Which is the best type of burger bun?

Here’s the different types of burger bun:

• White roll
• Brioche bun
• Sesame bun
• Ciabatta bun
• Charcoal bun
• Wholemeal roll

Now let’s find out what they’re made of and what they’re best for...

White roll

What is a white roll?

A white roll or white bun is the type most traditionally and historically associated with burgers (think McDonalds and American diners), and is a versatile choice that also works for sandwiches and as a dinner side dish.

White wheat flour, salt, fast action yeast, oil or water and caster sugar are the main ingredients in a white roll, though the amount of sugar (and therefore sweetness of the roll) might vary from recipe to recipe.

The ingredients are mixed into a dough, which is kneaded and then baked until the bun exterior is crisp and golden and the interior pale and fluffy.

What is a white roll best for?

Because this bun is so plain and simple it’s a great choice for those intricate burgers that pile on the toppings - bacon, cheese, grilled onions, pickles, pulled pork, even pastrami, as it won’t fight with or detract from any of the other flavours.

Allergy alert!

As with most bread, a white roll has a wheat flour base. Wheat is a Cereal containing Gluten, one of the 14 major food allergens. Some recipes may also contain Milk or Eggs.

Brioche bun

What is a brioche bun?

A brioche bun is a roll made from brioche bread, which is a bread of French origin rich in butter and eggs, as well as other ingredients such as milk and sugar - giving it a tender crumb and a sweet, indulgent taste.

Although brioche is considered a “Viennoiserie”, which means it is halfway between a bread and a pastry, it is known for its lightness and fluffiness, with a deep golden crust that is the result of egg washing.

Brioche has slightly more fibre and protein than other breads, but it is also higher in calories.

What is a brioche bun best for?

Brioche is fast becoming the default choice for burger buns in many restaurants and takeaways, and lends itself well to most types of burger. However, it has a sweetness that can balance out burgers that use spicy sauces like sriracha, or things like pulled pork which are often accompanied by sour, tangy sauerkraut or coleslaw. The buttery quality of brioche pairs well with fried chicken.

Allergy alert!

As with most types of bread, brioche has a base of wheat flour, and it also contains 14 allergen ingredients Eggs and butter (Milk).

Sesame seed bun

What is a sesame seed bun?

The title sesame seed bun tends not to refer to the type of bread a bun is made from, but the addition of a sprinkling of sesame seeds to the top of the bun.

The bun itself might be white bread, wholemeal, brioche or even charcoal and the sesame seeds should be toasted, as this adds to their flavour and gives the bun an extra crispness.

The seeds can be toasted either as part of the bun’s baking process or before they are added.

What is a sesame bun best for?

You can use sesame seed buns for any kind of burger, but the nutty flavour of sesame pairs particularly well with honey, so it’s a great choice for the current trend of honey chilli chicken, and also burgers topped with sweet barbecue sauce.

Allergy alert!

Sesame is one of the 14 major food allergens, and since most burger buns are made with wheat flour, it’s likely Cereals containing Gluten will also be present.

Ciabatta bun

What is a ciabatta bun?

A ciabatta bun is usually slightly squarer than a traditional burger bun, and made with the Italian bread ciabatta - which is recognisable because of its airy texture full of holes.

Ciabatta is slightly chewy - this is even more so after it has been toasted, and it is a little drier and tangier than bread typically used for burger buns.

What is a ciabatta bun best for?

Ciabatta is a very absorbent bread, and will be able to soak up all the juices of a burger that has been cooked rare or medium rare, or anything that leans towards the greasy.

It is also great for burgers that use tomato as a topping, as it is less likely to get soggy than other buns.

Allergy alert!

Like many breads, ciabatta’s main ingredients are flour, water, salt and yeast. The flour is nearly always made with wheat , a Cereal containing Gluten and a major allergen.

Charcoal bun

What is a charcoal bun?

A charcoal bun can have a base of either brioche or plain white bread, but has the additional ingredient of activated charcoal, though you can also use charcoal flour instead of regular flour.

The charcoal turns the bread black in colour, and infuses it with a slightly smoky or earthy flavour. Some people also consider the texture to be slightly grittier. White sesame seeds are usually used to top a charcoal bun.

What is a charcoal bun best for?

This is one for social media enthusiasts - charcoal is generally not considered to alter the flavour of the bread significantly but it does give it a striking and impactful appearance that looks great in pictures and will especially pop with other colourful ingredients such as lettuce, tomato and red onions.

Allergy alert!

Like other bread buns, a charcoal bun will usually contain wheat, a Cereal containing Gluten.

Wholemeal roll

What is a wholemeal roll?

A wholemeal roll is the same as a white bread roll or bun, except it has been made with wholewheat or wholemeal flour instead of white flour. Wholemeal flour is higher in fibre than white, and contains all the nutrients that have been processed out of white flour (which is refined), making it a healthier choice all round. It has an earthier flavour and a more robust quality, though it is not necessarily sturdier than white bread.

What is a wholemeal roll best for?

If trying to make a healthier take on a burger, a wholemeal roll is the best choice, because although brown bread generally contains slightly more calories than white bread, they are the type that keep you fuller for longer. Brown bread also contains more fibre, vitamins and minerals than white bread, and is less processed.

Allergy alert!

Wholemeal flour is made from wheat, a Cereal containing Gluten.