Honey Butter Dinner Rolls


Last Updated: Apr, 9, 2026 by Mimi Council | This post may contain affiliate links.

Easy, light, and fluffy Honey Butter Dinner Rolls make the perfect side dish to any meal! These from scratch baked dinner rolls come together in a few hours so you can have fresh bread with dinner tonight!

If you're looking for more easy homemade bread recipes, then check out some of my other favorites like Organic French Baguettes With Instant Yeast, Lemon Rosemary Sourdough Bread, Sourdough Irish Brown Bread With Guinness, or Sourdough Crescent Rolls.

white ceramic dish of honey butter dinner rolls on the dinner table.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

  • Recipe Name: Honey Butter Dinner Rolls
  • Ready In: 3 hours 45 minutes
  • Makes: 12 rolls
  • Main Ingredients: salted butter, honey, all purpose flour, milk
  • Flavor Profile: buttery, honey, sweet
  • Dietary Info: eggless, no seed oils
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Why You’ll Love It: King's Hawaiian Rolls copycat recipe with organic ingredients

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Sweet and Savory Perfection: These Honey Butter Dinner Rolls combine rich, buttery flavor with the subtle sweetness of honey using simple ingredients, creating delicious honey butter rolls!
  • Soft Honey Butter Roll: These rolls are incredibly light and airy, with a tender crumb that melts in your mouth, making them a comforting and satisfying addition to your dinner table, just like Sourdough Crescent Rolls.
  • Versatile: These organic dinner rolls are versatile and pair well with a wide so many recipes, from soups and salads to hearty main courses, enhancing any meal with their delightful flavor. You can also use them for mini sliders or sandwiches.
  • Organic Dinner Rolls: This copycat version of organic Hawaiian rolls uses simple organic ingredients. So much better than store bought, you can enjoy these nostalgic rolls without worry!
Jump to:

What are Hawaiian rolls?

Hawaiian sweet rolls are a type of squishy, fluffy, and lightly sweetened dinner rolls. They come in a plastic bag on a cardboard tray. And, you can use them for everything from a side dish to dinners or Thanksgiving, to mini sliders, burgers, sandwiches, French toast, and more.

I've made a copycat organic Hawaiian rolls recipe! This easy recipe for organic dinner rolls only requires one rise, making them quick and easy to make. They are reminiscent of your favorite name brand sweet rolls, but made without things like enriched flour and soy (which are not great for you). Plus, the store bought version is highly processed. When in fact, all you really need is 7 ingredients to make this copycat version of organic Hawaiian rolls at home, making them such a better choice!

If you want more homemade bread recipes that are better than store bought, check out Soft White Hamburger Buns, Organic Brioche Buns With Instant Yeast, Organic French Baguettes With Instant Yeast, or Homemade Sesame Bagels.

Ingredients

individual ingredients for honey butter dinner rolls laid out against a white background.
  • Yeast: I like using organic instant yeast (I like organic red star yeast) because it's faster, but active dry yeast also works too. The dough may take a bit longer to rise. Just be sure to look for visual signs the dough has doubled in size.
  • Butter: The butter enriches this dough, which is part of what makes it buttery and soft. I use organic salted butter, but unsalted butter is fine if you prefer.
  • Cane Sugar: You'll need a little organic cane sugar to activate the yeast, and this is also used as sweetener.
  • Milk: Use whole milk for the best flavor. Milk also enriches this dough, helping create its soft and pillowy texture. You can also use buttermilk for a little tangy flavor if you prefer. While a nondairy milk will work, it won't provide the most rich flavor.
  • Honey: I use organic raw honey for sweetness and flavor. The honey butter topping is also what gives these organic dinner rolls their golden brown color as I brush a generous amount of honey butter on top before baking for the perfect finishing touch.

*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, visit the recipe card below.

