Homemade Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns

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There’s nothing quite like a homemade bun to elevate your burgers, and these soft whole wheat hamburger buns are a great place to start. They’re made with a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for a light texture with extra flavor, fiber, and nutrition.

Baking the buns in canning jar bands helps shape them evenly—ideal for both standard and slider-sized sandwiches. Serve these with your favorite burger patties, pulled pork, or grilled chicken for a satisfying homemade meal.

Ingredient Notes

• Yeast: Active dry yeast works well—proof it in warm water to get things started.
• Flour: A mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour gives lightness and structure.
• Egg: The yolk enriches the dough; the white is used for a glossy egg wash.
• Butter: Adds flavor and tenderness.
• Sugar: A little sugar feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness.
• Salt: Enhances flavor—don’t skip it!
• Sesame or poppy seeds: Optional toppings for a classic finish.

Steps to Make Homemade Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns

1. Proof the yeast in warm water and let it stand for 10 minutes.
2. Mix in the flours, egg yolk, salt, sugar, and melted butter to form a dough.
3. Knead until smooth and elastic, then let rise in a greased bowl until doubled.
4. Shape dough into balls, flatten into disks, and place in jar bands or directly on parchment-lined baking sheets.
5. Let rise again until doubled in size.
6. Brush with egg white wash and sprinkle with seeds, if using.
7. Bake until golden brown and fully cooked.

Recipe Variations

• Make slider buns. Use smaller jar bands and 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 ounces of dough per bun.
• Add seeds or toppings. Use everything bagel seasoning, oats, or sesame seeds.
• Use honey. Replace some or all of the sugar with honey for added flavor.
• Enriched version. Add 1/4 cup milk powder for extra softness and richness.
• Dairy-free version. Use oil instead of butter and water in place of milk or milk powder.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with grilled burgers, veggie patties, or fried chicken sandwiches.
• Use for pulled pork or barbecue beef sliders.
• Pair with hearty soups or stews for dunkable dinner rolls.
• Split and toast for breakfast sandwiches with eggs and cheese.

Homemade Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns

Diana Rattray

Make your burgers extra special with these homemade hamburger buns. The buns are made with part whole wheat flour.

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Servings 12 servings

Calories 154

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Other TimeRise Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

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• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water, about 110°F
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
• ¾ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 large egg, separated, yolk for the dough and white reserved for the egg wash
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• Vegetable oil or melted butter for greasing the bowl
• Cooking spray for the English muffin rings or jar bands, if using

For the Egg Wash and Topping

• 1 egg white (reserved from the separated egg)
• 1 tbsp water
• Pinch of salt
• Sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional), for topping

Recommended Equipment

• Baking sheets
• Stand mixer optional
• Cooling racks
• English muffin rings or wide-mouth jar rings

Instructions

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• In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast and water. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast | 1 cup warm water
• Add the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, egg yolk, salt, sugar, and melted butter. Mix with the dough hook or by hand until a soft dough forms (refrigerate the egg white—you'll use it later).
  2 cups all-purpose flour | 3/4 cup whole wheat flour | 1 large egg, separated, yolk for the dough and white reserved for the egg wash | 1 tsp kosher salt | 3 tbsp sugar | 4 tbsp melted butter
• Knead with the stand mixer or by hand on a lightly floured work surface for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Work in small amounts of flour, as needed, to keep the dough from sticking to the sides of the bowl or to the work surface.
• Coat the inside of a large bowl with vegetable oil or melted butter. Gather the dough into a ball and place it in the oiled bowl. Turn the dough to coat thoroughly with the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a warm, draft-free place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  Vegetable oil or melted butter for greasing the bowl
• If you are using jar bands or English muffin rings, spray the insides with cooking spray. Use English muffin rings or wide-mouth jar bands for large buns. For slider buns, use smaller bands.
  Cooking spray for the English muffin rings or jar bands, if using
• Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Place jar bands or rings on the prepared baking sheets.
• Remove the risen dough to a lightly floured work surface and press out excess air bubbles. Tear off pieces of dough and shape into balls, roughly 2 ounces each (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 ounces for small buns). Flatten slightly to form disks.
• Place the disks on the parchment-lined baking sheet in the jar bands, or place the dough disks on the baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each disk.
• Cover the baking sheets loosely with tea towels and let the buns rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes or until doubled.
• Heat the oven to 400°F.
• Whisk the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water and a pinch of salt. Gently brush each bun with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, if desired.
  1 egg white (reserved from the separated egg) | 1 tbsp water | Pinch of salt | Sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)
• Bake for about 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 12 large buns or about 16 to 18 small buns.
Tip: Check smaller slider buns early because they may bake faster than full-size buns.

Nutrition

Calories: 154kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 231mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 140IUVitamin C: 0.002mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword wheat hamburger buns

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