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    May 28, 2025

    Fluffy Sourdough Hamburger Buns

    fluffy-sourdough-hamburger-buns-6
    Jump to Recipe

    very delicious and simple fluffy Sourdough Hamburger buns that can be made with discard or active bubbly starter 

    This post contains affiliate links – thanks for supporting the brands that make Lion’s Bread possible.

    Let’s get right to it: making hamburger buns from scratch has to be worth it! They have to be light and fluffy, kind soft and rich but never mushy!  I know this sounds crazy, but they can’t be too bread-y or dense.

    That is exactly what these Fluffy Sourdough Hamburger Buns are. They quite literally check all of my boxes, and they had better because I’ve tested this recipe several times. My children are my harshest critics, and they were totally obsessed, so that’s that.

    Also, FWIW, better than any store-bought bun, even potato buns (gasp!).

    Want more artisan bread recipes? Check out:

    Sourdough English Muffins

    Cinnamon Brown Sugar Sourdough Bread

    Sourdough Baguettes

    How to make Sourdough Hamburger Buns 

    • In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine the warm water, sourdough discard, dry active yeast, granulated sugar, avocado oil, and the large eggs. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients together.

    • With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour and salt to the bowl. Mix the dough for 8-10 minutes on medium low speed. The dough will be quite tacky and will still stick to the sides of the bowl, that is ok!

    • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or a disposable shower cap, and let the dough rise at room temperature for about an hour until it has doubled in size.

    • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. Pour the dough out onto a well floured work surface, and use a bench scraper to divide the dough into 10 equal pieces.

    • With lightly floured hands, shape the buns: bring the edges of each piece of dough into the center, and pinch together creating a round circle. Place the ball of dough onto the work surface, seam side down. Use the palm of your hand and fingertips to roll the dough around in a circle. Place the shaped bun onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the pieces of dough.

      Use the palm of your hand to flatten out the buns slightly into a disk for that signature hamburger bun look.

    • Lightly dust the tops of the buns with flour, and loosely place a clean tea towel over the buns. Let them rise at room temperature for about 1 hour until they are puffy. Preheat the oven to 350℉.

    • Brush the tops of the risen hamburger buns with the beaten egg, and generously sprinkle the sesame seeds on top. Bake the buns for 25-27 minutes until they are deeply golden brown. Allow the buns to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing. Enjoy with any of your favorite burgers, chicken sandwiches, egg or tuna salad sandwiches, or even a pressed panini sandwich.

      fluffy-sourdough-hamburger-buns-1

      divide the dough – a kitchen scale will help get them equal in size

      fluffy-sourdough-hamburger-buns-2

      shape them into rounds for hamburger buns or 6″ long rope for hot dog buns

      fluffy-sourdough-hamburger-buns-3

      proofed and ready for egg wash

    Can you also make hot dog buns from this dough?

    YES! I knew you’d ask! You can absolutely shape this dough into 6 inch long ropes, and voila! you’ve got homemade fluffy sourdough hot dog buns. 

    BREAD BAKING TOOLS I USE

    It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway! Having the right tools for the job makes the job so much easier and gives you a better end result. 

    AND, having the correct tools definitely encourages you to bake more often – a win win!

    I’ve put together a list of some of my Essential Baking Tools, and they’re all available HERE on Amazon (love it or hate it, Amazon can make sourcing these tools much simpler).

    fluffy-sourdough-hamburger-buns-4

    egg washed and ready to bake

    fluffy-sourdough-hamburger-buns-5

    fire up the grill, invite some friends, they’re ready!

    fluffy-sourdough-hamburger-buns-7

    very fluffy, super delicious

    IF YOU LOVE IT, SHARE IT!

    If you make these beautiful Fluffy Sourdough Hamburger Buns, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! I love to scroll through stories and see what you all are making.

    And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you <3

    Without further ado, here is your Homemade Hamburger Bun recipe! Be sure to save this recipe and Pin It to your favorite Bread recipe board!

    fluffy-sourdough-hamburger-buns-8

    look at that crumb

    Happy Baking xo LeAnne

    fluffy-sourdough-hamburger-buns-6
    Print

    Fluffy Sourdough Hamburger Buns

    the fluffiest sourdough discard hamburger buns! they can also be shaped into hot dog buns

    Course bread, dinner
    Cuisine American
    Keyword buns, hamburger buns
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    rise time 2 hours
    Servings 12 burger buns
    Author LeAnne Yaakubov

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup water, warmed to 90℉ 235 g
    • ½ cup sourdough discard 120 g
    • 2 teaspoons dry active yeast
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar or maple syrup, honey, agave, 50 g
    • 2 tablespoons avocado oil, or any neutral oil 26 g
    • 1 large egg
    • 3 ⅔ cups unbleached all purpose flour or bread flour 460 g
    • 1 tablespoon kosher salt 17 g

    egg wash

    • 1 egg beaten
    • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, for topping

    Instructions

    1. In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine the warm water, sourdough discard, dry active yeast, granulated sugar, avocado oil, and the large eggs. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine all of the ingredients together.

    2. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour and salt to the bowl. Mix the dough for 8-10 minutes on medium low speed. The dough will be quite tacky and will still stick to the sides of the bowl, that is ok!

    3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or a disposable shower cap, and let the dough rise at room temperature for about an hour until it has doubled in size.

    4. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. Pour the dough out onto a well floured work surface, and use a bench scraper to divide the dough into 10 equal pieces.

    5. With lightly floured hands, shape the buns: bring the edges of each piece of dough into the center, and pinch together creating a round circle. Place the ball of dough onto the work surface, seam side down. Use the palm of your hand and fingertips to roll the dough around in a circle. Place the shaped bun onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the pieces of dough.

      Use the palm of your hand to flatten out the buns slightly into a disk for that signature hamburger bun look.

    6. Lightly dust the tops of the buns with flour, and loosely place a clean tea towel over the buns. Let them rise at room temperature for about 1 hour until they are puffy. Preheat the oven to 350℉.

    7. Brush the tops of the risen hamburger buns with the beaten egg, and generously sprinkle the sesame seeds on top. Bake the buns for 25-27 minutes until they are deeply golden brown. Allow the buns to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing. Enjoy with any of your favorite burgers, chicken sandwiches, egg or tuna salad sandwiches, or even a pressed panini sandwich.

    Recipe Notes

    This recipe was tested using a 1:1:1 ratio sourdough starter.

    If you want to omit the dry active yeast and make them 100% sourdough buns, use active bubbly starter that has been fed about 8-10 hours prior. The fermentation time of the first and second rises will take longer, about 2-3.5 hours for each rise.

    Storing: once the hamburger buns have cooled completely, place them in an airtight bag to keep them fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for up to 1 month in an airtight bag/container.

    The post Fluffy Sourdough Hamburger Buns first appeared on Lion’s Bread blog.

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    LeAnne

    I'm LeAnne, artisan baker, writer, weenie lover, and sourdough enthusiast with a lifelong passion of teaching you all how to bake. Lion's Bread is full of everyday deliciousness that's meant to be shared - let's bake some memories together!

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