By Aditi Saraswat
May 27, 2026
Soft, buttery, and a bit sweet, homemade hot dog buns can make everyday snacking special. Unlike the store-bought ones, these buns remain fluffy, fresh, and also rich enough to hold the fillings, grilled vegetables, or any cheesy street-style sandwiches without turning dry or crumbly.
3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp sugar 1 tsp salt 2 tsp instant yeast 3/4 cup warm milk 1/4 cup warm water 3 tbsp butter, softened 1 egg 1 tbsp oil For Brushing 1 tbsp melted butter 2 tbsp milk
In a bowl, mix a little warm milk with water, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for some time until it turns a bit foamy, to make the bun soft and airy.
In another bowl, add all-purpose flour, salt, egg, butter, and the prepared yeast mixture. Knead it for some time until the dough becomes soft, stretchy and lightly smooth.
Transfer the prepared dough into an oiled bowl and cover it. Let it rise until it doubles, giving the buns a fluffy and light texture.
With your fist, punch down the dough gently and then divide it into equal portions. Shape each of them into smooth logs that resemble the hot dog shapes.
Arrange the shaped buns on a tray and let them rise again. This will make softer sides and a pull-apart bakery finish.
Brush the hot dogs lightly with milk and bake until it turns golden brown. In the end, brush melted butter on it afterwards to keep the buns glossy and soft.