Skip the bakery section and make your own soft, homemade hamburger buns in less than an hour. These quick hamburger buns are light, pillowy, and finished with a golden sesame seed topping. They’re perfect for juicy burgers, pulled pork, grilled chicken, or even a simple sandwich for a weeknight dinner.
What makes this recipe especially handy is that there is no lengthy first rise. Instead, the dough is shaped right after kneading, given a short rest, and then baked. From mixing the dough to pulling warm buns from the oven, you can have fresh homemade hamburger buns on the table in about an hour.
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Hamburger Buns
Making homemade bread doesn’t have to mean spending the whole afternoon in the kitchen. These quick hamburger buns are a great recipe to keep handy when you want something homemade but don’t have a lot of time.
- Ready in under an hour. There’s no lengthy first rise, so you can make these even when dinner is already in the works.
- Soft and tender. The egg and oil help create a soft bun that is sturdy enough for burgers without being heavy.
- Simple ingredients. There’s nothing complicated or unusual in this dough.
- Easy to customize. Change the toppings or make smaller buns for sliders and sandwiches.
- Freezer-friendly. Make a batch ahead of time and keep them in the freezer for another meal.
Hamburger Buns Under an Hour
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Equipment
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 Tablespoons Active Dry Yeast
- 1 Cup Plus 2 Tablespoons Warm Water about 110°F
- ⅓ Cup Vegetable Oil A neutral oil
- ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Large Egg beaten
- 1 Teaspoon Fine Salt
- 3 to 3 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour
Topping
- 1 Egg Yolk
- 1 Tablespoon Water
- 2 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds
Instructions
How to Make Hamburger Buns
- Add the warm water and active dry yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the vegetable oil and sugar. Stir briefly and let sit for 5 minutes, until the mixture is frothy and bubbly. Note, if the mixture is not frothy, that means the yeast is no longer active. You’ll want to start the recipe again.2 Tablespoons Active Dry Yeast, ⅓ Cup Vegetable Oil, ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar, 1 Cup Plus 2 Tablespoons Warm Water
- Whisk the beaten egg into the yeast mixture. Add the salt and 3 cups of flour. Using the dough hook, knead on medium-low speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If needed, add the remaining flour a tablespoon at a time. The dough should be soft but manageable.1 Large Egg, 1 Teaspoon Fine Salt, 3 to 3 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour
- Transfer the dough to a clean work surface. Do not let it go through a traditional first rise. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape each into a smooth ball.
- Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined or silicone-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Whisk together the egg yolk and water. Gently brush the tops of the rested buns with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Press the seeds in a bit to make sure they stick.1 Egg Yolk, 1 Tablespoon Water, 2 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds
- Bake on the center rack for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the buns are puffed and golden brown.
- Transfer to a wire rack and cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
Hamburger Bun Topping Ideas
Sesame seeds are a classic choice, but you can easily change the topping depending on what you’re serving. Try:- Everything bagel seasoning
- Poppy seeds
- Sesame and poppy seed combination
- Dried minced onion
- A sprinkle of coarse salt
- Plain egg-washed buns with no topping
Nutrition
Tips for Making the Best Quick Hamburger Buns
Make sure your yeast is active
The warm water should be around 110°F. After mixing the yeast, water, oil, and sugar, let it sit for about 5 minutes. You should see bubbles and foam forming on top.
If the mixture stays completely flat, your yeast may no longer be active. It is better to start over with fresh yeast than to continue with dough that may not rise properly.
Don’t add too much flour
Start with the 3 cups of flour called for in the recipe and add more only if necessary. Depending on your flour, measuring method, and the humidity in your kitchen, you may need more or less of the additional ½ cup.
The dough should be soft and slightly tacky, but it shouldn’t be so sticky that you can’t work with it.
Adding too much flour can make homemade hamburger buns dense instead of soft and pillowy.
Knead until the dough is smooth
When using a stand mixer, knead the dough for about 3 to 5 minutes. You should notice the dough becoming smoother and more elastic as it comes together.
If kneading by hand, give it about 5 to 7 minutes on a lightly floured surface.
Shape the buns evenly
Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces so the buns bake at roughly the same rate. For especially uniform buns, you can use a kitchen scale to weigh the dough and divide it evenly.
Shape each portion into a smooth ball, gently pulling the dough underneath to create a rounded top.
Don’t skip the 10-minute rest
It may seem tempting to skip the short resting period since this is already a quick recipe, but it gives the dough a chance to relax and puff slightly before baking.
It also gives you just enough time to preheat the oven and prepare the egg wash.
