Soft Hot Dog Rolls Recipe (Easy Homemade Buns)
These soft hot dog rolls are fluffy, golden, and so much better than store-bought buns. They are light, tender, and made with simple pantry ingredients for a fresh homemade taste your family will love.
If you have ever bought hot dog buns that were dry, dense, or lacking flavor, this easy recipe will change that. These homemade hot dog rolls bake beautifully, hold their shape well, and are perfect for cookouts, picnics, lunch boxes, or family dinners.
Best of all, this versatile dough can also be used to make classic hot dog buns or hamburger buns.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and fluffy texture: Light buns with a tender crumb.
- Better than store-bought: Fresh flavor without preservatives.
- Easy to make: Beginner-friendly recipe with simple steps.
- Versatile dough: Make wrapped hot dog rolls, classic buns, or burger buns.
- Perfect for gatherings: Great for parties, BBQs, and family meals.
- Freezer-friendly: Make ahead and enjoy later.
🌭 What Are Hot Dog Rolls?
Hot dog rolls are soft bread rolls served with sausages or hot dogs. In this version, the dough is wrapped around the hot dog before baking, creating a delicious all-in-one bun that is easy to serve and fun to eat.
They are especially great for picnics, lunch boxes, and casual dinners because everything stays neatly together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You can find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure while keeping the rolls soft.
- Instant yeast: Helps the dough rise quickly.
- Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds light flavor.
- Warm water: Activates the yeast.
- Salt: Balances flavor.
- Butter: Adds richness and softness.
- Oil: Helps create a tender dough.
- Pre-cooked hot dogs or sausages: For filling the rolls.
How to Make Hot Dog Rolls
Step 1
In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for about 10 minutes until foamy.
Step 2
Add flour, salt, butter, and oil. Mix until a dough forms.
Step 3
Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 4
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 5
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Step 6
Punch down the dough and divide into equal portions.
Step 7
Roll each piece into a rope long enough to wrap around a hot dog.
Step 8
Wrap the dough around each hot dog, tucking the ends underneath.
Step 9
Place seam-side down on the baking tray.
Step 10
Bake for about 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 11
Brush with melted butter while warm and serve.
Pro Tips for Soft Fluffy Rolls
- Use fresh yeast: Make sure your yeast is active for the best rise.
- Do not add too much flour: Slightly soft dough gives softer buns.
- Knead well: This develops structure and improves texture.
- Let the dough rise fully: Proper proofing makes the rolls light and airy.
- Brush with butter after baking: Adds flavor and keeps the crust soft.
- Do not overbake: Remove once golden to keep them tender.
Other Ways to Use This Dough
This dough is wonderfully versatile.
- Classic hot dog buns: Shape into smooth rolls without wrapping.
- Hamburger buns: Shape into round buns and bake.
- Mini sausage rolls: Use cocktail sausages for party food.
- Dinner rolls: Bake plain as soft rolls for meals.
What to Serve With Hot Dog Rolls
These hot dog rolls pair perfectly with:
- French fries
- Potato wedges
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the cob
- Baked beans
- Fattoush salad
- Ketchup and mustard
- Cheese sauce
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. Refrigerate the dough after kneading and let it come to room temperature before shaping.
Can I freeze the baked rolls?
Absolutely. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Why are my rolls dense?
Usually from not letting the dough rise enough or adding too much flour.
Can I use bread flour?
Yes. Bread flour gives a slightly chewier texture.
Can I make these without hot dogs?
Yes. Shape into plain rolls or buns.
Storing and Reheating
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator
Store for up to 5 days.
Freezer
Freeze in a sealed bag or container for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Warm in the oven for a few minutes or microwave briefly until soft.
📌 Make Ahead Tip
You can shape the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let them sit at room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake fresh the next day.
Easy Bread Recipe You Must Try
⭐ Please Rate and Review
If you tried these soft hot dog rolls and loved them, please leave a 5-star rating and comment below. I’d love to hear how you served them!
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.
This dough recipe looks amazing! I definitely think the whole family could enjoy this fluffy hot dog roll serving idea!
Nothing beats the fresh bread right out of the oven! These look really delicious.
You are right, these turned out awesome 🙂
My kids love pigs in a blanket. I haven’t made them in a while, so thanks for the reminder to make them again 🙂
You are most welcome 🙂
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.
I often find myself with hot dogs in the freezer with no buns! I will have to bookmark this recipe and try this.
I love that you made your own buns VS the store bought crecents. These look fantastic!
These have more flavor and stay fresh longer too.
Ooh, this is a good one. I wouldn’t mind making these to go along with some other finger foods!
Hey Liz! You will love how light and delicious these rolls are.
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!
I’m glad that I’m not the only one who find these rolls entertaining 🙂
OH! My kids would LOVE these! They look so fluffy!
Thank you Reesa!
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!
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.
Thank you Pam 🙂
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!
If you tried this recipe, do let me know how you liked it.
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.
Indeed, no mess and so convenient!
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.
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.
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.
These look like the perfect after school snack! And I love that they look so easy to make!
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!
You are so right Natasha, I love home baked bread and rolls they always taste better than store bought.
My family would love these. The rolls look so delicious and fluffy.
Thank you Stacie.
These wouldn’t last long at my house. I swear my son would live off of hot dogs if he could.
I love hot dogs and that’s why I make these rolls often, I don’t blame your son 🙂
I love making these. I’ve never actually made them from scratch like this though. I’m glad I can use this recipe now.
I’ve had mini versions of these dogs, but not full-size! And not from scratch! i love it!
These were out of this world, I had to be a good girl and tried not to consume the whole batch 😉
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!!!
Thanks for trying my recipe 🙂
Can I fry it instead?
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 🙂
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?
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.
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!
Thank you Halima for your feedback and kind words 🙂 I’m glad that you have enjoyed this recipe.
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?
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.
Simple, quick, aesthetically pleasing and the hubby prefers them to hot dog buns.
Thanks for your comment Jeni 🙂
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.
My kids loves these!! I doubled the recipe; however, the dough was a bit hard to work with. They still turned out good. What could I do better next time?
Hi, Thanks for trying my recipe. I would add a little more milk or water to the dough to make it softer. I use two brands of flour and one usually takes a little more water than the other. Hope this helped!
So easy!!!! This recipe is fun and easy to make. My family loves it!
Thank you for the feedback, glad that your family loved it 😊
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!
I’m glad you liked it Ava, it means a lot to me 😊