Baker's Tips

  • You can use active dry yeast yeast in place of instant yeast, that also works. Your dough my take a little longer to rise.
  • If you don't have a mixer, you can easily make this dough by hand as well, the kneading process may just take a bit longer. While usually a hand mixer works in place of a mixer, it's not ideal here as this is a bread dough. So, it's better to use your hands, a large wooden spoon or even a silicone spatula if you don't have a stand mixer.
  • If you don't have the right size ceramic baking dish, you can use a large cast iron skillet and form the dough balls into a circle inside the skillet. This also works!
  • You can prep these in advance if you need to. Just do everything down to putting the rolls in the dish and then cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Allow to come to room temperature before baking off. Just don't do this in your cast iron skillet, as you shouldn't keep food in that in the fridge.
  • Store extra rolls in an airtight container so these stay soft!
  • High Altitude — Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

How to Make Honey Butter Dinner Rolls

yeast and water in a glass mixing bowl on a whtie marble counter.
  1. To make the dough: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the yeast, ½ teaspoon cane sugar, and warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
milk and butter in a small pot on the stovetop.
  1. In a small saucepan, add the butter, milk, and honey and melt over medium heat until completely melted. Remove from heat.
ingredients for honey butter dinner rolls in a glass mixing bowl on a white marble counter.
  1. Add the flour, remaining 57 grams cane sugar, and sea salt to the mixing bowl in that order. Pour the warm milk mixture over the top and knead on low until completely combined.
honey butter dinner rolls dough in a glass mixing bowl with a dough hook on a white marble counter.
  1. Continue to knead for about 3 to 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth to the touch.
honey butter dinner rolls dough in a glass mixing bowl on a white marble counter.
  1. Grease a large mixing bowl and transfer the dough into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.
honey butter dinner rolls dough in a glass mixing bowl on a white marble counter.
  1. Allow to rise for 1 to 3 hours, or until doubled in size.
honey butter dinner rolls dough cut into pieces on a white marble counter.
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, remove the dough and form into 12 balls that weigh about 73 grams each, I do this using a bench scraper.
honey butter dinner rolls formed into dough balls on a marble counter.
  1. Tuck and fold the dough under so you have a smooth ball of dough. Repeat so all the dough balls have a smooth top. Place the shaped rolls in the greased baking pan (I used a 10.5-inch by 7.5-inch baking dish). Cover the dish with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise for 30 minutes, or until the dough feels springy.
honey butter dinner rolls dough in a white ceramic baking dish on a marble counter.
  1. To make the topping: In a small bowl, add the butter and honey. Microwave for 30 seconds to melt completely. Using the pastry brush, brush the tops of the rolls with the topping.
white ceramic dish of honey butter dinner rolls on the dinner table.
  1. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. (If you're baking at high altitude, be sure to check the Notes at the bottom of the recipe for high altitude baking instructions).
white ceramic dish of honey butter dinner rolls on the dinner table.

What to Serve with Honey Butter Dinner Rolls

Recipe FAQ's

How do I make soft and fluffy dinner rolls?

To make dinner rolls soft and fluffy, use whole milk and butter. These help enrich the dough, making them super soft and fluffy!

What does honey do in dinner rolls?

Honey adds in a little sweetness and helps keep these rolls soft.

Can I use dairy free milk?

Yes, feel free to substitute for coconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk. But, for the richest flavor, use whole milk.

Why isn't my dough rising?

If your dough isn't rising there's a problem with the yeast. If yeast is expired, it will not rise. If it is expired, it won't turn bubbly. So, if your yeast doesn't bubble and foam, there's no point to continue with the recipe as the yeast is bad. Also, yeast can be killed with water that is too hot. So, while we do need warm water for the yeast, water above 120°F can kill the yeast. So, you don't want to use boiling water or water from your coffee or tea spout. Just use lukewarm water. And, it really helps to have dough in a relatively warm environment for it to rise well. So, place it by your oven (if it's on) or by your fire place or pellet stove.

How do I know when rolls are proofed enough?

Make sure that the dough has visibly doubled in size.

How do I shape dinner rolls evenly?

Weighing the rolls is the best way to divide them evenly so they are all the same size. I provide a weight measurement in the instructions.

Why are my dinner rolls not soft?

This can happen from not measuring properly (most likely too much flour). Be sure to use a digital food scale to measure properly. This can also happen from under-proofing. With only one rise, you need to ensure that the dough has visibly doubled in size before moving on. And, don't over bake them.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes — once you shape the rolls after the final rise, cover them tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temp before baking. This helps with meal planning or holiday prep if you want to prep the day before.

What's the best way to store homemade dinner rolls?

Store in an airtight container or zip bag so they don't dry out.

