Have you ever had dinner all planned out, and just as you begin to cook, you realize that you forgot something? Something really important like a crucial ingredient? Yeah, me too. This happened to me recently when I realized that I had no buns or rolls for the BBQ chicken sandwiches that I was preparing for dinner. It’s a good thing I had this recipe for Easy and Quick Hamburger Buns in my recipe box to save the day. (And if you’re looking for a bread recipe to go with your homemade soup or stew, try my Cheddar Onion Beer Bread recipe.)
These quick hamburger buns are so delicious and easy to make that they almost seem too good to be true. According to my husband, this recipe makes the very best hamburger bun. And yes, they do take a couple of minutes of kneading, but from start to finish, they can be ready in under an hour. Seriously, don’t wait for an impending dinner disaster to make these. The next time you’re in the mood for grilling a hamburger or having a really good sandwich, just go ahead and make these. You won’t be sorry!
(And if you’re not an experienced baker, don’t be intimidated because I’m going to walk you through how to make hamburger buns step-by-step!)
So let’s talk about some of the ingredients:
Active dry yeast – This type of yeast needs to be mixed with warm water and a little bit of sugar, and then allowed to sit for a few minutes before use. If the yeast becomes foamy, then you’ll know the yeast is alive and will make your bread rise (this is also called proofing the yeast.) If you only have instant or rapid-rise yeast, that will work, too, but you need to use a little bit less of it. So substitute 1 ½ tablespoons of instant yeast for 2 tablespoons of active dry yeast. Also, instant yeast does not need to sit and proof before using, so just go ahead and use it right away in the recipe
Canola oil – If you prefer not to use canola oil, you can whatever type of neutral-flavored oil you typically use in your kitchen. I find that sunflower oil is a good neutral oil to use in baking. If you prefer to skip the oil and use butter, you will need to use ¼ cup of melted butter in place of the 3 tablespoons of oil that the recipe calls for (the reason for this is that butter contains not only fat but also water.) If you want to use coconut oil, use 3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil but be aware that it is likely to give the finished buns a hint of coconut flavor.
Salt – Use fine salt like sea salt or table salt. For best results, I don’t recommend using coarse salt in this recipe.
Sugar – You may be tempted to skip the sugar in this recipe, but please don’t. Skipping the sugar will affect the rise of the dough and the flavor of the finished buns. I like to use natural cane sugar, but any granulated sugar will work fine.
Cook’s Tips:
- After removing the buns from the oven, place them on a wire rack and make sure they are fully cooled before slicing.
- Customize your buns by adding herbs or other seasonings. You can also top them with poppy seeds or sesame seeds just before baking.
- If you want a larger bun for your big, juicy burger, divide the dough into 8 pieces instead of 12 before baking.
- This recipe can also be used for dinner rolls or slider buns. Simply divide the dough into 16 pieces before baking.
If you try this recipe for Easy Hamburger Buns, I hope you love it. And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram so you don’t miss a post.
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Quick and Easy Hamburger Buns
- Total Time: 47 minutes
- Yield: 12 buns 1x
Description
These quick hamburger buns are perfect for your favorite burgers or sandwiches. Skip the store-bought options and enjoy fresh, homemade buns straight from your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons canola oil (or substitute 1/4 cup melted butter)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 –3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425°F
- In a mixing bowl, stir yeast, oil, and sugar into warm water, and allow to stand for 5 minutes, or until mixture is foamy. If the yeast mixture doesn’t look foamy after 10 minutes, the yeast is too old and the dough won’t rise. Discard and replace with fresh yeast.
- Whisk in egg and salt.
- Stir in flour, starting with 3 cups, adding a little more if necessary to form a soft dough.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- When dough is elastic and no longer sticky, divide into 12 equal pieces and shape each into a slightly flattened ball.
- Place 3″ apart on greased baking sheets, and allow to rise for 15 minutes, or until the buns have nearly doubled in size.
- Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove buns from pan to wire rack. Brush with melted butter immediately after removing from oven. Allow to cool.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
151 Comments
Nathalie
April 1, 2020 at 4:11 pmHi, any chance I can use rapid rise instant yeast instead? If yes, can you recommend how much?
Kate
April 1, 2020 at 7:50 pmWhen using rapid rise, you can use the same measurement, you just don’t have to let it proof (sit with the water/sugar). You can mix the water, sugar, yeast, oil and egg and then add the flour. Hope I didn’t step on the author’s toes here, it wasn’t my intention! I just make a lot of bread products home! 🙂
Melissa
April 1, 2020 at 9:25 pmThank you for the comment and for sharing your knowledge. You’re definitely not stepping on my toes – I love it when readers comment and interact! 🙂
Justine
August 2, 2024 at 4:22 pmI read in the recipe is you were using rapid yeast to cut the amount from 2T to 1.5T. I haven’t made them yet but I do have rapid yeast.
