Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, fluffy dough with a rich honey and vanilla flavor.
- Perfectly fried for a crisp outer layer and tender inside.
- Coated in a sweet honey glaze for extra indulgence.
- A delicious homemade alternative to store-bought honey buns.
- Great for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- ½ cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup melted shortening
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2–3 tablespoons hot water (as needed)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add flour, honey, melted shortening, egg yolks, vanilla, and salt. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–2 hours or until doubled in size.
Shape the Honey Buns:
- Roll out the dough into a large rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough into a tight log and slice into 12 rounds.
- Flatten each round slightly and place on a lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
Fry the Honey Buns:
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry each bun for about 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Prepare the Glaze:
- Whisk together powdered sugar, honey, melted butter, vanilla, salt, and hot water until smooth.
- Dip each warm honey bun into the glaze, coating evenly.
- Place on a wire rack to set before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 honey buns
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Rise Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Variations
- Baked Honey Buns: Instead of frying, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes until golden.
- Chocolate Glaze: Replace the honey glaze with a chocolate glaze for a fun twist.
- Spiced Honey Buns: Add nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for extra warmth.
- Maple Glaze: Swap honey for maple syrup in the glaze for a different flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe bag.
- Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a low oven (300°F) until warm.
FAQs
Are honey buns the same as cinnamon rolls?
No, honey buns are flatter and coated in a honey glaze, while cinnamon rolls are fluffier and usually topped with frosting.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes! Bake at 350°F for about 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
How do I get a perfect glaze?
Make sure the buns are warm when dipping them in the glaze for the best coverage.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, but reduce the rise time by about 30 minutes.
What’s the best oil for frying honey buns?
Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil work well for frying.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Refrigerate the dough overnight and bring it to room temperature before rolling out.
How can I make these extra fluffy?
Let the dough rise fully and knead well to develop gluten.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the filling?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans or raisins make a great addition.
Why did my honey buns turn out greasy?
The oil may have been too cool. Keep it at 350°F for the best results.
Can I use a different glaze?
Yes, try maple, chocolate, or even a simple vanilla glaze.
Conclusion
Homemade Honey Buns are a nostalgic treat that’s even better when made from scratch. With a soft, cinnamon-swirled dough and a sticky honey glaze, these buns are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Whether you fry or bake them, they’ll quickly become a family favorite. Try this recipe and enjoy the irresistible taste of fresh honey buns!
Homemade Honey Buns
Homemade Honey Buns are soft, fluffy, and coated in a sweet honey glaze that melts in your mouth. These fried pastries are a nostalgic favorite, made even better from scratch! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, these honey buns are rich in flavor with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 honey buns
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- ½ cup warm water
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup melted shortening
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp salt
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2–3 tbsp hot water (as needed)
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add flour, honey, melted shortening, egg yolks, vanilla, and salt. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.
Shape the Honey Buns:
- Roll out the dough into a large rectangle, about ¼ inch thick.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough into a tight log and slice into 12 rounds.
- Flatten each round slightly and place on a lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
Fry the Honey Buns:
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry each bun for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Prepare the Glaze:
- Whisk together powdered sugar, honey, melted butter, vanilla, salt, and hot water until smooth.
- Dip each warm honey bun into the glaze, coating evenly.
- Place on a wire rack to set before serving.
Notes
- Baking Option: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes until golden brown instead of frying.
- Flavor Variations: Add nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for extra warmth.
- Glaze Options: Try a chocolate glaze or swap honey for maple syrup for a different taste.
