Description
This quick and easy hamburger bun recipe yields soft, fluffy buns perfect for your favorite burgers. With minimal ingredients and simple steps, you can bake fresh buns at home in just over half an hour.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (95° to 105°F)
- 1/3 cup cooking oil
- 1 large egg, room temperature (beaten)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast (see notes for instant yeast)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 to 3-1/2 cups bread flour (or all purpose flour)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water (95° to 105°F). Add the cooking oil and sugar, then let the mixture stand for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate and become frothy.
- Form Dough: Add the beaten egg, salt, and 3 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir to form a soft dough. If the dough is too sticky or runny, gradually add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time until the dough is manageable.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead either by hand or with a dough hook attached to a stand mixer until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes.
- Shape Buns: Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, greased, or non-stick surface, leaving about 3 inches of space between each bun.
- Proof Dough: Cover the buns loosely and let them rest for 20 minutes at room temperature to allow for a slight rise.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough rests, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake Buns: Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 8-12 minutes until they turn golden brown on top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the buns from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool. Once cooled, slice in half and serve with your favorite burger fillings.
Notes
- You can substitute active dry yeast with instant yeast by using slightly less and mixing it directly with the dry ingredients.
- The sugar amount can be adjusted slightly to taste or replaced with honey as a natural sweetener.
- If you prefer softer buns, brush the tops with melted butter right after baking.
- Ensure the water temperature is between 95° to 105°F to properly activate yeast without killing it.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
