Hot dog buns are a staple at many summer barbecues and cookouts. Their soft, pillowy texture makes them the perfect vessel for sausages, relish, ketchup, mustard, and other favorite hot dog toppings. While hot dog buns are readily available pre-packaged at grocery stores, sometimes you may want to prepare them fresh at home. This leads to the question – can you put hot dog buns in the oven?
Quick Answer
Yes, you can absolutely put hot dog buns in the oven. Baking hot dog buns in the oven enables you to achieve a soft, lightly-toasted texture. There are a few simple tips to follow when baking hot dog buns in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Separate the buns and arrange them evenly spaced on a baking sheet
- Bake for 5-8 minutes until lightly browned
- For a shinier top, brush the buns with an egg wash before baking
- Tent aluminum foil over the buns for the last 1-2 minutes for extra softness
As long as you don’t overbake them, hot dog buns baked in the oven turn out pillowy soft on the inside with a subtly crisp crust. Oven-baked buns are tasty on their own and also perfect for making homemade hot dogs.
What is the Ideal Oven Temperature for Baking Hot Dog Buns?
The ideal oven temperature for baking hot dog buns is 350°F. This mid-range temperature allows the buns to turn lightly golden brown on the outside while still remaining soft and fluffy on the inside. Baking at higher temperatures above 375°F risks drying out the buns.
Here are some key tips for baking hot dog buns at 350°F:
- Preheat the oven for at least 10-15 minutes at 350°F before baking.
- Use the convection setting if your oven has it for even heating.
- Bake the buns for 5-8 minutes until lightly toasted.
- Rotate the pans halfway through for even browning.
The 350°F temperature hits the sweet spot between creating a nice crust while still retaining moisture. Hot dog buns baked at 350°F will turn out perfectly soft and pillowy every time.
Should You Separate the Buns Before Baking?
Yes, it is recommended to separate the hot dog buns before placing them in the oven. Baking them attached can lead to uneven cooking. Here are some key reasons to separate the buns pre-baking:
- The sides that are touching will steam and not develop color.
- Separating them allows the sides of each bun to toast evenly.
- It prevents moist spots on the sides that were touching.
- Lets you easily adjust buns that may be browning faster than others.
- Separating them halfway through rotation further ensures even baking.
Gently pulling apart hot dog buns before baking results in an evenly browned and toasted crust on all sides. For best results, separate the buns and arrange them evenly spaced on baking sheets.
How Long Should You Bake Hot Dog Buns?
Hot dog buns typically take 5-8 minutes to bake in the oven. The exact timing will vary based on:
- Oven temperature (longer at lower temps, shorter at higher)
- Size/thickness of the buns
- Personal preference for color/texture
- If egg wash is used
Here are some guidelines for timing when baking at 350°F:
- Small, thin buns: 4-6 minutes
- Large, thick buns: 6-8 minutes
- With egg wash: 6-8 minutes
The buns are ready when they turn a light golden brown with a subtly crisp crust. Bake until the desired color is reached, while still keeping the inside soft.
Should You Brush Hot Dog Buns with Egg Wash Before Baking?
Brushing the tops of hot dog buns with an egg wash before baking can help them turn a gorgeous, shiny golden brown color. The egg wash gives the buns a subtly sweet glaze. Here’s how to do it:
- Whisk together 1 egg and 1 tbsp water or milk
- Lightly brush the mixture over the tops of the separated buns
- Let the egg wash soak in for 5-10 minutes before baking
The proteins in the egg wash react with the heat to create a crispy, glossy crust. Just take care not to overdo the egg wash or the buns may develop an overly thick outer skin. A light brushing is all you need for shine and color.
Should You Cover the Buns at the End for Softness?
Tenting aluminum foil over the hot dog buns for the last 1-2 minutes of baking time can help keep them extra soft and pillowy. The foil traps steam and moisture. Here’s how to do it:
- Bake the buns uncovered for the first 4-6 minutes.
- Remove trays from the oven and lightly tent foil over the tops.
- Return to oven and bake 1-2 minutes more until done.
- Remove foil and let cool before serving.
The short steam at the end ensures the interiors stay soft while the outer crust develops. Just avoid tenting the foil for too long or the crust may get soggy.
Should You Use Parchment Paper or Grease the Pans?