Ac
March 31, 2020 at 12:34 pmHi what flour did you use?
Melissa
March 31, 2020 at 3:39 pmAll-purpose flour or bread flour will work fine.
Cindy
April 3, 2023 at 9:42 pmThese came out perfect! Usually I am pretty good baking and with breads, except buns and rolls for some reason. Can never get the texture I want. Except now. Soft but firm, great crumb and tasty.
I know this recipe had been up awhile but had to let you know how much I loved these and my family. Thank you.
Melissa
April 11, 2023 at 3:20 amI’m so glad you liked the recipe! Thank you for letting me know!
Caroline Pettit
March 29, 2020 at 3:51 pmWhen adding the flour do you still use the whisk? Or switch to the dough hook?
Melissa
March 30, 2020 at 12:33 amIf you’re using a stand mixer, I would switch to a dough hook, and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes or so).
Teah
March 29, 2020 at 12:14 amI made these this evening and they were delicious! I even have leftover for sandwiches tomorrow! So quick and easy, will definitely be making again! Thank you for the recipe
Melissa
March 30, 2020 at 12:30 amYou’re welcome! I’m so glad you liked the recipe!
Brandi Ashlock
March 26, 2020 at 1:53 amI just made these. Are they meant to be very small buns? When I made 12, they are more like slider size. They are delicious, but if the recipe ends up the same way next time I think I would make closer to 9 buns. Otherwise, a very easy recipe and the taste is perfect!!! Thanks, Brandi
Melissa
March 26, 2020 at 4:19 pmHi Brandi. They may be a little smaller than store-bought buns. If you want larger buns, definitely just go ahead and make 8 or 9 instead of 12. I’m glad you liked them!
Joanne
May 28, 2019 at 9:08 pmJust made these and they are delicious and look just like the picture. I used to be afraid of yeast but recently started making sourdough breads and yeast breads. Sorry it took me so long to get hooked!
Melissa
May 28, 2019 at 11:45 pmI am so glad you liked them! Bread-making is addicting!
Kathleen
May 25, 2019 at 3:25 amThese are beautiful buns girl! Thanks for sharing!
Melissa
May 26, 2019 at 10:47 pmThank-you!
Didi
May 22, 2023 at 6:54 pmWow, these are delicious!! I have been afraid to start trying homemade breads, rolls, etc. Sometimes I can burn water if that says something about my culinary skills!! But cannot express enough how EASY and DELICIOUS these were. If I can make not only make them but turn out and edible, anybody can make these. Highly, highly recommended this recipe. Thank you for helping me feel.more confident in baking!!
Miz Helen
May 20, 2019 at 5:37 pmYour hamburger buns look beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing with us on Full Plate Thursday and come back real soon!
Miz Helen
Di
July 9, 2018 at 9:58 pmHi Melissa … your hamburger buns look scrumptious and I plan to make them. What is the oven temp for baking the buns. Thanks!
Ashley
June 15, 2023 at 10:56 pmThese are delicious! I have used them for hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches and even dinner rolls. It’s so easy to make and so good. Can the dough be frozen? My in laws love them but don’t think they can make the dough so I was going to make some for them but not sure if they can be frozen or not.
Melissa
June 18, 2023 at 3:06 amYes you can freeze the dough. I would freeze it after you shape the rolls, but before they rise. Then just thaw at room temp for 30 minute or so before you are ready to bake. Hope that helps!
Di
July 9, 2018 at 9:58 pmHi Melissa … your hamburger buns look scrumptious and I plan to make them. What is the oven temp for baking the buns. Thanks!
Melissa
July 9, 2018 at 10:41 pmSorry about that! I’ve updated the post – thanks for catching it. The temp is 425°F.
Barb
October 31, 2024 at 4:04 amWhat’s and how much do you use of sugar and water and flour why is there no milk 2% in with the Bamberger or your dinner rolls or sliders? Some resipe use it some don’t there is no measurements how much
Chloe
April 4, 2020 at 10:57 pmI just made these and they were so quick and easy…not to mention perfect and delicious! Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Melissa
April 11, 2020 at 5:44 pmGlad you enjoyed! Come back and visit again soon!
Denise Smith
August 5, 2023 at 6:17 amI haven’t made them yet! Planning on making them tomorrow but curious about adding sharp cheddar cheese, dry mince onions and the dry chives. What do you think?
Melissa
August 6, 2023 at 10:42 pmI’m so sorry I didn’t reply to you sooner! I haven’t tried it with onions, cheese, or cheddar cheese, so I can’t say for sure. But it does sound delicious! I hope if you try it, you will come back and let me know how the buns turn out.