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); 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature, cut into cubes); 1 ½ tablespoons melted butter; 1 ½ tablespoons honey (for brushing); 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (or one packet); 1 ¼ teaspoons salt; 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)

There’s nothing quite like the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked rolls filling your kitchen, and this Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe is my go-to when I want soft, fluffy rolls with a touch of natural sweetness. These rolls are a little bit magical—easy to make yet irresistibly delicious every time.

A close-up image shows multiple soft bread rolls piled together in a round basket. The bread rolls have a golden-brown shiny top layer with a smooth texture, while the inside layers are light cream color and fluffy with a soft texture. Some rolls are whole, and some are opened, revealing the airy, soft inside. The basket is on a white marbled surface, with a bright and clean background. 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’ve tried many yeast roll recipes, but this Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe stands out because it’s easy to follow, forgiving if you’re new to baking bread, and produces rolls with the perfect balance of softness and a subtle honey sweetness that feels just right.

Simple ingredients: You likely have most of what you need already, making it super accessible for a last-minute baking session.
Soft and fluffy texture: The dough yields rolls that are tender inside with a lightly golden crust—just how I like my rolls!
Sweet honey flavor: Brushed with honey butter, these rolls have a subtle sweetness that’s perfect for breakfast or dinner.
Great for any occasion: Whether it’s a casual family meal or holiday dinner, these rolls always impress.

A close-up view shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with 20 small, square-shaped dinner rolls arranged in four rows and five columns. Each roll has a shiny, golden-brown top with a smooth and glossy surface that reflects light, and they are slightly touching each other, creating soft, rounded edges between them. The background is a white marbled texture, giving the image a clean and fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe uses classic bread ingredients along with honey for sweetness and butter for richness. Each element plays its part to create a dough that’s soft, slightly sticky, and perfectly risen.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of warm milk, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a few beige granules of active dry yeast scattered next to the bowl, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse white salt, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a mound of fresh all-purpose flour, several cubes of pale yellow unsalted butter, all ingredients neatly arranged in a balanced symmetrical layout, 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 and provides moisture; make sure it’s warm but not hot—110-115°F is ideal to wake up the yeast without killing it.
Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast to help it bloom and kickstart fermentation.
Active dry yeast: The magic behind your rise, creating air pockets for that light texture.
Honey: Adds a mild natural sweetness to the dough and a glossy finish when brushed on top.
Salt: Balances sweetness and controls yeast activity for the best flavor.
Egg: Gives structure, color, and tenderness to the rolls.
All-purpose flour: The primary structure builder; sometimes you need a little more or less based on humidity and how the dough feels.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture; cutting it into cubes allows it to mix evenly into the dough.
Melted butter (for brushing): Combined with honey to give the rolls that irresistible shiny, golden top.

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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

One of the things I adore about this Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your liking. Whether you want to add a little cinnamon for warmth or swap honey for maple syrup, you can make this recipe fit your mood or the season.

Variation: I once added a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the flour before mixing. The rolls came out with a lovely cozy spice that's perfect for fall breakfasts.
Dairy-free option: Use almond or oat milk warmed to the right temp and a dairy-free butter substitute—texture might vary slightly but still delicious!
Gluten adjustment: If you want a slightly heartier crumb, try half bread flour and half all-purpose for a bit more chew.

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

Step 1: Activate the yeast

Start by warming your milk to about 110-115°F—you want it warm enough to help the yeast wake up but not so hot it kills those little guys. Pour the milk into your mixer bowl (or large bowl if mixing by hand), add granulated sugar, then sprinkle the yeast evenly over the top. Let it sit 5 to 10 minutes until it’s foaming and bubbly. That’s your signal the yeast is active and ready to go!

Step 2: Mix the dough

Next, add the honey, salt, and room-temperature egg to your foamy yeast mixture. Mix gently to combine. Then, add the 3 ¾ cups of flour. I use the paddle attachment first on low speed to bring the flour in without a big cloud of flour flying everywhere. Now toss in your cubed unsalted butter. Keep mixing on low until the butter is fully incorporated—your dough should be smooth and just a tiny bit sticky to the touch. If it’s way too sticky to work with, sprinkle in flour one tablespoon at a time, but be careful not to overdo it or your rolls will turn out dense.

