11 Types Of Burger Buns For Your Hamburgers

When the weather gets warm, there's only one thing on everyone's mind: getting outside and grilling. There's maybe nothing as quintessential to the summer spirit as grilling up some burgers. Of course, you could throw your burgers on any old store-bought bread, but what else is out there? We've seen people put burgers in between all kinds of layers, and you have to wonder if there are rules about what goes and what doesn't. Some people have very strong opinions about buns, but it's worth investigating whether the kind of bun used for a hamburger actually affects the final dish.

We've rounded up eleven of the best options to contain your meat patty — don't worry they aren't too wild or hard to find. From English muffins to fried macaroni and cheese, there are fun and creative ideas on this list for every kind of diner. Whether you want to totally reinvent the wheel or are simply ready for a small change, there's a bun on this list that will fit the bill. 

For a heartier option, consider using ciabatta, which MasterClass describes as an Italian bread made with only five ingredients: wheat flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil. It is known for its crisp crust and airy interior which is a result of its production. The dough gets mixed longer than more tender types of bread such as brioche, which leads to more protein development and greater strength. This makes it an ideal candidate for a sandwich that won't fall apart. 

Because there is only a small amount of fat in this bread recipe, it can definitely take a good smear of sauce, whether you opt for aioli or barbecue. Either will pair well with a juicy grilled burger. Ciabatta definitely benefits from a light toast, but since it is made from a low-moisture dough, it can be prone to drying out. Start with a quick toast over high heat for ten to twenty seconds, then go from there. 

So you've tried the plain white bread burger bun options and you're looking for something a little more fun and interesting. Enter the pretzel roll. Like regular twisted pretzels, a pretzel bun starts as a simple bread dough. It gets its signature dark brown crust by boiling in baking soda and water before being topped with coarse salt and baked (via German Food Guide). Pretzels originate from Germany, the same place as the early origins of the hamburger itself (per Eater), so it is a pretty natural pairing.

Over at Wendy's, the pretzel bacon pub cheeseburger is a popular limited menu item. It has Muenster cheese, a gooey beer cheese sauce, crispy onion strings, pickles, bacon, and honey mustard, all piled high in between a tasty pretzel bun. Only a pretzel bun has the structure to stand up to all the components in this loaded burger. Plus, the signature pretzel flavor pairs perfectly with the hot mustard and funky cheese. 

Similar to the plain bun but not quite exactly the same is the kaiser roll, a special type of white-flour bread roll with a crisp crust and a distinctive swirl pattern on the top (via Cooks Info). The rolls are yeast-risen with a pattern exposing a lot more nooks and crannies that become crispy once baked. Originally from Austria, these rolls can sometimes be found topped with various kinds of seeds or chopped onion (via Delighted Cooking). In parts of the eastern United States, these rolls are sometimes called hard rolls to differentiate them from softer white buns.

For those looking for a crunchier taste experience than a potato or brioche bun, the kaiser roll fits the bill perfectly. The size and shape are relatively similar and the texture makes most of the difference. The unique consistency is a result of a longer bake time and a decently long rise that gives the yeast a chance to properly proof. 

Using sliced bread as your next burger bun could be the greatest thing since, well, sliced bread. While it isn't always the first idea that comes to mind, the combination of toasted sliced bread, caramelized onions, melted cheese, and a rich griddled burger is exactly how you make the perfect patty melt. Patty melts are delicious sandwiches that often use thick slices of toasted sourdough or rye bread.

When using sliced bread, there are a couple of key tricks that can help make the most of this bun choice. For starters, toasting your bread with mayonnaise instead of butter gives you a much crispier golden brown result, thanks to the egg content. As for the cheese, there are a lot of strong opinions about which type is best, so let your own judgment guide you. No matter what you choose, a light piece of sliced bread has just the right amount of airiness to absorb all that melted cheese. 

For a really different and undoubtedly decadent burger bun option, how about macaroni and cheese? Datz restaurant in Tampa, Florida, serves The Cheesy Todd burger sandwiched between two breaded and fried bacon jalapeño macaroni and cheese patties. The result is a gooey, delicious taste extravaganza that is like nothing you have ever had. 

Now, this isn't a healthy food choice by any means, but sometimes you just want to splurge. If you can't make it to Florida, you could try recreating it yourself at home. The trick is to freeze squares of already-cooked macaroni and cheese, then dredge them in flour and breading and drop them into a hot fryer before the pasta has a chance to thaw. This might be a lot of work for an everyday meal but it might be a project worth trying for a fun occasion.