This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

Homemade Hamburger Buns are so much better than store-bought and so insanely delicious. These have the perfect taste and texture to hold up to your next BBQ Hamburger!

Yeast can be scary to work with but it is super easy with my tried and true recipes. Try this Rolls, Homemade, and Naan bread!

Baked Hamburger buns on a tray.

Easy Homemade Hamburger Buns

We always grill our own hamburgers, but have you ever made homemade hamburger buns? I am here to tell you it is a game-changer. Making your own buns takes your hamburgers to a whole new level of awesomeness! These homemade buns are pillowy soft and tender and taste so much better than anything from the store. You are going to love how easy it is to make these too. Just a handful of ingredients, a little time, and you will have the best homemade burgers EVER!

It is true that the bun makes the burger most of the time. You will love these homemade buns because they do not fall apart on you. They are thick but fluffy and have a soft and crispy bite to each one. To make these buns extra special, lightly toast them under the broiler or with a bit of butter in a pan before putting the burger on them. Making homemade hamburger buns also means you can make sure your buns fit your burger size. It is never fun to have not enough bun or too much. Homemade buns will be perfect in every way!

Ingredients For Hamburger Buns

Simple ingredients turn into soft and tender hamburger buns in no time! These staple ingredients can be whisked together and ready for your next burger dinner.

  • Packet Dry Active Yeast: This recipe is written for dry active yeast, it is different from instant yeast.
  • Warm Water: This will help to activate the yeast.
  • Butter melted: Adds flavor and moisture.
  • Sugar: Sugar is needed for the yeast to grow.
  • Egg; Adds richness and helps the dough have a nice tender crumb.
  • Salt: You cannot have a great tasting loaf of anything without salt. It adds flavor.
  • Flour: Use unbleached flour or bread flour for best results. All-purpose can be used if that is all you have.

Egg Wash Recipe

This egg wash is super simple to create and adding the seeds on top is always a fun add-in on these homemade buns. Completely cover the buns with the egg wash, along the sides, and down to the bottom. This will give the buns an all-over even golden color, without light spots.

  • Egg yolk: Gives the buns a nice sheen and some golden color on top.
  • Water: Mix with the egg to thin it out a bit.
  • Sesame seeds optional: Every great bun has sesame seeds, but you can leave them off too!

Let’s Make Some Buns!

Super easy, super delicious and free from additives and preservatives! You are going to love these homemade hamburger buns!

  1. Activate the yeast: In a mixing bowl mix together yeast, water, and sugar. Let sit for 5-7 minutes, until it begins to get frothy.
  2. Add: Whisk in egg and butter.
  3. Mix and knead: Add flour and salt and mix with a dough hook on medium-low speed for 6-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  4. Let it rise: Oil a large bowl and transfer the dough into it. Spray plastic wrap with cooking spray and cover the bowl with the sprayed side facing the dough. Let rise until doubled in size, about 40-60 minutes.
  5. Prep: Preheat oven to 425.
  6. Cut and shape: When the dough has doubled in size, cut into 8-10 equal portions (you may use a kitchen scale for this, but I just eyeballed it). Form your dough into balls, keeping the seam at the bottom of the rolls. For flatter buns, use your hands to flatten and stretch into more of a disk shape than a round ball of dough. Place on parchment-lined sheet pans, leaving 2 inches between each bun.
  7. Rest: Let rest for 10 minutes.
  8. Egg Wash: Mix together egg yolk and water for the egg wash. Use a pastry brush to fully brush the top of each bun. Allow the buns to sit for a minute or two and then brush again with the egg wash to get darker color on them. Be sure the brush down the sides of them, too. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
  9. Buns in the Oven: Bake for 10 minutes, rotate the pan and then bake for 2 more minutes. Allow cooling completely before serving.
Making the dough, letting it rise, and cutting out the portions.

The Best Homemade Hamburger Bun Tips

With just a few simple tips, you will forever be making your own hamburger buns at home for now on. These are easy and so good!

