Easy Homemade Honey Buns
Easy Homemade Honey Buns (Soft, Fluffy & Better Than Store-Bought!)
If you’ve ever grabbed a honey bun from a convenience store or gas station and wished it tasted fresher, softer, and more homemade, you’re going to love this Easy Homemade Honey Buns recipe. These golden brown pastries feature soft yeast dough swirled with cinnamon brown sugar, fried until perfectly fluffy, and finished with a sweet honey glaze that hardens into that classic bakery-style coating.
They’re everything you love about traditional honey buns, but made from scratch with simple ingredients and real flavor. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or an indulgent dessert, these warm honey buns are guaranteed to disappear fast.
One bite of these fluffy honey buns and you’ll never look at store-bought honey buns the same way again.
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Honey Buns
- Soft, fluffy yeast dough
- Sweet cinnamon brown sugar filling
- Delicious honey glaze
- Better than bakery or convenience store versions
- Perfect for breakfast or dessert
- Freezer friendly
These homemade honey buns have that nostalgic flavor everyone loves while tasting fresher and richer than anything you’ll find packaged.
What Are Honey Buns?
Honey buns are sweet fried pastries made from soft yeasted dough that is rolled, filled, sliced, fried, and glazed. Similar to cinnamon rolls, they have a tender interior and lightly crisp exterior coated in a sweet glaze.
Unlike cinnamon rolls that are typically baked and frosted, traditional honey buns are fried and dipped into a thin honey glaze that creates their signature finish.
This recipe stays true to that classic texture while using bread flour for an extra soft and chewy result.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dough
- 3 cups bread flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup warm water (105–115°F)
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
For Frying
- Vegetable or peanut oil
Cinnamon Sugar Filling
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
Honey Glaze
- 4⅔ cups powdered sugar
- 2½ tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Warm water as needed
Tools for this recipe
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Buy Now → How to Make Easy Homemade Honey Buns
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, combine:
- Bread flour
- Sugar
- Instant yeast
- Salt
Set aside.
In another bowl, whisk together the warm water, honey, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the vegetable oil and mix until fully combined.
Step 2: Mix and Knead
Transfer everything to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment.
Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms.
Increase to medium speed and knead for about 8 minutes.
The dough should be soft, elastic, and slightly sticky.
Step 3: First Rise
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl.
Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and place dough in a warm place.
Allow the dough rise for 1–2 hours until nearly doubled in size.
This yeast dough develops incredible flavor and texture during this step.
Step 4: Make the Filling
In a small bowl, combine:
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
Using brown sugar instead of white sugar creates a richer flavor and slightly gooier filling.
Step 5: Roll the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
Roll into a large rectangle measuring approximately 12×8 inches.
Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Gently press the filling into the dough.
Step 6: Shape the Honey Buns
Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a tight dough log.
Seal the seam with a little water.
Slice into 1-inch pieces and place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Gently flatten each piece slightly.
Cover and allow the buns to rise for another 45 minutes.
Step 7: Fry Until Golden Brown
Heat oil to 365°F over medium heat.
Carefully fry each honey bun for approximately 90 seconds per side until beautifully golden brown.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack.
Step 8: Make the Honey Glaze
While the buns cool slightly, prepare the glaze.
In a bowl, combine:
- Powdered sugar
- Honey
- Melted butter
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
Add warm water gradually until the glaze reaches a pourable consistency.
Step 9: Glaze the Buns
While still warm, dip each bun into the honey glaze.
Transfer to a wire rack and allow the glaze to set.
The sweet glaze creates that classic honey bun finish everyone loves.
Tips for the Best Honey Buns
- Use a thermometer to ensure your warm liquid stays between 105–115°F.
- Let the dough fully rise for the fluffiest texture.
- Don’t overcrowd the frying oil.
- Maintain consistent oil temperature for even cooking.
- Dip the buns while still warm for the best glaze coverage.
Baked Version Option
If you’d prefer a baked version instead of frying:
- Bake at 350°F for 15–18 minutes.
- Glaze while warm.
While traditional honey buns are fried, the baked version is still delicious.
Storage Instructions
Store cooled honey buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze.
To reheat:
- Microwave for 10–15 seconds
- Warm briefly in the oven
Few things beat warm buns fresh from the kitchen.
More Sweet Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these Easy Homemade Honey Buns, here are more sweet breakfast recipes from Krystel’s Cooking:
- The Best Cinnamon Rolls
- Cream Cheese Strawberry Toaster Pastries
- Easy Mini Funfetti Muffins
- Easy Baked Funfetti Donuts
- Lemon Blueberry Muffins
- Raspberry Almond Coffee Cake
- Best Homemade Apple Bread
- Banana Muffins with Crumb Topping
These recipes are perfect for breakfast, brunch, holidays, and family gatherings.
Easy Homemade Honey Buns
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 3 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup warm water, 105–115°F
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- Vegetable or peanut oil, for frying
- For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- For the Glaze:
- 4 ⅔ cups powdered sugar
- 2 ½ tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Warm water, as needed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the bread flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together the warm water, honey, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the vegetable oil and mix until fully combined.
- Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine the wet and dry ingredients. Mix on low until a dough forms, then knead on medium speed for about 8 minutes. The dough will be soft, slightly sticky, and more elastic thanks to the bread flour.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1–2 hours, until puffy and nearly doubled.
- While it rises, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. This will give you a richer, slightly gooier filling compared to white sugar.
- Roll the dough into a 12×8-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Sprinkle the cinnamon brown sugar evenly over the dough, leaving a small border. Gently press it in.
- Roll tightly into a log, seal the edge with a little water, then slice into 1-inch pieces. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, lightly flatten, and let rise for 45 minutes until puffy.
- Heat oil to 365°F. Fry each piece for about 90 seconds per side until golden brown.
- Transfer to a rack, then dip warm buns into the glaze and let set for that classic slightly crisp finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! After the first rise, refrigerate overnight and continue the recipe the next day.
Why are my honey buns dense?
Usually this happens when the dough doesn’t rise long enough or too much flour is added during mixing.
Can I use warm milk instead of water?
Yes. Warm milk creates an even richer dough and softer texture.
Do honey buns freeze well?
Absolutely. Freeze fully cooled buns for up to 2 months.
What’s the difference between honey buns and cinnamon rolls?
Honey buns are typically fried and glazed, while cinnamon rolls are baked and topped with frosting.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Homemade Honey Buns are soft, fluffy, sweet, and completely irresistible. Between the tender yeast dough, cinnamon filling, and glossy honey glaze, they deliver everything you love about classic honey buns—but with homemade flavor that simply can’t be beat.
Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, dessert, or a special weekend treat, these honey buns are guaranteed to become a new family favorite.
