Homemade Burger Buns — Way Better, in Any Flavor You Love

It's Friday. Time to get ready for the weekend — homemade burger buns like you've never made them before. Better bread, better burger. And it's not just that they're homemade — you can use any bread mix. Jalapeño Cheese. Black Russian. Sour Cream Onion. The bun becomes part of the meal. 

If you can make dinner rolls, you can make burger buns. You make them the same way — just shaped slightly differently.

Great Bun Breads

• Cheesy Salsa Bread — bright orange, tomato-speckled, southwestern punch. The bun steals the show.
• Black Russian Pumpernickel — dark, luscious, with a subtle pumpernickel undertone.
• Sour Cream Onion — savory and soft. One of our favorites for sandwiches too.
• Diego's Jalapeño Cheese — heat and cheese baked right into the dough.

How to Make the Buns

1. Mix the bread according to package directions. If using a bread machine, use the dough setting — not the bake setting.
2. Divide the dough into 8–10 equal pieces.
3. Form each into a ball by pulling the dough around the center and pinching the seam at the bottom.
4. Place on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten each with the back of your hand. Let the dough relax a few minutes and flatten again — it will spring back at first.
5. Cover and let rise until doubled — about an hour, longer in a cool kitchen.
6. Optional: brush with egg white + 1 tablespoon water and sprinkle with sesame or sunflower seeds before baking.
7. Bake at 350°F for 15–18 minutes until golden on top. Remove from pan immediately and cool on a wire rack.

Want to Bake Them on the Deck?

You can bake these buns right on your covered grill — mix the dough at home and bake at the party. See how to bake burger buns on the grill →

What to Do with Leftover Buns

These buns are extremely versatile — use them for any sandwich. They hold well for several days sealed in plastic. Best eaten fresh, but they freeze beautifully too.

See all seven things you can make this week →