There has been one thing I’ve been working on over the last few years—trying to avoid buying baked goods from the grocery store whenever I can. I love knowing exactly what goes into the food I serve my family, and making homemade bread allows me to skip many of the preservatives and unnecessary ingredients often found in store-bought buns.After many batches, countless tweaks, and plenty of testing, I finally perfected this Homemade Hamburger Buns Recipe. Let me tell you—once you make your own burger buns, you’ll never want to buy them from the store again. They are incredibly soft, light, and fluffy, yet they stay soft for several days. Every bite feels like you’re eating a gourmet burger from your favorite restaurant. Even better, you get to proudly tell your family that you made the buns from scratch.

If you enjoy baking from scratch, you’ll also love my Easy Sourdough Bread,  and Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, which have become reader favorites.

Tried it? Tap the stars and let me know how it went. I ❤️ reading your feedback!

How to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns

Making homemade hamburger buns is much easier than most people think. Although the dough takes time to rise, the hands-on work is very simple. The secret to these bakery-style buns is giving the dough two mixing sessions with a resting period in between. As a result, the gluten develops beautifully, creating buns that are incredibly soft, airy, and light.

Once the dough has doubled in size, you’ll divide it into equal portions, shape each one into a smooth ball, allow them to rise again, brush them with egg wash, and bake until beautifully golden brown.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 5 cups bread flour
• 1½ cups warm water
• ½ cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• ¼ cup softened butter
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon 5% white vinegar

Egg Wash

• 1 egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)

Optional:

• Sesame seeds

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a bowl, combine the warm water, milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Cover and allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes bubbly.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Add the bread flour, salt, egg, and egg yolk to the bowl of a stand mixer.

Pour in the yeast mixture.

While the mixer is running, add the white vinegar followed by the softened butter.

Mix for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rest

Turn off the mixer and let the dough rest inside the mixer bowl for 10 minutes.

After the resting period, mix the dough again for another 10 minutes.

Don’t skip this step. It is one of the biggest secrets to achieving soft, airy burger buns.

Step 4: First Rise

Lightly oil a large bowl.

Shape the dough into a ball and place it inside the bowl, turning it so every side is lightly coated with oil.

Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot.

Allow the dough to rise for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape the Buns

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface.

Divide it into 12 equal pieces.

Each dough ball should weigh 110–120 grams. I usually keep mine between 113–118 grams for larger gourmet-style buns.

Shape each piece into a smooth ball.

Place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving 3–4 inches of space between each bun so they have room to expand.

Step 6: Second Rise

Cover the buns and allow them to rise for another 30–45 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F.

Step 7: Egg Wash

Whisk together:

• 1 egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream

Brush each risen bun generously.

If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds over the tops.

Step 8: Bake

Bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown.

Immediately after removing the buns from the oven, brush each one with melted butter.

This final step helps keep the buns shiny, soft, and tender.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

Recipe Tips

• Bread flour gives the buns the best structure and chew.
• Weigh each dough ball for evenly sized buns.
• Don’t rush the rising time. The dough should visibly double before shaping.
• The vinegar helps create an extra-soft crumb while also improving freshness.
• Brushing the baked buns with butter keeps them soft for days.

Recipe Information

Estimated Nutrition (Per Bun)

Approximate values

• Calories: 255
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Protein: 7g
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 32mg
• Sodium: 392mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze homemade hamburger buns?

Yes! These buns freeze beautifully. Allow them to cool completely before placing them into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature or warm them for a few minutes in the oven.

How much should each burger bun weigh?

For the perfect homemade burger bun, divide the dough into portions weighing 110–120 grams each.

I usually make mine between 113–118 grams, which creates a larger gourmet-style burger bun that’s perfect for thick homemade burgers.

Can I use a regular bread recipe for burger buns?

Not really.

A standard bread recipe creates a loaf with a firmer texture, so the finished buns will feel much heavier. Instead of having the light, fluffy texture you expect from a burger bun, they’ll resemble a sandwich roll.

This recipe was specifically developed to create soft, airy buns that compress gently around your burger while still holding together beautifully.

Storage

Store the cooled buns in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for 3–4 days.

For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months.

What to Serve with

• Homemade Burger Patties
• Perfect Crispy French fries
• Fry Sauce Recipe (Easy Dipping Sauce
• Ground Chicken Burgers
• Crispy Chicken Burger with Honey Mustard Coleslaw
• BEST Big Mac Sauce Recipe
• Homemade Mayonnaise
  
  
  

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never baked your own hamburger buns before, this is the recipe to start with. The extra time spent mixing and allowing the dough to rise pays off with incredibly soft, bakery-quality buns that taste far better than anything from the grocery store. Once you experience how fresh, fluffy, and flavorful homemade burger buns can be, you’ll understand why my family rarely buys store-bought buns anymore. They’re the perfect finishing touch to any homemade burger night.

If you loved this recipe, don’t stop here! Browse more homemade breads, comforting soups, family dinners, and traditional European recipes right here on Lily’s Cooking & Home.

Homemade Hamburger Buns Recipe (Super Soft!)

Learn how to make this homemade hamburger buns recipe with simple ingredients. These soft, fluffy burger buns stay fresh for days and make 12 perfect buns.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Rise time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 12 buns

Ingredients

  

• 5 cups bread flour
• 1½ cups warm water
• ½ cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• ¼ cup softened butter
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon 5% white vinegar

Egg Wash

• 1 egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Topping

• Sesame seeds

Instructions

 

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

• In a bowl, combine the warm water, milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Cover and allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes bubbly.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

• Add the bread flour, salt, egg, and egg yolk to the bowl of a stand mixer.
• Pour in the yeast mixture.
• While the mixer is running, add the white vinegar followed by the softened butter.
• Mix for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rest

• Turn off the mixer and let the dough rest inside the mixer bowl for 10 minutes.
• After the resting period, mix the dough again for another 10 minutes.
• Don’t skip this step. It is one of the biggest secrets to achieving soft, airy burger buns.

Step 4: First Rise

• Lightly oil a large bowl.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place it inside the bowl, turning it so every side is lightly coated with oil.
• Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot.
• Allow the dough to rise for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape the Buns

• Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
• Divide it into 12 equal pieces.
• Each dough ball should weigh 110–120 grams. I usually keep mine between 113–118 grams for larger gourmet-style buns.
• Shape each piece into a smooth ball.
• Place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving 3–4 inches of space between each bun so they have room to expand.

Step 6: Second Rise

• Cover the buns and allow them to rise for another 30–45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F.

Step 7: Egg Wash

• Whisk together:
• 1 egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• Brush each risen bun generously.
• If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds over the tops.

Step 8: Bake

• Bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown.
• Immediately after removing the buns from the oven, brush each one with melted butter.
• This final step helps keep the buns shiny, soft, and tender.

Keyword Homemade Hamburger Buns Recipe