Why did my rolls turn out dense?

Density can be caused by too much flour, insufficient rise time, or yeast that's died or was bad. To avoid these mistakes, make sure to use a digital food scale for accurate measurements, always look for visual signs dough is ready to move on, don't rely on time alone. And, make sure to use warm water, as hot water can kill yeast. Make sure yeast has turned bubbly (to ensure it's active and good) before moving on. If yeast isn't bubbly, it can mean it's expired or gone bad.

Why are my rolls dry?

Most likely from incorrect measuring or over baking. If you have a dry dough, then something was off with your measurements. As you can see from the video the dough is very smooth an elastic. Be sure to use a digital food scale for the best results.

How do I keep dinner rolls soft after baking?

Make sure to cover leftovers, storing in an airtight container is best so they stay soft. Don't use something like aluminum foil as it won't keep them air tight. You can store at room temperature for a couple of days, but in the refrigerator they will last for up to a week.

Can I freeze the rolls (before or after baking)?

I recommend baking, then freezing in an airtight container or freezer bag. You can thaw one enjoy anytime after. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How do I reheat dinner rolls?

You can reheat in the microwave for just a few minutes to make them extra soft and warm.

honey butter dinner roll broke in half with butter on a small white plate.

More Homemade Bread Recipes

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white ceramic dish of honey butter dinner rolls on the dinner table.

Honey Butter Dinner Rolls

Mimi Council
Homemade Honey Butter Dinner Rolls are a sweet roll that can be served as a side dish, or you can use them to make mini sandwiches and burgers!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rising Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Makes 12 rolls
Calories 226 kcal

Equipment

  • Digital Food Scale
  • Stand Mixer
  • Baking Dish

Ingredients
 
 

Dough

  • 9 grams instant yeast
  • 57 grams cane sugar
  • ¼ cup warm water
  • 57 grams salted butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 21 grams raw honey
  • 446 grams all purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt

Topping

  • 28 grams salted butter
  • 7 grams raw honey

Instructions
 

  • To make the dough: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, add the yeast, ½ teaspoon cane sugar, and warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
  • In a small saucepan, add the butter, milk, and honey and melt over medium heat until completely melted. Remove from heat.
  • Add the flour, remaining 57 grams cane sugar, and sea salt to the mixing bowl in that order. Pour the warm milk mixture over the top and knead on low speed until completely combined. Continue to knead for about 3 to 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth to the touch.
  • Grease a large mixing bowl and transfer the dough into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Allow to rise for 1 to 3 hours, or until doubled in size.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • On a lightly floured surface, remove the dough and form into 12 balls that weigh about 73 grams each, I do this using a bench scraper.
  • Tuck and fold the dough under so you have a smooth ball of dough. Repeat so all the dough balls have a smooth top. Place the shaped rolls in the greased baking pan (I used a 10.5-inch by 7.5-inch baking dish).
  • Cover the dish with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise for 30 minutes, or until the dough feels springy.
  • To make the topping: In a small bowl, add the butter and honey. Microwave for 30 seconds to melt completely. Using the pastry brush, brush the tops of the rolls with the melted butter and honey.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Tips
  • You can use active dry yeast yeast in place of instant yeast, that also works. Your dough my take a little longer to rise.
  • If you don't have a mixer, you can easily make this dough by hand as well, the kneading process may just take a bit longer. While usually a hand mixer works in place of a mixer, it's not ideal here as this is a bread dough. So, it's better to use your hands, a large wooden spoon or even a silicone spatula if you don't have a stand mixer.
  • If you don't have the right size ceramic baking dish, you can use a large cast iron skillet and form the dough balls into a circle inside the skillet. This also works!
  • You can prep these in advance if you need to. Just do everything down to putting the rolls in the dish and then cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Allow to come to room temperature before baking off. Just don't do this in your cast iron skillet, as you shouldn't keep food in that in the fridge.
  • Store extra rolls in an airtight container so these stay soft!
  • High Altitude — Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 226kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 5gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 345mgPotassium: 81mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg
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One response to “Honey Butter Dinner Rolls”

  1. Mimi Council says:

    5 stars
    These soft and pillowy rolls are slightly sweetened, I could eat them all by themselves or with butter or as mini sliders! You can use these for anything!

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