Making light and fluffy hotdog buns at home is a rewarding baking project. Here’s a basic recipe for homemade hotdog buns that are soft, tender, and perfect for your favorite sausages or hotdogs:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F-115°F or 43°C-46°C)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy and the yeast is activated.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center.
- Pour the activated yeast mixture into the well, followed by the softened butter and egg.
- Using a wooden spoon or a dough hook attachment on a stand mixer, mix the ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- If using a stand mixer, knead the dough on a low speed for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a hotdog bun shape by rolling it into a cylinder, then gently flattening it with your hands. Alternatively, you can roll out each portion into a rectangle and then roll it up like a jelly roll.
- Place the shaped buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Leave some space between each bun.
- Cover the buns with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last 15 minutes of the rising time.
- Once the buns have risen again, bake them in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove the buns from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
- Once they are completely cooled, you can slice them and use them for your favorite hotdogs or sausages.
Enjoy your homemade light and fluffy hotdog buns! They’re perfect for grilling up your favorite dogs and adding your favorite toppings.
