Learn How to Toast Burger Buns using 3 easy methods! Toasted burger buns add a little crunch and buttery flavor to your favorite burger. It's so easy to toast them on the grill, on the stovetop, or in the broiler.
Toasting buns is a no brainer for us whenever we make our favorite Cast Iron Skillet Burger and Spicy Cajun Fries. Not only are toasted buns tastier and crispier than normal buns, but they also keep the burger bun from getting soggy quickly. We recommend using a little butter to add more flavor and help the burger buns turn golden brown.
Try one of our 3 fool-proof methods to achieve buns that are toasted, yet soft.
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Why Should I toast burger buns?
- It adds a rich buttery flavor to the buns.
- It makes the outside of the buns crispy and freshens up the inside.
- It will make your BBQ or dinner guests feel extra special!
- You are already using the grill or a frying pan to make burger patties so toasting the buns is easy.
Which buns are best for burgers?
The type of buns you use can have a big impact on your burger's taste and texture. Here are some of our favorites:
- Brioche - Brioche is a fluffy and buttery bun that is perfect for burgers. Its decadent yet light flavor balances the other ingredients.
- Ciabatta - Ciabatta has a crunchy exterior and soft interior. It's structured outside makes it perfect for juicy burgers.
- Onion Roll - Onion rolls have a light onion flavor and are perfect if you want to add that flavor to your burger.
- Sesame Seed Bun - Sesame seeds add a mild nutty sweetness.
- Potato Roll - Potato rolls are thick with a light potato because they are made of potato flour.
- Pretzel Roll - Pretzel rolls are salty with a soft and chewy interior. The unique taste and fluffiness of pretzel bread is due to the bread being boiled then baked.
Ingredients
- Burger buns - In general, we recommend choosing buns that are light and neutrally flavored so they don't take away from the flavors of the beef and other ingredients.
- Butter - Butter adds a rich flavor and ensures the buns will brown nicely on your skillet or griddle.
See recipe card for quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
- Sea salt - Sprinkle a little salt on the buns for extra flavor.
- Hot dog buns - These toasting methods also work for toasting hot dog buns.
- Bacon grease - Got leftover bacon grease? Use a little of that instead of butter to add a bacon flavor to the buns.
- Duck fat - Use a spoonful of duck fat instead of butter for lots of flavor.
- Olive oil - Use olive oil instead of butter if you prefer the lighter taste.
Instructions
Toast Buns on a Skillet or Griddle
- In a large skillet or on a griddle, warm butter on medium heat. Use a spatula to push butter to coat the pan. (Photo 1)
- Place buns cut side down onto the buttered pan and toast hamburger buns for about 30 seconds until light golden brown and toasted. Watch closely to ensure the buns don’t get too browned, or they will no longer be soft on the outside. (Photo 2)
Toast Buns On a Grill
- Spread a small pat of room temperature butter on the cut side of each bun. On a grill, place the buns cut sides down and toast burger buns until just golden, around 10 seconds.
Toast Buns In a Broiler
- Heat the broiler on high and place buns cut side up on a baking sheet.
- Spread a small pat of room temperature butter on the cut side of each bun. Place the sheet of buns in the broiler until golden, about 20-30 seconds.
Pro tip: Toast your buns the same way you are cooking your burger patties for maximum efficiency. If you are cooking the patties on the stove, use the stovetop method. If you are grilling, toast the buns on the grill.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Instead of butter, spread a little mayonnaise on the buns before toasting them. You can also add a little garlic powder to the mayo to make it extra tasty.
Yes, so long as you don't toast them too long before you make the burger patties. If you do it too long before, the buns won't be warm or taste freshly toasted.
Yes, if you don't have access to a grill, pan, or oven, you can toast them in a toaster or toaster oven. Just be sure not to add butter to the buns or they will burn in the toaster.
Best Burger Bun Spreads
Toasted buns taste delicious with a spread. Check out these delicious spreads and sauces:
- Spicy kewpie Mayo - Spicy Kewpie Mayo is a tangy and flavorful Japanese sauce made with creamy Kewpie mayo, spicy sriracha, togarashi, mirin, and sesame oil.
- In-N-Out Sauce - Similar to Thousand Island Dressing, In N Out Sauce is creamy and tangy. Addin this sauce will make your burger taste like its from In-N-Out.
- Ketchup - Ketchup is a classic bun spread. The sauce is sweet, vinegary, and slightly tomatoey.
- BBQ sauce - BBQ sauce is a sweet and savory sauce. We prefer a smoky BBQ sauce with no artificial flavors or colors.
- Ranch dressing - Ranch dressing has a rich buttermilk and herby flavor.
- Chipotle mayo - Chipotle Mayo is a smoky sauce consisting of mayo, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic powder, and lime.
- Truffle Aioli - Truffle Aioli is a creamy spread featuring mayo, truffle oil, garlic, and lemon.
- Honey mustard - Mustard has a pungent flavor, the honey adds sweetness.
- Wasabi Mayo Aioli - Wasabi Mayo Aioli Sauce is a zesty, creamy spread with hints of pungent wasabi, garlic, and soy sauce.
Storage
We recommend only toasting buns you know you will eat. In the off chance you have leftover toasted burger buns, store them in air-tight container. When you are ready to eat them again, let them get to room temperature, then reheat them in a pan or oven.
Top tips
- Keep a close eye on the buns while you are toasting them, each type of bun (brioche, ciabatta, etc) takes a slightly different amount of time to toast.
- Next time you are eating burgers at a restaurant like McDonalds or In-N-Out, ask for your buns to be toasted. It takes their burgers to the next level.
- If your buns are a little burnt, you can usually save them by scraping off the burnt part.
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How to Toast Burger Buns
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 burger buns
- 1 tablespoon butter if using the skillet or griddle method
Instructions
Toast Buns on a Skillet or Griddle
- In a large skillet or on a griddle, warm butter on medium heat. Use a spatula to push butter to coat the pan. Place buns cut side down onto the buttered pan and cook for about 30 seconds until golden and toasted. Watch closely to ensure the buns don’t get too browned, or they will no longer be soft on the outside.2 burger buns, 1 tablespoon butter
Toast Buns On a Grill
- Spread a small pat of room temperature butter on the cut side of each bun. On a grill, place the buns cut sides down and toast burger buns until just golden, about 10 seconds. Watch closely to ensure the buns don’t get too browned, or they will no longer be soft on the outside.2 burger buns, 1 tablespoon butter
Toast Buns In a Broiler
- Heat the broiler on high and place buns cut side up on a baking sheet. Spread a small pat of room temperature butter on the cut side of each bun. Place the sheet of buns in the broiler until golden, about 20-30 seconds. Watch closely to ensure the buns don’t get too browned, or they will no longer be soft on the outside.2 burger buns, 1 tablespoon butter
Notes
- Keep a close eye on the buns while you are toasting them, each type of bun (brioche, ciabatta, etc) takes a slightly different amount of time to toast. Brioche buns are made with butter and toast faster than other types of buns.Â
- If your buns are a little burnt, you can usually save them by using a dinner or butter knife to scrape off the burnt parts.
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