Quick and Easy Hamburger Bun Recipe (2024)

This homemade hamburger bun recipe is a quick and easy way to make your burgers even better. They are soft and fluffy, and taste so much better than the store-bought variety.

Quick and Easy Hamburger Bun Recipe (1)

Jump to Recipe

You can have the best homemade burger buns in just 30 minutes. Seriously. This quick and easy, small batch hamburger bun recipe makes perfectly soft burger buns that are way better than store bought. They’re exactly what you want to hold burgers or cheeseburgers, sloppy joes, shredded beef or pulled pork sandwiches, and more.

Content Covered Here

Quick and Easy Hamburger Bun Recipe

I discovered this burger bun recipe a few years ago (from A Taste of Home) and shared it on a weekly dinner menu. Since then, I’ve made a few modifications to the original recipe to make it even better!

They are perfect for enjoying homemade burgers however you like, from classic beef patties and cheeseburgers to healthy grilled turkey burgers and even veggie burgers.

This family loved recipe yields 8 buns, but can be easily doubled if you’re feeding a crowd. Also, the buns are baked to perfection in just 12 minutes. So if you’re looking for a great recipe for burger buns, give this one a try!

What Make This The Best Buns Recipe

There are a number of reasons that these quick 30 minute burger buns are simply amazing, and are sure to be your favorite go-to hamburger rolls recipe:

  • The dough is very soft and elastic, which makes it ideal for kneading in a mixer with a dough hook.
  • Your house will smell of freshly baked bread.
  • Homemade burger buns can be enjoyed fresh, or frozen and saved for later.

Follow my simple steps below to make the best, softest small batch hamburger buns recipe in under an hour.

Quick and Easy Hamburger Bun Recipe (2)

Hamburger Bun Recipe Ingredients

  • bread flour – or all-purpose
  • active dry yeast
  • vegetable oil
  • egg
  • sugar
  • salt
  • Optional: sesame seeds

We recommend and use King Arthur bread flour), but you can easily substitute all-purpose flour. I find that bread flour yields a smoother bun that looks exactly like store bought buns.

Note: Don’t skip the sugar! Since these buns have very little rise time, the sugar in the recipe helps provide a boost to the yeast.

Our Favorite Tools To Make Hamburger Buns

Recipe Tips

Making the Dough. Dissolve the yeast in warm water in a large bowl. Add oil and sugar and let it stand for 5 minutes.

Add a beaten egg, salt, and 3 cups of flour to the bowl and make a soft dough. If the dough is too runny, add more flour 1/4 cup at a time until it is stiff enough to knead.

Knead the Dough. Turn the dough onto a surface that is covered in flour. Knead the dough (by hand or using a dough hook in a stand mixer) until it is smooth and elastic, which should take about 3-5 minutes.

Shape the burger buns. Divide and the dough into 8 pieces, roll each piece into a ball. To smooth the top, pinch the bottom of the dough repeatedly until it is smooth on top.

Gently flatten the roll in your hand. Place rolls 3 inches apart on a greased or parchment paper-lined baking sheet or hamburger roll pan. Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.

Bake the buns. Bake at 425°F for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Ready to Serve. After baking, remove the pans from the oven and let them cool on wire racks. Once they are cooled, cut them in half to serve.

Quick and Easy Hamburger Bun Recipe (6)
  • Be sure to combine the yeast with warm water – not cold or too hot.
  • Let the shaped bun dough rest for the full suggested 20 minutes to fully proof and get the best rise.
  • When the rolls come out of the oven, immediately brush the buns with some melted butter and sprinkle on sesame seeds for delicious flavor.

Recipe Variations

  • Add 1-2 tablespoons of dried minced onion or onion powder to the dough for onion flavor buns.
  • Swap out the bread flour for whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
  • Skip the sesame seeds and instead brush the buns with some garlic butter.
  • For a fun twist, use food coloring to tint the dough before shaping it into balls.

Serving Suggestions

These quick and easy homemade burger buns are perfect for serving traditional beef burgers or cheeseburgers, or your favorite veggie or turkey burgers.