  • Yeast: There is a difference in yeast. Active dry yeast needs activation, that is why we let it sit in the warm water and sugar. This gets it going and it also lets you know it’s fresh and good. Instant yeast you do not have to activate and can add into the bread mixture with the other ingredients. However, you can also activate instant yeast with no issues. I like to activate just so I know it’s a good batch of yeast.
  • Water: To keep from killing the yeast aim for temperature between 105-115 degrees.
  • Egg: Have the egg at room temperature so it will mix in easily and thoroughly.
  • Flour: Unbleached or bread flour will give you the best rise and the softest bread. All-purpose works, it just may be a bit denser and not rise as much.
  • Roll the Dough: There are two ways to do this. Pinch the sides into the center, rotating and pinching till a nice ball is formed. Set the pinch together side on the bottom of the pan. Or using your hand in a cupping shape roll the ball of dough around on the counter until it forms the desired shape. You can flatten it if you want a big disc-like bun.
  • Top it: You can kick up the topping a bit by adding to your sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion flakes, or everything but the bagel seasoning.

Storing Your Quick Homemade Buns

I like to make a double batch and then I throw the hamburger buns in the freezer for another time. It is just as easy to make a double batch as it is one batch so it saves me time later.

  • Store: If you do have leftover buns, keep them in an airtight bag at room temperature for 2-3 days.
  • Freeze: To freeze, wrap them in plastic wrap or foil, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to use.
  • Toast: I like to toast my buns a bit before adding the hamburgers or fillings. This helps especially if they have dried out at all from storing.
Forming the buns, covering them with egg wash and seeds.

More than Just Hamburger Buns

These pillowy, soft buns are not just for hamburgers. Make a double batch and freeze some for later use. Thaw at room temperature when ready to use. We like to make sandwiches for school on these buns. They are light and so much better than a slice of bread. The flavor is there, the texture is amazing, these homemade buns are really going to liven up your sandwiches. Here are some ideas to serve on top of these homemade buns.

Hamburgers on homemade buns.

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

Homemade Hamburger Buns

5 from 2 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
Homemade Hamburger Buns are so much better than store-bought and so insanely delicious. These have the perfect taste and texture to hold up to your next BBQ Hamburger!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Rise: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Servings: 12 Buns

Ingredients 

  • 1 packet Dry Active Yeast
  • 1 Cup warm water
  • 1/3 Cup butter melted
  • 3 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 ½ cups flour

Egg Wash

  • 1 Egg yolk
  • 2 Tablespoon water
  • Sesame seeds optional

Instructions 

  • In a mixing bowl mix together yeast, water, and sugar. Let sit for 5-7 minutes, until it begins to get frothy.
  • Whisk in egg and butter.
  • Add flour and salt and mix with a dough hook on medium-low speed for 6-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  • Oil a large bowl and transfer the dough into it. Spray plastic wrap with cooking spray and cover the bowl with the sprayed side facing the dough. Let rise until doubled in size, about 40-60 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 425.
  • When dough has doubled in size, cut into 8-10 equal portions (you may use a kitchen scale for this, but I just eyeballed it). Form your dough into balls, keeping the seam at the bottom of the rolls. For flatter buns, use your hands to flatten and stretch into more of a disk shape than a round ball of dough. Place on parchment lined sheet pans, leaving 2 inches between each bun.
  • Let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Mix together egg yolk and water for the egg wash. Use a pastry brush to fully brush the top of each bun. Allow the buns to sit for a minute or two and then brush again with the egg wash to get darker color on them. Be sure the brush down the sides of them, too. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, rotate the pan, and then bake for 2 more minutes. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 248mgPotassium: 54mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 202IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes!
(Plus weekly recipe updates)

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

More Ideas

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made them and they were quite good! I made 2 oz. smash burgers. Bun and burger were a perfect fit. The directions were spot on. I’m wondering if bread flour would work well too? The all-purpose flour is a bit dense. I might just give it a go! Lovely recipe. Many thanks!

    1. Hi Annie! Glad you liked the recipe!
      Bread flour actually has a higher protein content than all-purpose, and might give the buns a little more chew and structure. You’ll have to let me know how they turn out!

      1. 5 stars
        Hi Alyssa! I gave it a go with bread flour. The buns came out amazing! They were super similar to the all-purpose flour ones…maybe just a tad lighter. This is a keeper recipe. So good! Thank you again! I love your recipes and your site.