Sweet potatoes add a bit of sweetness to these light, tender, and delicious sweet potato buns from Chef John. They're perfect for grilled burgers — or turkey sandwiches, or simply spread with butter.
Preparation Time
20 mins
Cooking Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Calories
154 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Step 2
Bake in the preheated oven until browned, about 15 minutes.
Step 3
Place sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well. Mash sweet potatoes with a potato masher. Measure out 1 cup and allow to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate remaining mashed sweet potatoes for another use.
Step 4
Whisk 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup warm water, and yeast together in a bowl. Cover and and place in a warm place to allow yeast to activate, about 15 minutes.
Step 5
Spoon 1 cup of cooled mashed sweet potatoes into yeast mixture and transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add egg, melted butter, honey, and sea salt and about 3 cups flour. Mix using the dough hook. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes. If dough seems too sticky, gradually add in remaining flour or as needed to where dough pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl. Continue kneading until dough is very soft, only slightly sticky, and somewhat elastic, about 2 minutes.
Step 6
Transfer dough to a floured surface. Shape into smooth ball. Return dough to bowl and drizzle with oil; rub oil over entire surface to prevent dough from drying out. Cover and place in a warm spot until dough has doubled in size, about 2 hours.
Step 7
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently press out air pockets. If needed, use only enough flour to keep dough from sticking. Press into rectangular shape about 3/4-inch thick. Cut dough into 16 equal sized pieces. Gently shape each piece into a ball. Slightly flatten each ball and place onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat. Let rise until double, about 45 minutes.
Step 8
Whisk 1 egg and 1 teaspoon water together in a bowl. Brush each bun with egg mixture. Sprinkle dough with sesame seeds.
Ingredients
1 egg
1 large egg
1 teaspoon water
3 tablespoons melted butter
2 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, or to taste
0.5 cup all-purpose flour
0.5 cup warm water
3.25 cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed
0.5 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 (.25 ounce) package dry active yeast (such as Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast)