Step 3: Knead and rise

Switch to the dough hook if using a mixer and knead on low for about 8 minutes. The dough should feel soft and slightly sticky—not wet, just pliable. Then transfer it to a large, lightly oiled bowl, turning it once so the whole surface of the dough gets coated with oil. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and find a warm cozy spot to let it rise for about an hour, until it doubles in size. I like to preheat my oven water to warm and then turn it off, placing the covered bowl inside—it keeps the dough happy and warm.

Step 4: Shape the rolls

Once risen, gently transfer your dough to a floured surface and knead a few times just to deflate it lightly. Cut the dough into 24 equal pieces—I find cutting it into thirds first, then each third into eighths helps keep the size uniform. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place them snugly in a greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Cover them again and let rise another 30 minutes until puffy.

Step 5: Bake and finish with honey butter

Preheat your oven to 400°F. When the rolls have puffed up nicely, pop them in the oven for 16 to 20 minutes. Watch for a golden brown top; mine usually go about 17 minutes. While warm, whisk melted butter and honey together, then generously brush it over the rolls for that glossy, sweet finish. Serve immediately for best results.

Top Tip

After making this Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe many times, here are a few tips that helped me get perfect rolls every time—hopefully, these make your baking experience even smoother!

Perfect milk temperature: Always use a thermometer or test the milk by feeling it on your wrist—warm like a cozy bath is just right.
Don’t skip the second rise: Letting the shaped rolls rise a second time makes all the difference in softness and volume.
Butter cubes instead of melted butter in dough: This ensures even, pockets of buttery richness instead of a greasy dough.
Brush with honey butter while warm: It soaks in and creates a tender, flavorful crust you’ll want to lick your fingers over.

How to Serve Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with these rolls, brushing them with honey butter is my favorite “garnish.” But if I want a little extra sparkle, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top after brushing adds a delightful sweet-salty contrast that makes everyone ask for seconds.

Side Dishes

These rolls are incredibly versatile, so I pair them with hearty soups like tomato basil or chicken noodle. They also hold their own alongside roast chicken, mashed potatoes, or even a creamy pasta dish—perfect for soaking up sauces.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange these rolls in a wreath or braided pattern on a round baking sheet, brushing each lightly with honey butter before serving. You can also add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme in the dough for a festive touch, making them extra special for holidays.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Personally, I store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature and they stay soft for 2-3 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, a quick reheat wrapped in foil in a warm oven refreshes them wonderfully.

Freezing

I find freezing these rolls works great. After baking and cooling completely, I freeze them in a freezer-safe bag. When you want some, thaw at room temperature and warm in the oven briefly to bring back that fresh-baked softness.

Reheating

To reheat, I like wrapping rolls in foil and warming them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. This method keeps the crust soft and the centers tender without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes! You can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast in this Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe. Since instant yeast doesn’t need to be activated in warm milk first, you can mix it directly with the flour. Just make sure to reduce or adjust the liquid slightly if needed. The texture and flavor will remain just as wonderful.

How do I know when the dough has risen enough?

A good rule of thumb is that your dough should roughly double in size after rising. It will look puffier and fuller. You can do the gentle poke test: press your finger lightly into the dough—if the indentation springs back slowly and partially, it’s ready to move on to the next step. If it springs back quickly or not at all, give it a little more time or it might be over-proofed.

Can I make this dough by hand without a mixer?

Absolutely! You can mix and knead this Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe dough by hand in a large bowl and on a floured surface. Just be prepared to knead for about 10-12 minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky. It’s a bit more work, but the results are just as delicious and rewarding.

Why do you brush the rolls with honey butter after baking instead of before?

Brushing the rolls with honey butter after baking helps keep the crust soft and adds a shiny, sweet glaze without burning the honey during baking. If you brush before, the honey can caramelize too much and become bitter or sticky on the pan. This method locks in moisture and delivers that perfect finishing touch.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe is truly close to my heart—and my kitchen! They come out beautifully every time and bring that cozy, homemade bread feel we all love. I hope you give this recipe a try and find as much joy in pulling those warm, honey-glazed rolls from the oven as I do. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a staple in your baking rotation!