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 homemade hot dog bun filled with a hot dog

Most of us just buy packaged buns without even thinking about making our own. But I can tell you that this easy recipe will ruin store-bought hot dog buns for you. But don’t worry, they’re really very easy to make with no deep bread-baking knowledge required.

Scroll through the process photos to see exactly how to make Homemade Hot Dog Buns:

balls of hot dog bun dough on a wood surface. A hand is rolling a piece of dough into a cigar shape
Roll the dough into 12 balls. Use a flat hand to roll each ball into a 6″ cigar shape.
side by side photos showing hot dug bun dough before and after rising
Flatten each piece of dough to 1/2″ thick and 2″ wide. Set aside to rise until doubled in height.
freshly baked homemade hot dog buns cooling on a wire rack
Cool the buns on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips for making great Homemade Hot Dog Buns:

  • Make the dough in the late morning or early afternoon and set it aside to rise. By the afternoon you’ll be ready to shape the buns. An hour or so later they’ll be ready to bake. You’ll have fresh buns by dinner time.
  • 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.
  • To make a nice smooth crust on the bun, roll the dough pieces into a ball first and then into the “cigar” shape. This forms a tight skin on the outside of the dough which helps the buns retain their shape as they rise and bake.
  • If a piece of dough becomes too elastic to shape, set it aside for 5 minutes to rest and then come back and try again.
  • The rolls are best the day they are baked. Extra rolls can be frozen for for up to 3 months.
a basket of freshly baked hot dog buns
a sliced hot dog bun on a plate to show the interior crumb
Homemade hot dog buns have a soft, even crumb.
a hot dog with mustard on a homemade bun with red, white & blue table setting

If you want to make your own burger buns, I highly recommend these Milk and Honey Hamburger Buns made with yeast. If you keep a sourdough starter check out this recipe for Sourdough Burger Buns.

If you’re looking for a new burger recipe I think you’ll love this amazing Chicken Satay Burger with Peanut Sauce.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a 5-star review.

a hand holding a hot dog in a homemade bun
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4.91 from 10 reviews

Hot Dog Buns

Super soft with just a hint of sweetness, homemade Hot Dog Buns are worth the time. They freeze really well.
Prep Time40 minutes
Bake Time15 minutes
Rising Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 55 minutes
12 buns
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Ingredients

  • 8 oz whole milk (1 cup, scalded and cooled)
  • 1 oz unsalted butter (room temp)
  • 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 (¼ cup, for brushing buns)

Instructions

  • Combine 8 oz whole milk, 1 oz unsalted butter, 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 ½ (7½ oz) cups of the bread flour until the batter is very thick. If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook. With the mixer running, add the remaining flour (7½ oz). Knead the dough for 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. If mixing by hand add the flour using a wooden spoon and/or a plastic bowl scraper and knead on a floured surface.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead into a smooth ball. Set in 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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Notes

If measuring the flour by volume use the “dip & sweep” method. That is, dip the measuring cup into the flour bin, overfill it, then sweep away the excess.
The buns freeze very well.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bun | Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 306mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @eileen.bakingsense or tag #bakingsense!

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