Vegans follow a plant-based diet that excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs and honey. Despite not eating meat, many vegans still enjoy the taste of a good veggie burger. But what kind of hamburger bun can you eat and still adhere to a vegan diet? There are actually several options for vegan buns that allow vegans to enjoy a meatless burger.
Why do vegans need vegan buns?
Traditional hamburger buns contain ingredients like milk, eggs and honey, which are off-limits for vegans. Milk and eggs come from animals, which vegans avoid consuming. Honey is made by bees, and strict vegans also avoid this sweetener. That rules out regular burger buns, so vegans need to find alternatives made without any animal products. Thankfully, there are many tasty vegan bun options in grocery stores and restaurants these days.
Store-bought vegan burger buns
There are a number of store-bought vegan hamburger buns available in grocery stores. Here are some of the most common options:
Rudi’s Organic Bakery Hamburger Buns
Rudi’s Organic Bakery makes vegan burger buns using organic ingredients like unbleached wheat flour, flax seeds, barley malt, and sunflower oil. These buns have a soft, bakery-style texture perfect for veggie burgers or other sandwiches. Rudi’s burger buns can be found in the bakery section of many grocery stores, especially health food stores like Whole Foods.
Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Buns
Like all Ezekiel products, these burger buns are made from sprouted whole grains like wheat, barley, spelt, millet and lentils. Sprouting makes the grains and legumes more digestible. With no added sugar or oils, Ezekiel buns are hearty and healthy. Look for them in the freezer section.
Arnold Whole Grains 100% Vegan Burger Buns
Arnold makes these classic burger buns using a vegan recipe free of milk, eggs and honey. They have a soft, sturdy texture to hold up to any veggie burger or sandwich fillings. Arnold vegan buns can be found at many major grocery store chains.
Bimbo Bakeries USA Vegan Burger Buns
Bimbo Bakeries makes vegan burger buns under brand names like Sara Lee, Nature’s Harvest and Arnold. Check the ingredients to be sure the buns say “vegan” or dairy/egg free. Bimbo vegan buns have a quality consistent with traditional buns.
Bakehouse Whole Grain Vegan Buns
Bakehouse makes all-natural buns using whole grains like whole wheat and rye. Their vegan burger buns specifically are dairy, egg and honey free. Bakehouse buns have minimal ingredients you can feel good about. Find them at select grocery chains nationwide.
Trader Joe’s Burger Buns
The burger buns sold at Trader Joe’s grocery stores are labeled vegan right on the packaging, so they’re easy to spot. With a simple ingredient list of unbleached enriched wheat flour, water, yeast, and salt, these classic buns are a pantry staple for many vegans.
Homemade vegan burger bun recipes
Making your own burger buns at home is a fun baking project, plus you can control the ingredients. Here are some tasty vegan burger bun recipes to try:
Fluffy Vegan Hamburger Buns
| Flour | 2 1/4 cups |
| Sugar | 3 tbsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Yeast | 1 1/2 tsp |
| Non-dairy milk | 3/4 cup |
| Canola oil | 3 tbsp |
These fluffy vegan buns use all-purpose flour, non-dairy milk and canola oil. Let the dough rise twice for light and airy buns. Brush the tops with non-dairy milk before baking for a shiny, golden crust.
Whole Wheat Vegan Buns
| Whole wheat flour | 2 cups |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Sugar | 2 tbsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Yeast | 2 1/4 tsp |
| Non-dairy milk | 1 cup |
| Canola oil | 3 tbsp |
Get a boost of whole grains with these part whole wheat buns. The all-purpose flour helps keep them soft. Let them rise twice for maximum height.
Vegan Beer Bread Buns
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Baking powder | 1 tbsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Sugar | 2 tbsp |
| Vegan beer | 12 oz |
| Canola oil | 3 tbsp |
These easy buns use beer for flavor and rise instead of yeast. Just stir the ingredients together and bake. Any vegan beer works, like Michelob Ultra Organic.
Vegan Pretzel Buns
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Whole wheat flour | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1 1/2 tbsp |
| Salt | 2 tsp |
| Yeast | 2 1/4 tsp |
| Non-dairy milk | 1 cup |
| Canola oil | 3 tbsp |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp |
| Water | 1 tbsp |
These soft pretzel-style buns are made by boiling the shaped dough in baking soda water before baking. Skip the egg wash and use coarse salt on top.
