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    Home » Homemade Hamburger Buns (Burger Buns)

    Homemade Hamburger Buns (Burger Buns)

    Published: May 12, 2021 · Modified: Jul 14, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    These homemade hamburger buns are buttery, soft and will take your burger nights to the next level. This burger buns recipe is easy to make in one hour and they are even better than store-bought!

    6 Homemade Hamburger Buns (Burger Buns), one cut in half

    I've mentioned before that I always prefer homemade bread. Whether it's no-knead bread, pretzel bread, french bread, or dinner rolls, homemade is always better than store-bought! These hamburger buns are no exception! They are buttery, soft and will take your burger nights to the next level. 

    This burger buns recipe is easy to make in one hour and they are so delicious you will never buy store-bought hamburger buns again! With this homemade buns recipe you'll never have to run out to the store if you forget to add buns to your cart!

    front view of 6 Homemade Hamburger Buns (Burger Buns)

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Here are some notes about the ingredients in this homemade buns recipe, as well as possible substitutions.

    ingredients in this Homemade Hamburger Bun recipe
    • Granulated sugar. The sugar causes the yeast to rise, so I don't recommend leaving it out. You can use honey if desired.
    • Whole milk. Any percentage of milk works well (not fat free). My favorite is whole milk because it yields the best burger buns. 
    • All-purpose flour. You can substitute up to ½ of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour. However, as someone who usually makes this substitution as often as possible, I do not recommend it in this recipe. These hamburger buns are so delicious and are truly the best when made with a good all-purpose flour. You can use bread flour with great results too.
    • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works perfectly.

    How to make Homemade burger buns

    You can make these hamburger buns in a standing mixer or by hand. I'll explain how to do both methods. 

    Proof yeast

    In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook (or a large bowl), combine water, sugar and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes or until foamy.

    two photos showing How to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns

    Add wet ingredients

    Add melted butter, milk and egg to the proofed yeast and gently stir to combine (with a spatula or the dough hook).

    NOTE: Be sure you completely cool the butter/milk mixture so you do not kill the yeast. That’s really the only “tricky’ part of this recipe! If any part of the recipe is too warm (over 105 degrees F), the yeast won’t proof and then the burger buns won’t rise!

    two photos showing How to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns

    Add flour

    Add 3 cups flour and sea salt and mix with the dough hook. Then, add additional flour, ¼ cup at a time, and knead until dough forms a ball, is smooth, and slightly tacky to the touch. If mixing by hand use a spatula or wooden spoon. 

    two photos showing How to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns

    Let the dough rise

    Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl, covered with a damp towel, to rise until doubled (about 60 minutes).

    two photos showing How to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns

    Portion dough 

    After the dough has doubled, punch it down and weigh it, then divide by 12 and portion out the dough. If you don't have a food scale you can simply eyeball it, but I always weigh my dough to portion it out to ensure even baking. 

    two photos showing How to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns

    Form Burger Buns & Rise again

    Next, form the equal pieces into flat, round discs of equal size (about 2-3” in diameter). Making them flat will ensure the hamburger buns aren't too thick to bite in to. 

    Cover the formed rolls with a damp towel (don’t let the towel touch the rolls) and let rise again until doubled in size (30-60 minutes).

    Bake & Serve

    During the end of the rise, preheat oven to 375 degrees F, then bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

    After removing the homemade buns from the oven, immediately brush the top of each bun with butter, then sprinkle with sesame seeds or sea salt.

    two photos showing How to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns

    Serve

    Slice these homemade buns in half and serve them with your favorite recipes. Obviously they are prefect for hamburgers, but here are some more suggestions: 

    • We love using them with this crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe. 
    • Stuff these rolls with the best chicken salad or this avocado chicken salad. 
    • You will love this egg salad served between one of these homemade buns. 
    • These veggies burgers are perfect with these burger buns. 
    • Use them to make a turkey cranberry sandwich - YUM!
    front view of sesame seeds being sprinkled on Homemade Burger Buns

    FAQs about this recipe

    How do you store burger buns?

    If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container/bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    How do you freeze hamburger buns?

    Let them cool, place them in a freezer-friendly plastic bag, and freeze for up to 1 month.

    How do I make crisp buns?

    If you want your buns a little crispy, you can use the oven, toaster, or grill. First, cut the bun in half, then do one of the following:
    1. Place the bun halves facedown on a baking sheet. Warm in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for about 5 minutes.
    2. Or place the halves in the toaster and toast to your desired crispiness.
    3. Finally, put the bun halves face down on the grill for 30 - 60 seconds.

