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These keto buns are fluffy, soft, and tender on the outside, you won’t believe them to be low carb! Made with 5 main ingredients, they are perfect to use as hamburger buns! 2 grams net carbs per serving.
Keto Buns
Whenever I’m craving bread on a keto diet, my favorite recipes to make are rolls, tortillas, and these keto buns.
During the warmer months, one of my favorite things to do is throw a barbecue with friends. There is nothing better than filling up an esky with drinks and a plethora of foods to grill. Now, if I’m being honest, the best food at any good barbecue is the humble hamburger. There is something special about a freshly grilled burger patty, topped with cheese, sliced tomatoes, all between a soft and fluffy burger bun.
When I first went keto, trying to find a keto substitute for burger buns was high on my agenda. My friends would tell me to just use lettuce leaves but that would NOT cut it. Initially, I would use an English muffin or slice a soft pretzel in half. While they were fantastic alternatives, they weren’t what a hamburger bun should be. Instead, I adapted my pizza dough to create something pretty darn close!
I’ve been meaning to share a keto buns recipe for quite some time. They’ve been fantastic to complete my favorite hamburgers, as sliders, and even as a fancy sandwich. They need just 4 main ingredients and take minutes to prepare.
No wheat, no yeast, and no grains are needed, but you’d never tell. The texture is soft and fluffy and with a light and tender crumb. They taste like any good burger bun, with no cheesy or almond flavor at all.
I had some friends over for a bbq the other day and we used these buns for the hamburgers and NO ONE believed me when I told them they were low carb- They thought it had to be made with white flour and yeast!
How do you make keto hamburger buns?
The Ingredients
- Shredded cheese– Mozarrella cheese works best, as it is mild tasting and works well into the dough. You can also use cheddar cheese, but it will have a more obvious cheesy flavor.
- Cream cheese– Softened and full fat.
- Eggs– Two eggs will be used in the dough and the other will be whisked and brushed on top of the buns, to create a shiny brown crust!
- Almond flour– You must use blanched almond flour, not almond meal.
- Baking powder– Gives the buns a little stability and structure.
- Sesame seeds– Optional, but any good hamburger bun MUST have sesame seeds on top!
The Instructions
Start by adding your shredded cheese and cream cheese into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second spurts, until the cheese is mostly melted. Whisk together until combined and let it cool slightly. While it is cooling, mix together your dry ingredients and transfer to a food processor. Add the cheese mixture, along with two eggs, and pulse at high speed, until the dough is mostly combined.
Now, remove the dough from the food processor and gently knead it, until it is smooth. Form 4-6 large balls of dough and place them on a lined baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg with the milk. Using a pastry brush, brush the tops of each of the buns. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes, before slicing in half and using as buns.
Tips to make the best keto burger buns
- Ensure the cheese mixture is warm, but not hot. If it is too hot, you risk cooking the eggs into the dough.
- If you cannot fit all the buns on a single baking tray, do one at a time. Cooking multiple trays at once can cause the buns to deflate.
- These buns must be served warm, otherwise, they will be firm and dense.
- For slider buns, form smaller balls of dough and reduce the bake time by 2 minutes.
Storing and freezing low carb hamburger buns
- To store: Leftover buns should be stored in the refrigerator, covered. They will keep well for up to 1 week.
- To freeze: Slice the buns in half and place them in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Reheating: Either microwave the buns for 30 seconds or slice them in half and heat in a non-stick pan until warm.
More keto bread recipes you’ll enjoy
Easy Keto Buns
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cheese mozzarella cheese * See notes
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1 3/4 cups almond flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 large eggs
For the glaze and topping
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a microwave safe bowl, add the shredded cheese and cream cheese. Microwave in 20 second spurts, until the cheese is mostly melted. Remove and whisk together, until combined and smooth. Let the mixture cool slightly.
- Transfer the warm cheese mixture into a food processor. Add the dry ingredients, along with the eggs, and pulse until a thick dough remains.
- Lightly dust a kitchen surface with almond flour. Transfer the dough onto it, and, using slightly wet hands, knead it several times. Once the dough is smooth, divide it into 6 portions. Roll the portions of dough into balls and place them on the lined tray. Press down onto each one into a thinner burger bun shape. Brush the tops with the remaining egg (whisked), before sprinkling the sesame seeds on top.
- Bake the buns for 14-17 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes, before slicing in half and serving.
Tried making these buns three times. First made half a batch. Turned out perfect. Make the next batch full. Turned out gritty. Made half batch today. They look great, but moist inside. Too much cheese? Measured it out and followed your recipe. Any idea as to why I am having problems?
Sounds like it’s an issue with the almond flour or cheese. Maybe you used different brands each time?
These are the BEST!! Easy and quick to make. Nice and sturdy for your Hambergers. I did put olive oil instead of egg on top and sprinkled the sesame seeds on top….,
I was quite skeptical of this recipe but I relied on the 5 star ratings and gave it a try. Wow, am I pleased! I’m a baker who has been keto 20 years and gluten free 7 years and this is by far one of the best bun recipes I have ever tried. It was truly hard to believe it wasn’t a norman bakery bun. We absolutely loved these. I made sliders buns and they were so pretty. I would post a pic if I could. 😍
Hey Arman,
Is it possible to use vegan cream cheese and vegan mozzarella cheese?
Not for this recipe!
I’m new to keto, and missing bread is HUGE for me. Saw this recipe and had to try it. Had everything I needed and it did not disappoint. The were a beautiful golden brown, and I savored every bite. Thank you. Looking forward to trying the lemon cake next.
Thank you, Dee!
Would diastatic malt powder make these rise more and be fluffier?
Never used it before.
Are these considered gluten free?
They sure are!
Hi,
can you make these into hotdog buns?
I haven’t tried but feel free to experiment and see 🙂
Love these. Just reheat in the microwave for 20 seconds .. amazing
Perfect 🙂
Great buns! Thanks for that!
Hi! If I don’t have a food processor can I just mix them by hand/spoon?
Yes, but it might take a little longer 🙂
Absolutely delicious…and so easy. Thanks!!!
Have you ever tried yeast
I haven’t 🙂 Let me know if you do 🙂
Have made these so many times now! We love them! I have played around with the recipe a little. First make sure to weigh your cheese and cream cheese! It makes a difference!I now add 1tbs of nutritional yeast ( they smell like real bread and rise a little more) and we prefer ours with dried onion on top and a little in the bun itself. I never use anything but my rubber spatula and my hands to knead the dough. The dough is always sticky so sprinkling a little almond flour on the dough works. I also use a silicone baking mat to knead it on and it works very well! These buns are very versatile! Hamburger buns yes but also sandwiches, open faced garlic bread ( butter with garlic and under the broiler for a short time.) shaped differently and you have a hot dog bun. Flatten the dough by rolling it out and you have a flat bread. Nice with soup as well. Cream cheese spread on is delicious for breakfast! The possibilities are endless! Thank you for introducing me to this great recipe!
Hey Arman, is the nutrition facts provided based on 1 bun or a whole serving of 6 buns as the recipe makes? Just wanted to make sure thanks!
Per bun 🙂