Name: Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 1 h 48 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 glaze); 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); 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature, cut into cubes)

There’s something truly comforting about warm, soft rolls fresh from the oven, especially when they’re kissed with honey sweetness. This Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe combines fluffy texture with a subtle, natural sweetness that makes every bite irresistible. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to make them again and again.

The image shows a close-up of a pile of soft golden brown dinner rolls with a shiny, slightly glazed surface. The rolls have a smooth, slightly rounded top layer that is evenly browned and glossy. Inside, the bread texture is fluffy, light cream in color, and looks soft and airy. Some rolls are whole, showing the smooth top, and others are torn open to reveal the soft inside. The rolls are placed closely together in a basket. The background is a white marbled texture. 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 absolutely adore this honey yeast rolls recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between sweet and buttery, with a texture so soft it almost melts in your mouth. It’s a delight to bake and even more delightful to share, whether at holiday dinners or simple weeknight meals.

Fluffy texture: The rolls come out light and airy thanks to the perfect yeast and flour balance.
Sweet honey finish: Brushing the tops with honey butter right after baking gives a gorgeous shine and subtle sweetness.
Simple ingredients: You only need pantry staples, yet you get bakery-worthy rolls at home.
Flexible rising times: Giving the dough a little extra love during rising means consistent, beautiful results every time.

The image shows a white baking dish filled with a grid of 16 soft dinner rolls arranged in 4 rows and 4 columns. Each roll is golden brown on top with a shiny glaze, giving a smooth and slightly sticky texture. The rolls are tightly nestled together, creating a uniform, pillowy surface with slight curves and soft edges. The dish rests on a white marbled surface, with part of a turquoise handle visible at the bottom edge. The lighting highlights the glossy tops and warm color contrasts between the darker browned spots and lighter yellow areas on the rolls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe plays a role in creating that soft, sweet, and golden finish. Using warm milk wakes up the yeast just right, while the honey adds a depth of natural sweetness that refined sugar alone can't achieve.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of warm milk, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with active dry yeast granules, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, one large whole brown egg, a mound of all-purpose flour, several small cubes of unsalted butter, 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 without killing it—temperature is key here, around 110-115°F.
Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast to get a good rise and adds mild sweetness.
Active dry yeast: The magic leavening agent that makes your rolls rise and get fluffy.
Honey: Enhances flavor and color with sweet notes, plus moisture for softness.
Salt: Balances sweetness and strengthens gluten, improving dough texture.
Egg: Adds richness and helps with structure, giving rolls their tender crumb.
All-purpose flour: The base of your dough, providing structure but gentle enough for softness.
Unsalted butter (room temp cubes): Incorporated into dough for richness and flavor.
Melted butter & honey (for brushing): Gives those gorgeous golden tops with a sticky sweet finish.

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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

What I love about this honey yeast rolls recipe is its versatility. I often tweak the honey amount or switch up the butter topping, but it’s also a perfect canvas for your own twists—feel free to add herbs or sprinkle seeds on top for a savory touch.

Variation: I once added some cinnamon and a bit more honey into the dough for a breakfast treat, and it was a hit with friends.
Dietary tweaks: You can swap the all-purpose flour for a blend including whole wheat, though the rolls will be slightly denser.
Shape and size: For a party, I shaped them into mini rolls or even braided a portion for a stunning centerpiece.

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

Step 1: Activate the yeast gently

Start by warming your milk to about 110-115°F—too hot, and it will kill the yeast; too cool, and the yeast won’t activate properly. Combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast in your mixer bowl. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture is foamy and bubbly—that’s how you know your yeast is alive and kicking.

Step 2: Mix in the wet ingredients

Next, add the honey, salt, and egg to the foamy yeast mixture. Give it a gentle mix just until combined—you don’t want to start developing gluten yet.

Step 3: Combine with flour and butter

Add almost all the flour to the bowl and stir on low speed until it’s mostly mixed in. Then toss in the cubes of room temperature butter and keep mixing with the paddle attachment until it’s blended. At this point, switch to the dough hook and knead on low speed for about 8 minutes. The dough should feel slightly sticky, but manageable—add a tablespoon of flour at a time if it’s too sticky. Just be careful, too much flour can make the rolls dense.

