Addictive 12 Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

Oh my goodness, you have to drop whatever you’re doing and focus on these Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls! Forget those plain, boring rolls you dip in gravy; these things are a complete flavor explosion. They come out of the oven smelling like a heavenly blend of sweet honey, sharp garlic, and just the right kick of spice. Seriously, I made these last Thanksgiving, and people abandoned the turkey just to grab another one of these sticky, soft buns!

They are ridiculously soft, tender, and that glaze—trust me, it seals in all the moisture. If you’re looking for a yeast bread that truly wows your guests, these are it. I’ve never had leftovers, not even once. I’ll show you exactly how I get that perfect pillowy texture and how to manage the glaze so it coats every single piece just right. You absolutely need these rolls in your life; you can check out some of my other favorite soft bread recipes right here for comparison, like these soft honey butter dinner rolls, but I promise these spicy ones take the prize!

Why You Will Love These Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

I know what you’re thinking—honey garlic on a roll? Yes! And it’s the best decision you’ll make all week. These aren’t just any rolls; they are destined to become your new favorite side dish. Here’s what sets them apart:

• Incredibly Soft Texture: We use a classic yeast dough technique combined with warm milk, so these turn out pillowy inside with that perfect pull-apart tenderness.
• The Ultimate Glaze: That sweet, savory, and spicy Hot Honey Garlic glaze hits perfectly. It’s sticky, flavorful, and coats the rolls beautifully without making the bottom soggy.
• Easier Than You Think: While they involve yeast, the active rising time isn’t too long, and the process flows really smoothly once you get the dough mixing!
• Total Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s game day, a holiday, or just a Tuesday night dinner, these disappear first. The heat cuts through the richness perfectly.
• Great for Dipping: Because they are sturdy enough but still soft, they mop up every last bit of sauce from your main course. Don’t waste a drop!

Gathering Ingredients for Your Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

Okay, before we get the yeast bubbling, we need to make sure our pantry is set up for success! Using the right stuff here makes all the difference in getting that perfect fluffy bread texture. Also, try to have that egg at room temperature; it mixes in so much better, trust me on that one. If you want to peek at some other foundational stuff for bread making, definitely check out my guide on Grandma’s Perfect Homemade Bread.

We’re splitting this into two teams: the dough crew and the glaze heroes.

For the Rolls (The Bread Base)

• One cup of milk that feels quite warm, like bath water—aim right between 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit, please!
• Two and a quarter teaspoons of active dry yeast.
• A quarter cup of sugar, plus one tiny teaspoon reserved for the yeast.
• One large egg, make sure it’s happy at room temperature.
• A quarter cup of melted unsalted butter.
• Three cups of all-purpose flour, plus extra just for dusting when we start kneading.
• One teaspoon of salt—don’t skip this; it keeps the flavor balanced!

For the Hot Honey Garlic Glaze (The Star!)

• A quarter cup of honey—the pure stuff works best.
• Two tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted down nicely.
• Two cloves of garlic, minced super fine, because we want the flavor, not big chunks!
• One teaspoon—or maybe more if you’re brave like me—of red pepper flakes for that spicy punch.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

Alright, let’s get our hands wonderfully sticky! Making amazing soft yeast bread like this requires patience, but it’s mostly hands-off time waiting for the dough to do its magic. Pay attention to the temperature of your milk in the first step; that’s your golden ticket to active yeast. If you want to see how I prep my dough for other winners, like these fluffy, buttery perfection dinner rolls, I’ve got a whole guide on that!

Activating the Yeast and Mixing the Dough for Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

First thing’s first: we wake up the yeast! Grab your large bowl—the one you use for big batches—and pour in that warm milk. Remember, 105 to 115F feels warm but not hot to your wrist. Stir in just one teaspoon of sugar and sprinkle the yeast right on top. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about five minutes. You are waiting for it to get foamy, which means your yeast is happy and alive!

Once it’s foamy, you can add the rest of the sugar, that room-temperature egg, and the quarter cup of melted butter. Whisk that all together gently. Now, dump in your flour and salt. Mix it all up with a spoon or a dough whisk until it looks like a messy, shaggy cloud—don’t worry about perfection yet!

Kneading and First Rise of the Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls Dough

Time to knead! Turn that shaggy mess out onto a counter dusted lightly with flour. You need to work this dough for a good 6 to 8 minutes. This is where you build the structure that makes these rolls so soft later on. You’re looking for a dough that feels smooth, springs back a little when you poke it, and doesn’t stick aggressively to your hands anymore.

