These BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns are made up of ground beef, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and BBQ sauce rolled up into homemade or store-bought dough.
This handheld meal is kid-approved, freezer-friendly, and perfectly portable for road trips, picnics, or school lunches!
Table of Contents
When I was brainstorming new recipes to make, I thought back to my pizza buns, which have always been one of my favorite grab-and-go lunches when I’m out and about with the kiddos.
I thought it might be fun to make another freezer-friendly, kid-approved, handheld meal but base it off of another classic comfort food…cheeseburgers!
I love anything “cheeseburger” (as I’m sure you can tell from my cheeseburger rice, cheeseburger soup, and cheeseburger cupcakes). Lucky for me, the kids love anything “cheeseburger” too, and I had a feeling that these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns would be a hit!
I was right. ๐
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns ingredients:
- Ground Beef: I use extra lean ground beef so it’s not too greasy. If you’re using a fattier ground beef, make sure you drain the excess grease after you cook it.
- Bacon: you’ll need two slices of bacon, diced and cooked.
- Pizza Dough: you can use store-bought pizza dough or make your own. I use half of my homemade pizza dough recipe.
- BBQ Sauce: use your favorite store-bought variety or whip up a batch of homemade BBQ sauce.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: I recommend shredding your own cheese because it melts better, but pre-shredded cheese will work as well.
How to make BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns
This delicious grab-and-go meal takes just 15 minutes to prep!
- In a medium pan, cook the beef until browned. Drain any juices, then remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on a paper towel.
- Roll the dough out into a 12” by 24” rectangle, then spread with BBQ sauce within one inch of the edges. Sprinkle on beef, bacon, and cheese.
- Roll up tightly, starting at the long edge, then pinch the seams together.
- Slice with a serrated knife into 1-1.5” sections and place into a foil lined and greased 9×13 baking pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown or cool completely and store in the freezer for 2-3 months.
What dough to use for BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns
I usually use a ½-batch of my homemade pizza dough or my homemade whole wheat bun dough. Feel free to use store-bought versions of either to keep the prep minimal.
Store-bought biscuit dough might also work, although I haven’t tried it.
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Bun variations
- Use other hamburger toppings. I tend to keep it simple with the bacon and cheddar cheese, but you can layer on any of your favorite hamburger toppings. Try it with diced red onion, relish, pickles, or even jalapeños for a little heat.
- Try another cheese. Cheddar is a classic but these would also be delicious with pepper jack, Swiss, gouda, you name it.
- Use different meat. This recipe works great with ground turkey or chicken in place of the beef, if preferred.
- Use another sauce. Try this with cherry BBQ sauce, cranberry BBQ sauce, or skip the BBQ entirely and use ketchup and mustard!
Serving suggestions
These BBQ bacon cheeseburger buns are the perfect grab-and-go meal, but if you’re serving them as a sit-down meal, feel free to pair them with a couple classic cheeseburger side dishes.
A few of my favorites are coleslaw, french fries, pasta salad, or baked beans!
Can BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Buns be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! This recipe is a freezer-friendly meal that’s designed to be made ahead of time.
To make ahead and store in the fridge, bake as directed, cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
To make ahead and freeze, simply assemble and bake as directed, cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Store in the freezer for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw on low heat in the microwave for about 1 minute.
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Ingredients
- 1/4 pound extra lean ground beef about 1 cup cooked
- 2 slices bacon diced
- Pre-made pizza dough for one 15″ pizza or bun dough — SEE NOTES ABOVE
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13″ pan with tin foil and lightly grease. Set aside.
- In a medium pan, cook ground beef until browned. Drain any juices, remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on a paper towel.
- Roll out dough into roughly a 12″ by 24″ rectangle. Spread with barbecue sauce to within one inch of the edges. Sprinkle beef, bacon and cheese over the dough to within one inch of the edges.
- Roll up tightly, starting at the long edge. Pinch seam together.
- Slice with a serrated knife into 1-1.5″ sections and place on prepared pan, leaving at least ½” in between rolls to expand. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- To freeze:Cool completely before wrapping individually in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw on low heat in the microwave for about 1 minute.
Notes
- Use other hamburger toppings. I tend to keep it simple with the bacon and cheddar cheese, but you can layer on any of your favorite hamburger toppings. Try it with diced red onion, relish, pickles, or even jalapeños for a little heat.
- Try another cheese. Cheddar is a classic but these would also be delicious with pepper jack, Swiss, gouda, you name it.
- Use different meat. This recipe works great with ground turkey or chicken in place of the beef, if preferred.
- Use another sauce. Try this with cherry BBQ sauce, cranberry BBQ sauce, or skip the BBQ entirely and use ketchup and mustard!
Nutrition Information
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aimee @ like mother like daughter says
BBQ and bacon are my favorite adds to cheeseburgers, and these roll up buns look just amazing! Love how portable and snackable they are!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Aimee!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! I so agree that handheld foods are so much fun! Anything pinwheeled like this looks so impressive and festive! I’ve used store bought crescent roll dough for sweet and savory pinwheels, although I am sure your homemade is much better! ๐
Ashley Fehr says
Crescent dough can be such a great shortcut! And yes — absolutely! When the sun comes out it’s hard to keep my girls inside at the table! ๐
Melanie | Gather for Bread says
I think we need these instead of burger night ASAP. ๐
Ashley Fehr says
Absolutely!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
What a fun idea! Perfect for summer picnics!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jessica!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
I can only imagine how HUGE of a hit these cheeseburger buns would be in my family! I mean, these are totally genius and soooo much easier than regular cheeseburgers!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah! I’m always looking for handheld meals for the park and these totally fit the bill!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I am trying to do the exact same as you! I’m planning on only posting twice per week, starting in June (we’ll see if that happens haha) and enjoying the summer more. And starting with burgers, because you can’t have summer without cheeseburgers! These rolls look SO good! What a creative way to make them!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gayle! I’m all for rolling everything up and making it portable this summer! Who wants to be tied to the kitchen table?? ๐