Soft Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns

These Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns are easier to make than you might think, and they taste so much better than anything from the store. This soft, squishy gluten-free bun recipe holds together, toasts beautifully, and turns every backyard burger night into something special.

Gluten Free Hamburger Buns changed the way Burger Night looks in my kitchen. For years, I ate my burger with a knife and fork or on a sad lettuce wrap while everyone else piled their burgers onto fluffy buns.

One weekend, I decided that was over. I cleared the counter, pulled out all my gluten-free flours, and promised myself I would not quit until I had a bun that was soft enough to squish but sturdy enough to hold a messy, juicy cheeseburger. The dough felt almost too sticky, and I almost panicked, but once those buns puffed in the oven and came out golden, the whole kitchen smelled like a real bakery.

When I sliced into the first bun, steam escaped and the crumb looked tender instead of gummy. I stacked my burger, took one bite, and honestly forgot it was gluten-free. Now, whenever friends come over, nobody asks where the “regular” buns are; they just ask for the recipe.

Notes on ingredients for Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns:

Warm milk or plant-based liquid: Warming the milk to 105–115°F wakes up the yeast so it can create lift and a tender crumb; you can use plant milk or water, but milk adds richer flavor and browning.

Active dry yeast + sugar: Yeast provides rise, while a bit of sugar feeds the yeast and also helps the buns brown deeply in the oven. Using part of the sugar in the yeast mixture helps you quickly confirm that the yeast is active.

Brown rice flour: Brown rice flour acts as the main whole-grain base, bringing a mild, neutral flavor and helping the buns feel sturdy rather than gummy when paired with starches.

Tapioca flour and potato starch: Tapioca starch adds chew, elasticity, and that pillowy interior that mimics traditional wheat buns, while potato starch boosts lightness and softness. Together, they keep the crumb tender instead of dense or crumbly.

Sorghum flour or gluten-free oat flour: Sorghum flour (or oat flour) brings whole-grain flavor, gentle sweetness, and extra protein and fiber, which all support a soft, bready texture and better nutrition in gluten-free baking. Either option works without sacrificing structure.

Sweet rice flour (Mochiko): Sweet rice flour behaves like a sticky binder, helping the dough hold together and slice cleanly once baked and cooled. It differs from regular rice flour and adds a slightly chewy, bakery-style crumb.​

Xanthan gum, baking powder, and cream of tartar: Xanthan gum replaces gluten’s elasticity and keeps the buns from crumbling, while baking powder and cream of tartar add extra lift and fine, even bubbles alongside the yeast. This trio is key for tall, fluffy gluten-free buns.

Eggs, egg whites, butter, and vinegar: Whole eggs and egg whites strengthen the structure and help the tops brown, while melted butter adds richness and a soft mouthfeel. Apple cider vinegar reacts with the leaveners and subtly brightens the flavor.

Egg wash, sesame seeds, and finishing butter: The egg wash gives the buns shine and helps the sesame seeds stick, while a final brush of melted butter softens the crust and adds that classic bakery-style finish.

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

How to Make Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns

Prep and activate the yeast

Start by lining two light-colored baking sheets with parchment paper and, if your oven has one, turning on the proof setting so you have a warm place for the buns to rise. In a medium bowl, whisk together the warm milk (105–115°F), 1 tablespoon of the sugar, and the active dry yeast, then let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture looks foamy and bubbly on top.​

If the yeast mixture does not foam after 10 minutes, discard it and start again with fresh yeast, since inactive yeast will give you dense, flat buns. While the yeast proofs, gather and measure all remaining ingredients so they are ready to add as soon as the yeast is activated.​

Mix the dry ingredients

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, brown rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, sorghum flour or oat flour, sweet rice flour, xanthan gum, kosher salt, baking powder, and cream of tartar. Mix briefly on low speed (or whisk by hand) just until everything looks evenly blended and no streaks of individual flours remain.​

