Homemade Smash Burgers with Homemade Buns

Ingredients

• 260 ml Warm water (about 40 °C, to activate the yeast)
• 50 g White sugar (1/4 cup, feeds the yeast)
• 15 g Active dry yeast (2 tbsp, makes the dough rise)
• 30 ml Avocado oil (2 tbsp, adds flavor and moisture)
• 440 g All-purpose flour (3 ½ cups, for the bun dough)
• 5 g Salt (1 tsp, enhances flavor)
• 1 Stück Egg (large) (for the dough and the egg wash)
• 15 g Sesame seeds (optional, for sprinkling)
• 5 g Dried onion flakes (optional, for sprinkling)
• 30 g Mayonnaise (2 tbsp, base of the sauce)
• 15 g Ketchup (1 tbsp, for the sauce)
• 30 g Pickles (small diced) (2 tbsp, for the sauce and as topping)
• 907 g Ground beef (20 % fat) (about 4 oz (113 g) per patty, 8 patties)
• 8 Scheiben Cheese slices (American) (melts well, one slice per burger)
• 8 Blätter Iceberg lettuce leaves (for freshness and protecting the bun)
• 8 Scheiben Tomato (Roma) (thick slices, one per burger)
• 1 Stück Red onion (purple) (thinly sliced into rings)
• 15 g Butter (1 tbsp, for toasting the buns)

Instructions

1. Prepare yeast sponge

   Add warm water (260 ml) to a large bowl, stir in the sugar, then add the avocado oil and finally sprinkle in the dry yeast. Whisk briefly until everything is dissolved.

   Time: PT10M

2. Prepare eggs and flour

   In a separate bowl, whisk the egg. Mix the flour with the salt.

   Time: PT5M

3. Mix and knead dough

   Add the whisked egg to the yeast sponge and stir well. Gradually incorporate the flour‑salt mixture until a sticky dough forms. Knead the dough by hand for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

   Time: PT13M

4. Shape balls and first rest

   Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, roll into smooth balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

   Time: PT5M

5. First rise (proof)

   Cover the sheet with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place (about 25 °C) for 45 minutes, until the balls have noticeably risen.

   Time: PT45M

   Temperature: 25°C

6. Bake buns

   Preheat the oven to 190 °C. Brush the buns with whisked egg, optionally sprinkle with sesame, onion flakes or coarse salt, and bake for 12 minutes until golden brown.

   Time: PT12M

   Temperature: 190°C

7. Prepare sauce

   Stir together mayonnaise, ketchup and the chopped pickles in a small bowl until a homogeneous sauce forms.

   Time: PT5M

8. Heat pan intensely

   Heat a heavy pan (ideally cast iron) over high heat until it is very hot – a drop of water should evaporate instantly.

   Time: PT3M

9. Form and smash patties

   Form 8 balls (about 113 g each) from the ground beef. Place each ball in the hot pan, immediately press firmly with a burger press or flat object, season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip, place a cheese slice on top and cook another 1‑2 minutes until the cheese melts.

   Time: PT4M

10. Toast buns

    Halve the baked buns, brush the cut sides with a little butter and toast in the oven (or a separate pan) for 2 minutes until golden brown.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: 190°C

11. Assemble burger

    Spread sauce on the bottom bun, layer lettuce leaf, patty with melted cheese, tomato slice, onion slice and pickles on top. Place the top bun and press lightly.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

620

Protein

30 g

Carbohydrates

45 g

Fat

30 g

Fiber

3 g