Hot dog rolls are typically really hard and dry. This recipe is for soft, fluffy hot dog buns that taste great! They are easy to make and take under 15 minutes in the oven.
They’ll take your next hot dog party, cookout, picnic, or family dinner to the next well! You’re going to definitely want to give this one a try!
This recipe is also incredibly versatile – you can use this recipe to make hot dog rolls as I’ve made here, or you can make regular, classic hot dog buns instead!
In fact, you can even use it to make hamburger buns at home! It’s truly a recipe to save and try in many different ways.
What is Hot Dog Rolls?
We all know what hot dog buns are! Since hot dogs are an American BBQ staple, the buns that go along with them are too! You can have them in various ways – including how I’ve done it in this recipe.
This recipe has hot dog bun rolls where the bun is wrapped around the pre-cooked hot dogs. It’s, quite honestly, the best way to have hot dogs in my opinion!
They’re easy to just grab and go! I love making these soft, fluffy rolls for picnics! There is virtually no mess, all you need to do is pick a roll and use your favorite toppings like tomato ketchup, or mustard. In fact, these rolls taste great with almost any dip!
They’re incredibly soft and light, yet firm enough to hold the hot dogs in place.
Why Are Buns Better Than Store-Bought Ones?
Buying hot dog buns from a grocery store is easy, but if you’ve bought and tried them regularly you’ll know that not all of them taste the same.
The ones we buy from grocery stores are either too hard or dense, crumble and disappear in your mouth or have a weird, chemical-y flavor! The latter is because of how many preservatives they add to them to increase the shelf life.
They’re not only not good for your health (and your family’s), but they’re also not as tasty as homemade ones.
My recipe will give you great-tasting hot dog bun rolls that are soft, but not too soft that they just disappear in your mouth!
They’ll also not at all have that weird, artificial flavor I was just talking about. My recipe only calls for 7 simple ingredients. Plus, this recipe is so versatile that you can make regular hot dog buns from it instead, or even hamburger buns!
The best thing about homemade hot dog bun rolls is that you’ll know exactly what’s in them and it’ll give you the satisfaction of knowing whatever you and your family are having is actually good for you!
What Kind of Flour Do I Need for this Recipe?
This recipe is incredibly simple and easy to make at home. You don’t need any kind of specific bread flour or even whole wheat flour.
All you need is good ol’ all-purpose flour. Yep, you read that right! With all-purpose flour and 6 other simple ingredients, you’re going to have these delicious fluffy buns ready in no time!
What You Need to Make These Hot Dog Roll Buns
As I mentioned above, you only need 7 simple ingredients to make these hot dog roll buns (apart from the pre-cooked sausages, of course!).
Here’s everything you’ll need, I bet you have most of these (if not all) in your pantry already:
Flour: You’ll only need all-purpose flour for this recipe. Yep, no bread flour needed!
Yeast: This recipe calls from instant yeast. You’ll only need ¾ of a teaspoon of it. For reference, a standard packet of instant yeast has 7g of it which is roughly a bit over 2 teaspoons, so you need way less than that for this recipe.
Sugar: We need sugar to help activate the yeast.
Warm water: We’ll be using warm water along with the sugar to activate the yeast to make the dough for these bun rolls.
Salt: This is to balance out all the flavors.
Butter: Butter adds a delicious, subtle richness to the recipe. I’ve used regular butter here, but you can also opt for unsalted butter if your sausages are particularly salty. This will help you control the level of saltiness in your final dish better.
Oil: Oil helps bring everything together to make the perfect dough.
How To Make Homemade Hot Dog Rolls
This recipe is incredibly easy, and beginner-friendly. So even if you’ve never made any bread or dough before, you can make this one for sure!
No need for any fancy mixers or dough hook attachment, you can make this dough by hand. Though if you do prefer to use a mixer, make sure you follow the steps on a low-speed setting.
Here’s how to make these fluffy hot dog bun rolls at home:
Make the yeast mixture: In a bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast together. Set it aside for 10 minutes.
Mix other ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients as well as the butter and oil. Add the yeast mixture to this. Knead this mixture for 10 minutes until it’s smooth and comes together as a dough.
Proof: Take a large bowl and lightly grease the sides of the bowl. Place the kneaded dough in it. Cover with a plastic wrap or kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Knead: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 1 minute. Then cut the dough into 5 equal pieces.
