Soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet, these Homemade Slider Buns are the perfect bread for everything from juicy cheeseburger sliders to pulled pork sandwiches and mini ham and cheese sandwiches.
They bake up with a tender crumb, beautiful golden tops, and just the right size for all your favorite slider recipes.
Once you realize how easy it is to make fresh slider buns from scratch, you'll never want to buy the packaged version again!
Why You'll Love These Homemade Slider Buns
- Soft and pillowy texture
- Perfect size for sliders and mini sandwiches
- Freezer-friendly
- Easy enough for beginner bread bakers
- Delicious with burgers, BBQ, deli meats, or breakfast sandwiches
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons warm milk
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 2 large eggs, divided
- 2½ tablespoons butter, melted
- 3⅓ cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
How to Make Homemade Slider Buns
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl), combine the warm milk, warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and allow the mixture to sit for about 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Add the salt, one egg, melted butter, and flour.
Using a dough hook, mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add additional flour one tablespoon at a time until it becomes smooth and slightly tacky.
Knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough is elastic and smooth.
Step 3: First Rise
Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Slider Buns
Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions.
Roll each portion into a smooth ball and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each bun.
Cover again and let rise for another 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Step 5: Add the Egg Wash
Beat the remaining egg with one tablespoon of water.
Brush each bun with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Step 6: Bake
Bake in a 375°F oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown.
Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
Serve warm or allow them to cool completely before slicing.
Tips for Perfect Slider Buns
- Make sure your milk and water are warm, not hot. Temperatures between 105–110°F work best for activating yeast.
- Don't add too much flour. A slightly sticky dough creates softer buns.
- For extra-soft tops, brush the warm buns with melted butter immediately after baking.
- Use a kitchen scale if you want perfectly even-sized buns.
Variations
Everything Bagel Slider Buns
Replace the sesame seeds with Everything Bagel seasoning.
Garlic Butter Slider Buns
Brush the baked buns with garlic butter and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Plain Sandwich Buns
Skip the sesame seeds altogether for a classic soft bun.
Serving Ideas
These homemade slider buns are perfect for:
How to Store
Store cooled buns in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Can You Freeze Them?
Absolutely!
Allow the buns to cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe bag.
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then warm in a 300°F oven for about 5–7 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this slider bun recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it complete its first rise in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it to room temperature before shaping the buns.
Can I use bread flour?
Yes. Bread flour will create a slightly chewier bun while still remaining soft and fluffy.
How do I know when the homemade slider buns are finished baking?
The tops should be golden brown, and the internal temperature should read around 190–200°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Final Thoughts
Fresh homemade slider buns take your favorite sandwiches to the next level. They're incredibly soft, easy to make, and far more flavorful than store-bought buns. Whether you're grilling burgers for a summer cookout, making pulled pork sliders for game day, or prepping freezer-friendly sandwich buns for the week, this recipe is one you'll come back to again and again.
Once you taste these fresh from the oven, you'll wonder why you ever settled for packaged buns!
For more bread recipes check these out
Homemade Slider Buns
Learn how to make soft, fluffy homemade slider buns from scratch with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for burgers, pulled pork, ham and cheese sliders, and more.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons warm milk
- 1 cup warm water (105–110°F)
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 2 large eggs, divided
- 2½ tablespoons butter, melted
- 3⅓ cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk, warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the salt, 1 egg, melted butter, and flour. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead with the dough hook for 8–10 minutes, adding a little more flour if needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Cover loosely and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Beat the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush the tops of the buns with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190–200°F.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool. For extra-soft tops, brush the warm buns with melted butter.
Notes
Water and milk should be warm (105–110°F), not hot, to properly activate the yeast.
Add additional flour one tablespoon at a time if the dough is too sticky.
These buns freeze well for up to 3 months.
Omit the sesame seeds or substitute Everything Bagel seasoning for a fun variation.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 304Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 308mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 9g