Chefs share 10 ways to make store-bought burger buns taste even better

Jessica Formicola, chef and owner of Savory Experiments, told Business Insider you should always try to purchase the freshest pack of buns at the grocery store.

“Fresh buns are always better than frozen or stale buns,” Formicola said. “Frozen buns will be a little drier than fresh ones because freezing reduces their moisture content.”

Although frozen buns may be cheaper, your burgers will likely taste best if you opt for a fresh package. 

Heat can easily revive and upgrade packaged buns.

“Just a little heat, such as from grilling or toasting, reactivates the gluten in the bread,” Formicola told BI. “This makes the buns softer and enhances their scent.”  

If you do nothing else to your burger buns, tossing them in the oven or toaster for a minute or two will help recreate that just-baked aroma and texture. 

Salvage that package of stale, dry burger buns by popping them into a panini press. 

“Any type of bread, including a burger bun, can be smashed in a panini press,” Formicola told BI. “It will help the bun taste delightfully toasted and chewy.”

Though it may be easiest to press an assembled burger, you can also use a panini press to toast buns by themselves. 

Inject flavor right into burger buns by basting them with a seasoned butter mixture. 

“I like to create fun, flavored butters and baste all my breads,” Formicola said. “Using melted butter with just a 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder, chili powder, or cumin can totally transform a boring bun.”

Use a small kitchen syringe or plastic pipette to insert the butter mixture into the buns. Be careful not to over-baste the bread, as this can make it soggy. 

Chef Andre Alto of Pechanga Resort Casino told BI that a touch of mayonnaise can breathe new life into store-bought burger buns. 

“Take any quality mayonnaise and spread it onto both sides of the bun. Then, on a flat-top grill, simply toast until golden brown on each side,” Alto said. 

This trick is easy to customize if you mix mayo with ingredients like garlic powder, minced basil, or chili powder 

Steaming store-bought buns can make them more tender and plump up stale buns by adding moisture. 

“Hot-dog stands steam their buns because it makes them taste good. You can do the same at home in just a few minutes,” Alto said. 

To make a homemade steamer, take a perforated bowl, such as a colander, and place it over a pot filled with a few inches of boiling water.

Add the buns to the bowl, cover the bowl with a lid, and steam the buns for a minute or two. 

Chef Kevin Cabrera, executive chef of The Save Mart Companies, told BI that using an air fryer can take a burger bun from dull to decadent. 

“This method will produce that classic and crispy texture we love on a burger bun,” Cabrera said. “Since air fryers usually come with additional racks, you can use them to toast buns, too.” 

This works best if the bread is already quite soft and you prefer a slightly crunchier bun. Try brushing the bread with butter and leaving it in the fryer for a minute or two. 

Load up your buns with fragrant herbs and cheese for an extra-special burger. 

“Yes, even your bun can have toppings,” Cabrera said. “Grate some Parmesan cheese and add some herbs right on top of the bun to add a rich taste.”

Basil, parsley, cumin, and thyme are perfect for adding tempting flavor and aroma to your buns. Stick the buns under your oven’s broiler for a few moments to help the cheese melt.

Sesame seeds aren’t just for decoration. When prepared correctly, they can add a lot of flavor to a burger bun.

“Toasted sesame seeds help bring out the flavor of yeast-based bread,” Cabrera told BI. “Once you try adding them to store-bought buns, you will understand how something so small can make a big difference.”

Toast the sesame seeds in the oven by spreading them on a lined baking sheet and baking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes or until they’re golden brown.

You can use a light coating of oil to help them adhere to the top of the bun. 

Alto recommended roasting garlic by wrapping the cloves in foil with olive oil and placing them in the oven for an hour on low heat.

“After they’ve been roasted, I spread the garlic on the toasted bun along with some of the garlic oil. This adds a subtle, sweet garlic flavor to the bun and throughout the whole burger,” Alto said. 

If you have enough garlic-infused oil left after treating your buns, drizzle some onto the burger patty for added moisture and flavor. 

This story was originally published on August 5, 2020, and most recently updated on May 21, 2025.