Vegan burger bun options at restaurants
Many restaurants now offer vegan burger bun options to accommodate plant-based diets. Here are some places you can get a vegan bun with your veggie burger:
Burger King
Burger King has a vegetarian burger patty you can order on a regular sesame seed bun to make it vegan. Just ask for no mayo or cheese. Their buns are vegan.
Red Robin
Red Robin has a vegan burger patty that comes on a vegan wild rice bun. You can also order their veggie burger on a regular bun.
The Cheesecake Factory
Order The Cheesecake Factory’s Impossible Burger with a gluten-free bun to make it vegan. Their gluten-free buns contain no dairy or eggs.
Bareburger
Bareburger offers vegan brioche buns, as well as a classic white sesame seed bun. Get them with Bareburger’s Beyond Burger.
Umami Burger
Umami Burger uses a vegan ciabatta bun for their Impossible Burger. Just ask for no cheese or mayo.
Fatburger
Get Fatburger’s Impossible Burger on their standard bun, which is vegan. You can also bring your own vegan burger bun.
Wahlburgers
Wahlburgers has a vegan burger and vegan whole grain bun, made without dairy or eggs. Ask them to hold the mayo.
Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets locations with a vegan burger will serve it on a vegan whole wheat bun if you request it.
What to look for in vegan burger buns
When selecting vegan burger buns, either at the store or a restaurant, look for these qualities:
Vegan-friendly ingredients
The bun should not contain any animal products like milk, eggs, butter, whey, casein or honey. Check the ingredient list.
Whole grain
Seeking out whole grain buns will provide more nutrients like fiber, protein and minerals versus plain white flour.
Soft and sturdy
You want a bun that is soft enough to bite into but sturdy enough to hold all the burger fixings without getting soggy.
The right size
Match the bun size to the size of your veggie burger or other fillings. A too-small bun won’t contain the contents, while an oversized bun looks sloppy.
Minimal ingredients
Simple recipes with recognizable ingredients are ideal. Avoid buns with preservatives, artificial flavors and other additives.
Neutral flavor
A good bun should complement your burger fillings without overpowering them. Bland is better to let the veggie patty shine.
Storing and serving vegan burger buns
Here are some tips for storing and serving vegan hamburger buns:
Storage
– Store unused buns at room temperature in a bread box or plastic bag up to 2 days.
– For longer shelf life, store in the refrigerator up to one week.
– Frozen buns will keep for 1-2 months in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temp or warm in oven.
Serving
– Lightly toast or grill buns before serving for extra flavor.
– Spread condiments on both top and bottom buns to prevent sogginess.
– Add crisp lettuce or greens to give sandwiches a nice crunch.
– Brush with oil or non-dairy butter and grill briefly for a gourmet touch.
– Serve alongside seasoned french fries or a salad for a complete vegan meal.
Avoid
– Do not split buns until ready to use or they will dry out.
– Don’t overload a bun with wet veggies or it may fall apart.
– Don’t bake an entire package of buns unless you will use them in a day or two.
Delicious vegan burger recipes
Now that you know all about the bun options, here are some amazing vegan burger recipes to try:
Black Bean Burgers
Made with black beans, quinoa and walnuts. Packed with protein and fiber.
Portobello Mushroom Burgers
Meaty portobello caps grilled and topped like burgers. Pairs nicely with balsamic glaze.
Veggie Chickpea Burgers
Chickpeas, roasted veggies and breadcrumbs baked into hearty patties.
Beet and Bean Burgers
Beets add natural sweetness and color to these veggie nut burgers.
BBQ Jackfruit Burgers
Shredded jackfruit makes surprisingly convincing pulled pork-style burgers.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers
Shredded sweet potato and black beans flavored with garlic and cumin.
Quinoa Lentil Burgers
Protein-packed patties made with quinoa, lentils and oats.
Conclusion
Vegans have ample options when it comes to buns for delicious plant-based burgers. Many major brands offer dairy-free buns, and they are easy to make at home too. Choose whole grain buns for maximum nutrition and those sturdy enough to hold hearty veggie patties. With so many choices, vegans don’t have to miss out on this tasty classic meal. A vegan burger in a fresh vegan bun can satisfy any craving. Just pile it high with all your favorite toppings!
