Looking for a great hot dog bun recipe? I tried many before I found one that works—and it turns out making hot dog buns at home is simple and delicious.
Last Updated on June 28, 2025 – Originally published September 24, 2015
After testing countless recipes, I finally landed on one that reliably makes soft, flavorful hot dog buns. Once you find the right method, they’re surprisingly easy to make at home.
Over the years I experimented with different recipes and shaping techniques. I even tried a hot dog bun pan—useful, but I preferred the traditional shape you can achieve without specialty equipment.
Then I had a breakthrough: a method that uses the bread machine dough cycle to prepare the dough. It cut down on hands-on time and produced consistently excellent results. These buns are tender, slightly sweet, and perfect for grilling or serving straight from the oven.
Here are a few comments from readers who tried this recipe:
Family really enjoys these buns. They won’t eat store-bought anymore.
My 27 yr-old son said they were “ridiculously good”!
Absolutely outstanding recipe. I didn’t have to adjust anything and they came out amazing.
Making Hot Dog Buns in the Bread Machine
The recipe below is formulated for a two-pound bread machine using the dough setting.
Follow your bread machine’s instructions about the order of ingredients. Some machines require liquid first; others list dry ingredients first. I use a Zojirushi and add liquid first.
Check the dough about five to ten minutes into kneading. Open the lid and look for a smooth, round ball of dough. If it seems too dry, add liquid a teaspoon at a time. If it’s too sticky, add flour a tablespoon at a time until the dough forms properly.
When the dough cycle finishes, transfer the dough to a lightly floured board and divide it into three equal sections, then divide each section into three pieces to yield nine equal portions.
Shape each portion by rolling it into an oblong about eight inches long.
Fold the oval in half and pinch the edges closed, then fold in half again and pinch. Place the seam side down, tuck the top and bottom edges under, pat to shape, and arrange the buns on a greased or parchment-lined baking pan.
Cover with a clean, lightweight kitchen towel and let the buns rise for about 30 minutes. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 15–20 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
I now have two hot dog bun recipes. The challah version yields extra-tender, pillowy buns with a shiny, golden finish when brushed with egg wash.
Hot Dog Bun Recipe for the Bread Machine
This recipe is for a two-pound bread machine using the dough cycle and yields nine buns.
Hot Dog Bun Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) milk
- 4 cups (500 g) bread flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons oil (olive or neutral)
- 1 ¾ teaspoons active dry yeast (or 3 teaspoons rapid-rise yeast for a quick cycle)
Instructions
- This recipe is for a two-pound machine. Use the dough cycle.
- Add ingredients to your bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer (liquid first for some machines).
- After 5–10 minutes of kneading, check the dough. It should form a smooth, round ball. If too dry, add liquid a teaspoon at a time. If too wet, add flour a tablespoon at a time.
- When the dough cycle completes, turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and divide into three equal sections, then divide each section into three pieces to make nine portions.
- Roll each portion into an oblong about eight inches long. Fold in half, pinch the edges, fold in half again and pinch. Place seam side down, tuck edges under, and shape with light pats.
- Arrange buns on a greased or parchment-lined pan. Cover with a clean, lightweight towel and let rise about 30 minutes.
- Bake in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 15–20 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Notes
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 49 g
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Protein: 9 g
All information on this site is for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist; nutrition figures are estimates and should be used as a general guide.