Homemade Hot Dog Buns
Homemade Hot Dogs Buns are super soft with just a hint of sweetness. Start the dough in the afternoon and have fresh hot dog buns ready by the time you fire up the grill for dinner.
![a hand holding a hot dog in a bun.](https://www.baking-sense.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/hot-dog-rolls-10a.jpg)
Most of us just buy packaged hot dog buns without even thinking about making our own. But I can tell you that this easy recipe will ruin store-bought buns for you.
But don’t worry, they’re really very easy to make with no deep bread-baking knowledge required.
Table of contents
Ingredients
![ingredients for making hot dog buns in glass bowls.](https://www.baking-sense.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/hot-dog-rolls-ingredients.jpg)
Ingredient Notes
- Bread Flour – High protein bread flour promotes great gluten development in the dough. The stretchy dough rises high in the oven and the buns keep their oblong shape.
- Yeast – I prefer instant yeast to rapid rise yeast for a slightly slower rise. A slower rise gives more time for flavor to develop.
- Milk – Scalding alters a protein in milk which can interfere with gluten development. Don’t skip the scalding step. The milk, along with butter and a smidge of sugar, tenderizes the dough for a soft crumb.
Process Photos for making Homemade Hot Dog Buns
See the recipe card for detailed measurements and instructions.
![bun dough in a mixing bowl.](https://www.baking-sense.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/burger-buns-5a.jpg)
- Combine the milk, butter, sugar, salt, egg and yeast in a mixer bowl with 1 cup of the flour.
- With the mixer running on low speed, add the remaining flour and mix to combine.
- The dough will start out quite shaggy and sticky. Knead for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes the dough should cling to the hook and clear the sides of the bowl. This can also be done by hand.
![hot dog buns being shaped by hand.](https://www.baking-sense.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/hot-dog-rolls-1a.jpg)
- Put the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and set aside to rise for 1 – 1 1/2 hours.
- When the dough is doubled in volume, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. You can either do this by eye or weigh the dough and divide by 12.
- Roll each piece of dough under your cupped hand to form a tight ball then roll each ball into a cigar shape.
![side by side photos showing hot dog bun dough before and after rising](https://www.baking-sense.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/hot-dog-rolls-3a.jpg)
- Transfer the buns to a parchment lined baking sheet. Flatten each piece of dough to 1/2″ thick and 2″ wide oblong.
- Set aside to rise until doubled in height.
![freshly baked homemade hot dog buns cooling on a wire rack](https://www.baking-sense.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/hot-dog-rolls-4.jpg)
- Bake until golden brown.
- Cool the buns on a wire rack before slicing.
Work Ahead & Storage
- To work ahead, the dough can be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can shape the dough right after it comes out the refrigerator.
- The rolls are best the day they are baked. Extra rolls can be frozen for for up to 3 months.
![a split hot dog bun on a white plate.](https://www.baking-sense.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/hot-dog-rolls-8a.jpg)
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Hot Dog Buns
Ingredients
- 8 oz whole milk (1 cup)
- 1 oz unsalted butter
- 1 oz granulated sugar (2 tablespoons)
- 1 ½ teaspoons table salt
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast
- 15 oz bread flour (3 cups, see note)
- 2 oz whole milk (for brushing buns)
Instructions
- In a microwave proof measuring cup or bowl, scald 8 oz whole milk. Add 1 oz unsalted butter to the milk and allow it to melt. Set the milk/butter aside to cool to about 100F.
- Combine the milk/butter with 1 oz granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons table salt and 1 large egg in a mixer bowl. Sprinkle 2 ¼ teaspoons dry yeast over the mixture. Mix on low speed to combine the ingredients. Add 1 cup (5oz) of the flour.
- If using a stand mixer use the dough hook. With the mixer running, add the remaining flour. Knead the dough for 5 minutes until it gathers on the hook and clears the sides of the bowl. If mixing by hand add as much flour as you can by hand then knead on a floured surface.
- Set the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to rise until doubled in volume (1 – 1½ hours).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion to a tight ball. Starting with the first piece of dough you rolled, roll the dough to form a 6" long cigar shape. Set it on the baking sheet. Continue with the remaining dough, placing 6 rolls onto each baking sheet. Use the palm of your hand to flatten each roll to about 1/2" thick and 2" wide oval. If at any point the dough is too difficult to work with give it a 10 minute rest and then continue.
- Cover the pans and set aside in a warm place to rise until almost doubled in height and it nicely puffed (about 1 hour). Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 °F.
- Brush the tops of the buns with milk. Bake until the buns are golden brown and feel light when lifted off the sheet pan, about 10-13 minutes. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
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Is Type 00 flour the same as bread flour?