14 Buttery Pav Bhaji Recipes for Comfort

There’s something undeniably magical about pav bhaji that transports me straight back to my childhood in Mumbai. I remember rainy evenings when my mom would whip up a steaming pot of bhaji, slathered with generous dollops of butter, and serve it with pav toasted to golden perfection on the tawa. The aroma of sizzling butter, spices, and mashed veggies filled our tiny kitchen, turning ordinary nights into comfort food feasts that warmed us from the inside out.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, elevating the classic with creative twists on that signature buttery richness. In these stressful times, pav bhaji has become my go-to for instant comfort—rich, indulgent, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re craving nostalgia or something new, these recipes promise that melt-in-your-mouth buttery bliss.

Classic Buttery Pav Bhaji

Pav bhaji starts with the basics: 4 potatoes, 2 carrots, 1 cup peas, 1 onion, 2 tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, pav bhaji masala, and a whopping 4 tbsp butter. Sauté onions in 2 tbsp butter until golden, add veggies and cook until soft, mash roughly, stir in spices, tomatoes, and more butter for that glossy finish. Toast pav buns in remaining butter.
This timeless version delivers pure comfort with its hearty veggies and buttery depth, packed with vitamins and a mood-boosting dose of nostalgia—perfect for family dinners.

Cheesy Buttery Pav Bhaji

Amp up the indulgence with 3 potatoes, cauliflower, capsicum, cheese sauce (or 100g grated cheddar), pav bhaji masala, and 5 tbsp butter. Boil and mash veggies, sauté with spices and onions, melt in cheese and butter for creaminess, then butter-toast pav.
The molten cheese pairs with butter for ultimate gooey comfort, adding calcium and protein while keeping it vegetarian—ideal for picky eaters craving something extra.

Garlic Butter Pav Bhaji

Ingredients include mixed veggies (potatoes, beans, carrots), garlic (10 cloves minced), pav bhaji masala, lemon, coriander, and 6 tbsp garlic-infused butter. Sauté garlic in butter until fragrant, add veggies, mash with spices, finish with a butter drizzle. Slather pav with garlic butter and toast.
Garlic’s antioxidants meet butter’s richness for an immune-boosting, aromatic hug—great for cold evenings when you need flavor-packed warmth.

Paneer Buttery Pav Bhaji

Use 200g paneer cubes, potatoes, peas, tomatoes, pav bhaji masala, cream, and 4 tbsp butter. Sauté paneer in butter till golden, mix with mashed veggies and spices, swirl in cream. Toast pav lavishly.
Protein-rich paneer elevates the buttery bhaji to a satisfying meal, promoting muscle health and satiety for busy days.

Mushroom Buttery Pav Bhaji

Key ingredients: 300g mushrooms, potatoes, onions, pav bhaji masala, kasuri methi, and 5 tbsp butter. Sauté sliced mushrooms in butter for umami, add veggies, mash, season boldly. Butter-grill pav.
Earthy mushrooms add low-cal fiber and B-vitamins, blending seamlessly with butter for a meaty, comforting texture.

Butter Corn Pav Bhaji

Sweet corn (2 cups), potatoes, capsicum, pav bhaji masala, chili flakes, and extra 4 tbsp butter shine here. Boil corn, mash with veggies, sauté in butter with spices for sweetness. Corn-butter pav toast.
Corn’s natural sweetness tempers spice, offering antioxidants and joy— a playful, butter-drenched comfort twist.

Spicy Butter Blast Pav Bhaji

Load up on potatoes, tomatoes, green chilies (4-5), pav bhaji masala doubled, and 6 tbsp butter. Sauté chilies in butter, mash fiery veggies, build heat layers. Extra-butter pav.
This fiery version releases endorphins for stress relief, with capsaicin boosting metabolism amid buttery indulgence.

Pumpkin Buttery Pav Bhaji

Seasonal star: 2 cups pumpkin puree, carrots, peas, pav bhaji masala, nutmeg, 4 tbsp butter. Cook pumpkin soft, mash with spices, enrich with butter. Autumn-spiced pav toast.
Pumpkin’s beta-carotene supports immunity, creating a velvety, buttery comfort bowl for fall vibes.

Beetroot Buttery Pav Bhaji

Vibrant with 2 beets, potatoes, onions, pav bhaji masala, yogurt, 5 tbsp butter. Roast beets, mash into veggies, temper with spiced butter. Pink buttered pav.
Beets’ nitrates aid heart health, their earthiness melting into butter for a stunning, nutrient-dense comfort dish.

Truffle Butter Pav Bhaji

Luxury twist: mixed veggies, truffle butter (4 tbsp), pav bhaji masala, shallots, thyme. Sauté in truffle butter, mash elegantly, finish with drizzle. Truffle-toasted pav.
Truffle’s umami elevates butter to gourmet levels, offering antioxidants in a sophisticated comfort experience.

Vegan Butter Pav Bhaji

Plant-based: potatoes, cauliflower, vegan butter (5 tbsp like coconut oil), pav bhaji masala, coconut cream. Mash veggies, cook in vegan butter, creamy finish. Grill vegan pav.
Dairy-free delight retains buttery essence with healthy fats, perfect for inclusive, gut-friendly comfort.

Loaded Butter Pav Bhaji

Topped extravaganza: base bhaji veggies, 6 tbsp butter, toppings like cheese, onions, sev, pomegranate. Make classic bhaji extra-buttery, pile on toppings. Lavish pav.
Layered textures and flavors maximize satisfaction, turning simple bhaji into a festive, butter-soaked party.

Butter Chicken-Inspired Pav Bhaji

Fusion: potatoes, tomatoes, 200ml cream, butter chicken masala, 5 tbsp butter, fenugreek. Simmer creamy bhaji, mimic tandoori richness. Butter-naan style pav.
Creamy, tangy profile adds protein-like satisfaction, blending cultures for irresistible comfort fusion.

Herb-Infused Buttery Pav Bhaji

Fresh herbs (cilantro, mint, basil), veggies, pav bhaji masala, 4 tbsp herb butter. Infuse butter with herbs, sauté and mash for aromatic bhaji. Herb-butter pav.
Herbs boost digestion and freshness, harmonizing with butter for a light yet deeply comforting green twist.

These 14 buttery pav bhaji recipes are your ticket to cozy, flavorful bliss—grab your apron, crank up the butter, and dive in. Which one will you try first? Share your twists in the comments; comfort food is best shared!