This Homemade Honey Bun Recipe is soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet with a cinnamon-sugar swirl and a glossy honey glaze. Whether you bake or fry them, these honey buns taste just like the classic bakery-style treat but even better made from scratch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, tender dough with a rich honey flavor
- Easy to bake or fry depending on preference
- Family-friendly and perfect for breakfast or dessert
- Better than store-bought honey buns
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup warm water (105°F–115°F)
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup shortening, melted
- Vegetable or peanut oil, for frying
For the Cinnamon Sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
For the Glaze
- 4⅔ cups powdered sugar
- 2½ tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Warm water, as needed
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk warm water, honey, egg, and vanilla. Stir in melted shortening.
- Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine wet and dry ingredients. Mix on low until combined, then knead on medium for 8 minutes.
- Shape dough into a ball, place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1–2 hours until nearly doubled.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
- Roll dough into a 12×8-inch rectangle. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar, leaving one clean edge.
- Roll tightly, seal the edge with water, and cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, lightly press each piece, and let rise 45 minutes until puffy.
Baking: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden.
Frying: Fry at 350°F oil for 1–2 minutes per side until golden.
Glaze warm buns generously. This Homemade Honey Bun Recipe is best enjoyed fresh.
Tips & Tricks
- Warm honey slightly for easier mixing
- Do not over-flour the dough
- Frying gives a classic texture; baking is lighter
Details
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Rise Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: About 2½ hours
- Yield: 12–14 honey buns
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking or Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly
Notes
- Serve warm with tea or coffee
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar for depth
Nutrition (Approximate, per bun)
- Calories: 360
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fat: 12g
FAQ
Can I bake instead of fry?
Yes, this Homemade Honey Bun Recipe works beautifully both ways.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes, refrigerate overnight after the first rise.
Why is my dough sticky?
Slight stickiness is normal; avoid adding too much flour.
Can I freeze honey buns?
Yes, freeze unglazed buns for up to 2 months.
Storage
- Store at room temperature for 2 days
- Refrigerate up to 5 days
- Reheat gently in the microwave
Similar Recipes
Homemade Honey Bun Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup warm water 105°F–115°F
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup shortening melted
- Vegetable or peanut oil for frying
- For the Cinnamon Sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- For the Glaze
- 4⅔ cups powdered sugar
- 2½ tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Warm water as needed
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk warm water, honey, egg, and vanilla. Stir in melted shortening.
- Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine wet and dry ingredients. Mix on low until combined, then knead on medium for 8 minutes.
- Shape dough into a ball, place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1–2 hours until nearly doubled.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
- Roll dough into a 12×8-inch rectangle. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar, leaving one clean edge.
- Roll tightly, seal the edge with water, and cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, lightly press each piece, and let rise 45 minutes until puffy.
- Baking: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden.
- Frying: Fry at 350°F oil for 1–2 minutes per side until golden.
- Glaze warm buns generously. This Homemade Honey Bun Recipe is best enjoyed fresh.
Notes
- Serve warm with tea or coffee
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar for depth
Conclusion
This Homemade Honey Bun Recipe delivers bakery-style softness, rich honey flavor, and a perfectly sweet glaze. Whether baked or fried, these honey buns are guaranteed to become a household favorite.