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sourdough hamburger buns
5.0 from 11 votes

Sourdough Hamburger Buns (by hand!)

Sourdough hamburger buns are the perfect addition to any burger lover's repertoire. Made with tangy sourdough starter and fluffy bread flour, these buns offer a unique flavor and texture that takes your burger game to the next level.

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Proofing time 1d
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: sourdough hamburger buns
Servings: buns

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Calories: 250 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Food scale
  • Large baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Silicone scraper or bench scraper

Ingredients

  • 100 grams active sourdough starter (see notes if you'd like to use a sweet levain)
  • 24 grams sugar ((or 2 tablespoons of honey))
  • 45 grams unsalted butter (melted)
  • 140 grams water
  • 140 grams of warm or room temperature milk (can be substituted for water or almond milk)
  • 1 large egg ((between 50-60 grams))
  • 9 grams salt
  • 500 grams bread flour

For the eggwash

  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • sesame seeds for topping (optional )

Instructions

Mix the dough

  1. In a small saucpan, heat the milk and butter over medium heat until the butter melts. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  2. In a mixing bowl add the water and milk/butter mixture and dissolve the starter and sugar (or honey if using) by mixing with a fork.
  3. Then add the egg and mix until combined.
  4. Lastly add the flour and salt and mix until all of the flour has absorbed the liquid. The dough will look shaggy and be sticky.
  5. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap or a damp towel and allow it to rest for 30-45 minutes.

Knead the dough

  1. After the dough has rested, knead the dough for 8-10 minutes or until it comes together & is not as sticky. Try not to use too much additional flour during this process. The dough should come together nicely.
  2. Once complete, place the dough in a greased bowl (butter or oil), cover it, and let it rest for 60 minutes.

Stretch and folds

  1. If using a stand mixer you most likely do not need to do any stretch and folds. However, when mixing and kneading by hand I like to do a few stretch and folds to ensure the dough has optimal gluten development.
  2. I recommend doing 2-3 stretch and folds in 60-minute increments. Once this is complete, cover the dough and allow it to rest for the remainder of the bulk rise or until doubled in size.

Refrigerate the dough

  1. Once the dough has at least doubled in size, keep it covered and place it in the refrigerator overnight. You can keep the dough in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
  2. Alternatively you can shape and bake the buns in the same day.

Shaping the dough

  1. When ready to bake the sourdough hamburger buns, remove the dough from the refrigerator and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Using a food scale cut and weigh the dough into approximately eight 124-gram pieces (weigh the dough for accuracy).
  3. Then, shape each piece into a round ball. Place the dough in your hand and scoop it under itself repetitively to tighten the seams. You can also round it out & tighten it up with the palm of your hand and a flat surface.
  4. Place each shaped dough ball onto the baking sheet, cover with oiled plastic wrap, and allow them to rest for 2-3 hours in a warm spot.

Brush & Bake

  1. Once the dough balls have puffed up a bit, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and whisk together the egg and 1 teaspoon of water.
  2. Brush each sourdough hamburger bun with the egg wash and top with sesame seeds if using.
  3. Bake the buns for 25-30 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
  4. Allow them to cool before cutting into them and enjoying them!
  5. These are best eaten on the same day, but any leftovers can be stored in a bread bag or air-tight container for 3 days.
  6. You can freeze the baked sourdough hamburger buns for up to 3 months.

Notes

Baker's schedule: feed your sourdough starter within 12 hours of mixing the dough and ensure it is at its peak. Mix the dough in the morning, allow to ferment for 6-8 hours or until doubled in size, refrigerate overnight, and bake for the following day. 

For mild sour flavor: Make a sweet levain. To prepare 100 grams of levain, mix 15 g active sourdough starter, 15 grams sugar, 45 g water, and 45 g flour and let it rise until bubbly and active. 

Substitutes: If replacing the sugar with honey or the milk with water/almond milk this will change the consistency of the dough. It may need a tablespoon or 2 of extra flour.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bun | Calories: 250 kcal | Carbohydrates: 45 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 6 g | Sodium: 300 mg |

Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only.

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