Xanthan Gum Free Classic Hamburger Buns

Total time2 hr 13 min

Prep time25 min

Cook time18 min

5.0

(25)

Soft, golden, and sturdy enough to hold up to a towering burger, these homemade buns are the kind of thing that makes you wonder why you ever bought the packaged kind. The ingredient list is refreshingly straightforward — flour, butter, egg, yeast, and a little sugar — with absolutely no binders or stabilizers needed to get that perfect, pillowy texture. That's genuinely good news if you're avoiding xanthan gum, because so many commercial buns and even homemade gluten-friendly recipes lean on it heavily. Here, the gluten network built through proper kneading does all the structural work on its own, giving you a tender crumb that holds its shape without any additives. The egg wash brushed on before baking delivers that gorgeous deep-golden finish and a subtle sheen that makes these look like they came straight from a bakery. A sprinkle of sesame seeds on top is optional, but it adds a satisfying little crunch and that classic diner-bun look. Whether you're loading them up for a backyard cookout or just making a weeknight burger feel special, these buns are worth every minute of the rise time.

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Ingredients

8 servings

For the dough

1 cup warm water (105–110°f / 40–43°c)
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 ½ tsp fine salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg

For the egg wash

1 large egg, beaten
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl). Stir briefly and let stand for 5–8 minutes, until the surface is foamy and the mixture smells yeasty.
2
Add the flour, salt, softened butter, and egg to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed with the dough hook (or stir with a wooden spoon) until a shaggy dough forms, about 2 minutes.

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