
Ready to level up your breakfast (or snack) game? These homemade honey buns hit that sweet spot between a cinnamon roll and a yeast donut—soft, sticky, and utterly irresistible. Whether you bake or fry them, you’ll end up with pillowy spirals swirled in cinnamon-sugar and drenched in a glossy honey glaze. Trust me, this is better than any store-bought treat.
Ever wondered why store honey buns never taste as fresh as you remember? The secret’s in making them from scratch. This Honey Bun Recipe Homemade transforms pantry staples into fluffy swirls that practically melt on your tongue. And yes, it takes a bit of time, but it’s a total labor of love worth every minute.
Pro tip: Always check your liquid temperature. Whether you use water or milk, aim for 105–115°F to wake up your yeast without cooking it. Too cold? Your dough won’t rise. Too hot? You’ll kill the yeast. Perfect rise = perfect buns.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Warm water (or milk)
- Active or instant yeast (we prefer instant—no blooming needed!)
- Granulated sugar to feed the yeast
- Honey for that classic shine
- Shortening (or butter) for bakery-style richness
- All-purpose flour measured correctly—fluff, spoon, level!
- Basic baking tools—no fancy gadgets required
Once your dough is smooth and elastic, let it rest in a greased bowl until doubled in size. This rise is where the magic happens, so be patient. If your kitchen is chilly, pop the covered bowl into an oven warmed to 80°F (then switched off) for a cozy proofing spot.
After the first rise, roll the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle—about ¼-inch thick. Sprinkle generously with a blend of cinnamon and sugar, then drizzle honey across the surface. Roll tightly into a log, pinching the seams to seal, and slice into one-inch snugs. These little spirals are the heart of your Copycat Honey Buns moment.
Next, arrange the slices on a lined tray and let them puff up again—this “second proof” gives you that signature tenderness. Don’t skip it! It helps the buns bake evenly and creates those lovely soft layers when you tear into them.
Time to choose your adventure: bake for a softer, fluffier treat like a cinnamon roll, or fry for a crisp exterior that still yields a tender inside. If you fry, keep your oil at 350–365°F. Use a clip-on thermometer if you have one—no one wants doughy middles or scorching outsides!
Once they’re golden, dunk the warm buns in a simple honey glaze: honey, powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and a pinch of salt. Let them rest and absorb every bit of that sweet goodness. FYI, these taste even better the next day, once the flavors settle and the texture firms up just right.
Looking for What To Make With Honey beyond these buns? Think honey cornbread, honey-glazed carrots, or a batch of honey muffins. Honey’s natural sweetness elevates countless recipes—and these buns are just the start of your Honey Based Recipes journey.
If you’re dreaming of turning your kitchen hobby into cash, these buns double as perfect Homemade Goods To Sell. Package them in wax paper or small bakery boxes, add a ribbon, and watch them fly off the shelves at your next farmers’ market or bake sale.
Store your cooled buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days—or freeze them for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat in the microwave for 10 seconds or pop them in a warm oven for a minute.
Whether you call them Honey Buns Recipe, Honeybun Recipe, or simply the best treat you’ve ever baked, these sticky spirals deserve a spot in your recipe box. They’re a fun weekend project, a crowd-pleaser at brunch, and guaranteed to satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth.
So, preheat your oven (or heat that oil), roll up your sleeves, and make these Glazed Buns today. Once you taste that first bite—warm, sweet, and oh-so-soft—you’ll wonder why you ever settled for store-bought. Enjoy every gooey, honey-drizzled moment!


Homemade Honey Buns Recipe: Baked or Fried Glazed Buns
- Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 Honey Buns
Description
Transform pantry staples into these pillowy, sugar-drizzled spirals that taste like your favorite bakery version—only better. Cinnamon-sugar swirls meet a golden honey glaze for the ultimate comfort treat.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp instant yeast
- ½ tsp fine salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) warm liquid (water or milk), 105–115°F
- ⅓ cup (113 g) pure honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (56 g) shortening, melted
- Neutral oil (vegetable or peanut), for frying
Cinnamon-Sugar Filling
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
Honey Glaze
- 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
- 2½ Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- Warm water, as needed
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, 3 Tbsp sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir warm water (or milk), honey, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Mix in the melted shortening.
- Form the Dough: Attach your dough hook and, on low speed, pour the wet mix into the dry. Once incorporated, knead on medium for 8 minutes. The dough should feel slightly tacky but pull away from the sides.
- First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball, lightly oil it, and place it in a greased bowl. Cover and let it rest in a warm spot until just about doubled, 1–2 hours depending on room temperature.
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
- Shape the Buns: Turn risen dough onto a floured surface. Roll into a 12×8″ rectangle. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar over the top, leaving a one-inch clean border. Tightly roll from the long edge toward the clean strip, sealing the seam with a dab of water. Trim off ragged ends. Slice the log into 1″–1.5″ pieces. Arrange each spiral, cut-side up, on parchment-lined sheets, spacing two inches apart.
- Second Rise: Lightly press each roll flat, cover, and let puff for 45 minutes—until noticeably domed but not doubled.
To Fry
- Heat 3″ of oil in a heavy pot to 365°F.
- While oil heats, whisk glaze ingredients (powdered sugar, honey, butter, vanilla, salt) adding warm water until pourable.
- Gently push down each bun, then fry a few at a time for 90 sec per side, until deep golden.
- Drain on a wire rack set over paper towels. Dip each warm bun into the glaze and return to rack.
To Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the lower third.
- Bake buns for 18 min or until light golden.
- Let rest 5 min, then dunk or brush with glaze and transfer to a rack to finish setting.
Notes
Tips & Storage
- Temperature matters: Keep your liquid at 105–115°F to activate yeast without killing it.
- Advance Prep: After the first or second rise, you can refrigerate the dough (covered) up to 24 hrs. Bring to room temp before continuing.
- Freezing: Flash-freeze unbaked spirals, then pack in freezer bags. Thaw fully before frying or baking.
- Keep fresh: Store cooled buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for 2 months. Reheat briefly for that just-baked taste.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Rise Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 honey bun
- Calories: 504kcal
- Sugar: 77g
- Sodium: 194mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 107g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 22mg