Step 4: Let the dough rise

Transfer your dough ball into a large bowl lightly coated with oil, giving it a turn so it's fully oiled on all sides. Cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap and place it somewhere cozy and warm for about an hour, until it doubles in size. This rise is where the magic of those fluffy rolls happens.

Step 5: Shape and second rise

Once risen, punch down the dough gently onto a floured surface and knead lightly to remove air bubbles. Cut the dough into 24 equal pieces by dividing it into thirds, then slicing each third into 8. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place them evenly in a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise again for 30 minutes—this step ensures those perfect pillowy tops.

Step 6: Bake and brush with honey butter

Preheat your oven to 400°F while the rolls have their second rise. Then bake them uncovered for 16-20 minutes or until the tops turn golden brown. Right after pulling them out, mix melted butter with honey and brush it over the tops for a shiny, sweet finish. Serve warm and watch everyone marvel at your baking skills.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help make this honey yeast rolls recipe a guaranteed hit. Paying attention to these will save you hassle and ensure incredible rolls every time.

Milk temperature matters: Testing with a kitchen thermometer helps avoid killing the yeast. My first batch used too-hot milk and the dough just wouldn’t rise!
Don’t rush the rises: Give the dough the full hour for the first rise and the 30 minutes for the second—you’ll get better flavor and fluffier rolls.
Keep dough slightly sticky: Resist the urge to add extra flour if the dough looks a bit sticky; rolls will be soft and tender this way.
Brush immediately with honey butter: Doing this while the rolls are hot locks in moisture and gives that irresistible golden glaze.

How to Serve Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep the toppings simple: just that honey butter glaze. But occasionally, I'll sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt or some fresh chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme after baking. It adds a lovely contrast and looks so pretty on the table.

Side Dishes

These rolls go wonderfully with roasted chicken, a hearty stew, or even a creamy soup. I like pairing them with mashed potatoes and green beans for a classic, comforting meal. They’re also perfect with breakfast spreads like scrambled eggs and sausage.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged the rolls in a circular wreath shape or braided a few strands of dough into a beautiful centerpiece. Another time, I brushed them with herb garlic butter instead of honey for a savory twist that impressed my dinner guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (and that’s rare!), I store them in an airtight container at room temperature for one to two days. To keep them from drying out, I like to place a lightly dampened paper towel in the container for some moisture retention.

Freezing

I often freeze these rolls after the second rise but before baking. I wrap the pan tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. When I’m ready to bake, I thaw overnight in the fridge and bake fresh the next day—baking from frozen can make the texture uneven.

Reheating

To refresh leftover rolls, I warm them in a preheated 300°F oven wrapped loosely in foil for about 10 minutes. If you want to revive that honey butter glaze, brush a little melted honey butter on top before warming for a fresh, just-out-of-the-oven taste.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes! You can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast, but skip the activation step. Just mix it directly into the flour. The rising times may be slightly shorter since instant yeast acts faster.

Why are my rolls dense and not fluffy?

Dense rolls usually mean the dough had too much flour or did not rise long enough. Stick to the recipe's flour measurements and ensure your dough doubles in size during rising. Also, don’t over-knead or add too much flour to make the dough “feel” less sticky.

Can I make these rolls vegan?

To make vegan honey yeast rolls, replace the milk with plant-based milk and use a vegan egg substitute like flax eggs or a commercial egg replacer. Swap butter for vegan margarine or coconut oil. Keep in mind the texture and flavor will change slightly but still be delicious.

How long do these rolls stay fresh?

These rolls are best enjoyed within 2 days at room temperature. After that, they can start to dry out. To keep them fresh longer, store them in an airtight container or freeze for up to 3 months.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort foods. There’s something about that delicate sweetness, warm buttery glow, and tender crumb that makes every meal feel special. I’m confident that once you try making these rolls, they’ll earn a permanent spot in your baking repertoire—perfect for family dinners, celebrations, or just because. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to fill your kitchen with that irresistible aroma of homemade goodness.