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    Home » Recipes

    Easy Homemade Air Buns Recipe

    Published: Jan 29, 2021 · Modified: Jul 31, 2022 by Jeri Walker · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

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    These Homemade Air Buns are super soft, tender, and nearly melt in your mouth! They stay fresh for days and freeze exceptionally well. This is a no-fail recipe that is perfect if you are a beginner. These delightful air buns turn out perfect every time. This quick recipe makes 45 buns that are excellent for lunches, and they are ideal for serving alongside soups and stews. Plus, these air buns contain no dairy products, so they are perfect if you are vegan.

    Fresh homemade air buns stacked on top of each other, with more in the background. this …

    My all-time favorite and most used recipe are these air buns. This is truly the best dinner roll recipe. These buns are also known as yeast rolls, buns, or dinner rolls, and they are so easy and take hardly any effort to make. They are the perfect addition for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinner.

    First off, let me tell you that I LOVE making my own bread. I have been practicing my breadmaking skills for the last 7 years. Homemade bread is always fresh, low in sugar and salt, contains no preservatives, and makes your house smell SO good. I have made dozens and dozens of these air buns over the last 2 years.

    This recipe was my husband's grandma's recipe. My husband's aunt was kind enough to share this treasured family recipe with me. Amazingly, this recipe is at least 80 years old, and oh...my...gosh!!! It is the perfect recipe! I use it every week, and it is the easiest dinner roll recipe I have ever tried. Plus, it has turned out exactly right...every...single...time. 

    It makes 3 large loaves of bread, or 45 rolls, or 1 loaf of bread and 30 rolls, or 2 loaves of bread and 15 rolls. Anyway, you get the picture. It is just so darn good! Plus, it never crumbles and stays fresh for days!

    A fresh homemade dinner bun that is so soft and tender that is torn in half, on a white dinner plate
    Jump to:
    • 🍔 Ingredients
    • 🥖 Instructions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🧾 What to serve with air buns
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Other great bread recipes:
    •  
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍔 Ingredients

    Only a handful of ingredients are required for this Air Bun Recipe. You probably have everything you need in your pantry already.

    • Flour. The original recipe calls for only all-purpose flour; however, I always add in whole wheat flour for a healthier bread. I usually make it 30% to 50% whole wheat flour, and the rest is non bleached all-purpose flour. This keeps the dinner rolls nice, light, and fluffy. The higher the ratio of whole wheat flour the heavier and denser the buns get.
    • Yeast. I use quick-rising yeast if I'm in a hurry, by any kind of yeast works well.
    • Sugar. I use cane sugar, but you can also use coconut sugar or raw sugar. I haven't made it with honey as my daughter is allergic, but I'm sure it would work out well too.
    • Oil. I use olive oil, but you can use avocado oil, canola oil, or even melted butter or margarine.
    • Vinegar. This is the secret ingredient in these air buns. The vinegar preserves gluten bonds, keeping them from popping. Vinegar is like a conditioner for dough, it keeps the yeast happy and helps it to work better, resulting in the buns expanding.
    • Salt. It slows the rising process, plus salt makes the bread taste better, resulting in a great tasting bun.
    A pile of freshly homemade air buns in a basket

    🥖 Instructions

    This air bun recipe can be made in a KitchenAid mixer with the dough attachment if you have one, which saves a lot of time. However, if you don't have a stand mixer, not to worry; you can mix these up by hand quite easily. Just use a wooden spoon until you can't mix it anymore, then use your hands to mix the flour in.

    Let's get started!

    Firstly, mix ½ cup lukewarm water, 1 tablespoon yeast, and 1 teaspoon cane sugar in a medium bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes. It will start to get foamy on top.

    Yeast Mixture is all bubbly and foamy

    Secondly, in your stand mixer or a large bowl, add 2 cups of HOT water. Add 2 teaspoon salt and ½ cup cane sugar to the HOT water, stir with a spoon until it dissolves. Then add 1-½ cups warm water, ½ cup oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 3 cups of flour. Start mixing with the dough hook attachment, or with a wooden spoon. Add the yeast mixture and keep on mixing. Keep adding flour gradually a cup at a time until you have a smooth round ball.

    Dough for easy to make homemade whole wheat dinner buns is ready when the dough pulls away from the side

    The dough should just be starting to pull away from the bowl. It will still be slightly sticky and that's okay. Continue to mix for about 5 minutes with the dough hook, or knead by hand on the countertop lightly covered with flour. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size. I use the 'proof' setting on my oven, or you can turn your oven on at 350 for 1 minute, then shut it off and place your dough in there to rise.

