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A sourdough burger bun so satisfying you won’t ever go back to store-bought!
I’m really excited to share this recipe with you! I’ve been working on burger buns for years now and I think I’ve finally nailed it.
This bun is soft and chewy, making it perfect for holding lots of toppings. It won’t break or crack under the weight of a hefty, loaded burger like the dry store-bought buns do.
Sourdough is classically stretchy and this bun recipe is no exception. And like all my sourdough, it is traditionally leavened during two long, slow ferments. Two long ferments means better digestibility, more unlocked nutrition, and great “real sourdough” flavor.
If You’re Like Me You’re Always Looking for a Place To Get a Really Good Burger.
But the truth is a really good burger starts at home with grass-fed meat from a sustainable farm, organic produce, and a real sourdough bun. So ditch the restaurant and make yourself the burger of your dreams!
Watch Me Shape and Bake This Recipe on YouTube
Soft and Chewy Sourdough Burger Buns
Yield: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Proofing: 12 hours
Total Time: 12 hours50 minutes
Recipe yields 6 big buns (perfect for 1/3-pound burgers) or 8 medium-size buns (perfect for 1/4-pound burgers).
In a stand mixer or a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, coconut sugar, starter, and water into a thick sticky dough. In a stand mixer, use a dough hook and knead the dough gently for 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and let the dough rest for 5 minutes. Do this for four to six rounds, just until the dough is well developed. If mixing by hand, stir the ingredients together with a dough whisk until incorporated. Let the dough rest for several minutes. With lightly wet hands, stretch and fold the dough four to five turns every 5 minutes for four to six rounds until it's smooth and stretchy. It should be fairly sticky. Cover the dough and let the dough proof overnight at room temperature (65 to 70℉).
The next morning
Deflate the dough by doing a round of stretch and fold in the bowl. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface.
Gently roll and pat the dough into a log. Cut the dough into six or eight equal portions. Working with one piece at a time, form nice tight balls of dough. Start by folding the top down to the center. Working clockwise with your right hand fold all the sides into the center and push them down firmly while turning the dough counterclockwise with your left hand.
After eight or so turns, the dough should feel tight and rounded. Pinch the bottom of the bun and roll it gently in your hands to further shape it. Place the buns on a sheet of parchment paper atop a baking sheet to help you transfer the buns to a preheated baking stone once proofed.
If baking on a baking sheet, proof the buns on parchment on the baking sheet — no need to preheat the baking sheet, in fact it might be wise to double the baking sheet to protect the bottoms from getting too dark.
Once all the buns have been shaped, cover them and let them proof again for 3 to 6 hours (the proofing time will totally depend on the climate, activity of the starter, and so many other factors). You want the dough to rise to at least double if not triple its original size.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. If using a baking stone preheat the oven with the baking stone inside.
Mix the egg yolk and milk together in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the top of each bun with egg wash. Sprinkle the buns with sesame seeds.
Slide the parchment with buns on top onto the preheated baking stone. Bake the buns for 30 minutes. Remove them from the oven and from the parchment paper to a wire rack to cool. Let them cool completely before pulling them apart if they are touching.
Slice and top the soft and chewy buns with all your favorites! Enjoy your well-deserved burger!
How do you get the tops and bottoms from being too crunchy? I figured the bottoms were because the cast iron was too hot and my gas stove runs a little hot. But this is the second time making them and the tops and bottoms were hard, not soft.
Butter For All
Monday 24th of July 2023
Hi Candace,
You can try an even lower temp like you initially suspected, and make sure you bake them in the lower part of your oven with a pan on the rack just under them. If they start to brown, put a sheet of parchment over the tops, that should really help!
Judy
Monday 24th of April 2023
These are absolutely amazing! I see a lot of comments about the dough being wet. These recipes will differ for most people as weather and many other things factor in. I've been in your shoes and have learned to add flour as needed while mixing. You will eventually get the hang of it. I did and I have a brain injury. Another mistake I made when learning how to make sourdough was not spending enough time doing the shaping and I'd end up with the flat, dense bread. Once I got both of those down, along with knowing when my starter is perfectly ready, I feel like a pro. Watch her video. It will help. Because of my disabilities, I couldn't shape the exact way she does, but I'm used to figuring out how to accomplish things and getting the same result. Hope this helps. Oh, and I used the Everything Bagel seasoning instead of sesame seeds. Oh my goodness! Yum!
