Flaxseed Hamburger Buns

I love a great hamburger, but I absolutely hate commercial burger buns. I actually cannot eat them without breaking out or having some reaction from the chemicals in the buns. Yes they are packed with chemicals. Chemicals to make them soft and last for ever on the counter.

So my rule at home is if we are having burgers I have to have the time to make the buns, or there needs to be some already in the freezer. Once you start making your own, you won’t want any other bun. They are so amazing. Filled with flavor and texture. They take your burger to a whole new level. And Luckily making buns is easy. I always make a big batch since they are great frozen. 

One of the fun things I like to do is to add things to the dough. Like bacon bits, onions, seasonings, even things like golden raisins, flaxseed, and nuts. Adding these kind off things really add to the end result.

I don’t really like 100% whole grain buns. I like to add some whole grain, but sometimes we go to far and ruin the experience for the sake of health and nutrition. I do only use really good quality white flours. They must be chemical free and bromine free. King Arthurs all Purpose, Wheat Montana’s Natural White, Honeyville’s Artisan, and Bob’s Redmill, are all really good white flours to use.

Hamburger buns are really easy to make and worth the little effort they take. The end result is amazing breads that can be used for many things. From bbq, to burgers, homemade buns are amazing.

Enjoy your fresh made buns,
Chef Brad~America’s Grain Guy

Flax Seed Burger Buns

In your mixer add the following ingredients:

• 4 cups warm water
• 2/3 cup nonfat dry milk
• ½ cup oil
• 4 tablespoons agave
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons Saf instant yeast
• 1/2 cup flax meal (optional)
• 12 cups flour, your choice,  I use mostly a good white flour and add other whole grains to add nutrition and variety to the bun,

(My Personal Favorite Flour Options: Red Quinoa Flour, Buckwheat Flour, Whole popped amaranth,  Red Rice Flour, Black Rice Flour)

Turn on mixer and add white flour until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.  Mix for 6 minutes.  Remove and divide into 24 pieces.  For burger buns roll into balls using your cupped hand.  Flatten into burger size circles, place on parchment paper, 6 to a pan, leaving plenty of room for them to grow.  For hot dog buns, roll pieces to about 5 inches long. Flatten and fold dough to the center pinching to keep together.  Place seam down on parchment paper.  Brush with egg white and sprinkle with sesame seeds (or flax seed).  Let rise to double and than bake in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes and drop the temp to 325 and cook for another 6 to 10 minutes.

Other Out of This World Burger Bun Options:

Bacon Burger Buns- Add cooked chopped Bacon pieces to the dough    1 cup and for oil use the bacon drippings

Kalamata Olive and Feta Burger Buns-Add chopped olives to the dough and at the last minute of kneading add 1 cup or more feta cheese

Golden Raisin Blue Cheese Burger Buns- Add 1 cup golden raisins to dough and the last 30 seconds of kneading add 1 cup crumbled firm blue cheese,  Like Maytag.