Go Back
–+ servings
3 homemade sesame seed hamburger buns stacked on top of each other on brown paper surface and background
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Soft Burger Buns

A basic, versatile soft burger bun recipe that can be made by hand, in a stand mixer, or the bread machine.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Rising Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bread dough recipes, buns, hamburger buns, homemade buns, homemade hamburger buns, soft hamburger buns recipe
Servings: 8 buns
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • 3 cup all purpose flour, or 2 cups all purpose and 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 ½ teaspoon instant yeast if using active dry yeast, the yeast needs to be dissolved into the water first and left to sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy on top
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 3 tablespoon butter softened
  • additional melted butter or egg wash, for brushing optional
  • sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or minced onion, for topping optional

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients (besides brushing and topping options) either in a bowl with a long handled spoon, or in a stand mixer using the dough hook. Alternatively, add all ingredients (except brushing and topping options to the bread machine and set to the dough cycle.) Make sure that dough is forming a soft ball. If it's dry add a tbsp. water at a time; if wet, sprinkle in more flour one tablespoon at a time. It needs to be as soft as possible, but able to hold a ball shape.
  • Knead dough for 7-8 minutes in standing mixer, or 10 minutes by hand on a floured surface. Return dough to a greased bowl, cover.
    bread dough in greased metal bowl beginning first rise
  • Let rise, covered, in a warm, non-drafty area of the house about 45-60 minutes. Check it at 30 minutes, especially on warm or humid days. Letting it rise too long can cause it to collapse and result in dense, crumbly bread.
    bread dough that has doubled in size in a greased metal bowl on a wooden table with flour sack cloth next to it
  • Once doubled in size, turn out again onto a floured surface and divide the dough into 8 equal portions. This can be eyeballed fairly accurately by dividing dough into equal fourths, and then dividing those fourths in half each.
    wheat bread dough being divided into 8 equal portions for hamburger buns on a floured wooden surface
  • I have found that the best way to form a perfectly round burger bun is to turn the piece of dough inside out on itself, pinching each piece around to the other side. This forms a perfect ball with all the creasing on the bottom.
    dough for burger buns being pinched on the bottom
  • Flatten each ball, crease side down into round disks, about 4 inches wide and ½ inch tall.
    hand pressing dough into a burger bun shape on floured wooden surface
  • Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Choosing to split the tops with a sharp knife will give a "split top" roll, but they can be left alone. It's up to your preference.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
    freshly baked split top and sesame seed hamburger buns on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
  • Wait until cool to split through the center. Use with your favorite condiments for your favorite burgers and sandwiches!
    Homemade hamburger bun cut in half with mayonnaise spread on top bun, on brown crinkled paper

Notes

If no access to a bread machine, knead all ingredients together for 20 minutes. Place in a large greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise 60 to 80 minutes until double in size. Resume with directions after "dump dough onto generously floured work space..."