A delicious white pretzel bun perfect for dipping in soup, these Italian Soup Buns are inspired by our Creamy Italian Sausage soup, with pepperjack cheese, Italian seasoning, and a hint of pretzel sweetness.

Soup Bun Recipe

A good soup bun has a few requirements:

• it must be dense enough to hold up to dipping in soup, without falling apart
• it must have those nooks and crags for soaking up soup when dipped, or used to mop the bowl clean
• it must have some flavor but be versatile and not overpower the flavor of the soup
• it should be easy and cook in the same amount of time that it takes to make the soup

This cheesy, Italian soup bun recipe fits all of those requirements. It’s basically a non-boiled white pretzel bun, giving it that same dense bread texture as a pretzel, but by not giving it that baking soda boil, we avoid adding that salty profile or browned exterior associated with pretzels. Adding the cheese and Italian seasoning gives it a different flavor profile, tasty enough to enjoy on it’s own but perfect for dipping in soup.

You can also make these buns bigger and fill with soup! The density of the bread and that crunchy crust make it perfect for using as a bread bowl. (Just increase the baking time accordingly.)

Can these soup buns be frozen? Absolutely! You can freeze either after the buns have risen and have been portioned out into individual buns, or freeze them after baking. Use within 2 months of freezing.

Can I change out the seasonings? Yes – use different cheeses, no cheese, add chopped up veggies (sun-dried tomatoes and olives would be great), swap out the Italian seasoning for your personal preferences or the same seasoning used in the soup that you plan to pair these buns with.

Looking for a soup recipe to pair these Italian Soup buns with? Check out some of our favorite soup recipes:

Soup Bun Ingredients

• Milk
• Butter, divided
• Shredded Cheese <– I used Pepper Jack
• Italian seasoning <– grab our recipe for homemade Italian seasoning
• Yeast
• Brown Sugar
• All-Purpose Flour
• Water
• Egg

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: swap out the Italian seasoning for your personal preferences or the same seasoning used in the soup that you plan to pair these buns with.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Large bowl
• Candy thermometer
• Saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon
• Cookie sheet
• Sharp kitchen knife

How to Make Italian Soup Buns

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk and 2 Tablespoons of butter.

Heat to 125F (hot but not boiling) and remove from heat.

Stir the yeast and brown sugar into the milk mixture and let proof for up to 5 minutes.

Pour the milk mixture into a large bowl and stir in flour (with a spoon or with your hands).

Add in the cheese and 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning.

Knead for 5 minutes, and then cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot of your kitchen.

After an hour, the dough should be doubled. Punch down and divide into 8 even balls.

Grease a cookie sheet and place the dough balls on it. Cover with plastic wrap and allow a final rise for one hour.

Preheat oven to 350F

Cut a small cross or two slashes into the tops of each roll.

Combine the egg and 1 teaspoon water and brush over the rolls. Sprinkle on remaining Italian seasoning.

Bake for 20-24 minutes, until golden brown.

Remove from oven.

Pin this Easy Soup Bun recipe:

Grab your free printable for our cheesy Italian Soup Bun recipe:

These homemade soup buns are perfect for dipping in soup or making into individual soup bread bowls.

If you need a delicious soup recipe to pair these buns with, check out our Creamy Italian Sausage and Spinach soup or our Homemade Potato Soup made with leftover mashed potatoes.

Check out our other Appetizer Recipes here: