Sink your teeth into nostalgia with this Homemade Honey Bun Recipe (Baked or Fried), a sweet spiral of tender dough, fragrant cinnamon sugar, and a glossy honey glaze that tastes just like your favorite childhood bakery treat—only better, because you made it yourself! Whether you go the classic fried route or opt for a golden oven bake, this recipe delivers that irresistible combo of warmth, gooeyness, and sticky-sweet comfort that’ll win over everyone’s heart at first bite.

Homemade Honey Bun Recipe (Baked or Fried) Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Homemade Honey Bun Recipe (Baked or Fried) proves that simple pantry staples—when brought together with a little kitchen love—create absolute magic. Each ingredient lends its own charm, from fluffy dough to rich, aromatic glaze, so don’t skip a thing!

All-purpose flour (3 cups plus more for rolling): Provides the structure for our honey buns, making them rise to pillowy heights.
Granulated sugar (3 tbsp + 1/4 cup): Adds sweet notes to the dough and powers that signature cinnamon swirl.
Instant yeast (1 tbsp): The backbone of fluffy, bakery-style honey buns—no long proofing needed.
Salt (1/2 tsp + 1/4 tsp): Enhances all the other flavors, so nothing falls flat.
Warm water (1/2 cup, 105°F–115°F): Activates the yeast for a soft, airy rise.
Honey (1/3 cup + 2 1/2 tbsp): Our star ingredient, giving the buns that mellow sweetness and signature sticky finish.
Egg (1 large): Adds richness and helps bind everything together.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp + 1/2 tsp): Brings warmth and depth to both dough and glaze.
Shortening (1/4 cup, melted): Contributes tenderness, for a dough that’s light but indulgent.
Vegetable or peanut oil (for frying): Only needed if frying, for honey buns that crisp up on the outside while staying tender inside.
Cinnamon (1 1/2 tsp): Swirled with sugar for that classic honey bun flavor and scent.
Powdered sugar (4 2/3 cups): The base of our luscious, pourable glaze.
Melted butter (1 tbsp): Blends into the glaze, giving it a glossy finish and delicious flavor.
Warm water (as needed): Thins the glaze to the perfect consistency for dunking.

How to Make Homemade Honey Bun Recipe (Baked or Fried)

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. This foundation ensures everything blends smoothly later and helps the yeast evenly distribute throughout the dough.

Step 2: Prep the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine your warm water and honey. Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until just blended—don’t overbeat. Melt the shortening and stir it in, so your honey buns bake up soft and rich.

Step 3: Bring the Dough Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook (or your hands) on low speed until everything’s well integrated. You’re aiming for a just-combined, slightly sticky dough.

Step 4: Knead Until Smooth

Turn up the mixer to medium and knead the dough for about 8 minutes. This part develops the gluten, which gives our honey buns their signature chewy airiness. Gather the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it over to coat all sides so the top doesn’t dry out.

Step 5: Let Dough Rise

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel and set it in a draft-free, comfortably warm spot. Let it rise for 1 to 2 hours—you want it almost doubled, but a slow, gentle rise is perfectly fine for cooler homes. This is what builds irresistible flavor and the fluffiest buns.

Step 6: Mix the Cinnamon Sugar

While your dough rises, whisk together cinnamon and granulated sugar in a small bowl. This blend will be your pocket of spiced sweetness swirled throughout each honey bun.

Step 7: Roll and Fill

Once the dough has risen, turn it onto a floured surface and roll to a 12×8-inch rectangle. Dust it with your cinnamon sugar mixture, being sure to leave a clean edge—it’ll help seal the rolls later. Gently press the sugar into the dough so it really sticks.

Step 8: Roll Up and Seal

Roll up the dough from the long edge, jelly-roll style, toward the clean edge. Brush that edge with a bit of water and press to seal—this keeps your rolls from unravelling as they bake or fry.

Step 9: Cut and Second Rise

Slice off the uneven pinched ends, then divide the roll into 1-inch pieces and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them well. Press each one gently into an oblong shape and let them rise for another 45 minutes, just until puffy. Don’t rush—it’s the secret to their dreamy, light texture!

Step 10: Prepare for Frying or Baking

If frying, heat about three inches of oil in a large pot to 365°F. For baking, preheat the oven to 350°F with the rack in the lower third. Either way, now’s also the perfect time to mix up your glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, honey, melted butter, vanilla, salt, and just enough warm water to reach your ideal consistency.

Step 11: Fry or Bake

For the classic vibe, fry a few honey buns at a time for about 90 seconds per side, until gleaming golden brown. If you’d rather bake, pop them in the oven for about 18 minutes. They should look gently golden, not dark.

Step 12: Glaze and Cool

The moment they’re out of the oil or oven, bathe each honey bun in glaze, then transfer to a wire rack to set. The glaze will crisp up slightly, forming that perfect crackly finish that everyone loves.

How to Serve Homemade Honey Bun Recipe (Baked or Fried)

Garnishes

Dress up your Homemade Honey Bun Recipe (Baked or Fried) with a dusting of extra powdered sugar, a light honey drizzle, or even a sprinkle of toasted chopped nuts for crunch. For a fun brunch touch, add a few curls of lemon or orange zest to highlight the sweet glaze.

Side Dishes

Honey buns pair perfectly with a strong coffee or a warm chai latte. For a sweet-and-savory breakfast spread, serve alongside scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, or a fresh fruit salad to balance out their richness. They’re also amazing with vanilla yogurt on the side!

Creative Ways to Present

Serve these beauties stacked high on a pretty cake stand, or tuck them into lunchboxes wrapped in wax paper for a nostalgic treat. Slice a honey bun in half and use it to cradle a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or turn mini versions into a unique dessert platter for your next brunch party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover honey buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Pop a sheet of wax paper between layers to prevent sticking, and keep them in a cool, dry spot to maintain their soft texture.

Freezing

To freeze your Homemade Honey Bun Recipe (Baked or Fried), let the buns cool completely, then wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or warm at room temp.

Reheating

Reheat honey buns in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds to restore their softness and reactivate the glaze a bit. For the oven, place them on a baking sheet and warm at 300°F for 5–10 minutes. Either way, they’ll taste just-baked!

FAQs

Can I make this Homemade Honey Bun Recipe (Baked or Fried) without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can mix and knead the dough by hand—just be sure to knead vigorously for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic for the best honey buns.

Which is better: baked or fried honey buns?

Both are fantastic, but frying gives the classic golden exterior and extra indulgent flavor, while baking is a bit lighter and still gloriously soft. Try both and see which you love most!

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to the first rise, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temp before rolling and shaping in the morning—perfect for fresh honey buns with minimal morning effort.

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Sure! Just dissolve active dry yeast in your warm water and honey for 5 minutes before adding the other wet ingredients. It may take a little longer to rise, but the buns will turn out beautifully.

What’s the best way to keep the glaze smooth and easy to use?

Keep the glaze covered with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface while you fry or bake the buns. If it thickens or starts to crust, just give it a stir and add a splash of warm water until it’s silky again.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried making a Homemade Honey Bun Recipe (Baked or Fried) from scratch, there’s no time like the present—one bite and you’ll be hooked! Whether baked or fried, these cinnamon-laced, honey-glazed treats bring joy to breakfast tables, coffee breaks, and late-night cravings everywhere. Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and watch the magic happen in your own kitchen!