Super Soft Hamburger Bun Recipe

A freshly baked hamburger bun topped with sesame seeds on a cookie sheet.

4 from 5 votes

Make the best burgers with these incredibly soft and fluffy homemade hamburger buns! With just basic pantry ingredients, you'll create bakery-style buns perfect for burgers or sandwiches.

Prep Time15

Cook Time12

Rise Time2

Total Time2 27

Course: All Recipes, Bread, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: buns

Calories: 194kcal

Author: Jeri Walker

Ingredients

For the Yeast Mixture:

½ cup lukewarm water (90℉)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar

For the Dough:

2 cups HOT water
2 teaspoons salt
½ cup sugar
1½ cups WARM water
½ cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar
7-8 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour

Optional:

1 egg white + 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine ½ cup lukewarm water, 1 tablespoon yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy and bubbly. If the mixture doesn't foam, start over with fresh yeast.
In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine 2 cups of HOT water, ½ cup sugar, and 2 teaspoons salt. Stir until completely dissolved. Add 1½ cups warm water, ½ cup oil, and 1 tablespoon vinegar.
Mix in 3 cups of flour until well combined. Add the foamy yeast mixture and stir to incorporate.
Gradually add the remaining flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dough should start pulling away from the sides of the bowl and form a smooth ball, about 7-8 cups of flour total.
Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes by hand (or 5 minutes with a stand mixer using a dough hook) until smooth and elastic. The dough will be quite sticky.
Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Your oven works perfectly with just the light on.
Divide dough into 3 equal portions. Cut each portion into 8 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball by gently rolling between your palms, tucking edges under.
Place shaped buns 2-3 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Let rise uncovered for 1 hour or until doubled.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Position rack in center of oven.
For sesame topped buns: Whisk egg white with 1 tablespoon water. Very gently brush tops of buns and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown, watching carefully as they can brown quickly. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Don't add too much flour - the dough should be slightly sticky.
Mix by hand for best results - it's easier to feel when the dough is right.
Create a warm spot for rising using your oven's 'Proof' setting or just turning the oven light on.
Watch carefully while baking - they brown quickly!
Store in a plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours before using.

Nutrition