    More homemade bread recipes: 

    Homemade bread is the best! You have to try these Recipes!

    • The best pretzel bread ever.
    • This no knead bread is a reader favorite. 
    • You will love these homemade dinner rolls. 
    • This whole wheat bread makes great sandwiches. 
    • And you absolutely have to try the best cinnamon rolls ever!
    up close photos of a Homemade Burger Bun cut in half

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Homemade Hamburger Buns (Burger Buns)

    Laura
    These homemade hamburger buns are buttery, soft and will take your burger nights to the next level. This burger buns recipe is easy to make and they are even better than store-bought!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Rising 1 hr 30 mins
    Total Time 2 hrs
    Course bread, Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Buns
    Calories 220 kcal

    Equipment

    • KitchenAid Mixer
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • baking sheet
    • Parchment Paper

    Ingredients
     
     

    Burger Buns:

    • ½ cup warm water
    • 2 TBS granulated sugar
    • 1 TBS active dry yeast
    • 4 TBS butter melted and cooled
    • 1 ¼ cups whole milk room temperature
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tsp fine sea salt
    • 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour

    Topping:

    • 2 TBS butter melted
    • 2 TBS sesame seeds or coarse sea salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook (or a large bowl), combine water, sugar and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes or until foamy.
    • Add melted butter, milk and egg and gently stir to combine.
    • Add 3 cups flour and sea salt and mix with the dough hook.
    • Add additional flour, ¼ cup at a time, and knead until dough forms a ball, is smooth, and slightly tacky to the touch.
    • Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl, covered with a damp towel, to rise until doubled (about 60 minutes).
    • After the dough has doubled, punch it down and weight it, then divide by 12 and form into flat, round discs of equal size (about 2-3” in diameter).
    • Cover with a damp towel (don’t let the towel touch the rolls) and let rise again until doubled in size (30-60 minutes).
    • During the end of the rise, preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes
    • Brush the top of each roll with butter, then sprinkle with sesame seeds.
    • Serve warm with your favorite burgers, shredded chicken, etc.

    Video

    Notes

    Store

    Store buns in an airtight container/bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    To Freeze

    Freeze any extra buns in an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag for up to 1 month. 

    How to Crisp Buns

    If you want your buns a little crispy, you can use the oven, toaster, or grill. First, cut the bun in half, then do one of the following:
    1. Place the bun halves facedown on a baking sheet. Warm in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for about 5 minutes.
    2. Or place the halves in the toaster and toast to your desired crispiness.
    3. Finally, put the bun halves face down on the grill for 30 - 60 seconds.

    Ingredient Substitutions 

    • Granulated sugar. The sugar causes the yeast to rise, so I don't recommend leaving it out. You can use honey if desired.
    • Whole milk. Any percentage of milk works well (not fat free). My favorite is whole milk because it yields the best burger buns. 
    • All-purpose flour. You can substitute up to ½ of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour. However, as someone who usually makes this substitution as often as possible, I do not recommend it in this recipe. These hamburger buns are so delicious and are truly the best when made with a good all-purpose flour. You can use bread flour with great results too.
    • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works perfectly.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bunCalories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 261mgPotassium: 89mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 236IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Did you make this recipe?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah

      January 03, 2023 at 6:43 am

      5 stars
      this is my go-to bun recipe!

      Reply
      • Laura

        January 03, 2023 at 7:45 am

        Thank you Sarah!

        Reply
    2. Zack

      May 24, 2021 at 9:04 am

      5 stars
      These came out so well! I had extra AP flour from making crepes over the weekend. These baps were perfect to make. Appreciate the tip of flattening out the buns 🙏 Thanks!

      Reply
    3. Sarah

      May 16, 2021 at 6:16 am

      5 stars
      I am so happy you posted this recipe. I have always made buns using a regular roll recipe, and they tasted great but were often really rounded and tall. Your instructions to flatten the buns before the second rising were a lightbulb moment! This will be my regular recipe and method for hamburger buns from now on.

      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 16, 2021 at 7:04 am

        Yay! I'm so glad Sarah! And I agree - I had to solve the "too talL" bun problem! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Judy

      May 12, 2021 at 9:47 am

      Can you make the dough in a bread machine?

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 12, 2021 at 10:02 am

        Yes absolutely.

        Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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