    Dough rising until it is twice its size for homemade dinner buns

    Divide the dough into 3 sections. Each section will make 15 air buns. Roll the dough into balls and place on parchment paper-lined cookie sheets for buns, or place a section into greased or parchment paper-lined bread pans for a loaf of bread. Cover and let rise for 1 hour more, or until doubled in size again. As above, I like to place them in the oven to rise and that way I don't have to cover them. However, I found before that when they were done rising, and I pulled the towel off, or the plastic wrap, the buns fell from being disturbed and didn't turn out as well.

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees, place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. When done, take out of the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

    Homemade dinner buns placed on a cookie sheet ready to rise
    Easy to make homemade dinner buns rising in the oven
    Dinner rolls cooling on a rack, and one bun sitting on a blue dinner plate

    Enjoy these homemade air buns out of the oven with some butter or margarine or homemade raspberry rhubarb jam. Yum!!! Just be careful not to burn your mouth!

    Dinner buns stacked on top of each other on a white dinner plate

    📖 Variations

    The options are endless with this recipe! You can add in:

    • 1 cup of oatmeal, just reduce all-purpose flour by the same amount.
    • Flax seeds, ⅓ cup.
    • Poppy seeds, ⅓ cup
    • Chia seeds, ⅓ cup
    • Hemp hearts, ⅓ cup
    • For a tasty variation, dip the top of the buns in grated cheese before baking for homemade cheese buns.
    Freshly baked homemade whole wheat air buns, with one getting cut open with a knife

    🧾 What to serve with air buns

    • Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry
    • The Best Venison Stew Recipe (Stovetop or Slow Cooker)
    • Easy Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Pasta Soup
    • Tender BBQ Pork Ribs in Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer Keto Tuna Patties
    • Spinach And Mushroom Omelet
    • Fluffy Oven-Baked Omelet Casserole
    • Homemade Raspberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam
    • Easy Baked Brie with Honey

    Recipe FAQs

    Do these air buns freeze well?

    Yes, these homemade air buns freeze so well! They taste just like they were made fresh when they defrost; that is, if you have any left to freeze, my family devours them as soon as they are out of the oven! Let them cool on the cooling rack, at least an hour or two, and place them in a large ziplock freezer bag. Zip them up to seal, getting as much air out as you can, and place them in the freezer. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months.

    To defrost, remove it from the freezer and place the bag of frozen yeast rolls on your kitchen counter. Within a few hours, you will have fresh, tasty air buns that taste like you just baked them.

    Can you over-knead dough?

    Yes, you can over knead yeast roll dough, which you will end up with buns that are hard on the outside and dry on the inside. That's why it is important not to knead the dough for longer than 5 minutes.

    Other great bread recipes:

    • 7 Loaves Of Soft And Light Homemade Whole Wheat Bread
    • A Beginners Guide for Quick and Easy Homemade Pizza Dough

    If you’ve tried this Air Bun Recipe or any other recipe, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!

    You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Would you mind tagging me in your photos at @windingcreek_ranch? I would love to see your pictures!

     

    📋 Recipe

    Fresh homemade air buns stacked on top of each other, with more in the background.

    Air Buns (Vegan)

    These homemade Air Buns are super soft, tender, and nearly melt in your mouth. They stay fresh for days and freeze extremely well. This is a no-fail dinner roll recipe for beginners, they are so easy to make, and turn out every time. This quick roll recipe makes 45 buns perfect for lunches and to serve alongside soups and stews. Plus, these dinner rolls contain no dairy products, so they are perfect if you are vegan.
    5 from 51 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Rise time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
    Servings: 45 rolls
    Calories: 94kcal
    Author: Jeri Walker
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • KitchenAid mixer helpful, not required

    Ingredients

    Yeast mixture

    • ½ cup lukewarm water
    • 1 tablespoon yeast
    • 1 teaspoon cane sugar

    How to make the dough

    • 2 cups HOT water
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup cane sugar
    • 1½ cups WARM water
    • ½ cup oil
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 9-10 cups flour I use 3 cups of whole wheat flour and the rest unbleached all-purpose flour.

    Instructions

    Yeast mixture

    • Mix ½ cup lukewarm water, 1tbsp yeast, and 1 teaspoon cane sugar in a medium bowl. Let it stand for 5 minutes. It will start to get foamy on top.

