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These homemade Hamburger Buns will 100% take your burger to the NEXT LEVEL. They're so soft and pillowy, but sturdy enough to hold up to your favorite burger and all the toppings.
Homemade Hamburger Buns, Because Your Burger Deserves Better Buns
Burger night is serious business in our house, and I got tired of store-bought buns not adding anything special to the meal. I knew I had to make hamburger buns from scratch and I wanted the buns to be a slightly enriched dough (similar to brioche!), so I added an extra egg yolk, some butter and milk along with the water. BEST hamburger buns EVER!! I'm telling you, once you make them yourself, you can never go back! They're soft, but sturdy, and mostly they just taste WAY better than store-bought ever could.
Try more of my easy bread recipes, like No Knead Artisan Bread, Sandwich Bread, English Muffins, Baguettes, Pita Bread, or Breadsticks!
How to make Hamburger Buns:
Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine warm water, warm milk, yeast, sugar, egg, egg yolk, butter, 1 cup of flour and salt. Whisk until well combined. Add another cup of flour and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead for several minutes, adding a little flour at a time as needed, until the dough comes together. The dough should be soft, slightly sticky but not stick to clean, dry fingertips.
First Rise: Cover and let rise for 1 ½ hours, until doubled in size.
Shape Buns: Divide dough into 8 equal pieces (around 80 grams each). Roll each into a smooth ball and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your palm to gently flatten the balls to 3–3 ½ inches wide.
Second Rise: Cover loosely and let rise for another 1 to 1 ½ hours, until puffed.
Bake: Whisk egg with water and brush over buns. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if using. Bakehamburger buns at 375°F for about 14-18 minutes, until golden brown. Move to a cooling rack. Optional, brush tops lightly with melted butter.
Use homemade buns for Smash Burgers, Black Bean Burgers, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Sloppy Joes, or any of my sandwiches and burger recipes!
Homemade Hamburger Buns
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm water , (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, , room temperature
- 1 egg yolk, , room temperature
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, , softened
- 2 ¾ -3 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (you may not use it all), , divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
For Topping:
- 1 egg
- 1 Tablespoon water or milk
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine warm water, warm milk, yeast, sugar, egg, egg yolk, butter, 1 cup of flour and salt. Whisk until well combined. Add another cup of flour and mix until a shaggy dough forms.½ cup warm water , ¼ cup warm milk, 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet), 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 egg yolk, 2 ¾ -3 ¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (you may not use it all), 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- Knead for several minutes, adding a little flour at a time as needed, until the dough comes together. The dough should be soft, slightly sticky but not stick to clean, dry fingertips. (As you knead, the gluten will strengthen and the dough will get less sticky, so don't add too much flour!)
- First Rise: Cover and let rise for 1 to 1 ½ hours, until doubled in size.
- Shape Buns: Divide dough into 8 equal pieces (around 80 grams each). Roll each into a smooth ball and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your palm to gently flatten the balls to 3–3 ½ inches wide.
- Second Rise: Cover loosely and let rise for another 1 to 1 ½ hours, until puffed.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Egg Wash & Topping: Whisk egg with water until well combined and brush a thin layer of egg wash over buns. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.1 egg, 1 Tablespoon water or milk, Sesame seeds (optional)
- Bake hamburger buns for about 14-18 minutes, until golden brown. Move to a cooling rack. Optional, brush tops lightly with melted butter.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I think the weather affected the rise and they were done in 12 minutes in our oven. I made them to go with the Chick Fil A sandwich … let’s just say they were perfect and a hit! I will definitely be making them again. And as someone who admits to not being good at baking, I appreciate how easy this recipe is to follow!
I don’t know what I did wrong 🙁 they’re huge! As in, wide… they puffed up nicely then flattened. I would love nothing more than to watch an updated video similar to the homemade white bread recipe! Was so helpful to see what I’m looking for in the dough. Buns smell good regardless!
It sounds like your dough may have been just a little too soft/sticky, which can cause the buns to spread more than they should. Next time, while kneading, add flour a little at a time until the dough is soft and slightly sticky, but doesn’t stick to clean, dry fingertips. Also be sure to shape them into nice tight balls before gently flattening them. I’m so glad they still smell amazing! And thank you for the video suggestion. I agree, being able to actually SEE what the dough should look and feel like is so helpful. ❤️
So you don’t “bloom” the yeast first? You just mix it all together at the same time in step 1?
Yes! This recipe uses instant yeast, so there’s no need to bloom it first — it goes right in with the other ingredients in step 1.
This recipe actually works! Follow the directions step by step and you will get beautiful buns!
I have never had a desire to make home made buns, but thought I’d give it a try- wow! Total game changer! They taste amazing- my kids LOVED them and now we can never go back to store bought! Simple to make, fun for the kids to help make and absolutely delicious. Made me feel like a million bucks with all the noise coming from the table when the family had their first bite! “Mhm…yum, wow, mmm,” Thanks for another amazing recipe!
Made these for Memorial day. They were absolutely fantastic.
These are an absolute game changer. I had no idea the difference a good bun makes for your burger. After having these, I don’t think I can go back to store bought. Please, please give these a try…you won’t regret it!
I was inspired and made these today! Going go well with your sloppy Joe recipe that I also love
Could this be made on the dough cycle of a bread machine
Yes! Use the dough cycle, then shape the buns, let them rise again, and bake as directed.