Keto Hamburger Buns 🍔

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Ever tried a keto hamburger bun made mostly of cheese that still tastes like a classic bun? I hadn’t either—until I perfected this recipe. I’ve spent years searching for a decent keto bread recipe, but most end up either flavorless or overly eggy, which just isn’t my style. So, I went ahead and made my own: a light, golden brown keto hamburger bun that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Let’s dive right into it!

This recipe is: 

Keto hamburger buns with a glossy finish and black sesame seeds, with a burger dressed with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheddar cheese in the background.

Table of Contents

9 Reasons to Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons to love these keto hamburger buns—they’re a game-changer for low carb meals without missing out on flavor. Here are some of my favorites:

  1. Works as a hamburger bun or for a delicious breakfast sandwich!
  2. Light, fluffy, and golden brown goodness!
  3. Tastes just like a real hamburger bun!
  4. Perfect for feeling included during burger night!
  5. Great flavor, and the sesame seeds add that extra touch!
  6. Easy to make with simple ingredients!
  7. Store well for meal planning!
  8. Totally low carb, and nobody will even notice!
  9. Kid-approved—mine asked for seconds without realizing they were keto!

Are Keto Hamburger Buns Low Carb?

Traditional hamburger buns are not keto-friendly because they are high in carbs due to wheat flour. In this recipe, each bun has just 5g net carbs per serving, making it ideal for anyone following a low carb or keto lifestyle. Now you can enjoy your burger the way it’s meant to be—on a proper bun!

Keto Hamburger Buns Ingredient List

Here is the list of ingredients you'll need to make these best keto hamburger buns:

  • 3 cups mozzarella, shredded
  • 2 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 eggs, large (in the mix)
  • 1.5 cups ground almond flour
  • 1 egg, for egg wash
  • 1.5 tablespoons psyllium husk powder
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
  • ½ tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon Baking powder
Overhead view of various ingredients arranged in small bowls on a light wooden surface. Ingredients include black sesame seeds, psyllium husk, kosher salt, cream cheese, almond flour, shredded mozzarella, baking powder, eggs, and an egg wash for brushing the buns.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Psyllium husk powder: I’ve tried coconut flour as a substitute, and while it works, it does leave the buns drier and with a denser texture. You can also leave out the psyllium husk, but remember that the net carbs will increase since psyllium adds extra fiber. If you do skip it, I’d suggest using one large egg plus an extra egg yolk instead of two large eggs.

Additional Ingredients

If you want to add a little something extra to these keto hamburger buns recipe, here are some delicious additions that pair well with the main ingredients:

  • Seasonings: Top these buns with anything from everything bagel seasoning to poppy seeds. Dehydrated onion flakes or a light dusting of mixed salt blends also work well.
  • Bacon: Finely chop a slice or two of cooked bacon and mix it in with the other ingredients in your food processor. It adds so much flavor.
  • Toasted almond flour: For a more wheat-like flavor, toast the almond flour before using it. Spread it on a sheet with parchment paper and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes. The toasted flavor makes these buns taste even closer to a traditional wheat bun.

Note: These ingredients are not part of the original recipe- use them to enhance or customize the recipe to your liking.

Cooking Tools Required

Here is the list of cooking tools you'll need to make keto friendly hamburger buns:

Close-up of a keto hamburger bun topped with black sesame seeds, with a fully dressed burger featuring a beef patty, cheddar cheese, tomato, onion, and lettuce in the background, along with small bowls of mustard and mayonnaise.

How to Make Keto Hamburger Buns: Complete Cooking Guide

Ready to make these delicious keto hamburger buns? Here’s your complete cooking guide to get you started. If you have a good quality food processor, this recipe comes together in no time flat.

Cooking Method

  • Baking

Preparation Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Add the dry ingredients: almond flour, baking powder, psyllium husk powder and salt to the food processor.
  3. Line the rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
  4. Whisk the egg for the egg wash in a small bowl and set aside.

Cooking Steps

  1. Over medium-low heat, add the mozzarella cheese and the cream cheese to your nonstick pan. Gently melt them together. Please note: if the heat is too high, the cheese may separate and become granular or just turn into a cheese brick. Keep the heat low and stir frequently.
  2. When the cheese is melted, add it to the food processor along with 2 of the 3 eggs. Process until a dough forms. You may need to stop the food processor and scrape things back to the bottom once or twice.
  3. After the dough has formed, remove it carefully from the food processor. Make the dough into a large ball. Using your wet hands, gently make the ball into a disc.
  4. Place the disc of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Slice the dough into six or eight pieces wedges, as shown in the picture.
  5. Take each wedge and roll it gently into a ball, then into more of a rounded disc. Place each formed dough piece onto the parchment paper with at least 1” of space between.
  6. Brush the tops of the buns with the egg wash and lightly coat with sesame seeds (if using).
  7. Place the bread buns in the preheated oven for 18 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
  8. Remove the buns from the oven and cool on a wire rack before serving.

