Viral Burger Stuffed Buns

These viral burger stuffed buns take everything you love about a cheeseburger and wrap it inside soft, homemade bread dough. Each bun is packed with two beef patties, melted cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and my creamy burger sauce, then baked until golden and fluffy. They’re basically a cheeseburger and fresh-baked bun all in one.

Why You'll Love These Cheeseburger Stuffed Buns

I first saw the idea for these stuffed burger buns in a viral video from bymesika, and I loved the concept so much I had to give it a try. I honestly expected them to be good, but they turned out way better than I thought they would, and now I find myself craving these more than a regular cheeseburger.

I think what makes them so good is the combination of soft homemade dough with all the classic burger fillings packed inside. You get juicy beef, melty cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and burger sauce in every bite, but without everything sliding out of the bun. They’re fun to make, really satisfying, and a viral recipe that totally lives up to the hype.

Ingredients You'll Need

For the dough:

• 350 g bread flour
• 7 g instant yeast
• 25 g granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 150 ml warm water
• 45 g neutral oil
  

For the filling:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup caramelized onions
• ½ cup smash burger sauce
• Dill pickles, sliced
• 12 slices American or cheddar cheese

For topping:

• 1 egg, for egg wash
• Sesame seeds

A Few Ingredient Notes

• Bread flour. I like bread flour for these buns because it gives the dough a little more structure while still baking up soft and fluffy enough to wrap around all that filling.
• Ground beef. I prefer ground beef with some fat in it so the patties stay juicy after they’re cooked once in the skillet and again inside the buns.
• Cheese. American cheese gives you that classic melty cheeseburger texture, but cheddar works great if you want a stronger cheese flavor.
• Burger sauce. I use my homemade burger sauce here. It adds that creamy, tangy burger flavor inside every bun without needing extra sauce after baking. For another option, this In-N-Out sauce works great.
• Caramelized onions. Make these ahead if you can. They add sweetness and a deeper burger flavor, but you can leave them out if you prefer a more classic cheeseburger filling.

How To Make Burger Stuffed Buns

Step 1: Make the Dough

Add the bread flour, yeast, and sugar to a large bowl. Add the egg and warm water, then mix until a rough dough forms. Knead for 3-4 minutes, then add the salt and neutral oil. Continue kneading for another 7-8 minutes, or until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for 45-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Cook the Burger Patties

While the dough rises, divide the ground beef into 12 equal portions and shape each one into a thin patty. Season both sides with salt and black pepper. Cook the patties in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, then transfer them to a plate and let them cool slightly.

Step 4: Divide and Roll the Dough

Once the dough has doubled in size, divide it into 6 equal portions. Roll each piece into a circle large enough to completely wrap around the burger filling.

Step 5: Fill the Buns

Place one slice of cheese in the center of each piece of dough. Top with 2 cooked burger patties, caramelized onions, burger sauce, dill pickles, and another slice of cheese.

Step 6: Seal and Proof

Bring the edges of the dough up and over the filling, then pinch them together firmly to completely seal the bun. Place each bun seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let the stuffed buns rise for another 15-20 minutes.

Step 7: Bake

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the tops of the buns with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the buns are puffed and golden brown. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving warm.

My Tips For The Best Burger Stuffed Buns

• Use a kitchen scale for even buns. Dividing both the dough and beef by weight helps all six stuffed buns come out about the same size and bake evenly.
• Keep the filling fairly dry. Pat the pickles dry and avoid adding excess grease from the burgers or onions. Too much moisture inside can make the bottom of the dough soggy.
• Don’t go overboard with the burger sauce. A little goes a long way inside the bun. Too much sauce can make the filling slippery and make the buns harder to close.
• Make the patties thin. Since each bun gets two patties, thinner burgers give you plenty of beef without making the stuffed buns overly bulky or difficult to eat.
• Let the cooked filling cool before assembling. Warm is fine, but piping-hot patties can soften the dough and make it harder to work with while you’re filling the buns.
• Give them a few minutes before digging in. The filling gets extremely hot in the oven. Letting the buns rest for about 5 minutes also gives the cheese and sauce a chance to settle so they’re less messy when you cut into them.

Burger Stuffed Buns FAQs

What are burger stuffed buns?

Burger stuffed buns are homemade bread buns filled with cheeseburger ingredients before baking. This version has two thin beef patties, cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and burger sauce sealed inside soft dough, then it’s brushed with egg wash and baked until golden.

Can I make burger stuffed buns ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare the dough and burger filling ahead of time and refrigerate them separately. When you’re ready to bake, assemble the buns, let them complete their final rise, then brush with egg wash and bake as directed.

Can I use store-bought dough?

Yes, refrigerated pizza dough or another soft bread dough can work if you want a shortcut. The texture won’t be exactly the same as the homemade dough, but the most important thing is using enough dough to completely enclose the burger filling without tearing.

Can I use different burger toppings inside?

Absolutely. You can swap the caramelized onions for diced cooked onions, use your favorite cheese, or add jalapeños or cooked bacon. I’d avoid very wet toppings like fresh tomatoes since they can release moisture and make the inside of the bun soggy.

How do I keep burger stuffed buns from opening while baking?

Make sure you don’t overfill them and pinch the dough together firmly after wrapping it around the filling. Place the buns seam-side down on the baking sheet so the weight of the bun helps keep the seam closed as it bakes.

How should I store leftover burger stuffed buns?

Let the buns cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Because the buns contain cooked ground beef and cheese, I wouldn’t leave leftovers sitting at room temperature for extended periods.

What is the best way to reheat burger stuffed buns?

The oven or air fryer gives you the best texture. Warm the buns at about 325-350°F until the center is hot and the outside has softened and crisped back up. The microwave works too, but the bread will be softer.

Can I freeze burger stuffed buns?

Yes. Let the baked buns cool completely, then wrap them individually and freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

Burger Recipes To Try Next

• In-N-Out burger bowl
• Cheeseburger hot pockets
• Garlic parmesan cheeseburger bombs
• Smash burger recipe
• Oklahoma onion smash burger