Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These buns are everything you want in a homemade bread: light, airy, and flavorful with a golden, sesame-studded top. The texture is perfectly soft yet sturdy enough to hold up to juicy burgers and hearty fillings. They’re easy to make with basic ingredients and are ideal for meal prepping, freezing, and elevating your sandwich game.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- ¾ cup warm water (100–110°F)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature, divided
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Directions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it stand for about 5 minutes, until foamy.
- Mix the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine the water mixture, butter, 1 egg, 2 cups of flour, and salt. Beat on medium-low speed for 1–2 minutes until a smooth batter forms.
- Add Remaining Flour: Gradually add the remaining 1¼ cups flour, ½ cup at a time, until a soft, smooth dough forms. The dough should feel elastic and slightly tacky. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and knead for 3 minutes.
- First Rise: Lightly oil a large bowl or coat with nonstick spray. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat it all over. Cover with a clean dishtowel and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Shape the Buns: Punch down the dough to release air. On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and shape each into a smooth ball.
- Second Rise: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the dough balls on the sheet and gently flatten each to about 3 inches wide. Cover again with a dishtowel and let rise until doubled, another 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat and Glaze: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg and milk. Brush the tops of the buns with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake: Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown. Let cool before slicing.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8 buns
- Prep Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (includes rising time)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Variations
- Seedless: Skip the sesame seeds for a plain, smooth top.
- Everything Buns: Top with everything bagel seasoning instead of sesame seeds.
- Sweet Version: Add a tablespoon of honey to the dough for a slightly sweet twist, great for breakfast sandwiches.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cooled buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Wrap each bun in plastic wrap and freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes or slice and toast as desired.
FAQs
Can I make the dough without a stand mixer?
Yes, knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
What’s the best flour to use?
All-purpose flour works best for a soft, tender bun. Bread flour will result in a slightly chewier texture.
Can I use instant yeast instead?
Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Mix it directly with the dry ingredients and skip the proofing step.
Can I add whole wheat flour?
You can replace up to 1 cup of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, though the buns may be slightly denser.
How do I ensure my buns are soft?
Avoid overbaking and make sure to cover the dough properly during the rise to retain moisture.
Can I use milk instead of water?
Yes, using warm milk instead of water adds richness and softness to the dough.
Why did my buns not rise properly?
Make sure your yeast is active and the water temperature is between 100–110°F. A warm environment also helps the dough rise effectively.
Conclusion
Homemade Hamburger Buns are the ultimate upgrade for your burgers, sandwiches, and sliders. With their soft, fluffy texture and golden crust, they bring bakery-quality results right to your kitchen. Once you try these, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought buns again!
Homemade Hamburger Buns
- Prep Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (includes rising time)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 buns
- Category: Side
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Homemade Hamburger Buns are soft, fluffy, and perfect for sandwiches or burgers. These pillowy buns, made from simple pantry ingredients, bake up beautifully and are sure to elevate your next meal.
Ingredients
¾ cup warm water (100–110°F)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature, divided
3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for about 5 minutes, until foamy.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine the water mixture, butter, 1 egg, 2 cups of flour, and salt. Beat on medium-low speed for 1–2 minutes until a smooth batter forms.
- Gradually add the remaining 1¼ cups flour, ½ cup at a time, until a soft, smooth dough forms. Increase mixer speed to medium-high and knead for 3 minutes.
- Lightly oil a large bowl. Place dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes to 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape into smooth balls.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place dough balls on the sheet, gently flattening each to about 3 inches wide. Cover and let rise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Whisk the remaining egg and milk. Brush egg wash over buns and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool before slicing.
Notes
For seedless buns, skip the sesame seeds.
For everything bagel-style buns, top with everything bagel seasoning instead of sesame seeds.
For a slightly sweet version, add a tablespoon of honey to the dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