    Begin to make the dough

    • In a large bowl or your KitchenAid stand mixer, add 2 cups of HOT water.
    • Add 2 teaspoon salt and ½ cup cane sugar to the hot water and mix until it dissolves.
    • Next, add 1½ cups WARM water, ½ cup oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 3 cups of flour. Mix.
    • Add the yeast mixture to the bowl and keep mixing.
    • Keep adding flour gradually, a cup at a time, until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. It should be a smooth, round ball.
    • Continue punching down for 8 to 10 minutes, or 5 minutes with a KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook.
    • Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
    • Divide the dough into 3 equal sections. Each section makes 15 air buns or 1 loaf of bread. To shape the air buns, roll out the dough into 1.5 inch balls. Place on cookie sheets covered with parchment paper. To shape bread, place a section in a greased or parchment paper-lined bread pan.
    • Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. I know it's hard to wait, but it is so worth it!

    When air buns or bread are the sizes you would like them:

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    • Cook for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
    • Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
    • Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Nutritional information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 10grams | Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g
    L❤️VE this recipe? PIN it for later! 😊Mention @windingcreek_ranch or tag #windingcreek_ranch on IG!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lili

      March 07, 2023 at 12:50 pm

      I wonder if the dough can be made the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight? Do you think it might work?

      Reply
      • Jeri Walker

        March 07, 2023 at 1:10 pm

        Hi Lili! Yes, you can make the dough and put it in the refrigerator overnight. Once the dough is made, cover it and place it in the fridge overnight. The next morning, form it into buns or bread and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, then bake as directed. I hope this helps! 🙂

        Reply
        • Lili

          March 07, 2023 at 4:36 pm

          Done and in the fridge. Lets hope it doesnt over proof overnight.

          Reply
    2. Jessica

      October 29, 2021 at 7:15 am

      The rolls are perfectly fluffy!! They were great straight outta the oven smothered in butter and just as good for sandwiches the next day. Will be making them again for Thanksgiving. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jeri

        October 29, 2021 at 3:45 pm

        I'm so glad you liked the Jessica!

        Reply
    3. Megan Ellam

      October 28, 2021 at 6:53 pm

      5 stars
      These look fabulous! I have bookmarked for later and pinned. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    4. Andrea White

      October 28, 2021 at 6:45 pm

      5 stars
      big bread fan over here! these are absolutely fantastic!

      Reply
    5. Agnieszka

      October 28, 2021 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      These are so easy to make! My family loved them.

      Reply
    6. Natalie

      October 28, 2021 at 9:46 am

      5 stars
      These buns look gorgeous. So soft and delicious. I'm seriously craving these buns right now. Have to make them asap.

      Reply
    7. Lillian

      October 28, 2021 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      The texture of these is perfect! I also love the add ins that you suggested and can't make some variations on the original.

      Reply
    8. Kayla DiMaggio

      October 28, 2021 at 5:44 am

      5 stars
      Love these air buns! I always find making bread a challenge, it always comes out dense, however these came out perfectly soft and fluffy!

      Reply
      • Eileen

        March 15, 2023 at 9:09 pm

        This is the best bread, bun recipe that I have made so nice and light just an excellent recipe Thankyou for sharing really enjoyed it

        Reply
        • Jeri Walker

          March 16, 2023 at 11:36 am

          Thank you for your kind words about the bread! I'm so glad it turned out great and that you enjoyed it! Sharing my recipes with others is always a pleasure - happy baking! 🙂

          Reply
    9. Jean

      October 27, 2021 at 9:56 pm

      5 stars
      love the smell of this homemade bread! easy to prepare and steps are easy to follow.

      Reply
    10. Addie

      October 27, 2021 at 8:51 pm

      5 stars
      They’re so soft and fluffy!

      Reply
    11. Oscar

      October 27, 2021 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      These buns look so soft and love that they are dairy free. I'm going to make them for an upcoming dinner party I am having and use them as dinner rolls.

      Reply
    12. Natalie

      May 22, 2021 at 3:33 am

      5 stars
      Yum! These buns look fantastic. I can't wait to make this. Thanks for lovely recipe.

      Reply
    13. Audrey

      May 21, 2021 at 5:48 am

      5 stars
      These were great with our dinner!

      Reply
    14. Alexandra

      May 20, 2021 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      These are so delicious and simple to make!

      Reply
      • Jeri

        May 20, 2021 at 8:28 pm

        Thanks, Alexandra!

        Reply

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    I'm a passionate home cook who loves creating easy and delicious recipes for busy families! My goal is to help you make tasty meals quickly so you can spend more time on what matters most-- family!

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