Buying them at the store is convenient but making hamburger buns from scratch doesn't take much time at all. Best of all, they add an almost effortless artisan touch to your burgers and other hot sandwiches.
Table of Contents
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways
- Homemade burger buns are quick to make and take your burgers to the next level.
- Perfect for backyard cookouts, chicken salad sandwiches, and and more!
- You can shape the dough into balls and flatten them into shape or use a 24-ounce can with the ends cut off to cut the dough into rounds.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
- Make them with part whole wheat flour
- Use all whole wheat flour - just keep in mind that the whole wheat version is likely to be coarser than if you made it with white flour.
- Onion rolls? Add onion powder to the dough with the salt, or leave out the salt and add a packet of dry onion soup mix.
- Add a tablespoon or two of Ranch seasoning mix to the dough - but leave out the salt.
- Brush the tops with egg yolk mixed with water before baking and sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds
The cool thing about these is that you can make them any way you want -- it's just the most versatile recipe ever. You can even roll them into logs for hot dog buns.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
Heat milk, honey, & butter. Cool to 105F-120F. Add egg.
Mix 2 cups of the flour, yeast, and salt.
Mix flour mixture into the milk mixture.
Stir in the rest of the flour, ½ cup at a time until dough pulls together.
Knead.
Form into ball.
Form equally sized buns. Let rise.
Bake.
🤫 Cook's secrets -
I've admitted before that I don't use fancy cutters. My favorite doughnut, bun, and biscuit cutters are various sizes of cans with the ends cut off! I use a big 24oz can for hamburger buns and it makes them just about right.
🍴 Equipment
- stand mixer
- large
mixing bowl - measuring cups and spoons
- large round biscuit cutter - I use a large, 24 ounce can with the ends cut out. Works great!
🥫 How to store leftovers
Store the cooled hamburger buns in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for 2 or 3 days. Homemade breads mold more quickly and get stale quicker than commercial breads.
You can even make them ahead of time and freeze for up to three months either baked or unbaked.
Marye's Tip
Make sure your liquids are between 105F- 120F for best results. If the liquid is too cold the yeast won't work and if it's too hot it will kill the yeast.
💭 Things to know
- It takes these just about 30 minutes to rise in my hot, Texas kitchen. If your kitchen is cooler you might need a little more time.
- Once they are baked let them cool on a wire rack before you slice them or they will tear.
- You can also freeze them in an airtight freezer container or Ziploc bag until you are ready to use them.
- The recipe is easy to double, too.
👩🍳 FAQs
I have never used gluten-free flour and I am not sure how it would work.
Yes. Make the dough on the dough cycle then shape and bake as directed.
Yes! They freeze perfectly unbaked or baked. See instructions in the "How to store" section.
📚 Related recipes
🍽️ Serve with...
Lipton onion soup burger is thick and juicy with lots of onion flavor.
Sloppy Joes are just as good as you remember them! So easy to make.
Root beer chicken is
🍽️ Repurpose leftovers
Wondering what to do with leftover hamburger buns? Leftover buns on the edge of getting stale? Don't throw them out!
- Breadcrumbs. Blend into crumbs for use in various recipes and to top casseroles
- Croutons. Cut into squares, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, and mix. Bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Bread pudding. As long as you haven't used a savory seasoning use the leftovers to make bread pudding.
- Stuffing. I dice up my bread scraps and put them in a freezer bag and freeze. When the holidays come I usually have more than enough to make stuffing with.
- Garlic Bread. Spread with garlic butter and broil, watching carefully!
📞 The last word
Hamburger and hot dog buns are cheap in the store and I'll be the first to admit that sometimes it's just easier to pick up a package of them rather than make my own.
The thing is, there's nothing like putting a gourmet hamburger on a homemade bun. SO good!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Easy Homemade Hamburger Buns
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
Instructions
- Heat the milk, water, honey and butter until butter is melted.
- Check temperature. Depending on the temperature, let cool to 120F.
- Carefully beat in egg.
- Mix 2 cups of the flour, yeast, and salt.
- Mix into the milk mixture.
- Stir in the rest of the flour, ½ cup at a time. Beat well after each addition.
- When the dough pulls together, (it will form a soft ball) turn it out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Divide dough into 12 -16 equal pieces. This will depend on the size you want for the finished bun.
- Shape into smooth balls, flatten slightly, and place on a silpat covered baking sheet. OR roll dough into about 1-inch thickness and cut out with a large biscuit cutter or 24-ounce sized can with the ends cut off.
- Let rise for 30 to 35 minutes.
- When buns have almost doubled bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes, or until done.
- Cool, covered with a tea towel to keep them soft.
Notes
- Make sure all liquids are 105F - 120F.
- These take just about 30 minutes to rise in my hot Texas kitchen. If your kitchen is cooler, you might need a little more time.
- Once they are baked, let them cool on a wire rack before you slice them, or they will tear.
- You can also freeze them in an airtight freezer container or Ziploc bag until you are ready to use them.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published May 27, 2008. Last updated May 7, 2024 for better images and editorial content. Original post was titled "How to Make Homemade Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns".
Original Images.
Sue Ellis says
Thank you for a wonderful recipe and so easy. This is the only bun recipe that is yummy and free to add in flavors. Our repeat flavor is Italian seasoning. My husband enjoys making the buns too. Truly a KEEPER.
Marye says
Thank you!
Wava says
I made this recipe they turned out great! I will keep this recipe bread in the stores are so expensive,so now I can make my own and have fresh buns!
Liza says
Hi!Can I used a stand mixer for making the dough?Thank you!
Marilyn says
Do they freeze well? If not, I guess I can halve the recipe? Please advise. Thank you for this easy recipe.
Marye says
Yes, they do!
Rachael says
Hi I love your story and your site.....
I was wondering how much yeast is in a packet? I have a bulk bag - not sure how much to use? Also where do you purchase your buttermilk culture or do you just make it from raw cream?
Thank you Rach
Marye Audet says
Thank you! It's about 2 1/2 teaspoons but I use a tablespoon. 🙂
Brenda says
I always bake almost everything we eat.i have Never concered bread making.i have always stayed away from it but i'am going to jump right into this making breads.Problem! If it turns out good ,there is no stopping me.I will bake it for my whole family.I just love trying new things thanks. I will be checking you out more often.
vicky says
These are wonderful recipe's that i will try. I have been baking from scratch for many yrs; been looking for a recipe for hamburger and hot dog buns to make from scratch, so i thank u. I will most certainly try these. As for budgets that we all live on, there are a lot of us out there that live from day to day from pay check to pay check. You can grow your own vegetables in containers on your patio,or deck and can them, or freeze them to save money. Good luck to everyone. Thank you for these good recipe's. Keep them coming
Misti says
I totally agree with your rant. Infact it took quite some time but we have narrowed my husbands GERD down to the as he calls them "Bastardized Oils" otherwise known as hydrogenated oils. So this will be great!
Katphish says
Wow, made these last night and are they Delish!!!
Missy Moran says
My daughter (11years old) just made these almost entirely by herself! Great recipe.
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen says
I have yet to make buns at home successfully...I am going to try your recipe for sure. And I totally agree with your rant!
maryeaudet says
Jenn these have never let me down, whether I made them with white, whole wheat or a mixture....I think you will be pleased.
Debra in TX says
Wow! These are just perfect. My family has been raving about them. I can't thank you enough for sharing. 🙂
maryeaudet says
Thanks Debra!
You can add shredded cheese, dried onion, or other flavoring to the buns as well. 🙂