Name: Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 2 h 18 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups warm milk (110-115° F); 2 tablespoons honey; 1 large egg (at room temperature); 1 ½ tablespoons melted butter; 1 ½ tablespoons honey (for brushing); 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet); 1 ¼ teaspoons salt; 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed); 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature, cut into cubes)

There’s just something magical about warm, soft rolls fresh out of the oven—with that golden honey butter glaze melting on top. This Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe delivers that perfect combination of fluffy texture and sweet, comforting flavor that’s worth every minute it takes to make.

A close-up image shows a basket full of soft dinner rolls with a shiny, golden-brown top layer and a light, fluffy inside texture visible where some rolls are torn open. The rolls have a smooth, glossy surface, and their rounded edges show a slight darker browning. The rolls fill the basket completely, stacked closely together with a warm, inviting color contrast between the browned top and the pale, airy inside. The background is a white marbled texture, providing a clean look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of these honey yeast rolls—they’re the kind of homemade bread that makes your kitchen smell amazing and tastes just as good as any bakery’s best. What sets this recipe apart is its ease and the way it balances natural sweetness with that tender, airy crumb.

Fluffy & Tender: The dough stays slightly sticky which keeps the rolls light and soft—not dense or heavy.
Sweet Touch of Honey: Honey is worked both in the dough and brushed on top for a subtle sweetness and shiny, sticky finish.
Simple But Impressive: Few ingredients, easy steps, yet you get bakery-quality rolls that impress every time.
Versatile for Every Meal: These rolls pair perfectly with everything—dinner, brunch, or even just coffee.

A baking dish filled with 20 golden brown dinner rolls arranged in a 4 by 5 grid. Each roll has a smooth, shiny surface with a glossy, slightly sticky glaze that catches the light, making them look soft and fresh. The rolls have a lightly browned top with gentle dome shapes and soft edges pressed closely together. The dish is white, and it sits on a white marbled surface, showing the vibrant warm color of the rolls clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in shaping these rolls into soft, flavorful beauties. The key is balancing the moisture and sweetness without overpowering the dough’s yeast flavor.

Flat lay of warm milk in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl with active dry yeast granules, a small white bowl filled with honey, a small white bowl of salt crystals, one large brown egg with clean shell, a mound of all-purpose flour on a white ceramic plate, several small cubes of unsalted butter on a white ceramic plate, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Warm milk: Activates the yeast gently and adds tenderness to the dough.
Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a touch of sweetness to jumpstart the fermentation.
Active dry yeast: The magic agent making the dough rise and become fluffy.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and moisture inside the dough and also in the glaze.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor complexity.
Egg: Contributes to rich texture and structure.
All-purpose flour: Provides enough gluten to hold the roll shape while keeping it soft.
Unsalted butter (cubed): Gives richness and tenderness evenly throughout the bread.
Melted butter & honey glaze: Creates a shiny, flavorful crust that makes these rolls irresistible.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

These rolls are a fantastic base for you to tweak depending on your mood or occasion. I like to experiment with stuff right in the dough or the glaze for a personal twist.

Variation: Once, I folded in some chopped fresh rosemary for a savory take which was incredible alongside a hearty stew.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: While this recipe shines with wheat flour, substituting with gluten-free blends works if you add a bit of xanthan gum and extra kneading time.
Seasonal Twist: In winter, swap the honey glaze for cinnamon sugar, and you get a cozy treat perfect for holiday breakfasts.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Wake Up the Yeast

Start by warming your milk to about 110-115°F—warm enough to encourage yeast growth but not so hot it kills the yeast. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk with the sugar, then whisk gently. Let it sit in a warm spot for 5 to 10 minutes until it gets foamy. This little moment tells you the yeast is alive and kicking, ready to make your rolls rise beautifully.

Step 2: Add Your Flavors & Flour

Once your yeast mixture looks bubbly, add the honey, salt, and the egg to the bowl. Give it a light mix, then gradually add your flour while mixing on low speed with a paddle attachment if you’re using a stand mixer. After the flour is mostly incorporated, toss in the butter cubes and keep mixing gently until the butter is fully worked into the dough.

