use the savory green plantains or even mix it up a bit with a sweet ripe plantain. With plantains, any burger is possible.
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Yorkshire pudding bun
Instagram/ riftharrogate
Here's a burger that is soon to be a classic across the UK, for the lovers of a good ol' Sunday roast. A Yorkshire pudding is basically cooked batter that can be enjoyed with an array of sauces. Now sandwich some meat in between (lamb would be good!) and we think it will be a divine culinary experience.
Ramen noodle bun
Instagram/ eddiefleisher
It's a pretty-looking dish isn't it? The crunch of the ramen noodles makes for a really interesting pairing!
Bunless burger
Instagram/ kacheline
Or if you really want to change up the bun options? Just enjoy a burger patty surrounded by something delicious.