How to Make Simple Hot Dog Buns at Home in Just Over an Hour!
There is little more satisfying for a home cook than mastering bread in all its forms. Loaves, rolls, buns, and everything in between.
These quick and fluffy hot dog buns are one of those recipes that make you feel capable and calm in the kitchen, even on days when life feels anything but.
Hi! If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
These hot dog buns are soft, pillowy, and incredibly easy to pull together. You can have them mixed, risen, baked, and on the table in just over an hour, which makes them perfect for forgotten meal plans, last-minute dinners, or impromptu hosting when you realize you are out of store-bought buns.
I always make this as a big batch and freeze half after cooling and slicing. Future me is always grateful. If I’m already in the kitchen anyhow, it just makes sense to stretch my effort a little further.
It saves time, saves money, and means we can throw together a simple dinner without another run to the store!
Making bread at home has also been one of the ways we save money as a military family working through Baby Step 2 of our debt-free journey. Bread products add up quickly at the store, and these buns cost a fraction of the price while tasting far better.
And just a reminder that if you’re struggling and you need help with managing your budget or starting your own debt free journey then here’s some FREE resources below you may find helpful!
living frugally and fully
free tips and resources to make the most of what you have
There is another reason I make these at home. Since moving from the UK to the US, I have had some unexpected issues with store-bought bread. It is not gluten related. We are still working through isolating which preservatives or additives do not agree with me.
Making bread at home with simple ingredients gives me peace of mind and means I can still enjoy things like hot dogs without worrying about how I will feel afterward.
If any of that resonates with you, you are in good company here. This space is about feeding your family well, staying on budget, and finding your way back to simple food that feels good.
As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
So roll up your sleeves, grab your stand mixer, and head into the kitchen. Once you make these fluffy homemade hot dog buns, it is very hard to go back to store-bought!
Equipment
- KitchenAid or stand mixer with mixing bowl and dough hook
- Measuring cups, spoons, and liquid measuring jugs
- Kitchen towel or plastic wrap
- Bench scraper
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Silicone pastry brush
- Small bowl
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Ingredients
Makes 16 hot dog buns
Hot Dog Buns
- 4 tsp active dry yeast
- 4 tbsp white sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup water
- 5 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened (1 stick)
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp water
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Add the milk and water to a measuring jug and microwave for about 45 seconds until just warm to the touch. It should not be hot. Pour this into the bowl of your stand mixer.
Step 2
Add the sugar and yeast to the warm liquid. Stir gently, then cover the bowl and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 3
After resting, the yeast mixture should look foamy and bubbly. If it does not, discard it and start again with fresh yeast.
Step 4
Add the flour, salt, eggs, and softened butter to the bowl.
Step 5
Using the dough hook on the lowest setting, knead the dough for 3 to 4 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough will be very soft but should pull away from the sides of the bowl.
Do not be tempted to add extra flour or the buns will turn out dry.
Step 6
Shape the dough into a ball and return it to the bowl. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes. This is a quick rise dough.
Step 7
Turn the dough out onto the counter. You usually do not need extra flour for this recipe, but a very light dusting is fine if needed. Divide the dough into 16 equal portions.
Step 8
Shape each portion into a 6-7 inch long hot dog bun shape and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. I space mine about 1/2 inch apart so they bake into soft pull-apart buns. You can space them farther apart if you prefer individual buns.
Step 9
Cover the shaped buns and let them have their second rise, resting for 15 minutes.
Step 10
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, beat together the egg and water to make the egg wash.
Step 11
After 15 minutes, uncover the buns and brush each one gently with the egg wash.
Step 12
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until lightly golden on top (the one’s shown here are baked for 15 minutes as we like ours a little more golden).
Step 13
Transfer the parchment paper and buns on to a cooling rack and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. The buns will still be steaming inside and slicing too early can affect the crumb.
Notes and Troubleshooting
Notes
- These buns are meant to be soft and fluffy, not crusty.
- Placing the buns close together helps create that classic store-style pull-apart texture.
- You can halve the recipe if you do not need a full batch.
Troubleshooting
- If your dough feels too sticky to handle, lightly oil your hands instead of adding flour.
- If the buns bake up pale, brush with a little extra egg wash next time.
- If the buns feel dense, check that your yeast was active and your liquids were warm, not hot.
Storage
- Store baked buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- To freeze, allow buns to cool completely, then slice and place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To thaw, remove from the freezer and let sit at room temperature or warm gently in the oven or microwave.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with classic hot dogs, bratwursts, or sausages.
- Use for chili dogs or loaded hot dogs.
- Toast lightly and use for sandwiches or sliders.
- Perfect alongside summer cookouts or easy weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?!
- Soft, fluffy texture that feels bakery quality
- Ready in just over an hour
- Budget-friendly and freezer-friendly
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests
FAQ
Can I make these without a stand mixer?
Yes. You can knead by hand for about 8 to 10 minutes until smooth.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes, but the buns will be slightly less fluffy.
Can I make these smaller or larger?
Absolutely. Just adjust baking time slightly.
Can I freeze the dough instead of baked buns?
This dough performs best when baked before freezing.
Make This Recipe With Me!
Sometimes it’s just easier to watch a video than read a recipe card isn’t it?! So here’s a quick tutorial on how to make this simple and delicious recipe at home and on a budget – thank you for joining me in the kitchen today!
Quick and Easy KitchenAid Fluffy Hot Dog Buns Big Batch Recipe!
January 2, 2026Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the warm milk and warm water to the bowl of a stand mixer. The liquid should be warm to the touch but not hot.
- Add the sugar and yeast. Stir gently, cover, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the flour, salt, eggs, and softened butter to the bowl.
- Using the dough hook on the lowest speed, knead for 3 to 4 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough will be very soft but should pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Shape the dough into a ball, return it to the bowl, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and divide into 16 equal portions.
- Shape each portion into a 6 to 7 inch long hot dog bun shapes and place on a parchment lined baking sheet, about 1/2 inch apart to create fluffy pull-apart buns.
- Cover the buns and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water for the egg wash.
- Brush each bun gently with the egg wash.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until lightly golden on top.
- Transfer the buns to a cooling rack and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Video
Notes
- These buns are designed to be soft and fluffy, not crusty.
- Shaping the dough to 6 to 7 inches creates a true hot dog bun length.
- Placing the buns close together helps create a pull apart texture.
- You can halve the recipe if you do not need a full batch.
Storage
- Store baked buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- To freeze, allow buns to cool completely, then slice and place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To thaw, let sit at room temperature or warm gently in the oven or microwave.
Related Recipes
Check out all our Easy Bread Recipes!Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Takeaway
These quick and fluffy hot dog buns are one of those recipes that quietly improve everyday life.
They save money, reduce stress, and make simple dinners feel special.
Once you have a batch tucked away in the freezer, you will wonder why you ever bought buns from the store!
What to Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If these buns earn a regular spot on your table, tap the stars on the recipe card and leave a quick comment. Share it with a friend who loves homemade bread as much as you do!
Last update on 2026-01-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
