Hot dogs never tasted so good! Make this homemade hot dog buns recipe to enjoy a better bun and a better dinner all the way around.

You’ve got hot dogs, but no buns.

You could go to the store.

You could do that weird thing with hamburger buns that your dad did when you were a kid and make the hot dog fit a round bun.

Or you can make homemade hot dog buns.

The investment of half an hour plus some wait time will result in most likely the best hot dog you ever ate.

Homemade Hot Dog Buns

It may seem totally “extra” to make your own hot dog buns, but trust me. It’s totally worth it. Not only do you get a deliciously tender homemade bun, but you also get to control the ingredients.

What are hot dog buns made of?

Well, the store bought ones are going to be made with icky preservatives but these homemade ones are all made with real ingredients. Here is what you need:

Milk

Egg

Oil

sugar

Bread flour

Salt

Yeast

Do I need a bread machine to make these homemade hot dog buns?

If you have a bread machine, making your own buns is quick work. If you don’t have a bread machine, that’s fine. Mix the dough by hand or in a stand mixer. Either way it will be delicious.

How do you make hot dog buns?

Place all ingredients in a bread machine pan according to manufacturer’s instructions. Program for “dough”. If making the dough by hand or in a stand mixer, warm the milk slightly.

Combine the milk, egg, oil, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Allow to proof for five minutes. Stir in the flour, vital wheat gluten, and salt. This will form a stiff dough. Knead by hand on a floured surface or in the mixer with the bread hook until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl and allow to rise until doubled in bulk about one hour.

When the dough is ready, divide into 12 equal portions. Form each portion into a thin loaf for hot dog buns. (You can form flat rounds for hamburger buns.) Place these on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat mat.

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375oF. Bake for 15-22 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on a rack before slicing to serve.

What kind of tools do I need for this hot dog bun recipe?

Other tools that I find handy include: a large cutting board for working the dough, a bench knife for easily cutting it into portions, and a silpat baking mat or parchment paper for easy cleanup. If you don’t have a sheet pan, consider getting a sturdy one like this.

This recipe is adapted from one in Beth Hensperger’s The Bread Lover’s Bread Machine Cookbook. Her way is great, but I don’t always have some of the ingredients she lists, so I’ve improvised and made my own tweaks.

Please note the dough can also be made into rounds to serve as hamburger buns. Consider making fancy hamburger buns.

How much does it cost to make homemade hot dog buns?

The dough requires only common baking ingredients. Based on non-sale prices, the costs break down accordingly:

milk – $0.24 ($3.09/gallon)

egg – $0.25 ($2.99/dozen)

oil – $0.12 ($1.99/48 oz.)

sugar – $0.04 ($1.97/4 lbs.)

bread flour – $1.14 ($4.99/5 lbs.)

salt – $0.04 ($2.99/26 oz.)

yeast – $0.33 ($0.99/3-pack)

Total cost to make 12 homemade buns: $2.16 or 18 cents a bun.

If you shop the Good Cheap Eats way, that is shopping the best store, the sales, and clearance, you can easily get that price much, much lower.

Quality hot dog buns at the store run about $4 a package. You can get the cheap ones for a buck twenty-five. That makes them 15 to 50 cents a piece.

Yes, it might be a little cheaper to buy those cheap generic grocery store sponges impersonating as hot dog buns, but these are goooooood. And those aren’t.

It’s up to you, but for a really special dinner — even if it’s just hot dogs — I suggest homemade.

If you prepare this recipe, be sure to take a picture and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up! If you prepare this recipe, be sure to take a picture and hashtag it. I can't wait to see what you cook up!

Print Recipe 4.88 from 8 votes Hot Dog Buns Hot dogs never tasted so good! Make these homemade hot dog buns to wow your guests at your next backyard barbecue. Prep Time 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 1 hr 45 mins Servings: 12 buns Calories: 256 kcal Author: Jessica Fisher Ingredients 1 1/4 cup milk

1 egg

6 tbsp neutral oil

3 tbsp granulated sugar , honey, or sucanat

4 cup bread flour

2 tsp salt

2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast Instructions To make the dough by hand or in a stand mixer: If making the dough by hand or in a stand mixer, warm the milk slightly. Combine the milk, egg, oil, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Allow to proof for five minutes. Stir in the flour and salt. This will form a stiff dough. Knead by hand on a floured surface or in the mixer with the bread hook until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl and allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about one hour. To make the dough in a bread machine: Place all ingredients in bread machine pan according to manufacturer's instructions. Program for "dough." To form the hot dog buns: When the dough is ready, divide into 12 equal portions. Form each portion into a thin loaf for hot dog buns. (You can form flat rounds for hamburger buns.) Place these on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silpat mat.

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375°Bake for 15-22 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on a rack before slicing to serve.

To freeze: store cooled rolls in an airtight container in the freezer. Thaw at room temperature before serving. Notes Store leftover buns in a plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Freeze for longer storage. Nutritional values are approximate and based on 1 bun. Nutrition Calories: 256 kcal | Carbohydrates: 36 g | Protein: 8 g | Fat: 9 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 16 mg | Sodium: 406 mg | Potassium: 104 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 4 g | Vitamin A: 61 IU | Calcium: 38 mg | Iron: 1 mg

This post was originally published on July 31, 2009. It has been updated for content and clarity.