💡 My Pro Tip

Cleaning the food processor after making these low carb buns can be a bit of a challenge—sticky cheese dough everywhere! After making these countless times, I finally found a way to get it clean without all the scrubbing, clogged sponges, and messy drains. Here’s my go-to method:

  • Turn your tap to the hottest setting.
  • Fill the food processor about one-third full with the hot water.
  • Add 3-4 drops of dishwashing liquid.
  • Put the lid on and let it run for a minute or two.

This takes care of about 95% of the cheesy dough. You might need to adjust the amount of water and soap to suit your processor, but it works wonders for me. After that, I just pop everything into the dishwasher, and it comes out sparkling clean.

⏲️ Time-Saving Tips

  • Double the recipe: Seriously, make two batches at once. You'll save time on cleanup, and these keto cheeseburger buns freeze well and last about a week in the fridge.
  • Use the food processor cleaning trick: Check out my pro tip above for a super easy way to clean your food processor after all that cheesy goodness.
  • Microwave the mozzarella: You could microwave the mozzarella instead of melting it on the stove. I haven’t used a microwave since 2009, but if you have one, it could save you a few minutes.

Storage, Freezing, And Reheating Instructions

Having leftover keto buns is the whole reason for making them! I love using them for egg sandwiches and so much more—keeping them on hand makes low carb feel great again! Let’s go over how to store them easily.

Storage Tips

Let these buns cool to room temperature on a wire rack. If you leave them on the baking sheet or the counter, they become denser since they cool more slowly. Once they’ve cooled, you can wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Pop them in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh for about a week. Just keep in mind that after day four or five, they may develop some condensation, so they’ll need a little refreshing in a toaster oven.

Freezing Tips

Absolutely freeze these buns! Once they’re wrapped in plastic, I like to wrap them again in aluminum foil. I slice the buns before wrapping and freezing them. When you’re ready to use a bun, just remove the plastic and foil. Place it in a cold oven or toaster oven and then turn it on to 350°F. This method allows the buns to defrost slightly, making it easier to separate the halves as they warm up.

Reheating Tips

The best way to reheat the low carb bread is in the oven or a toaster oven. I like to slice them first, then place them cut-side up in the oven at 375°F (190°C) or under the broiler. If I’m using the broiler, I set them lower than usual because they have a lot of cheese and can burn quickly. I don’t recommend heating the bread slice on the stovetop or in the microwave. But if you do, use a microwave safe bowl and cover with a lid.

A hand holding a golden brown keto hamburger bun topped with black sesame seeds, with a burger and condiments visible in the background.

What to Serve With Keto Hamburger Buns?

These keto burger buns are perfect for a variety of tasty pairings! Here are some delicious options to consider:

  • Pulled Pork: This tender, flavorful meat pairs perfectly with the bun, creating a satisfying and perfect hamburger bun that's hard to resist. Top it with your favorite barbecue sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
  • Pork Burgers: Juicy and savory, pork burgers bring a delightful twist to your low carb burger buns. Add some cheese and fresh toppings for a satisfying meal.
  • Tandoori Grilled Chicken: The spiced flavors of tandoori chicken are a fantastic match for the low carb hamburger buns. Serve it with a cool yogurt sauce for a refreshing contrast.
  • Lemon Roasted Chicken: This zesty dish adds a bright flavor that complements the tasty almond flour bread. Enjoy it as a hearty sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes for a complete meal.
  • Sloppy Joes: This saucy ground beef mixture is the perfect fun and messy option that these buns were made for. Pile on the flavors and enjoy every bite of the delicious sandwich bread!
Overhead view of a spread featuring keto hamburger buns, sliced tomato, pickles, red onion, and arugula on a wooden serving board, with small bowls of mustard and mayonnaise.

Recipe Conclusion

The funny thing about this recipe is that I decided to try one of those Facebook memes showcasing an amazing picture with the ingredients listed. You know the ones—most of them end up tasting terrible. This particular meme recipe was no exception; my very first batch of buns tasted like I was chewing on a cheese-flavored cotton ball. But I had a hunch that with a few tweaks, I could turn it into something really good.

