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

Nothing beats the warm, comforting aroma of fresh-baked rolls filling the kitchen, especially with a touch of sweetness. This Easy Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe gives you soft, fluffy rolls with just the right hint of honey—a perfect everyday or special occasion treat you'll love making again and again.

A close-up image shows a pile of soft bread rolls with shiny golden-brown tops and light, fluffy interiors. The rolls are arranged unevenly in a woven basket, with some pieces overlapping each other. The texture of the bread looks tender and airy, with some rolls torn open to reveal their inner softness. The background is a white marbled surface, and the lighting highlights the glossy tops of the rolls, giving them a fresh and warm appearance 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 Easy Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made plenty of bread and roll recipes, but these honey yeast rolls have a special charm that keeps me coming back. They’re easy enough for a weeknight but tasty and soft enough to impress guests, and the honey glaze at the end seals the deal with a subtle sparkle of sweetness.

Simplicity: You only need basic pantry staples, and the yeast makes the dough fluffy without complicated fuss.
Perfect Texture: Soft, pillowy inside with a slightly crisp golden top—everything you want in a roll.
Honey-Glazed Finish: That warm honey butter glaze brushed on fresh out of the oven adds irresistible flavor.
Versatility: Great alongside soups, roasted dinners, or just plain butter and jam for breakfast.

The image shows a close-up of a white baking dish filled with 16 soft, golden brown dinner rolls. The rolls are arranged in a 4 by 4 grid, each roll touching the other with smooth, shiny tops that have a slightly darker caramelized color in the center. The rolls have a glossy surface, likely from a butter glaze, and look fluffy and light. The baking dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in creating those soft, slightly sweet rolls you'll adore. Using warm milk helps activate the yeast gently, and the honey not only sweetens but also contributes to the tender crumb. Here’s a quick peek at why I love each one:

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of warm milk, a few granulated sugar crystals scattered nearby, a small white ceramic bowl with active dry yeast granules, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small pile of coarse salt crystals, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, 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: It’s the perfect temperature to wake up your yeast without killing it, which is key for good rise and texture.
Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast to activate it and adds a touch of sweetness.
Active dry yeast: The magic that makes the dough rise and those rolls nice and fluffy.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps keep the rolls moist — plus, it gives a lovely golden color.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor overall.
Large egg: Adds richness and helps the dough hold together beautifully.
All-purpose flour: The structure builder for your rolls; adding more flour carefully keeps the dough from getting too sticky or dense.
Unsalted butter: Cubed for kneading in, butter adds richness and tenderness inside every roll.
Melted butter & honey (for brushing): This finishing touch brings an irresistible shine and extra flavor right after baking.

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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

I like to mix things up sometimes with this Easy Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe by adding my favorite herbs or swapping honey for maple syrup to mix up the sweetness. Feel free to make it your own and play around.

Herbed Rolls: Adding a teaspoon of dried rosemary or thyme into the dough adds a savory depth that pairs beautifully with roasted dinners. I tried this for a holiday meal, and everyone loved the subtle twist.
Whole Wheat Combo: You can swap half the flour for whole wheat for a nuttier flavor and a bit more fiber—just keep in mind the dough might be a little denser.
Honey Alternative: If honey isn’t your jam, try using pure maple syrup in the dough and for brushing—deliciously different but just as sticky and sweet.

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

Step 1: Wake Up the Yeast

Start by warming your milk to about 110-115°F — not too hot or it’ll kill the yeast! Pour it into your mixer bowl, stir in a tablespoon of sugar, then sprinkle the yeast on top. You want to wait 5 to 10 minutes until you see it get foamy or bubbly—that tells you the yeast is happily active and ready to go. If it doesn’t foam, it might be time to try a fresh packet of yeast.

Step 2: Mix in the Good Stuff

Once your yeast is bubbly, add in the honey, salt, and egg, mixing gently to combine. Then gradually add your flour and cubed butter. Use the paddle attachment on low speed at first to incorporate the flour and butter before switching to the dough hook.

