You’ve crafted the tastiest, juiciest patty; procured the meltiest cheese; and assembled an array of scrumptious fixings—so don’t stop there. Complete the perfect package by toasting your bun.
Toasting the burger bun provides additional flavor and exterior crispness that can enhance the sandwich. But the real reason to take this step? By the time you pull one out of the bag, most burger buns have staled at least slightly.
Toasting returns the interior to its fresh-out-of-the-oven softness, creating a supremely plush, moist cushion for the meat.
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Why? Heating bread to at least 140 degrees temporarily reverses retrogradation, the process that stales bread and other starch-based foods, by releasing water that gradually gets trapped within the crumb’s starch crystals as the bread sits.
Once it’s released, that water is then available to hydrate the crumb, making it taste more moist and fresh.
Here’s how we toast our buns, indoors and out.
How to Toast Burger Buns in the Oven: Broil split buns 6 inches from broiler element until lightly toasted.
How to Toast Burger Buns on the Grill: While burgers rest, grill split buns until lightly toasted, 30 to 60 seconds.
The ultimate burger is what you want it to be. And The Ultimate Burger shows you how to get there with recipes for must-have classics and go-for-broke specialties, plus DIY condiments, sides, boozy milkshakes, and more.
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