I know it’s easier to buy store-bought hot dog buns, but I find it far more rewarding to make brioche hot dog rolls from scratch using my own ingredients—and it’s not that difficult. Brioche hot dog buns are rich and buttery, which makes them perfect for hot dogs. It has a soft and fluffy texture and a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with whatever filling you choose. In this post, I’ll show you step-by-step how to make delicious brioche hot dog buns at home, using simple ingredients and techniques. I’ll also include a gluten-free recipe, a vegan recipe, and show you how to make brioche hotdog buns in a bread maker.
Here is a recipe for making homemade brioche hot dog buns:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water
- 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) warm milk
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 egg, beaten
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine the yeast and warm water. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the eggs, warm milk, and melted butter, and mix until a dough forms.
- Add the yeast mixture to the dough and mix until it is fully incorporated. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a hot dog bun shape, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the buns with a damp cloth and let them rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the buns with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired. Bake the buns for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Remove the buns from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Once they have cooled, slice them open and fill them with your favorite hot dog toppings.
How To Knead Brioche Properly
To knead brioche dough, follow these steps:
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and press it down with the palms of your hands to flatten it slightly.
- Using the heels of your hands, push the dough away from you, stretching it out as far as it will go.
- Fold the dough back over itself and press it down again with the palms of your hands.
- Repeat this process of stretching and folding the dough for a few minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- As you knead the dough, it may become sticky. If this happens, add a little flour to the dough and continue kneading until it becomes smooth and elastic again.
- Once the dough is smooth and elastic, it is ready to rise. Place it in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
Activating The Yeast
Yeast needs to be activated before it is used in baking because it helps the dough to rise. Yeast is a living organism that feeds on sugar and produces carbon dioxide gas, which causes the dough to rise and become light and airy.
When yeast is inactive, it is dormant and will not produce carbon dioxide gas. Activating the yeast by dissolving it in warm water and letting it sit for a few minutes allows the yeast to become active and start producing gas. This helps the dough to rise and gives the baked goods a light and fluffy texture.
In addition to helping the dough rise, activating the yeast also helps to ensure that the yeast is still alive and viable. Over time, yeast can become old and inactive, and it may not produce gas even when it is added to the dough. By activating the yeast before adding it to the dough, you can ensure that the yeast is alive and ready to work.
To activate yeast when baking brioche, follow these steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the yeast with warm water (between 100-110°F or 38-43°C). The water should be warm, but not hot, as high temperatures can kill the yeast.
- Stir the yeast and water together until the yeast is fully dissolved. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly.
- Once the yeast is activated, it is ready to be added to the dough. Add the activated yeast to the dough and mix it until it is fully incorporated.
- Proceed with the rest of the recipe as directed, allowing the dough to rise until it has doubled in size.
Nutritional Information – Are Brioche Buns Unhealthy?
The nutritional information for brioche buns will vary depending on the recipe and the size of the buns. However, in general, brioche buns are high in calories and fat, due to the use of butter and eggs in the dough.
One medium-sized brioche bun (about 70 grams) typically contains around 220-250 calories, 10-15 grams of fat, 30-35 grams of carbohydrates, and 4-6 grams of protein. Brioche buns are also high in sodium, with a medium-sized bun containing around 200-300 milligrams of sodium.
While brioche buns can be a tasty and satisfying treat, they should be enjoyed in moderation due to their high caloric and fat content. It is important to balance your intake of brioche buns with other healthy foods and to maintain an overall balanced and healthy diet.
Making Brioche Buns In A Bread Machine
If you own a bread machine, you can also make brioche buns in your bread maker. I find it more rewarding, making brioche from scratch with my own ingredients. However, brioche bread mix is a convenient option for making homemade brioche.
You’ll need to use a bread maker-friendly recipe that takes into account the unique characteristics of brioche dough. Since brioche requires a longer rising time and a lower baking temperature than other breads, you need to use a bread maker-specific brioche recipe.
You can buy a pre-mix that allows you to quickly and easily make homemade brioche without having to measure and mix the ingredients yourself. There are several brands of brioche bread mix on Amazon. Here is a popular bread mix that’s highly rated.
Once you’ve got the brioche bread mix, follow the instructions on the package. Most brioche bread mix will require you to add water and sometimes also eggs and butter to the mix and then knead the dough and let it rise according to the instructions. Once the dough is ready, shape it into hotdog rolls and bake it according to the recipe instructions.
