Soft & Fluffy Bread Machine Burger Buns

This is an easy recipe. Really. The hardest part of any bread recipe is the kneading, and using your bread machine for that part makes it totally foolproof.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

No bread machine? No problem. You can knead the dough in your stand mixer or by hand.

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Equipment

• Bread machine
• Parchment paper
• Baking Sheet
• Plastic wrap (for covering the dough during the second rise)
• Sharp knife or dough scraper
• Pastry brush (for applying the egg wash)
• Wire rack (for cooling the buns)

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3½ cups all-purpose flour (if you want to use whole wheat, use half whole wheat (at the most!) and half all-purpose flour. Using 100% whole wheat might make the buns too dense, but a mix will keep them soft.)
• 1 cup water
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter (softened at room temperature)
• 1 egg
• 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast

For Topping

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)

How to Make Bread Machine Burger Buns

If you live at a higher altitude, baking can be tricky as the dough rises faster and liquids evaporate quicker. For specific adjustments to make sure your burger buns turn out perfectly, check out this helpful guide on high-altitude baking.

Step One: Add The Ingredients To The Bread Machine

Place all dough ingredients (flour, water, salt, sugar, butter, egg, and yeast) into the bread machine, following the order recommended by your machine’s manufacturer. Then, select the dough cycle and press start.

Step Two: Monitor The Dough Consistency

During the first few minutes of mixing, check the dough’s consistency. It should be smooth and slightly tacky, pulling away cleanly from the sides of the bread machine bucket. If the dough is too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time. If it’s too dry, add 1 teaspoon of water at a time. Let the cycle complete.

Step Three: First Rise

When the machine beeps, the dough should be soft, puffy, and have risen significantly. It should almost reach the top of the bread machine bucket.

Step Three: Divide And Shape

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a sharp knife or dough scraper, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. (For even rolls, divide the dough in half, then in quarters, and so on.)Then, gently shape each piece into a round ball by pulling the sides of the dough underneath to create a smooth top. Place the shaped rolls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each roll. Gently flatten them with your palm to form a slight dome. Brush each roll with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds.

Step Four: Second Rise

Cover the rolls loosely with heavily greased plastic wrap to prevent sticking. Then, place the baking sheet in a warm spot and let the rolls rise until they are very puffy, about 45 minutes. Toward the end of the rising time, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), with the rack positioned in the center.

Step Five: Bake

Bake the rolls for 14-17 minutes until they are golden brown. The egg wash will give them a shiny, richly colored crust. The rolls should feel firm outside but soft to the touch.

Step Six: Let It Cool

Remove the rolls from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For best results, wait until the buns are fully cooled before slicing.

Storage Instructions

Burger buns can be stored at room temperature in a bread bag or an airtight container for up to 2 days. Alternatively, they can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

To make ahead of time, after shaping the dough into buns, cover them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, take them out and let them rise at room temperature for about 45 minutes before baking.

What To Serve With Bread Machine Burger Buns

For a truly homemade barbecue, serve these:

• A slow cooker pulled pork is a great filling and alternative to burgers.
• This classic coleslaw is a must-have side.
• If you have a deep-fryer, make sweet potato fries.
• If not, every barbecue needs a redskin potato salad.
• Finish off with a strawberry ice cream pie.

Questions and Troubleshooting

More Burger Bun Recipes

• If you’re a fan of rich, buttery flavors, try making these brioche burger buns next.
• Add some active sourdough to make sourdough burger buns.
• Or use up your discard for sourdough discard burger buns.

Printable Recipe