These vegan hamburger buns are super easy to make and only requires 6 ingredients and a few minutes of active work to make. The end results are fluffy golden topped buns that are perfect for any BBQ.
Recipe: $1.18 | Per Serving: $0.15 | Yields: 8 buns
Homemade burger buns offer a delightful departure from store-bought options. Crafting your own burger buns allows you to experiment with different types of flour to achieve the perfect balance between softness and chewiness.
You haven't had a burger until you've tried it with homemade buns. The chewy soft yeast bread smells and tastes so incredible that you might eat a few burgers in one sitting before you realize what you've done. I won't judge because I've done the exact same thing.
These buns are tender, moist, and have a slightly crispy crust, making them an ideal vessel for your favorite burger toppings. Adapted from our 5 Ingredient White Bread Recipe, these burger buns are naturally egg-free and dairy free.
Want sliders instead of full sized burgers? Check out these Vegan Slider Buns. Perfect for large parties or appetizers. Remember to save leftover buns for some Bread Pudding (with Hamburger Buns).
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🍯 Why This Recipe Works
- They taste incredible. These easy vegan burger buns are soft, fluffy, and golden delicious. Just looking at them will have you wanting to take a bite, but putting them together with your meat or filling of choice is what really seals the deal.
- Allergen friendly. Whether you're vegan or simply looking for a dairy-free hamburger bun (or egg-free burger buns) recipe, then this one is for you. If you enjoy making breads, make sure to check out these Gifts for Bread Bakers.
- Simple and basic. It's simple and basic, but that's just part of the added charm. Made with minimal ingredients and effort, the end results could not be any better.
🥘 Ingredients
Ingredient Notes:
Warm water- You will need water that is 110F. Too hot and it will kill the yeast, causing it to not work, but too cold of the water and it won't activate the yeast, which makes it even harder to work as well.
Flour- You can use Bread flour or all-purpose flour for this recipe. Bread flour will give a nicer crumb thanks to the added crumb and may have a nicer taste as well, but all-purpose works fine.
Yeast- Use a packet of instant yeast. Make sure that the yeast is not expired.
For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.
🔪 Instructions for Vegan Burger Buns
Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt.
Step 2: Make a well in the center and add to it the sugar, oil, and water.
Step 3: Stir to combine.
Step 4: Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Feed it more flour as needed to get it no longer sticky.
Step 5: Place in a bowl and cover. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour in a warm place.
Step 6: Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal-sized pieces. Roll into balls and place on a greased baking sheet.
Step 7: Cover the buns loosely with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled.
Step 8: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the tops of the burger buns with olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
Step 9: Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown on top.
🍴 Recipe Tips
- Consistent Bun Sizes: Use a kitchen scale to divide the dough evenly. Aim for around 3.10 ounces per bun. Factors like flour quantity may slightly vary the measurements.
- Adjusting Flour: The amount of flour needed can vary due to factors like location, indoor temperature, and humidity. Add extra flour gradually until the dough is no longer sticky, typically around 1 cup.
- Determining Doneness: After baking, the buns will be firm to the touch and sound hollow when tapped. As they cool, the crust will soften, and wrinkles may appear, indicating moisture retention and delicious taste.
🍞 How to Knead Bread Dough
Kneading dough by hand is a rewarding process that ensures perfect texture and elasticity. Follow these steps for the best results:
- Prepare the Surface:
- Place the dough on a floured surface to prevent sticking.
- Roll and Fold:
- Use both hands to roll the dough into an oval shape. Pull back one half over the other, sandwiching them together.
- Smoosh and Rotate:
- Smoosh the dough as you roll it out again into an oval, then fold it back onto itself. Rotate the dough about 90 degrees every few times to evenly work the dough.
- Check for Smoothness:
- Continue kneading for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- The dough should not tear easily when stretched; instead, it should form jagged edges.
- Test elasticity by poking the dough with your finger. It should quickly bounce back and fill in the hole.
🥖 How Long to Proof Dough
- Variables Affecting Proofing Time: Weather, climate, drafts, ingredient temperature, yeast age, and more can influence proofing time.
- Average Time Range: Typically, proofing can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, but some instances may see it happen in as little as 30 minutes.
- Observing Dough Doubling: Rather than focusing on a specific time, watch for the dough to double in size. This indicates proper proofing.
- Tips for Successful Proofing:
- Cover the dough bowl with greased plastic wrap to prevent drying and promote heat retention.
- Grease the wrap to prevent sticking.
- Place the bowl in a warm location for ideal proofing conditions.
- You can preheat the oven to 200°F for 2 minutes, then turn it off and place the dough inside until doubled.
- Alternatively, use a closed microwave, an oven with only the light turned on, or a warm kitchen countertop on a sunny day.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Some store-bought burger buns will contain dairy, and if sold in the US it will be labeled in the ingredients stating that it contains dairy because it is a major allergen. This homemade vegan burger buns recipe does not contain any dairy or eggs or have ingredients that are likely to contain them either.
You can brush your burger buns with olive oil or a vegan eggwash and sprinkle sesame seeds on top before baking. If using olive oil, be warned that the sesame seeds don't stick well and can rub off, so don't handle them too much after baking.
Yes, after they have cooled completely, these buns can be placed in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let them thaw for a few hours on the counter before toasting or using them as desired.
❤️ More Delicious Vegan Recipes
If you tried these Vegan Burger Buns, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Burger Buns
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour or bread flour ($0.32)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet) ($0.38)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt ($0.01)
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar ($0.05)
- 3 Tablespoons vegetable or olive oil ($0.42)
- 1 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F) ($0.00)
Instructions
- In a bowl whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt.
- Make a well in the center and add to it the sugar, oil, and water.
- Stir to combine.
- Knead the dough on floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Feed it more flour as needed to get it no longer sticky.
- Place in a bowl and cover. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour in a warm place.
- Punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal sized pieces. Roll into balls and place on a greased baking sheet.
- Cover the buns loosely with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the tops of the burger buns with olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown on top.
Bread machine option
- Place ingredients in order of owner manual for your specific bread machine.
- Turn the machine to "dough cycle" and close the lid. Waiting for the beep.
- Once the dough has risen continue the steps above starting with the step for dividing the dough into buns.
Notes
- Divide the dough into buns, aiming for approximately 3.10 ounces per bun, but keep in mind that exact measurements may vary.
- Knead the dough until it achieves an elastic texture, demonstrated by the dough springing back when poked with a finger.
- The quantity of flour used can differ based on factors such as your location, room temperature, and humidity. Add around 1 cup of extra flour during kneading to eliminate stickiness.
- After baking, the vegan buns will be initially firm and emit a hollow sound when tapped. As they cool, the crust will soften, and charming wrinkles may appear after a few hours, indicating well-preserved moisture and exceptional flavor.
Nicole says
Hi Nicole,
Thank you so much for this recipe. As a fellow frugal foodie I appreciate this so much. It's my go-to hamburger buns recipe. Why waste an egg, right?
I also crochet (bookmarked your sister's site), bake sourdough and read! Have fun and thanks again.