MSG Free Classic Hot Dog Buns

Total time2 hr 13 min

Prep time25 min

Cook time18 min

4.7

(23)

Soft, pillowy, and golden on top, these homemade buns are the kind of thing that makes a backyard cookout feel genuinely special. Store-bought buns are one of those sneaky places where additives and flavor enhancers tend to hide, so making your own from scratch is the cleanest way to know exactly what's going into every bite. This dough comes together with just a handful of real pantry staples — milk, flour, egg, butter, yeast — nothing processed, nothing mysterious. The trick to that tender, slightly enriched crumb is working the softened butter in gradually during kneading, which gives the buns a soft, almost brioche-like texture without any shortcuts. A double brush of melted butter, once before baking and once straight out of the oven, delivers that irresistible sheen and rich flavor you just can't get from a plastic bag. They bake up touching each other on the pan, which keeps the sides soft and pull-apart-ready for slicing. Whether you're loading them up at a summer grill or just want the satisfaction of something truly homemade, these buns are absolutely worth the rise time.

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Ingredients

8 servings

¾ cup whole milk, warmed to 110°f (43°c)
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 tsp fine salt
1 large egg, room temperature
3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

For brushing

1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1
Combine the warm milk, 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, 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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