Easy Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
Making homemade hamburger buns with your bread machine is even easier than you might think. These healthy whole wheat hamburger buns come together in a snap and are perfect for enjoying with your favorite hamburger or meaty sandwich.
Once I discovered just how easy it is to make shaped breads out of dough from our bread machine, I immediately knew we had to tackle homemade whole wheat hamburger buns.
Any time I've purchased store bought packaged whole wheat buns, my family all agreed they taste more like cardboard. The from-scratch whole wheat bread from our bread machine proved just how delicious whole wheat breads can actually be.
Inspired by the honey whole wheat bread machine recipe in The Ultimate Bread Machine Cookbook, I wanted to create a bun that would pair better with our favorite hamburgers. I love the rich, nutty taste of the whole wheat and the hearty texture of these buns.
You can easily pop the ingredients for the dough into your machine at lunchtime and have fresh baked hamburger buns for a grill-out by early evening.
Why This is the Best Recipe
This is the best homemade whole wheat hamburger buns recipe because:
- Easy: Use a bread machine to make the dough and you can bake them so easily!
- Healthy: No preservatives are needed when you make them from scratch.
- Hearty Texture: These delicious buns will hold up to your heartiest burgers and toppings.
- Deep Flavor: The nutty flavor of the whole wheat is the perfect accent for a burger!
Ingredients
The ingredient list for this recipe is fairly short and uses things you will likely already have on hand in your pantry.
The unique items you may need to pick up include:
- Whole Wheat Flour: My husband and I both prefer baking with the King Arthur 100% whole wheat flour. It has a 13.8% protein content and provides consistent results from bake to bake. You can likely find it at your grocery store or local Target but it can also be ordered on their web site for delivery.
- A Packet of Instant Yeast: You can use individual packets for ease but you won't need the entire packet for this recipe. If you think you'll enjoy doing a lot of baking in the next 3 - 6 months, it's better to invest in a full jar of instant yeast and simply measure 2 tsp of yeast for this recipe. Store the remaining jar in your fridge or freezer for the longest keep.
Equipment You Need
This is specifically a bread machine recipe but it doesn't matter which bread maker you have so long as it has a Dough program.
You will be baking the hamburger buns in your oven and forming the rolls by hand. These tools will come in handy and make your task easier:
- Pastry scraper or pizza wheel for cutting the portions of dough
- A pastry brush for the egg wash
- A baking mat for working with the dough and protecting your counter
- A half sheet pan lined with parchment paper
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How to Make Hamburger Bun Dough in Bread Machine
If you've never used the Dough program on your bread machine before, you'll be pleased to see just how easy it is as long as you follow a few important steps.
For the dough to mix properly, it is important to add the ingredients to your bread pan in the order they are listed.
First, add all the liquid ingredients to the bread pan. Start with the milk and the egg.
Then, cut your softened butter into smaller chunks. If you try to drop a solid chunk of 2 tbsp of butter into your bread machine, the small paddle will struggle to incorporate the butter evenly throughout the dough.
To help the bread maker do its job, cut the butter into 4 smaller pieces and scatter them in the bread pan.
Then add all the dry ingredients to the bread pan, right on top of the liquid ingredients.
Spoon the whole wheat flour, bread flour, sugar, and salt on top of the milk mixture.
I always pour the sugar and salt around the perimeter of the pan so that it doesn't touch the yeast until it is ready to be mixed together.
Use a spoon to dig a shallow well in the center of the flour and then add the yeast there, like this:
This helps keep the yeast away from the salt until it is time to be blended together. Direct contact with the salt can kill the yeast and prevent a nice rise.
Watch the Mixing
Once all the ingredients are in the bread pan, place it back in your bread maker and select the DOUGH PROGRAM. Press Start.
Not all bread makers are equal when it comes to forming the dough.
Take a peek during the first knead cycle and scrape down the sides of the bread pan if you find dry pockets of flour collecting in the corners.
Form the Rolls
Once the dough cycle is complete, transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface.
Use a pastry scraper tool or knife to divide it into 10 equal portions.
Shape them into round buns by folding the dough up underneath each ball and pinching the seam closed.
Spread the rolls evenly on a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
Second Rise
Cover the shaped buns with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until they have almost doubled in size.
It helps to keep them on top of the stove while the oven preheats.
Baking Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Whisk together the second egg and tablespoon of water to form an egg wash. Use a pastry brush to brush evenly over the top of the buns to add shine and color.
Bake the buns for 10 - 13 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 200°F. They will brown very quickly at the end, watch carefully so they don't burn.
Serving Suggestions
The hearty nature of the whole wheat in the hamburger bun makes these rolls best served warm. At room temperature, the texture can have a very thick chew.
There are a few easy tricks for keeping the texture light and fluffier:
- Plan to bake them 30 - 40 minutes before you plan to eat them. Slice and serve them when they are just cooled enough to touch.
- Bake them ahead of time and reheat them in the oven. Simply place them on a pan in the oven and reheat at 350°F for 3 minutes.
- Bake them ahead of time. When you want to serve them, slice open each roll and place them open face on a broiler-safe baking pan. Toast them under your oven broiler until golden brown.
These hamburger buns would be delicious for any handheld sandwich your family enjoys, but we particularly like them with:
The nutty whole wheat flavor pairs wonderfully with the Italian flavors of my oven baked turkey burgers.
Add even more flavor to these candied bacon and basil cheeseburgers with these delicious hamburger buns.
Slice a rum glazed pork tenderloin for a unique pork sandwich or make my roasted pork sandwich and add these sweet caramelized onions.
Pile high some pulled pork and drizzle some sweet homemade BBQ sauce over the top.
Or for a healthy alternative, try making Air fryer burgers with or without cheese.
📖 Recipe
Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 3 tbsp 2% milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/2 tbsp butter softened and cut into pieces
- 2 cups (274 g) whole wheat flour
- 1 1/3 cups (183 g) bread flour
- 2 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp instant yeast
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to your bread machine in the order they are listed, starting with the milk and ending with the yeast.
- Set the machine to the Dough setting, most machines take about 1 hour and 30 minutes to finish the cycle.
- Once the dough cycle is complete, transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Use a pastry scraper tool or knife to divide it into 10 equal portions. Shape them into round buns by folding the dough up underneath each ball and pinching the seam closed. Spread the rolls evenly on a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Cover the shaped buns with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until they have almost doubled in size. It helps to keep them on top of the stove while the oven preheats.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Whisk together the second egg and tablespoon of water to form an egg wash. Use a pastry brush to brush evenly over the top of the buns to add shine and color.
- Bake the buns for 10 - 13 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 200°F. They will brown very quickly at the end, watch carefully so they don't burn.
Recipe Notes
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They are delicious! Browned quickly like you said. Very light and great texture.
My family and I absolutely love this recipe. Would you have the nutritional information for one of these buns? I’d appreciate it! Thank you.
Kathy
My family and I absolutely love this recipe. Would you have the nutritional information for one of these buns? I’d appreciate it! Thank you.
Kathy
Best ever hamburger buns Thank you. My go to recipe.
Best Rolls for whatever.