Join the sourdough revolution by crafting these scrumptious, fluffy buns from scratch!
As picnic season quickly approaches, I’m on the hunt for wholesome ways to influence my family’s eating habits. Crazy, I know. But hear me out!
Sourdough hamburger buns are, in my opinion, superior to any store-bought options. They’re made with simple, clean ingredients, many of which we already have in our pantries. And, you can mix everything together easily, and then sit back and watch the sourdough starter and yeast work their magic.
Puffy and pillow-like, these sourdough hamburger buns feel as soft as brioche, but with more tangy flavor. Each bun is sturdy enough to hold a burger and all the fixings without falling apart. Plus, you can make them bigger or smaller depending on your needs. Personally, I’m looking forward to making these with my younger cousins because it’s a fun way to teach kids how sourdough works. Whether you make it a family fun event or just a personal endeavor, crafting sourdough buns is richly rewarding.
Why is sourdough so popular?
If you’ve been on the internet for a while now, you might have stumbled upon at least one sourdough recipe that everyone’s raving about. Homesteading families and college cooks alike have fallen head over heels for homemade sourdough. Why? Well, there are a few reasons… Some people claim that sourdough is easier to digest because of the fermentation, which provides gut-healthy prebiotics. Since it’s also a slow process, sourdough requires patience and attention to detail, which makes it a great bread recipe to try to cultivate these virtues. It has also become a call to community, as many bakers want to share their sourdough samples with others.
How do I store leftovers?
Once cooled to room temperature, store leftover sourdough buns in an airtight container for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them in plastic wrap for 2-3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before setting them out on the counter to reach room temperature.
Serving suggestions
The beauty of sourdough buns is that they’re not just meant for burgers. They’re way more versatile than that! You can also serve them as a side to mains like Hawaiian BBQ Chicken and Purple Rice, Hamburger Potato Casserole, Spinach-Tomato Pasta, or Quinoa Chickpea Salad. But if you’d like to stick to burgers, I suggest trying Air-Fryer Hamburgers or Black Bean Burgers with Homemade Cheese Fries or Steak Fries.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup active sourdough starter
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
- Sesame seeds, optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the active sourdough starter, warm water, yeast, all-purpose flour, melted butter, honey, salt, and egg. Mix until the dough has no dry bits. If the mixture is too dry, add a small amount of water to bring it together.
- Place a clean towel over the bowl and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes to enable the flour to absorb moisture.
- Perform gentle stretch and folds every 30 minutes over the next hour to build gluten strength, then cover the bowl and let the dough bulk ferment until doubled in size (about 6-8 hours).
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and split it into 8 equal portions. Form each portion into a compact ball by bringing the edges to the center.
- Arrange the shaped dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with a clean dish towel and allow them to proof until they become puffy, around 1-2 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Brush the top of each risen bun with the egg wash and, if desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 25 minutes or until the buns are golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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