They are also delicious to enjoy with sloppy joes, pulled pork or chicken, shredded chuck roast, or other saucy main dishes.

Or use them to jazz up classic sandwiches by swapping slices of bread with soft hamburger rolls.

Quick and Easy Hamburger Bun Recipe (7)

Storing Fresh Hamburger Buns

Closely cover cooled hamburger buns in a sealed zip-top bag and store them at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, place buns on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes until they’re soft and slightly crusty.

Note: If you plan on storing the hamburger buns for more than a day or two, it’s best to freeze them.

How to Freeze

Yes, you can freeze these hamburger rolls. Place your buns in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat frozen buns, thaw overnight on the counter, then place buns on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes.

Burger Bun Recipe FAQ

I don’t have a stand mixer. Can I knead this by hand?

Yes you can. Watch the video in this homemade bread post to see how to properly knead dough. This dough is soft and pliable, so flour your countertop and hands well before kneading.

How will I know if the dough has been kneaded long enough?

The signs that dough has been kneaded long enough. The dough should feel smooth, like the inside of your cheek. It should be tacky but not sticky. And, you should be able to stretch the dough several inches without it tearing.

This recipe is for active dry yeast. I have instant yeast. Can I use that?

Yes, you can. Skip adding the yeast to the warm water, and add it to the flour. Go ahead and mix the dough together as in step 2 of the recipe.

How do you keep your buns soft after baking?

There are a few things you can do to keep your buns soft after baking.
First, brush them with some melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven. This will help keep them moist.
Second, don’t over-bake them. They should be just golden brown, not dark brown.
Finally, store them in a zip-top bag or airtight container to prevent them from drying out.

Quick and Easy Hamburger Bun Recipe (8)

Quick and Easy Hamburger Bun Recipe (9)

Quick and Easy Hamburger Buns

Renae

4.81 from 51 votes

For the best flavor and freshness, make these easy hamburger buns! They taste amazing and only take 30 minutes to make.

PrintPin

Course: Bread

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8 buns

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes minutes

Calories: 289

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water 95° to 105°F
  • cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour, or a mix of both

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add oil and sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add beaten egg, salt, and 3 cups of flour and make a soft dough. If the dough is too runny, add the rest of the flour, 1/4 cup at a time.

  • Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead (by hand or using a dough hook in a stand mixer) until smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes. Immediately divide into 8 pieces and shape each into a ball. Place 3 in. apart on baking sheet (non-stick, greased, or cover with parchment paper).

  • Preheat oven to 425ºF. Cover and let rest for 20 minutes*. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Cut in half to serve.

Notes

*You can let the hamburger bun dough rise 10 minutes, but I have found that 20 minutes is optimal for the lightest buns.

Keep homemade burger buns at room temperature in an airtight bag for up to 4-5 days. To freeze, seal in a bag and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

This recipe was inspired by Taste of Home

Nutrition

Serving: 1bun | Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 303mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Quick and Easy Hamburger Bun Recipe (10) PIN THIS POST!

Quick and Easy Hamburger Bun Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make regular hamburger buns better? ›

Steaming or air-frying buns can improve their texture. Adding herbed butter or mayonnaise can add flavor and moisture to stale buns.

What makes the best burger bun? ›

The ideal burger bun is pillowy soft, squishy and tender. It needs enough structural integrity that it will hold strong with a juicy burger, but should never be tough and chewy - that would distract from all the other delicious flavours and textures in a perfectly crafted burger.

What can I use if I don't have burger buns? ›

7 Delicious Hamburger Bun Substitutes You'll Love
  • Baby Iceberg Lettuce. This nutritious little veggie wraps burgers with a mildly sweet crispness. ...
  • Premium Romaine Lettuce. ...
  • Portobello Mushrooms. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Grilled Zucchini. ...
  • Whole Wheat Pita Pockets. ...
  • Healthy House-Made Buns.
Oct 31, 2023

What is the difference between a bread roll and a burger bun? ›

Rolls are typically proofed and baked closer together for a softer, “pull apart” result. This makes them great for dipping or eating alongside other food. On the other hand, buns are proofed with space between them, which makes them crustier.

