100% Whole Wheat Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns Recipe

My homemade whole wheat hamburger and hot dog buns recipe is next-level good! If you want to impress, bring these to your next BBQ!

Love a good hamburger or hotdog? Then this recipe is for you! Love good homemade bread? Then this recipe is for you too! And if you love both – then I’m really going to make your day!

We’re combining two delicious foods into one killer combination that will be requested again and again. A homemade, whole wheat bun and your favorite burger or hotdog fixings. It’s the stuff of dreams!

This homemade hamburger and/or hot dog buns recipe takes simple buns from background character to center stage. They (and you) will be the star of your next cook-out because no burger buns have any business being this good and this healthy!

Homemade Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns are the BEST

From now on, I’m making all of my buns at home. They’re my favorite because they are:

• Sturdy enough to support meat, toppings and sauces, but still light and fluffy.
• 100% whole wheat for the yummiest, healthiest, most flavorful burger bun possible.
• Full of freshly milled grain nutrition. No compromises.
• Easy to make and sure to impress any crowd.
• One recipe can make either hot dog or hamburger buns – whatever you prefer! (You can also use your homemade hot dog buns for sandwich subs. Yum!)

What Grain Should You Use for this Recipe?

I like to make this recipe using freshly milled hard white wheat. The color, flavor and texture are perfect! Your picky eaters won’t even know it’s 100% whole grain unless you tell them. (Tell them after they’ve raved about how good these buns are!)

Printable Hamburger and Hot Dog Bun Recipe Card

Ingredients and Supplies

Gather your supplies and ingredients. It’s time to get cooking!

Supplies

• A large bowl and spoon or a stand mixer
• Plastic wrap, a damp kitchen towel or a reusable bowl cover

Dough Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast (see note)
• 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons sunflower lecithin (optional but highly recommended)
• 4 1/4 cups (about 440 grams) freshly milled whole wheat flour

Topping Ingredients

• 1 egg yolk
• Sesame seeds

How to Make the Best Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns

Mixing the Dough

Add the water, yeast, sugar, oil, egg, salt, and sunflower lecithin to a bowl or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.  Mix these ingredients together until well incorporated.

Add your flour to this mixture, one cup at a time.  If using a mixer, add the flour while mixing on low with a dough attachment hook.  You may need slightly more or less flour, depending on your environment.  Add flour until the dough starts to pull from the sides of the bowl.  

Mix/knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, to help develop the gluten structure.  The dough should feel slightly tacky.

Rise and Punch

Cover and let the dough rise or proof for just 20 minutes.  You can do this in the same mixer bowl you are using.  After the time is up, punch the dough down by kneading it with your hands, stirring it with a wooden spoon, or let the mixer run for about 10 seconds.

Cover and let sit for another 20 minutes.

Repeat the punch down again, and let rise another final 20 minutes.

Shaping the Buns

Prepare a half or ¾ size sheet pan (hot dog buns take a full sheet pan) by spraying with non-stick spray or lining with parchment paper. 

Dump your dough onto a floured surface.  Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. To get a uniform size, measure each dough ball at about 4 ounces each.

To shape a hamburger bun, first flatten the dough in a round shape on the countertop.  Lift it up and form a ball shape by wrapping the edges underneath the center of the dough.  With your hand in a cupped “C” shape, hold the dough lightly and place the flat side of your hand down on the countertop (pinky side).  With the dough in the center of the cupped hand, move your hand in a circular motion while shaping a beautiful round ball of dough.  

For hot dog buns, roll them out in a long log shape, trying to push the ends in so they are not pointed.

Gently smash down the tops of the hamburger buns, to create a flatter circular shape.

Place the dough far enough apart that they won’t likely touch each other when they finish the final rise.

Final Rise

Cover the dough, and let rise until almost doubled.  This rise usually takes 30-45 minutes.

Baking Instructions

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Make an egg wash by adding a couple of teaspoons of water to 1 egg yolk and mixing.  With a pastry brush, lightly spread the egg wash over each bun. This will help develop a lovely golden brown color on the cooked buns.

For hamburger buns, I like to sprinkle the top with sesame seeds.  For the hot dog buns, I like to add a couple of slits on an angle.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.  

Let them cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into them and adding the meat and burger toppings.  Delicious!

Notes

You can use active dry yeast for this recipe, just be sure to activate it in the warm water before adding the other ingredients.  You’ll also want it to rise longer (until double) after the second punch down.  Instant yeast is just easier for this recipe!

Storing Homemade Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns

These are going to taste best baked the day of eating. If you need to make these ahead of time, I suggest freezing them and taking them out to thaw just before eating.  Toasting them lightly would be perfect!

Where to Buy Bread Making Ingredients and Supplies

If you want to learn more about what I like to use for making bread, see the best bread baking supplies for your kitchen where I share my favorites.

You can also visit my TIDBITS & Company Bread Making Supplies Moonsift collection for product links and full details. Check it out!

More Whole Grains to Love

These tasty, whole grain buns are calling your name. Give them a try and enjoy having the title of Cook Out Master. It really doesn’t get any more delicious than this!

See more of my whole wheat recipes here:

• 100% Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Made Simple
• Healthy Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
• 100% Whole Grain Einkorn Sourdough Bread Simplified
• Honey Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
• You Won’t Believe They Are 100% Whole Wheat Rolls Recipe
• 100% Whole Grain Spelt Sourdough Bread
• 100% Whole Wheat Focaccia Bread Recipe
• 100% Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bars