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Fluffy homemade vegan burger buns that are irresistibly soft and delicious. These pillowy buns are easy to make with simple plant-based ingredients, yielding the perfect golden crust and a light, airy texture. This recipe is ideal for your favorite veggie burgers or vegan chicken sandwiches.

side view of vegan burger buns with sesame seeds stacked with a white background

Liv and I are all about the perfect burger bun! In the last couple of years alone, we’ve tested and perfected plenty of bread recipes, like this magical dutch-oven artisan bread, but now’s the time to finally reveal my go-to vegan burger buns. Soft, fluffy, and golden on the outside, these buns make every bite of your favorite plant-based burger even better.

Traditional burger buns often include dairy and eggs, but our vegan-friendly version keeps things simple while still delivering that classic soft bite and slightly sweet taste. With minimal effort, these buns rise beautifully and bake to perfection—seriously… bring these for your next burger night if you really want to impress!

What makes these vegan buns so fluffy?

The secret to soft, airy buns is in the balance of ingredients and techniques. Using plant-based milk like soy milk adds richness, while a touch of sugar helps activate the yeast, creating a beautifully light dough. Proper kneading develops gluten, giving the buns structure without making them dense. And don’t forget proofing—allowing the dough to rise fully ensures a soft, pillowy texture. With the right approach, your homemade vegan burger buns will be just as fluffy as classic bakery-style buns!

overhead view of large golden baconnaise burgerwith extra buns and baconnaise to the side on a baking sheet with sesame seed topping

Tips & tricks for the perfect bun

Brushing the buns with a little melted vegan butter right after baking gives them a beautiful shine. It also adds a rich taste that makes them even more irresistible! Make it garlic butter for even MORE flavour! In my experience, it’s the small touches like this that make the difference.

Creative ways to use these buns

These soft, fluffy buns aren’t just for burgers – they’re a versatile staple you’ll want to use for every meal! Start your day by slicing one in half and toasting it for a hearty breakfast sandwich with scrambled tofu. Want a fun holiday twist? Use festive toppings for a holiday burger you’ll want to make every Christmas or Thanksgiving. However you use them, these buns are the perfect canvas for all your favorite flavours!

overhead view of ingredients for vegan burger buns on a wooden cutting board
Gather all ingredients.
overhead view of dry mixture ingredients in a stand mixture bowl
Add dry ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer.
overhead view of dry mixture ingredients in a stand mixture bowl, mixed
Whisk dry ingredients until combined.
overhead view of wet ingredients combined with dry mixture in a stand mixture bowl
Add water and plant milk to dry ingredients before kneading with the dough hook.
overhead view of rough dough ball in a stand mixture bowl
Add softened butter to bowl and knead to form a rough dough.
overhead view of dough ball kneaded in a stand mixture bowl
Dough should be firm and not sticky to touch before removing.
overhead view of dough ball in a greased bowl with plastic wrap overtop
Add dough ball to a greased bowl and cover, letting rest in a warm dry area for 1 hour.
overhead view of 8 portioned out dough balls on a baking sheet, ready to bake
Divide dough into 8 equal portions before covering again and letting rise for another 45 minutes.
overhead view of large golden burger buns on a baking sheet with sesame seed topping
Brush dough balls with vegan egg wash and bake for 15 minutes or until deep golden brown. Top with vegan butter and sesame seeds.

How to fake an egg wash

That perfect golden-brown finish isn’t just for bakery buns—you can have the same pro look at home with a simple vegan egg wash! Instead of eggs, we use a blend of plant milk, baking soda, and an optional splash of maple syrup for beautiful, even browning. The plant milk provides moisture to encourage caramelization, while the baking soda creates a natural golden colour change that is SO satisfying to behold! If you prefer a slightly sweeter bun, the maple syrup adds a small touch of sweetness and an extra boost of browning.

Storing and reheating tips

To keep your vegan burger buns fresh and fluffy, store them in an airtight container or a sealed bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months (be sure they’re completely cooled before freezing). When ready to enjoy, reheat frozen buns in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes. I’ve always been a toaster oven stan—add a little bit of butter to the inside of the bun before toasting and you’ve got the perfect reheated bun! Avoid microwaving as it can make them chewy instead of soft, and that’s not what we’re going for here.

overhead view of large golden burger buns on a baking sheet with sesame seed topping

Enjoy! If you make this recipe or just love the look of it and think someone else should try it, feel free to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @gregsvegangourmet! It would also make my day if you left  a comment below with a recipe rating! Thank you for browsing! 😊

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overhead view of large golden burger buns on a baking sheet with sesame seed topping

Soft Yet Sturdy Vegan Burger Buns

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  • Author: Greg Bellefontaine
  • Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 large burger buns
  • Category: breads
  • Method: baked
  • Cuisine: american
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

Fluffy homemade vegan burger buns that are irresistibly soft and delicious. These pillowy buns are easy to make with simple plant-based ingredients, yielding the perfect golden crust and a light, airy texture. 

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp instant yeast
  • 3 tbsp plant milk
  • 2 tbsp vegan butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 3 tbsp melted vegan butter for brushing
  • 2–3 tbsp sesame seeds

Vegan Egg Wash:

  • 3 tbsp plant milk
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp baking soda

Instructions

  1. In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Create a well in the center.
  2. Pour in water and plant milk. Using a dough hook, start on low to incorporate flour and liquid into a rough dough. Increase speed to 2 and knead 3 minutes. Add vegan butter and continue kneading in the stand mixer for 7 minutes until a soft, smooth dough forms. It should be firm and not stick to your hand.
  3. Transfer dough to a large greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. (Placing it in the oven with the light on or in a warm dry area helps.)
  4. Once risen, punch down the dough to release air. Transfer to a floured surface, flatten slightly, and divide into 8 equal pieces.
  5. Shape each piece into a ball by tucking corners under, and closing the seems by rolling in your hand.
  6. Place dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with another tray or leftover plastic wrap and let proof for another 45 minutes until puffy.
  7. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  8. Meanwhile, mix together the egg wash ingredients in a small bowl.
  9. Brush the tops evenly with the vegan egg wash mixture.
  10. Bake for 15 minutes, until they are a deep golden brown. Remove and brush with melted vegan butter before quickly adding the sesame seeds.

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