Butter For All
Tuesday 25th of April 2023
Judy!
You are spot on! I really appreciate you leaving such a thoughtful comment for the other bakers out there ❤️
Happy baking!
Jenée
Friday 21st of April 2023
This is my second time making these they are soooo good 😊
I appreciate your videos and clearly written instructions!
Butter For All
Tuesday 25th of April 2023
Hi Jenée,
That's great to hear! Thanks for leaving such nice feedback! :)
Regina
Saturday 21st of January 2023
I've been looking for a healthier bun (for my veggie burgers) recipe without added oils, or butter. All have failed... until now. This recipe is perfect. The dough was beautiful, I made 6 instead of 8 and they were quite big, but super fluffy. I did use the egg wash even though I am plant based. I will try a vegan egg wash next time. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Butter For All
Tuesday 31st of January 2023
I'm so happy you had such great success!
Patrick
Thursday 15th of September 2022
the starter in the recipe is at close to 30% which seems a bit high. Try using maybe 50 grams, which is 10% The Author has given examples of the process, but the timing will be different based on your temperature and inoculation rates. Using a proofing chart can be helpful.
Butter For All
Sunday 18th of September 2022
I think this is a good suggestion if your starter is strong and active.
Candace
Sunday 9th of July 2023
How do you get the tops and bottoms from being too crunchy? I figured the bottoms were because the cast iron was too hot and my gas stove runs a little hot. But this is the second time making them and the tops and bottoms were hard, not soft.
Butter For All
Monday 24th of July 2023
Hi Candace,
You can try an even lower temp like you initially suspected, and make sure you bake them in the lower part of your oven with a pan on the rack just under them. If they start to brown, put a sheet of parchment over the tops, that should really help!
Judy
Monday 24th of April 2023
These are absolutely amazing! I see a lot of comments about the dough being wet. These recipes will differ for most people as weather and many other things factor in. I've been in your shoes and have learned to add flour as needed while mixing. You will eventually get the hang of it. I did and I have a brain injury. Another mistake I made when learning how to make sourdough was not spending enough time doing the shaping and I'd end up with the flat, dense bread. Once I got both of those down, along with knowing when my starter is perfectly ready, I feel like a pro. Watch her video. It will help. Because of my disabilities, I couldn't shape the exact way she does, but I'm used to figuring out how to accomplish things and getting the same result. Hope this helps. Oh, and I used the Everything Bagel seasoning instead of sesame seeds. Oh my goodness! Yum!
Butter For All
Tuesday 25th of April 2023
Judy!
You are spot on! I really appreciate you leaving such a thoughtful comment for the other bakers out there ❤️
Happy baking!
Jenée
Friday 21st of April 2023
This is my second time making these they are soooo good 😊 I appreciate your videos and clearly written instructions!
Butter For All
Tuesday 25th of April 2023
Hi Jenée,
That's great to hear! Thanks for leaving such nice feedback! :)
Regina
Saturday 21st of January 2023
I've been looking for a healthier bun (for my veggie burgers) recipe without added oils, or butter. All have failed... until now. This recipe is perfect. The dough was beautiful, I made 6 instead of 8 and they were quite big, but super fluffy. I did use the egg wash even though I am plant based. I will try a vegan egg wash next time. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Butter For All
Tuesday 31st of January 2023
I'm so happy you had such great success!
Patrick
Thursday 15th of September 2022
the starter in the recipe is at close to 30% which seems a bit high. Try using maybe 50 grams, which is 10% The Author has given examples of the process, but the timing will be different based on your temperature and inoculation rates. Using a proofing chart can be helpful.
Butter For All
Sunday 18th of September 2022
I think this is a good suggestion if your starter is strong and active.