Shaping and Rolling the Rolls
Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375F/190C.
Prep baking sheet: Next, place parchment paper over a baking sheet.
Form shape: Take one piece of dough, around 45 grams. Roll it out with a rolling pin or with your hand as shown in the video to an oval shape. Roll it up from the longest side to a cylinder shape and pinch the edges. Again roll with your hand and elongate it to double the length of the hot dog.
Roll: Wrap the log around the hot dog and place the end of the log under the hot dog. Place seam side down on the baking sheet. Repeat until all 5 pieces of dough are wrapped around the sausage.
Bake: Bake your hot dog bun rolls for 13 minutes on the middle shelf of the oven. They should come out nice and golden brown.
Or, if you are sure that the yeast you have is good, then to save time, in a bowl, add the water, yeast, and sugar and mix well. Add the flour and the oil, butter, and salt to the previous mixture and knead.
Serve: Once it’s baked, brush your bun rolls with butter. Serve hot with your favorite sauce or dip!
Other Recipes You'll Love
Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks: Looking for some other family-favorite bread recipes? Craving Italian food but need something quick and easy? Make your own copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks with this simple recipe.
The Easiest Southern Cornbread Recipe: Looking for the perfect cornbread recipe? This easy-to-make southern cornbread is amazing. Learn how to make it and never go back to the boxed stuff again."
Light Cinnamon Rolls: Want a classic dessert, that’s also easy to make? Try out this delicious cinnamon roll recipe! They’re light, soft, and absolutely heavenly!
📖 Recipe
Soft Fluffy Hot Dog Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour.
- ¾ teaspoon active yeast or instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 5 precooked hot dogs. ( I have used chicken hot dogs)
Instructions
- Mix the water, sugar, and yeast and keep aside for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, add all the ingredients including the yeast mixture (don’t add the hot dogs). Knead for 10 minutes until smooth.
- If you are sure that the yeast you have is good, then to save time, in a bowl, add the water, yeast, and sugar and mix well. Add the flour and the oil, butter and salt to the previous mixture and knead.
- Place dough in lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Knead the dough for 1 minute. Make 5 equal size balls around 45 grams each.
- Place a parchment paper over baking sheet.
- Take one piece of dough, around 45 grams. Roll it out with a rolling pin or with your hand as shown in the video to an oval shape. Roll it up from the longest side to a cylinder shape and pinch the edges. Roll again with your hand and elongate it to double the length of the hot dog. Wrap the log around the hot dog and place the end of the log under the hot dog and place on baking sheet. Cover and let rise again for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375F/190C. Bake for 13 minutes on the middle shelf of the oven.
- After it’s baked, brush with butter. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
- This post was originally posted in 2017, updated with more information and a video tutorial.
- You can use all butter or all oil in this recipe, but it is best to use both for flavor and tender texture.
- The hot dog rolls will take less time in the oven if you are using a gas oven.
Jenna Wood
This dough recipe looks amazing! I definitely think the whole family could enjoy this fluffy hot dog roll serving idea!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Nothing beats the fresh bread right out of the oven! These look really delicious.
munatycooking
You are right, these turned out awesome 🙂
Robin Rue
My kids love pigs in a blanket. I haven't made them in a while, so thanks for the reminder to make them again 🙂
munatycooking
You are most welcome 🙂
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
Ahhh! Those look so good. Pigs in a Blanket is my favorite finger food EVER. I can't wait to make these. Om nom nom.
susan
I often find myself with hot dogs in the freezer with no buns! I will have to bookmark this recipe and try this.
Amy Desrosiers
I love that you made your own buns VS the store bought crecents. These look fantastic!
munatycooking
These have more flavor and stay fresh longer too.
Liz Mays
Ooh, this is a good one. I wouldn't mind making these to go along with some other finger foods!
munatycooking
Hey Liz! You will love how light and delicious these rolls are.
GiGi Eats
Andddd I drool for these! These remind me of my youth, when my parents would drag me to parties and they had cocktail weenies. I would entertain myself with those! hahaha!
munatycooking
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who find these rolls entertaining 🙂
reesa
OH! My kids would LOVE these! They look so fluffy!
munatycooking
Thank you Reesa!