Why are my homemade hamburger buns dense? ›

Avoid adding too much extra flour to the dough.

Your instinct might be to add extra flour; however, any extra flour will create a denser, tougher bun instead of the light, fluffy, brioche-style bun we want.

How do you keep hamburger buns from falling apart? ›

The last possible action is to spread the bread with butter, mayonnaise, or salad dressing (Russian, miracle whip, ranch, or some other flavor). Put a thin layer to help seal the bread from the burgers juices. The more rare the burger, the juicier it will be. That juice seeping into the bun helps the bun “ fall apart”.

What is the most popular hamburger bun? ›

Top 50 Scanned: Hamburger Bun beta
Popularity
#1Hamburger Buns, Enriched Great Value100 Calories
#2Hamburger Buns, 100% Whole Wheat Pepperidge Farm130 Calories
#3Hamburger Enriched Buns, White Kroger120 Calories
#4Hamburger Buns L'oven Fresh110 Calories
46 more rows

What is the difference between a brioche bun and a regular bun? ›

Brioche is a bread enriched with milk, sugar, butter and sometimes eggs. A normal bun is typically less enriched meaning it has less butter, milk and sugar.

What is a burger without bread called? ›

If it's just by itself on a plate, it's called a hamburger patty; if it's on a piece of bread with melted cheese, it's called a burger melt.

Why do burger buns fall apart? ›

A bun that is too dry or tough can negatively affect the texture and enjoyment of the burger, whilst a bun that is too soft or soggy can cause the burger to fall apart. However, even the most ideal burger bun, if not stored properly, can ruin your burger experience.

Are buns healthier than bread? ›

Bread can be healthier than buns, but it all depends on the kind of bun and bread being compared. For example, one slice of white bread is healthier than a single sweet bun which can have a high amount of carbohydrates and sugar. On the other hand, one whole wheat bun might be healthier than a slice of white bread.

What is raw hamburger on a bun called? ›

Cannibal Sandwiches: A Polarizing And Misunderstood Wisconsin Tradition. A Holiday Dish Going Back Generations, The Raw Beef Delicacy May Be Making A Comeback. By Mary Kate McCoy. March 29, 2019.

Are dinner rolls and burger buns the same? ›

There is some overlap between bun and roll. However, rolls are usually plain unsweetened bread, while buns are often sweet and contain fruit. They are very similar, but a roll might be a little fancier and a bun more informal. For example, we have hamburger and hot dog buns, but dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls.

Why use brioche buns for burgers? ›

Brioche is an enriched dough and is usually on the sweet side, although this one isn't too sweet because I don't like my burgers that way. They're still enriched with a hint of sweetness, and are light in texture and will still stay together when you grab on to it and take a bite.

How do you revive stale burger buns? ›

Add water to a microwave safe glass, place in microwave & heat on high for 3 minutes or till steam starts to rise. With glass in microwave, Place buns & heat on medium for 20 secs or till they soften up. This method also works for leftover pasta or any gluten product.

Should you butter burger buns? ›

A helping of butter can create the perfect crisp

So, using either a soft, salted or flavored butter, take a generous helping and spread a layer on the side of the bun that will be in contact with the cooking surface. And of course, be sure to butter both the top and bottom buns for maximum crunch and taste.

How do you make store bought hamburger buns shiny? ›

Lightly beat 1 large egg white with 1 tablespoon water. Brush on buns, then add toppings and bake until the egg white is dry, 6 to 8 minutes. Nori-Sesame buns (pictured above): Brush with egg wash, then sprinkle with sesame seeds and thinly sliced roasted nori (seaweed sheets). Bake as directed.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rubie Ullrich

Last Updated:

Views: 5783

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rubie Ullrich

Birthday: 1998-02-02

Address: 743 Stoltenberg Center, Genovevaville, NJ 59925-3119

Phone: +2202978377583

Job: Administration Engineer

Hobby: Surfing, Sailing, Listening to music, Web surfing, Kitesurfing, Geocaching, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Rubie Ullrich, I am a enthusiastic, perfect, tender, vivacious, talented, famous, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.