Homemade hamburger buns are soft, but sturdy enough to hold your burger and all the toppings.
Once you make your own burger buns, it's hard to go back to store-bought. These buns make any burger or sandwich that much better.
At a Glance: Makes 12 hamburger buns, or 18 smaller buns• Perfect for grilled hamburgers, pulled pork, or a stacked deli meat sandwich •
Better than store-bought hamburger buns
Homemade hamburger buns are not difficult to make and they really make the meal a bit more special. The buns bake up soft and tender and are perfect for juicy burgers.
I've been baking bread for years, and making burger buns is just as easy as making a loaf of bread. The dough is straightforward and easy to work with, and once you've made them a time or two, they become second nature. The actual hands-on time is fairly short, but be sure to plan ahead so the dough has plenty of time to rise.
I often use these buns when making Baked Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Sloppy Joes, and BBQ Pulled Pork. They are a perfect match.
Ingredients for burger buns
- Flour - Use regular, all-purpose flour
- Yeast - I use active dry yeast
- Butter - I use regular, salted butter
- Sugar - Helps sweeten the dough just a touch
- Eggs - Create structure and richness in the buns
- Sesame Seeds - Optional to use
Making hamburger buns
- Mix water, yeast, and sugar together in a bowl. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
- Mix in egg, egg yolk, butter, and salt.
- Add flour 1 cup at a time until the dough forms a ball.
- Knead in the mixer for 5 minutes.
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl until doubled in size.
- Test to see if the dough has double by gently pressing two fingers into the dough. If the indentations stay, or slowly springs back, the dough is ready.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and gently press down to deflate the dough.
- Divide dough into equal pieces.
- Shape each piece into a ball and then flatten.
- Place on a baking sheet, cover and let rise again.
- When the buns are puffy, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 18-22 minutes.
How to know when your dough has risen
Yeast dough needs to rise two separate times. Ensuring the dough has risen enough, but not too much is crucial to successful buns.
The first rise usually takes between 1 ½ - 2 hours. This will vary depending on your dough, your yeast, and the temperature in your kitchen. Doing a poke test is more reliable than watching the clock.
When your dough appears to have doubled in size, gently poke two fingers into the dough. If the indentations stay or slowly bounces back, your dough is ready. If it springs back quickly, your dough needs more rise time. If the dough feels very delicate, it may have risen too long.
The second rise usually takes less time, 30-60 minutes. The buns should look puffy and feel light when gently touched. You can push on the side of the buns, but don't push you fingers into the dough. The dough should leave a slight indentation where you pushed your fingers when the dough is ready.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my bread recipes!
Hamburger Buns
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups Water
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
- ¼ Cup Sugar
- 3 Tablespoons Butter (softened)
- 1 whole Egg and 1 Egg Yolk (save white for glazing buns)
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 ½ - 5 ½ Cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
Egg Wash
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
Topping
- 2 Tablespoons Sesame seeds for top of buns. (optional)
Instructions
- Mix water, yeast and sugar together. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until mixture becomes bubbly.1 ½ Cups Water, 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, ¼ Cup Sugar
- Add egg, egg yolk, butter, salt, and one cup of flour. Mix together.3 Tablespoons Butter, 1 whole Egg and 1 Egg Yolk, 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- Continue adding flour 1 cup at a time until the dough forms a ball. Once you reach 4 ½ cups of flour, add any remaining flour in small amounts. The amount of flour used will vary.4 ½ - 5 ½ Cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
- Knead in a stand mixer at a low speed for 5 minutes, or for 10 minutes by hand.
- Cover and let rise until doubled, 1 ½ - 2 hours.
- Gently deflate and divide dough in half. Working with one half at a time, divide into equal size pieces. If you want large hamburger buns, cut each half into 6 pieces for a total of 12 buns. If you want smaller buns, cut into more pieces.
- Roll each piece into a round shape by using your hand cupped around the dough and making a circular motion.
- Flatter each ball by gently pressing down on the top. Let the buns rest for a few minutes and then press again. This allows the dough to relax and then when pressing for the second time, the dough stretches further and holds its shape.
- Place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, or lightly sprayed with a non-stick spray.
- Cover and let rise again for 30-60 minutes until slightly puffy.
- Make an egg wash by beating the reserved egg white with water. Use a pastry brush and brush buns with the egg wash. Sprinkle sesame seeds across the top.1 egg white, 1 tablespoon water, 2 Tablespoons Sesame seeds for top of buns.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 18-22 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from baking sheet and cool on a baking rack. Allow the buns to fully cool before slicing.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Donna says
Hi Kathy, I can’t wait to try these…thinking of doing half with everything bagel seasoning, yum 😋. I’ve made your oatmeal banana muffins about six times and we love them and so do our neighbors lol. Thank you for sharing! Have a Happy Thanksgiving 🍁
Kathy says
Hi Donna,
Thank you!!! You just can't go wrong with everything bagel seasoning! Sounds delish!!! 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to you too! 🙂
Kathy
Christine says
I've always been too intimidated to make my own hamburger buns but this seems totally do-able. I'll have to try these out this grilling season!
Kathy says
Very doable! Give them a try!
Erin says
These look better than store brought! Will have to try my hand at making these.
Kathy says
I make these whenever I can! You just can't go wrong with homemade.
Sue Ringsdorf says
What is better than making homemade hamburger buns?! These look delicious and I can't wait to try them!
Kathy says
I hope you give them a try!
Michelle @ The Last Food Blog says
These are perfect! I'm all for sesame seeds 😉
Kathy says
I agree....I love sesame seeds!
Katie Crenshaw says
These look lovely, Kathy! I have never had homemade hamburger buns. Now I think I need to! YUM!
Kathy says
They will take your burger to a whole new level!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
I know this is probably funny but I've never thought of making my own hamburger buns! You have inspired me!
Kathy says
I hope you give them a try! They are so worth the little bit of effort!
Michele says
I think you have just made my husbands day! He will love the homemade buns... he always complains that the store-bought taste like paper...
Kathy says
These are definitely full of flavor! I hope he love these homemade buns!
Heather - Butter&Burlap says
Whaaa?! Homemade hamburger buns?! My burgers just took a giant leap forward to flavor town! I've never attempted homemade buns before but these look like real winners! This recipe will without a doubt come in handy this summer. Mmmm can't wait!
Kathy says
Just think how impressed everyone will be with you!
Suzi says
Made these on our snow/sleet day! I didn't have sesame seeds, so I used Chia seeds on top instead. Can't wait until tonight's burgers!
Kathy says
Chia seeds! What a clever idea. Let me know how they turn out. Hope you enjoy your snow day!
Suzi says
The buns were the BEST ever! A hit with everyone! I'm already thinking of what kind of sandwich I can make with them for tomorrow's lunch. And I used the bread machine to knead the dough, so they were easy to make.
Kathy says
So glad they turned out. I love that you used the bread machine!