Using several flours gives structure, chew, and softness without gluten, so it is important not to swap or skip ingredients unless you are comfortable adjusting hydration and texture. Keeping the dry ingredients evenly mixed helps the dough hydrate consistently, which leads to a more even crumb in the finished buns.​

Make the dough

Pour the foamy yeast mixture into the stand mixer bowl with the dry ingredients, then add the whole eggs, egg whites, melted butter, and apple cider vinegar. Start mixing on low speed until everything is combined, then increase to medium-high and beat for about 4 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.​

The dough should look thick, very soft, and sticky, closer to a stiff batter than a kneadable bread dough, which is normal for gluten-free yeast dough. Avoid adding extra flour at this stage, because a wetter dough bakes into softer buns; too much flour will make them dry and dense.​

Shape the buns

Set a small bowl of tapioca starch near your work area, and dust your work surface generously with it. Lightly flour your hands with tapioca starch as well, since the dough will be too sticky to handle otherwise.​

Use a ⅓-cup measuring cup to scoop portions of dough, aiming for about 105–115 g each so the buns bake evenly and are similarly sized for burgers. Drop each portion onto a tapioca-dusted plate, dust the outside with more tapioca starch, then gently flatten, fold the edges toward the center, and pinch them together before flipping the portion seam-side down and cupping your hands around it to form a smooth ball.​

Proof the dough

Arrange the shaped buns seam-side down on the parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them so they have room to expand without touching too much. Lightly mist the tops with cooking spray, then cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent the surface from drying out as they rise.​

Place the trays in a warm spot or the proofing oven and let the buns rise for about 30 minutes, or until noticeably puffy and lighter. If preparing the dough ahead, you can proof for about 10 minutes, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bring it back to room temperature and proof for about 25 minutes before baking.​

Brush, top, and bake

Near the end of the proofing time, preheat the oven to 375°F so it is fully heated when the buns are ready to bake. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash, then gently brush the tops and sides of each bun.​

Sprinkle the buns generously with raw sesame seeds so they stick to the egg wash and bake into a golden, flavorful crust. Bake the buns for about 16–18 minutes, rotating the pans once halfway through, until they are deeply golden brown on top and feel set rather than squishy when lightly tapped.​

Finish, cool, and serve

As soon as the buns come out of the oven, brush the tops with melted butter (or plant butter) to soften the crust and add a rich, bakery-style finish. Leave the buns on the baking sheets or transfer them to a cooling rack and let them cool for about 15 minutes, which allows the crumb to set fully so the interior does not seem gummy when sliced.​

Serve the buns slightly warm for the softest, squishiest texture, or cool completely and store them airtight; lightly reheating or toasting restores their fresh-baked softness even after storage. For the best burger stacking, slice them horizontally just before serving so the crumb stays moist and tender.

What are the best gluten-free hamburger buns?

The best gluten-free hamburger buns balance structure and softness, hold up to juicy burgers, and stay tender without crumbling. Recipes that blend whole-grain flours (like brown rice and sorghum) with starches (like tapioca and potato) and xanthan gum tend to mimic the chew and elasticity of wheat buns most closely.​

Many home bakers love soft, brioche-style gluten-free buns enriched with eggs and butter for their rich flavor, pillowy crumb, and golden crust. Store-bought options from brands focused on gluten-free baking can also work well, but fresh, homemade buns usually win on taste and texture, especially when lightly toasted before serving.

Storage:

Keep buns in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days, then always rewarm or lightly toast before serving to bring back softness.​

For longer storage, slice, wrap well, and freeze up to about 2–3 months; thaw at room temperature and warm or toast so they do not feel dry or crumbly.

Looking for more gluten-free recipes? Be sure to check these recipes out:

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Butter Cookies
• Gluten-Free Focaccia Bread
• Gluten-Free Pecan Bars
• Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
• Soft, Fluffy & Easy Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls

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