Lining baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly greasing the pans can prevent hot dog buns from sticking while baking. Here are some tips:
- Parchment paper – Cut sheets to fit pans for easy release
- Butter or non-stick spray – Lightly grease pans
- Flour – Dust pans lightly with flour then shake off excess
- Sugar – Sprinkle a thin layer of sugar before arranging buns
The parchment or greased surface allows for easy removal after baking. Avoid over-greasing or using too much flour which can make buns greasy or dry.
What Kind of Baking Sheet Should You Use?
Using a baking sheet with a low rim is ideal for oven-baking hot dog buns. Rimless cookie sheets or jelly roll pans work great. Here are some tips for choosing bakeware:
- Opt for light metal – aluminum or stainless steel
- Avoid dark pans which over-brown
- Choose a size that fits buns without crowding
- Rimless edges promote even browning
The right baking sheet distributes heat gently and evenly to the buns. Nonstick surfaces can make release easier too. Rotate pans midway and bake on center racks for uniform baking.
Should You Bake Hot Dog Buns from Frozen?
It is best not to bake hot dog buns directly from frozen. Allowing frozen buns to thaw prevents uneven baking. Here are some tips if working with frozen buns:
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or a few hours at room temperature.
- Avoid thawing at higher temperatures which can activate yeast too fast.
- Brush tops with egg wash after thawing and prior to baking if desired.
- Add a few extra minutes to the baking time for thawed frozen buns.
The slower thawing process allows moisture to distribute evenly again. Hot dog buns will bake up just as soft and tender when baked after proper thawing.
Troubleshooting Problems
When baking hot dog buns, you may occasionally encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and how to avoid them:
Buns are too dark on top or bottom
- Use suggested baking temperature and time
- Avoid very dark pans
- Rotate trays midway through baking
Buns are pale and underbaked
- Increase oven temperature 25°F
- Bake a few minutes longer
Buns are over-browned on just one side
- Use middle oven racks
- Rotate trays halfway through baking
Buns are gummy or soggy
- Don’t overcrowd pans
- Bake at recommended oven temp
- Avoid tenting foil too long
Buns stick to the pan
- Use parchment paper or grease pans
- Let cool 5 minutes before removing
- Loosen gently with a spatula
With a few simple adjustments, you can get bakery-worthy results when baking hot dog buns at home.
How to Store Baked Hot Dog Buns
Freshly baked hot dog buns taste best when enjoyed right away. But you can store leftovers for use within 3-4 days. Here are some storage tips:
- Let buns cool completely before storing
- Place in airtight bags or containers
- Store at room temperature up to 2 days
- For longer storage, keep in fridge and refresh with heat
- Avoid freezing baked buns which can dry them out
- Reheat in oven with foil if buns lose freshness
With proper storage, baked hot dog buns will stay soft and delicious to use for leftover meals.
Serving Suggestions
Freshly baked hot dog buns open up a world of serving possibilities. Here are just a few ways to enjoy them:
- Classic hot dogs with mustard, relish, onions
- Cheeseburger hot dogs
- BBQ pulled pork or shredded chicken sandwiches
- French dip sandwiches with au jus
- Sliced in half for mini sandwiches or sliders
- Breakfast sausage and egg sandwiches
- Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce
- Italian beef sandwiches with peppers
Oven-baked buns can take a starring role at your next backyard cookout or game day party. Get creative with homemade hot dog toppings too.
Best Hot Dog Bun Recipe
This top-rated hot dog bun recipe yields bakery-style results you can make right at home:
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups (560g) bread flour
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 3 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Directions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, water, melted butter and egg.
- Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the milk mixture. Mix with a spatula just until combined.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8 minutes until smooth.
- Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down risen dough. Portion into 8 equal pieces and shape into smooth rounds.
- Arrange dough rounds on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush tops of buns lightly with egg wash.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!
These homemade hot dog buns are soft, fluffy perfection. Enjoy them just like from your local bakery but with the satisfaction of making them yourself.
Conclusion
Baking hot dog buns in the oven yields delicious results and is easy to do right at home. By following a few simple tips – separating the buns, using the right temperature and bake time, and employing tricks like an egg wash or parchment paper – you can get bakery-worthy buns with beautiful color and irresistibly soft texture.
Fresh from the oven, hot dog buns open up an array of serving possibilities from classic dogs to adventurous sandwich creations. Baked with care, these homemade buns are sure to be a hit at your next backyard barbecue, game day party or summer potluck. So go ahead – fire up that oven and enjoy hot dog perfection!