Step 3: Knead to Perfection

Knead the dough using your mixer’s dough hook on low speed for about 8 minutes until the dough feels smooth and slightly sticky. Expect a bit of stickiness—that's how you get soft rolls. If it feels wet or overly sticky, add flour a tablespoon at a time. Remember, too much flour can weigh down your rolls, so keep it light.

Step 4: First Rise

Transfer your dough ball to a large bowl lightly coated in oil. Turn it once to cover all sides with oil, then cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Pop it somewhere warm for about an hour or until it doubles in size. I like to put mine near my oven or a sunny window spot.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

After the dough has doubled, lightly flour your work surface and briefly knead the dough to release some of the air. Cut it into 24 equal pieces. Here’s a neat trick: cut the dough first into thirds, then cut each third into eight pieces by halving repeatedly. Shape each piece into a smooth ball, then place them snugly into a greased 13x9-inch baking dish.

Step 6: Second Rise & Bake

Cover the dish and let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes—this final rise is what gives you that beautiful puffiness. Preheat your oven to 400°F while they’re rising. Once ready, bake the rolls for about 16-20 minutes until golden on top. I usually find 17 minutes to be my sweet spot.

Step 7: Honey Butter Finish

Right out of the oven, whisk together the melted butter and honey, then brush this glaze over the warm rolls. This step is a game-changer—the honey butter soak adds shine, sweetness, and a bit of tenderness that turns these rolls into something extraordinary.

Top Tip

From countless batches, I’ve learned a few key tricks that help these rolls come out perfect every time. I hope they help your baking go smoothly and your rolls turn out light and fluffy.

Temperature Matters: Always make sure your milk is just warm — not hot. Too hot will kill the yeast and you’ll get no rise!
Patience with Rising: Let the dough rise fully both times. If it’s not quite doubled, give it more time. Rushing leads to dense rolls.
Don’t Over-Flour: Keep extra flour handy but add only a little at a time. Sticky is good — it means moist, tender rolls.
Brush When Hot: The honey butter needs to be brushed right out of the oven for that perfect glaze and soft exterior.

How to Serve Easy Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the honey butter glaze—sounds fancy but just adds a nice balance to the sweet. Sometimes, a little fresh thyme goes on top for something more special.

Side Dishes

These rolls are my go-to with roast chicken, hearty stews, and even creamy soups like tomato bisque or butternut squash soup. They soak up sauce beautifully, making dinner extra comforting.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive twist, I’ve shaped the dough into a large pull-apart wreath, brushing the honey butter and adding chopped nuts or seeds on top—perfect for holiday brunches or Sunday gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread or a damp paper towel in the container—it helps retain moisture.

Freezing

These rolls freeze wonderfully. I usually freeze them before the second rise, shaped on a baking tray, then transfer to a freezer bag once firm. You can also freeze fully baked rolls cooled completely; just reheat before serving.

Reheating

To reheat, wrap rolls in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes. If reheating frozen rolls, thaw overnight then heat the same way. Brushing a little melted butter on top before warming brings back that fresh-baked feeling.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! You can mix the dough by hand in a large bowl and then knead it on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and slightly sticky. It takes a bit more elbow grease but works just as well.

How do I know if my yeast is still good?

Good active dry yeast will foam and bubble when mixed with warm milk and sugar within 5-10 minutes. If nothing happens, your yeast is likely expired or dead and you should replace it for a good rise.

Can I substitute honey with another sweetener in this recipe?

Yes, maple syrup is a great alternative if you prefer. Just use the same quantities for both the dough and the glaze. Avoid granulated sugar substitutes as they won't bring the same moisture and flavor.

Why are my rolls dense instead of fluffy?

Dense rolls usually mean the dough didn't rise enough or too much flour was added. Make sure your yeast is active, give the dough plenty of time to double during both rises, and be conservative with adding extra flour—sticky dough yields softer rolls.

Final Thoughts

These Easy Honey Yeast Rolls Recipe have become a favorite in my kitchen because they’re just so comforting and versatile, with a simplicity that doesn’t skimp on deliciousness. I hope you’ll try making them yourself and see how rewarding homemade rolls can be — nothing compares to that warm, honey-glazed softness fresh out of your oven!