Making homemade hamburger buns is easier than you think! Using just a few pantry staples, you can make soft and fluffy hamburger buns that rival anything in the grocery store. Stuff them with your favorite fillings and enjoy a delicious, homemade meal your family will love!
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Before you buy those store-bought buns, consider making your own! Homemade buns are super simple to make and always taste delicious.
Not to mention, you can customize them however you like. Try adding herbs or spices for extra flavor, or top the buns with sesame and poppy seeds for added crunch. Baking your own hamburger buns from scratch is a great way to add some unique flair to your meals!
Getting started with this bread bun recipe couldn't be easier. All you need is some simple ingredients and a little patience while the dough rises.
You can mix the dough by hand or use an electric mixer for a quicker process. No matter how you knead the dough, you'll end up with a perfect hamburger bun every time.
Why You'll Love Homemade Hamburger Buns
- Minimal hands-on time. While the dough needs time to rise, the actual hands-on time is minimal. And if you decide to use a mixer with a dough hook, you can cut that time down even more.
- Make ahead convenience. This is a great recipe for meal prepping! Double or even triple the recipe and freeze for a grab-and-go meal solution.
- Super versatile. Of course, these buns make a great addition to any burger dish! But there are so many ways to enjoy these fluffy hamburger buns. Keep reading to discover some of my favorite ideas for using up leftover burger buns below!
Ingredients For Hamburger Buns
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Yeast
- Milk
- Water
- Egg
- Butter
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Poppy seeds (optional)
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
Instructions For Homemade Hamburger Buns
- Combine flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast in a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Whisk together the milk, water, and egg. Add it to the dry ingredients.
- Mix until combined. Then knead for 5-8 minutes in a stand mixer or 10 minutes by hand on a floured surface until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the soft dough and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Form the buns, there will be 6-8. Roll into a tight ball.
- Set on a baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
- Combine egg and water. Brush the egg wash over the buns.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and/or poppy seeds, if desired.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown on top.
What to Put in Homemade Hamburger Buns
If you're looking for something a little more than your average burger, try these tasty ideas:
- My jalapeno burger recipe gives the classic meaty dish a spicy twist!
- Pulled pork sliders are the perfect way to use up leftover pulled pork
- Stuff them with your favorite breakfast fillings like scrambled eggs, cheese, and sausage for a yummy breakfast sandwich
- Try sliced flat iron steak for a luxurious burger experience
- These fry sauce beef burgers ooze with flavor and are perfect for summer grilling
- Toast up the buns with some butter and fruit jam for a delicious snack
- Instant Pot beef stroganoff in a bread bun is a budget-friendly yet delicious meal!
8 Ways to Use Up Leftover Hamburger Buns
If you've made too many burger buns and don't have space to freeze them, don't worry! Here are some ways to use up those remaining buns:
- French toast: Slice the buns in half and use them for homemade French toast; add cheese and bacon for a savory twist.
- Garlic bread: Spread some garlic butter on the buns and bake until golden brown for a quick and easy garlic bread.
- Bread crumbs: Toast the buns in the oven and grind them into fresh breadcrumbs.
- Pizza crust: Bread buns make a great mini-pizza crust. Simply top with your favorite pizza toppings and bake until crispy!
- Croutons: Slice your burger buns into cubes and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like. Bake in the oven for flavorful homemade croutons that’ll take your salads to the next level!
- Bread pudding: Transform those leftover bread buns into a tasty and traditional bread pudding.
- Beer cheese sauce: Use sliced hamburger buns instead of pretzel bites and serve with your favorite beer cheese sauce.
- Dinner roll: Use your leftover buns and serve them as dinner rolls. They’re a quick, easy, and filling addition to any dish.
Once cooled, put your burger buns in an airtight container or plastic wrap. They should keep fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
Your freshly baked hamburger buns will always taste best if eaten within a few days. But, yes! You can freeze your homemade bread buns for up to 3 months. To thaw, let the buns come to room temperature before serving.
The rising, or proofing, time is important for developing the flavor and texture of your hamburger buns. If you skip this step, you won't get the same soft, fluffy texture and rich flavor this easy recipe provides.
The reason most bread recipes call for a rising time is to allow the yeast to do its job. During this step, the yeast produces carbon dioxide, which helps make your bread airy and fluffy. It is this process that makes the burger bun dough rise. Then, they set into their final shape when we bake the buns in the oven.
Absolutely! All you need to do is shape the dough a bit differently. Instead of rolling it into equal-sized balls, roll them into log shapes. Then simply rise, bake, and enjoy as per the recipe!
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Hamburger Buns
Equipment
- Thermoworks MK4 Thermapen
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons yeast
- ¼ cup milk (1)
- ¾ cup water (see note)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons water
Instructions
- Combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a medium bow or in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Whisk together the milk, water, and egg. Add it to the dry ingredients.
- Mix until combined. Then knead for 5-8 minutes in a stand mixer or 10 minutes by hand until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Form the buns, there will be 6-8. Roll into a tight ball.
- Set on a sheet pan. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
- Combine egg and water. Brush over the buns.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and/or poppy seeds, if desired.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown on top.
Jane
Hi, I’m assuming the butter is wicked with the wet ingredients? It’s not noted in the instructions. Thanks!
Phyllis
I made these hamburger buns and they were the best. I will only use this recipe. My husband and friends loved them I see there is soft butter but wasn't in the directions. I added it to the recipe with the rest of the ingredients. I used the Country Crock Plant Butter. Thank you for the fantastic recipe. My only bun recipe.