Homemade Hamburger Buns

In this Instructable, I will show you how to make Hamburger buns from scratch. This amazing homemade Hamburger buns recipe is so yummy, it is a bit of a mix between a brioche bun and my yummy white bread recipe. This dough can also be used to make hot dog buns if you wanted, I do have another Instructable for those as well. They are so good and easy to make. If I can do it, you can do it. Let's get baking!

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Follow the easy steps below or watch the video tutorial or do both! :)

Step 1: Ingredients and Tools

You may print the recipe here if you like.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water (250ml)
• 1/4 cup of white granulated sugar (50g) can halve it if you want them a little less sweet
• 2 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast, rapid rise or instant yeast (7g)
• 3 cups bread flour (or use all-purpose/plain flour) (360g)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp of butter or oil (28g)
• 1 tsp. of salt (5g)
• Sesame seeds for the top
• 1 tbsp melted butter for basting

Eggwash:

• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp of milk (15ml)

Tools:

• Bowls
• Sheet pan or Hamburger pan
• Parchment paper or a silicone mat
• Plastic wrap
• Damp towel
• Cooking spray
• Dough cutter
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon
• Fork

Step 2: Start the Yeast

Begin by heating up the water until it is 105 to 115 F/40 to 44 C. I do it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Or you can certainly heat up the water on the stove.

Sprinkle in about 1 tsp. of the sugar. Then add the yeast. Next, add about 1/4 cup of the flour and then mix everything together with a whisk and allow the mixture to sit for 10 to 15 minutes until it gets nice and foamy on top.

Step 3: Eggsellent

Now in a large bowl add the egg and whisk it then add the rest of the sugar. Melt the 2 tbsp. of butter until barely melted and not really hot. Pour that into the large bowl as well, then pour in the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.

Note: I recommend making the recipe as is first. Then after that, you can reduce the sugar by half if you like, the following time you make it. As is, I don't think the buns are very sweet, but some people might.

Step 4: Finish the Dough

Now add in about a cup of flour and whisk until combined. Put the whisk away, since the dough is getting too thick to use it. Switch to a wooden spoon, or of course, you can do the whole thing in the stand mixer with a dough hook.

Add another cup of flour and then sprinkle the salt on top, or just mix the salt with that cup of flour first before putting it in. Mix with the wooden spoon until a tacky sticky dough comes together.

Step 5: Knead the Dough and Let It Rise

Place the dough on a floured work surface, using flour from the bowl of measured flour. Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes, adding a tablespoon of flour at a time as kneaded. Don't throw all the flour in at once, it is better to add it gradually since we want the finished dough to not have too much flour in it. So better to error on the slightly sticky side.

Shape the dough into a ball by cupping your hands underneath it with your palms and turning it. It is easier to see this step in the video.

Then place the ball of dough in a large bowl which has been sprayed with cooking spray or a couple of teaspoons of olive oil. Mix the dough around in the bowl so it gets coated with the oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and allow it to rise for 1 to 2 hours until at least doubled in size.

Step 6: Cut and Shape the Dough Into Buns

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air then place the dough on a floured surface. Shape the dough into a rectangle that is about 1/2 inch thick. Divide the dough into 8 to 10 equal pieces, I typically use my dough cutter. 8 for large buns, 10 for medium size buns. Or you can probably get 14 to 16 slider-sized buns.

Take a piece of dough and fold in the corners then pinch them, it will create a ball of dough. Place it on the floured surface and do the same cupping motion as you did for the large main piece of dough. Again this is easier to see in the video. Then flatten it out gently with your palms, turning it in your hands until it is roughly 4 inches in diameter.

Another more advanced technique is after pinching the corners in, you place the ball of dough onto the table or counter and you roll it around gripping it loosely with your fingers, it will slightly grab to the table which helps it roll into a tight smooth ball of dough.

Step 7: Let Them Rise

Place the flatten discs of dough onto a sheet pan that has been lightly sprayed or lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Or you can use a cool hamburger bun pan if you like. Make sure they are around an inch apart from each other, they will spread as they rise and bake.

Spray the tops with a light coating of cooking spray or sprinkle flour on the tops. Loosely place the plastic wrap on top. If you don't add the oil spray or flour the plastic wrap will stick to the buns, which is no fun when you need to remove it.

Allow the buns to rise for another hour. Gently remove the plastic wrap after they have risen.

Step 8: Baste and Bake

Once risen, preheat the oven to 375 F/190 C. Mix together one egg with a tablespoon of milk to create the egg wash, and then baste the tops of the buns with it. Sprinkle on the sesame seeds, or you can leave them off if you like. Then bake them in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until they are nice and golden brown on the top. Once they come out of the oven baste melted butter over the tops of them and then allow them to cool. You can cook the meat and prepare the fixings for your burgers while they cool.

Step 9: Assemble the Burger and Serve

Now just cut them in half, then add your favorite burger toppings. I love adding lettuce, the burger pattie, cheese, tomato, pickles, and bacon. Sometimes I add onions as well. Time to dig in. Enjoy!

If you want to learn how to make a juicy burger pattie check out this Instructable.

Step 10: Video Tutorial

Now check out those steps in action with this video tutorial.