Meagan
My mom used to make something similar when we were growing up! I haven't thought about them in ages. My kids would love these!
Pam
This is so convenient. It's way better than having to carry hot dogs and buns, and it is less messy. What a great recipe idea.
munatycooking
Thank you Pam 🙂
Danielle
These look delicious! They're perfect for the summer and I love the idea of taking them on a picnic. We plan to have many of those this summer!
munatycooking
If you tried this recipe, do let me know how you liked it.
Dawn McAlexander
We love these pigs in a blanket (that's what we call them) here at our house. That is the best way to eat a hot dog in my opinion. These look so tasty.
munatycooking
Indeed, no mess and so convenient!
Claudia Krusch
These soft fluffy hot dog rolls look so delicious and easy to make. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this weekend.
Lisa Bristol
I know these are going to be a big hit with my kids. They are so yummy and I have everything I need to make some already.
Patty
Ooooh, I love pigs in a blanket and using such a lovely recipe to make them is just brilliant. I will have to try this the next time I see my nephews.
LaShawn
These look like the perfect after school snack! And I love that they look so easy to make!
Natasha
Oh, these look so good! I love baking bread, and NOTHING beats fresh baked bread in general. Pigs in a blanket with freshly made bread blankets?! WIN!
munatycooking
You are so right Natasha, I love home baked bread and rolls they always taste better than store bought.
Stacie
My family would love these. The rolls look so delicious and fluffy.
munatycooking
Thank you Stacie.
Sherry
These wouldn't last long at my house. I swear my son would live off of hot dogs if he could.
munatycooking
I love hot dogs and that's why I make these rolls often, I don't blame your son 🙂
Kathy
I love making these. I've never actually made them from scratch like this though. I'm glad I can use this recipe now.
Jeff
I've had mini versions of these dogs, but not full-size! And not from scratch! i love it!
munatycooking
These were out of this world, I had to be a good girl and tried not to consume the whole batch 😉
Justine Arcigal
tried to make these recipe and it tured out so great!!!! this recipe is so easy and simple but delicious!!!! crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside!!!! thank you so much!!!
munatycooking
Thanks for trying my recipe 🙂
Lorr
Can I fry it instead?
munatycooking
I never tried frying it although sounds interesting now that you have mentioned it. why don't you try frying one and if it works do let me know so I can share your experience with my readers 🙂
Dee
Hi I tried your recipe and it was easy enough but mine turned out pale from the oven. My husband said that’s because I didn’t egg wash the surface before sending them to the oven. Do we need to egg wash first? Don’t see it in your recipe. Also, possible for me to add more sugar to make the bread sweeter?
munatycooking
Hi Dee, Thanks for your comment. Some ovens do not distribute heat evenly and some have fans, and it affects the color of the cake and other pastry. Some use the broiler after the baking is done to add the light brown color to the pastry. You can brush the rolls with milk or eggs. It is ok to add a little more sugar to the dough.
Halima
Made them and loved them!! These are even better than the ones I used to eat as a kid! The dough was so easy to make and so tasty I ended up stuffing some leftover dough with crumbling feta and thyme cheese and we’re a huge hit too. Thank you for the recipe I’ll definitely be making these again!
munatycooking
Thank you Halima for your feedback and kind words 🙂 I'm glad that you have enjoyed this recipe.
Crystal
Is this ready to use yeast or can you use the yeast that needs mixing with water first?
Would you add the other bits to it straight away?
munatycooking
Some types of yeast do not need to be proofed before mixing with flour. In this recipe, you can use any type of yeast you have but it's best to read the instruction on the package to know how to use the yeast.
Jeni
Simple, quick, aesthetically pleasing and the hubby prefers them to hot dog buns.
munatycooking
Thanks for your comment Jeni 🙂
Rachel
These were easy to do and looked beautiful but were much too rich for our tastes. More like a crescent roll than a hot dog roll. Was hoping for something more like bread and less like pastry.
Charlie
So easy!!!! This recipe is fun and easy to make. My family loves it!
Muna
Thank you for the feedback, glad that your family loved it 😊
Ava
It turned out great but i know for next time to make more i did not make enough but it was delicious! I hope other people will also enjoy. Thx for making this Recipe Muna!
Muna
I'm glad you liked it Ava, it means a lot to me 😊