3 cups bread flour (I have used 60% whole wheat bread flour and multigrain bread flour, both with great results)
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
2½ Tbsp butter, softened
For topping:
1 large egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water (for egg wash)
Approx. 2 Tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine milk, water, yeast, sugar, salt, and egg. Mix briefly to combine. Add bread flour and all-purpose flour and mix until incorporated. Mix in the butter.
Switch to the dough hook and knead on low speed for 6-8 minutes. The dough should still be somewhat tacky.
Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1-2 hours.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 8-10 equal parts. Gently roll each portion into a ball and place on the baking sheet, 2-3 inches apart. Cover loosely with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rise again until puffed up and nearly doubled; 1-2 hours. If they spread/over-rise too much, gently reshape them into balls before baking.
Set a large metal pan of water on the lowest rack of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees with a rack in the center.
Brush tops of buns lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with chia seeds. Bake buns for about 15 minutes, rotating halfway through cooking time, until tops are golden. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Notes
All of these steps can be done by hand - I made these before acquiring my lovely mixer, so don't let the mixer mentioned in the instructions hold you back! :)
Recipe by Hidden Ponies at https://hiddenponies.com/2011/12/whole-wheat-buns-with-chia-seeds/