Leave enough room between the buns
The dough will puff as it rests and bakes, so give each bun plenty of space on the baking sheet. This also helps them brown evenly.
Keep an eye on the baking time
These buns bake quickly. Start checking them around the 8-minute mark. They should be lightly puffed and golden brown on top.
Because ovens vary, you may need a few additional minutes to get the color you want.
Easy Variations for Homemade Hamburger Buns
The classic sesame seed topping is always a good choice, but you can easily change these buns to go with different meals.
Everything Seasoning Buns
Replace the sesame seeds with your favorite everything bagel seasoning. These are especially good with burgers, breakfast sandwiches, or deli-style sandwiches.
Poppy Seed Buns
Use poppy seeds instead of sesame seeds for a simple change that gives the buns a slightly different flavor and appearance.
Garlic Herb Buns
Add a little garlic powder and dried herbs to the dough, or brush the warm baked buns with melted butter mixed with garlic and herbs.
These would be delicious with grilled chicken sandwiches or Italian-style burgers.
Cheddar Buns
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the egg-washed buns before baking. The cheese will melt and brown as the buns bake, creating a flavorful topping.
Slider Buns
For smaller sandwiches, divide the dough into 12 to 16 portions instead of 8. Shape them into smaller balls and keep an eye on them as they bake, since smaller buns will usually need less time in the oven.
What to Serve with Homemade Hamburger Buns
Of course, these buns are made for hamburgers, but they can be used for much more than a classic cheeseburger.
Try them with:
- Classic beef burgers
- Bacon cheeseburgers
- Turkey burgers
- Chicken sandwiches
- Pulled pork
- BBQ chicken
- Sloppy joes
- Grilled sausage
- Breakfast sausage and eggs
- Leftover shredded meat
For a summer meal, serve your burgers with a simple pasta salad, creamy coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, or fresh garden vegetables.
And don’t overlook these buns for leftovers. A little leftover roast, shredded chicken, or pulled pork can quickly become an easy sandwich for lunch the next day.
How to Store Homemade Hamburger Buns
Let the hamburger buns cool completely before storing them. Place them in an airtight container or resealable bag and keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For the best texture, don’t refrigerate the buns unless necessary. Refrigeration can cause bread to become stale more quickly.
If the buns have started to lose some of their softness, warm them briefly in the oven before serving.
Can You Freeze Hamburger Buns?
Yes, these homemade hamburger buns freeze very well, which makes them a great recipe to make ahead.
Allow the buns to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. If you are stacking several buns together, you can place parchment paper between them so they are easier to separate.
Freeze for up to 3 months for the best quality.
When you’re ready to use them, let the buns thaw at room temperature. For that fresh-baked texture, warm them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes before serving.
Can I Make These Hamburger Buns Without a Stand Mixer?
Yes. A stand mixer makes the dough quick and convenient, but you can easily make these buns by hand.
Mix the dough ingredients together in a large bowl, then turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead by hand for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
The dough may feel a little sticky at first. Resist the temptation to add a lot of flour. Add just enough to make the dough manageable.
Can I Use Instant Yeast Instead of Active Dry Yeast?
Yes. Instant yeast can generally be substituted for active dry yeast in the same amount.
One advantage of instant yeast is that it doesn’t need to be dissolved and proofed first. However, because this recipe uses that short yeast-activation step, you can still follow the recipe as written when using instant yeast.
Why Are My Hamburger Buns Dense?
Dense buns are usually caused by one of a few things.
First, check your yeast. If it wasn’t active, the dough won’t rise properly. Too much flour can also make the buns heavy and dense, so add the flour gradually and stop once the dough is soft and workable.
Finally, make sure the dough has enough time to rest before baking. While this recipe skips the traditional first rise, the 10-minute rest is still important.
Can I Make These Hamburger Buns Ahead of Time?
Yes. These buns can be made earlier in the day and stored at room temperature until dinner.
If you need to make them farther in advance, freezing is the better option. Once cooled completely, freeze the buns and thaw them when needed.
For the freshest texture, warm them briefly before serving.
A Quick Homemade Bread Recipe Worth Keeping
Homemade bread can sometimes feel like something that requires planning ahead, but recipes like these hamburger buns prove that it doesn’t always have to be that way.
When you’re making burgers for a summer cookout or simply need sandwich buns for a weeknight dinner, this recipe gives you a way to put fresh bread on the table without spending hours waiting for dough to rise.
Once you make these quick hamburger buns a few times, you may find yourself reaching for this recipe instead of the package of buns at the grocery store.
My family loved this!