After that initial evening, I made batch after batch of these almond flour buns. Each one improved, but they still had a dry texture. It wasn’t until I added the psyllium husk powder that my family finally agreed we had a winner. These buns turned out light, super tasty, and delicious. The look and feel are almost exactly the same as a traditional hamburger bun.

If you want your bun to taste even more like the real deal, check out my note in the Ingredient Additions section about toasting the almond flour first. Yummy!

Please feel free to write any questions or suggestions in the comments, or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram!

Overhead view of a sliced keto hamburger showcasing the inside of the bun and burger patty, surrounded by condiments, fresh vegetables, and additional buns on a wooden board.

FAQs

Not a traditional hamburger bun, but you can eat a low carb or keto hamburger bun. The best way to ensure what you are eating is actually low carb or keto is to make it yourself so you know the ingredients that are being added.

If you make keto buns yourself, following a keto based recipe, then the answer is that they should be keto friendly. This recipe for keto buns has 5g net carbs for a large sized bun.

A keto friendly bun is a bun that is made with ingredients that are acceptable for the ketogenic diet. These buns are made with melted cheese, almond flour and other keto-friendly ingredients.

A juicy hamburger served on a golden, fluffy keto hamburger bun, topped with fresh slices of tomato, red onion, and greens, with a side of pickles. Additional buns with sesame seeds are placed around the scene on a rustic wooden board.

Keto Hamburger Buns

Prepare to be amazed by these light, fluffy, and utterly delicious keto hamburger buns! They're remarkably close to traditional buns but without the guilt—completely low carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free. Enjoy their golden-brown perfection, the hint of sesame seeds, and savor every guilt-free bite of your favorite burger with a bun!
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Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almond flour hamburger buns, best keto hamburger buns, hamburger buns low carb, keto burger buns, keto hamburger buns, keto hamburger buns recipe, ketogenic hamburger buns, low carb buns, low carb burger buns, low carb hamburger bun recipe, low carb hamburger buns
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 buns
Calories: 390kcal
Author: Scott Groth

Ingredients

  • 3 cups mozzarella shredded
  • 2 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 eggs large (in the mix)
  • 1 egg for egg wash
  • 1.5 cups ground almond flour
  • 1.5 tablespoons psyllium husk powder
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds optional
  • ½ tablespoon kosher salt

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Add the dry ingredients: almond flour, baking powder, psyllium husk powder and salt to the food processor.
  • Line the rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
  • Whisk the egg for the egg wash in a small bowl and set aside.

Cooking Steps

  • Over medium-low heat, add the mozzarella cheese and the cream cheese to your nonstick pan. Gently melt them together. Please note: if the heat is too high, the cheese may separate and become granular or just turn into a cheese brick. Keep the heat low and stir frequently.
  • When the cheese is melted, add it to the food processor along with 2 of the 3 eggs. Process until a dough forms. You may need to stop the food processor and scrape things back to the bottom once or twice.
  • After the dough has formed, remove it carefully from the food processor. Make the dough into a large ball. Using your wet hands, gently make the ball into a disc.
  • Place the disc of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Slice the dough into six or eight pieces wedges, as shown in the picture.
  • Take each wedge and roll it gently into a ball, then into more of a rounded disc. Place each formed dough piece onto the parchment paper with at least 1” of space between.
  • Brush the tops of the buns with the egg wash and lightly coat with sesame seeds (if using).
  • Place the bread buns in the preheated oven for 18 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
  • Remove the buns from the oven and cool on a wire rack before serving.

Notes

What? Keto burger buns with only 5g net carbs per serving? And... you can reduce that number by making the buns slightly smaller... if you make 8 buns rather than six the net carb count is down to 3g per hamburger bun!
If you love the look of this recipe, please let me know in the comments below. 
As always, have a great day in the kitchen!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Hamburger Buns
Amount Per Serving (1 bun)
Calories 390 Calories from Fat 270
% Daily Value*
Fat 30g46%
Saturated Fat 10g50%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 101mg34%
Sodium 1027mg43%
Potassium 100mg3%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 22g44%
Vitamin A 548IU11%
Calcium 471mg47%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”

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Scott Groth image for I'd Rather Be A Chef

I'm Scott, just a regular guy who has experienced amazing benefits from embracing a low carb (occasionally keto) lifestyle. Join me as I share low carb recipes that are family friendly, delicious and fun to eat.

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