There’s nothing quite like a homemade hamburger bun—soft, golden, and fresh from the oven. Store-bought buns often fall short, either too flimsy to hold up to a juicy burger or lacking that fresh-baked flavor. Making your own buns at home is easier than you might think, and the result is a bakery-quality bun that elevates any meal.
In this hamburger bun recipe, I’ll guide you through the process of making light, pillowy buns that are sturdy enough to hold all your favorite toppings. Whether you’re grilling burgers for a summer cookout, making sandwiches for the week, or simply craving homemade bread, these homemade hamburger buns will quickly become a go-to in your kitchen.
Recommended Equipment to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns
- stand mixer with dough hook attachment
- large baking sheet
- silicone baking mat – optional
Ingredients Needed to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns
- yeast – I prefer to use instant dry yeast
- warm water – NOT hot
- milk – any variety
- sugar
- egg
- olive oil
- salt
- flour
- sesame seeds – optional
Instructions On Making This Hamburger Bun Recipe
1. To a mixing bowl, add the yeast, warm water, milk, and sugar. Briefly whisk and let rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom. See the photo below for reference.
2. Next, add the egg, oil, salt, and three cups of the flour (reserving 1/2 cup to add slowly in the next step). Using the dough hook attachment on your mixer, mix the dough for about 5 minutes.
3. Then, once you can see that the dough is starting to take shape, slowly add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour and let the mixer continue kneading the dough for 5-10 minutes. You’ll know it’s finished when the dough pulls away from the bowl and doesn’t stick to the sides of it.
4. Finally, turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Cut and shape the dough into 8 equally sized dough balls. You can use a scale if you want to be super precise, but I can assure you that it’s not necessary. I never use a scale when making these buns, and look how wonderful they turn out anyway!
How to Shape The Hamburger Buns
Start by pulling and folding in the edges of the bun onto itself, and then flip it over. Now, with a hand wrapped around each side, pull the dough ball towards you. Move the dough ball back to a spot on your counter a few inches away and again, pull the dough ball towards you. Do this a few times to create tension in the dough.
See the photos below for a visual reference on how to perform this shaping method.
5. Preheat your oven and place the shaped dough balls onto your baking sheet. Let them rest until your oven has preheated. This waiting time will allow the hamburger buns to rise slightly, as seen in the photos below.
6. Make the egg wash, and lightly brush it onto the tops of the shaped dough balls. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
7. Bake the hamburger buns for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown, as depicted in the photos below.
Let your homemade hamburger buns cool slightly on the pan before slicing with a bread knife and serving.
And as always, enjoy!
Storage recommendations
Store finished and baked hamburger buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. After this, they will significantly lose their fluffy, soft, pillowy texture.
It is best to reheat them in a 350°F warmed oven for approximately 5 minutes.
Common Questions
Can I freeze homemade hamburger buns?
Yes! Once cut and shaped, you can freeze the raw dough hamburger buns for up to one month. Be sure to flash freeze them first. You can do this by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes before moving them to a freezer-safe bag.
When you’re ready to bake them, let them thaw first, then bake them according to the directions in the recipe card below.
Why are my hamburger buns so dense?
There are a few reasons this could happen. The first reason is that they could be underproofed. And while this recipe only calls for one rise, not two, they should have enough time while your oven is preheating to proof and rise.
Another common reason could be that there is too much flour. Do not use more flour than the recipe calls for!
Lastly, be sure to give your yeast time to bloom. If the yeast isn’t active, this recipe will simply not work, and you will need to start over with fresh, active yeast.
Are homemade buns healthier?
Generally, yes. You have to consider that homemade burger buns and breads in general typically have fewer ingredients and no preservatives, unlike store-bought options.
Tried and liked this recipe? Give it a rating and leave a comment below! Then snap a photo and tag us over on IG @ _jchandelle
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Easy One Hour Homemade Hamburger Buns
Equipment
- 1 stand mixer with dough hook
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 silicone baking mat optional
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons yeast
- 1 cup warm water – NOT HOT
- 2 tbsp milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 3.5 cups flour – 1/2 cup separated to add slowly as dough is mixing
- sesame seeds optional
Egg Wash
- 1 egg whisked
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Instructions
Making the dough
- To a mixing bowl, add the yeast, warm water, milk, and sugar. Briefly whisk and let rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom.2 tablespoons yeast, 1 cup warm water, 2 tbsp milk, 1/4 cup sugar
- Next, add the egg, oil, salt, and three cups of the flour (reserving 1/2 cup to add slowly in the next step). Using the dough hook attachment on your mixer, mix the dough for about 5 minutes on medium speed.1 egg, 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 3.5 cups flour
- Then, once you can see that the dough is starting to take shape, slowly add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour and let the mixer continue kneading the dough for 5-10 minutes on medium speed. You'll know it's finished when the dough pulls away from the bowl and doesn't stick.
- Finally, turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Cut and shape the dough into 8 equally sized dough balls.
- Preheat your oven to 425℉ and place the shaped dough balls onto your baking sheet. Let them rest until your oven is up to temperature. This waiting time will allow the hamburger buns to rise slightly.
Making the egg wash
- In a small bowl, whisk an egg.1 egg whisked
- Make the egg wash, and lightly brush it onto the tops of the shaped dough balls. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.sesame seeds
- Bake the hamburger buns for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let your homemade hamburger buns cool slightly on the pan before slicing with a bread knife and serving. And enjoy!
These are the most soft and delicious buns for burgers, sandwiches, pulled pork, you name it! And I love that they’re so simple to make!