Step 3: Knead It to Perfection

Switch to the dough hook and knead on low speed for about 8 minutes. The dough should end up smooth and a little sticky—think just a bit tacky when you touch it, but not so wet that it clings to everything. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in flour a tablespoon at a time. I’ve learned the hard way that too much flour can make rolls dense, so less is more here. After kneading, transfer the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size—usually about an hour.

Step 4: Shape and Rise Again

Once doubled, gently turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead a few times to release excess air. Cut the dough into 24 equal pieces—cutting it in halves repeatedly helps make them even. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and arrange them snugly in a greased 13x9-inch pan. Cover them and let rise again for 30 minutes; this second rise is key to getting super fluffy rolls.

Step 5: Bake and Glaze

Preheat your oven to 400°F while the rolls rise. When ready, bake the rolls for 16-20 minutes until they’re golden brown and springy to the touch. Pull them out and immediately brush them with your melted butter and honey glaze—that glossy finish is my favorite part and absolutely seals in the softness and sweetness. Serve warm, ideally within a few hours for the best texture.

Top Tip

From my experience, mastering these honey yeast rolls is all about the dough’s texture and giving it enough time to rise properly.

Perfect Dough Texture: The dough should feel soft and slightly sticky, not dry or overly wet. This balance ensures light, airy rolls every time.
Warm Environment for Rising: I like to set the bowl in my oven with just the light on—it provides a cozy, draft-free zone that helps my dough rise reliably.
Melted Butter Glaze: Brush the honey butter right after baking while the rolls are hot to lock in moisture and add that delightful glossy sheen.
Don’t Skip the Second Rise: That 30-minute final proof makes the rolls tender and fluffy, so be patient—it pays off big.

How to Serve Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I keep it simple with the honey butter glaze but sometimes I sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top for contrast—it brings out the sweetness even more. A tiny pat of additional softened butter on warm rolls can’t be beat either, especially if you’re serving with soup or salad.

Side Dishes

These rolls are a great match for hearty stews, creamy mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. I often serve them alongside a roast chicken dinner or slathered with butter for Sunday brunch next to scrambled eggs and fresh fruit.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I arrange the rolls in a wreath shape on a large platter and add fresh rosemary sprigs and tiny edible flowers. It makes the table feel extra festive—and everyone loves pulling off a warm roll right from the centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft for up to two days this way. If you notice they’re drying out, a quick zap with a damp paper towel in the microwave refreshes them surprisingly well.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or place in a freezer bag. When you want to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm them in the oven wrapped in foil to bring back that fresh-baked feel.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop rolls in a preheated 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes wrapped in foil to keep moisture in. You’ll get that just-baked softness without drying out. If you like, brush a little butter on them before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can make these rolls by hand in a large bowl. Just combine ingredients as directed and knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10-12 minutes until smooth and slightly sticky. It’s a lovely way to connect with the dough, and you’ll still get fantastic rolls.

How do I know when the dough has risen enough?

The dough should double in size and look noticeably puffed up, soft, and jiggly. A quick finger poke test helps: press gently into the dough, and if the indentation springs back slowly, it’s ready. If it bounces back immediately, give it a bit more time.

Why is my dough too sticky and hard to handle?

Humidity, flour type, and measurement can affect stickiness. If it’s very sticky, sprinkle a tablespoon of flour at a time and knead gently until manageable. Avoid over-flouring to keep your rolls light and soft. Also, make sure you’re using the right flour and your liquid measurements are accurate.

Can I substitute honey with another sweetener?

You can experiment with maple syrup or agave nectar, but honing in on honey gives these rolls their signature flavor and color, especially in the glaze. If you substitute, stick with the same amount to keep dough balance intact.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe has become my go-to whenever I want that comforting homemade bread experience. It’s straightforward but yields rolls that are borderline addictive, perfect for any cozy meal or celebration. I truly hope you enjoy making them as much as eating them—nothing beats that moment you bite into a warm roll with honey butter dripping down your fingers.