Homemade Hot Dog/Burger Buns Recipe

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As mentioned in my last post, we wanted to make lobster rolls but we didn’t have any hot dog buns readily available. Since we were trying to limit how often we went outside, we decided to make our own homemade hot dog/burger buns from scratch! We followed this homemade hot dog/burger bun recipe for step by step instructions and they turned out super fluffy and a nice golden brown.

hot-dog-buns-2
hot dog buns 1

Step 1: Activate the yeast and prepare the dough

If you haven’t checked out our other bread recipes yet, we detail the importance of activating the yeast prior to incorporating it directly into your dry ingredients. This ensures your yeast is still active and has enough power to create lift in your bread. Combine the following in a small bowl to activate the yeast:

  • 2 tsp dry active yeast (~1 packet)
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • Pinch of sugar

The sugar acts as food for the yeast to feed on. Allow to sit for 5 minutes until it gets foamy. This indicates it’s ready as it is generating gas.

Activated Yeast

In a stand mixer equipped with a large mixing bowl and dough hook, combine the following ingredients on low speed to ensure the ingredients are well incorporated:

  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 17.6 oz all purpose flour (~ 4 cups)
  • 1 tbsp sugar

Then, add in your activated yeast mixture, along with 1/2 cup warm milk and the 1 egg. Knead on low speed for approximately 5 minutes or until dough no longer sticks to the side of the bowl and is tacky to the touch. Dough should not stick to your fingers when you touch it and the dough should look fairly smooth.

Step 2: Proof dough (ideally overnight)

Once your dough is nice and smooth, form the dough into a ball by tucking all sides into the centre at the bottom of the dough. In a large, well greased bowl, place the dough ball in and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise ideally overnight to allow maximal flavour development. If you’re in a rush, you can just proof normally in a warm spot for approximately 1.5 hrs or until doubled in size.

Proofed Dough

Step 3: Shape the dough

Once the dough has proofed and chilled in the fridge, turn it onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a rectangle, flattening until it is about 1/2 inch thick. You can either use your hand to press and stretch the dough out or use a rolling pin. Then, using a bench scraper, divide the dough into 12 rectangular strips (hopefully yours turns out better looking than mine). Each dough strip should be approximately 2 inch wide x 7 inch long.

The original recipe suggests 2 methods of shaping – the first requires you to flatten each strip and roll it up tightly to form the hot dog bun, and the second just leaves them as is. I tested both and I personally find leaving them alone like this works really well.

divided hot dog bun dough

For any strips that don’t turn out beautifully/evenly shaped, you can form them into dough balls to form burger buns.

Step 4: Arrange on baking sheet and prepare for second rise

Once all the dough has been shaped, place them close together on the baking sheet. This will encourage them to rise evenly and vertically so that they keep the straight edge. Don’t worry if they end up sticking to one another as after they bake, you’ll be able to pull them apart like a pull-apart bread.

Allow to rise for another 45 minutes or so or until it has doubled in size – these things rise quickly the second time round!

divided hot dog bun dough

Step 5: Apply egg wash and prepare for baking

Once they have doubled in size, use your pastry brush and apply a generous layer of egg wash on each dough. This will help give it that dark golden brown finish when it’s done baking. If you would like to garnish these buns with sesame seeds, now is the time to add it.

egg wash

Step 6: Bake!

Once your oven has preheated to 350F, bake these buns for 15-20 minutes or until they’re a nice golden brown color!



Did you try this recipe? Leave us a comment below!