Most bread maker brioche recipes will require you to add the ingredients to the bread maker in a specific order, and they will also provide instructions for selecting the bread maker settings.
Once you have added the ingredients to the bread maker and selected the correct settings, start the bread maker and allow the dough to rise and bake according to the recipe instructions. Once the brioche is done baking, remove it from the bread maker and let it cool on a wire rack.
Trouble Shooting – Common Problems
If you are experiencing problems when baking brioche buns at home, there are a few common issues that you can try to troubleshoot. Here are some potential solutions to common problems:
- If your brioche buns are dense and heavy, it is likely that the dough was not kneaded properly. Kneading the dough helps to develop the gluten, which gives the buns their light and fluffy texture. Make sure to knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, and avoid over-mixing the dough, which can cause the buns to be dense.
- If your brioche buns are not rising properly, it is possible that the yeast was not activated properly. Before adding the yeast to the dough, make sure to dissolve it in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes, until it becomes foamy. This will ensure that the yeast is active and ready to help the dough rise.
- If your brioche buns are burning on the outside before they are cooked through, it is likely that the oven temperature is too high. Brioche buns should be baked at a lower temperature than other breads, to prevent the outside from burning before the inside is cooked. Try lowering the oven temperature by 25-50°F (10-15°C) and baking the buns for a little longer, to ensure that they are cooked through without burning.
How Long Do Brioche Buns Stay Fresh?
Fresh brioche buns will stay fresh for 1-2 days at room temperature, or up to 5 days if stored in the refrigerator. To extend the shelf life of brioche buns, it is best to store them in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Brioche buns can also be frozen for longer storage. To freeze brioche buns, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. To thaw frozen brioche buns, place them in the refrigerator overnight, or microwave them for a few seconds until they are soft and warm.
Can You Make Gluten Free Brioche?
You can make gluten-free brioche. Brioche is typically made with wheat flour, which contains gluten, but gluten-free flour can be used instead to make a gluten-free version of the bread.
To make gluten-free brioche, you will need to use a gluten-free flour blend that is suitable for baking. There are many different gluten-free flour blends available on the market, and they can be made from a variety of ingredients, including rice flour, almond flour, and potato starch.
When using a gluten-free flour blend to make brioche, it is important to follow a recipe that has been specifically developed for gluten-free baking. Gluten-free flours behave differently than wheat flour, and a recipe that has been specifically developed for gluten-free baking will take this into account and provide the best results.
Here is a recipe for making gluten-free brioche:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water
- 3 cups (375 grams) gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) warm milk
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 egg, beaten
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine the yeast and warm water. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free flour blend, sugar, and salt. In a separate small bowl, beat the eggs together. Add the eggs, warm milk, and melted butter to the dry ingredients, and mix until a dough forms.
- Add the yeast mixture to the dough and mix until it is fully incorporated. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a hot dog bun shape, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the buns with a damp cloth and let them rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the buns with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired. Bake the buns for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Remove the buns from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Once they have cooled, slice them open and fill them with your favorite hot dog toppings.
Can You Make Vegan Brioche?
You can also make vegan brioche. Even though it’s traditionally made with eggs and butter, brioche ingredients can be replaced with vegan alternatives to make a vegan version of the bread.
To make vegan brioche, you will need to use a vegan egg substitute and a vegan butter substitute in place of the eggs and butter in the recipe. There are many vegan egg substitutes available, including flax eggs, chia eggs, and store-bought vegan egg replacements. Similarly, there are many vegan butter substitutes available, including plant-based margarine and coconut oil.
As mentioned above with gluten-free baking, when using vegan substitutes to make brioche, it is important to follow a recipe that has been specifically developed for vegan baking.
Here is a recipe for making vegan brioche:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water
- 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
- 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons flax meal + 6 tablespoons water)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) warm plant-based milk
- 1/2 cup (115 grams) vegan butter, melted and cooled
- 1 flax egg, beaten
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine the yeast and warm water. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. In a separate small bowl, mix the flax meal and water together to make the flax eggs. Add the flax eggs, warm plant-based milk, and melted vegan butter to the dry ingredients, and mix until a dough forms.
- Add the yeast mixture to the dough and mix until it is fully incorporated. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a hot dog bun shape, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the buns with a damp cloth and let them rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the buns with the beaten flax egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired. Bake the buns for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Remove the buns from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Once they have cooled, slice them open and fill them with your favorite vegan hot dog toppings.
