Hamburger buns are a versatile and essential component for a variety of delicious meals. This easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through making perfectly fluffy and golden buns that are about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. If you love this recipe, be sure to check out our Creole Bread and Johnny Cakes for more Belizean favorites.
While there are no fast food chains in Belize (no McDonalds, Burger Kings etc.) there are a few mom and pop establishments that are making delicious burgers. One of our favorites on Caye Caulker is Big Lu’s Hamburgers. These buns are easy to make and delicious.
Belizean Hamburger Buns Recipe
Recipe Yield
- Makes 11 buns
Prep Time
- 20 minutes
Cook Time
- 15 to 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons (44 grams) warm whole milk or coconut milk (between 105°F and 120°F / 40°C to 49°C)
- 1 cup (237 grams) warm water (between 105°F and 120°F / 40°C to 49°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (8 grams) instant yeast (1 packet)
- 2 ½ tablespoons (31 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature, slightly beaten
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
- 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (40 grams) whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons (8 grams) salt
- 2 tablespoons (16 grams) flour (for kneading)
For topping:
- 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water
- Sesame seeds (optional)
How to make homemade hamburger buns:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, warm water, yeast, sugar, oil, and beaten egg.
- Add the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and salt to the bowl. Mix until well incorporated.
- Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, soft, and elastic. The dough will initially be sticky; sprinkle a little flour (no more than 2 tablespoons) as needed to prevent sticking.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Grease a baking sheet.
- Divide the dough into 11 equal parts. Gently roll each portion into a ball and place them on the baking sheet, 2 to 3 inches apart. Cover with a clean towel and let rise again until puffy and almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Brush the tops of the buns lightly with the egg wash. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake the buns for 15 to 20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
- Transfer to a rack to cool.
Nutritional Information (per bun)
- Calories: 210
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 200mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 30g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 5g
These homemade hamburger buns are a perfect addition to any meal, providing a soft and flavorful base for your favorite burger, turkey, or ham sandwich fillings. Enjoy the satisfaction of baking your own bread, and don’t forget to explore our other Belizean recipes like Creole Bun, Powder Buns, Onion Rolls to expand your culinary repertoire.
Shop This Recipe
Baking Sheet
Half-sheet aluminum is the right size for sheet-pan chicken, roasted plantains, or toasted cassava bread. Nordic Ware’s commercial-weight aluminum doesn’t warp under the long roast.
Sesame Seeds
Wangla — Belize’s sesame seed candy — needs raw sesame seeds toasted fresh and bound with cane sugar. Frontier Co-op’s organic whole seeds toast evenly without the burnt edges of pre-toasted product.
Full-Fat Coconut Milk
NOT lite — rice and beans, stews, desserts. 365 Everyday Value Organic.
About Isela Post
Isela is a Belizean mother who has been cooking from memory and from markets her whole life. Her recipes carry the food of the Yucatec Maya tradition, the corner store ingredients of daily Belizean life, and the party table of every celebration she has ever fed people at. She writes for the Belize News Post.