When it’s springy, pop it into a greased bowl—I use a little olive oil—give it a quick turn so it’s coated, and cover that bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Find a cozy, warm spot in your kitchen—near the stove or in a slightly warm (turned off!) oven works great. Let it have a good, long nap, about an hour to an hour and a half, until it’s doubled in size. Don’t rush this part!

Shaping and Second Proofing Before Baking Your Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

Welcome back! Gently punch the air out of that beautiful dough. Now, you want exactly 12 rolls, so grab a kitchen scale if you have one, or just eyeball it evenly! Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each one into a tight little ball. Tuck them snugly into your greased 9×13 inch pan, leaving just a little space between them; they grow into each other while they bake!

Cover the rolls again and leave them for their second, shorter rest. Thirty minutes is usually spot-on. They’ll puff up nicely again and look like cute, puffy pillows squeezed together in the pan.

Baking the Rolls and Preparing the Hot Honey Garlic Glaze

While the rolls get plump from their second rise, turn your oven up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 190 Celsius. They bake surprisingly fast for yeast rolls, usually needing just 15 to 18 minutes until they are beautifully golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them around the 15-minute mark!

Now, this is crucial: prep the glaze while they are baking! In a small bowl, whisk together your quarter cup of honey, the two tablespoons of melted butter, that finely minced garlic, and those fiery red pepper flakes. Mix it until it looks glossy and perfectly combined. You want this ready to go the second those rolls clear the oven door.

Glazing the Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls Immediately After Baking

This step is non-negotiable. The moment those rolls come out of the oven, they are still steaming hot, which means they are ready to drink up all that amazing spicy honey goodness. Don’t wait, don’t set them on the counter—grab your pastry brush and brush that glorious hot honey garlic glaze evenly over the entire top surface.

The heat helps the glaze soak deep into the crust, making the rolls perfectly sticky and infused with flavor right down to the crevices. Serve them immediately! They are at their absolute peak when they are warm and glistening.

Tips for Success Making Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

Baking is fun, but when you’re working with yeast, sometimes a little insider knowledge saves the day. I’ve messed up enough batches of bread to figure out a few things that make the difference between a good roll and a truly spectacular, sticky, hot-honey-garlic masterpiece. Don’t forget to check out my tips for spicy honey butter biscuits for another flavor variation!

Here are my top three things to watch out for when you make these rolls:

• Know Your Yeast: The recipe calls for active dry yeast, which needs that warm milk bath to prove itself first. But if you’re in a hurry and only have instant yeast on hand? No problem! You don’t need to wait for it to foam. Just skip Step 1 entirely and mix the instant yeast right in with your flour and salt mixture in Step 3. It’s a total shortcut when time is tight.
• Handling Sticky Dough: That dough can be a little wet, especially if your kitchen is humid. If you find yourself constantly adding flour during the 8 minutes of kneading, stop! Flour thickens the final product, making it heavy. Instead of adding too much dry flour, try lightly oiling your hands or scraping the dough off with a bench scraper. It will feel sticky, but it often firms up beautifully after the first rise.
• Glaze Timing is Everything: When you brush that hot honey garlic glaze on, you want it to soak in, right? If you wait even 5 minutes after taking the rolls out of the oven, the steam starts to dissipate, and the glaze just sits on top like a sugary crust. Brush it on the *second* they come out. If you want the rolls less spicy, just reduce those red pepper flakes—maybe start with just half a teaspoon until you know your family’s heat tolerance!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

I get so many questions about tinkering with recipes, and honestly, bread is one area where small changes matter! But for these Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls, we only have three key areas where you might need to make a swap or adjustment, depending on what’s in your pantry.

First up, let’s talk yeast, because that’s always a big one. I wrote this recipe using active dry yeast because I love that little moment of watching it foam up—it’s proof that you haven’t killed the little critters yet! But if you prefer convenience, don’t stress. As I mentioned before, if you’ve got instant yeast, just skip Step 1 entirely. You can dump it right in with all your dry ingredients. It activates in the oven, and honestly, the results are nearly identical for a soft roll like this.

The heat level from those red pepper flakes is completely up to you. If you have little ones eating these, or you just prefer savory over spicy, cut the flakes in half, or even down to just a quarter teaspoon. You still get that pleasant warmth without too much fire. If you’re a total spice fiend, toss in a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce when you make the glaze—just be mindful that liquid can slightly change the texture of the glaze, so add it slowly toward the end.

Finally, I stressed using a room temperature egg, and I really want you to try it. Cold eggs actually shock the yeast mixture and can slow down the rise, or worse, deflate the butter you just mixed in. If you forget to take your egg out, just place the whole shell in a bowl of warm tap water for about five minutes. It warms up fast, blends smoothly, and keeps your dough happy and consistent!

Serving Suggestions for Your Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

Okay, now that you have these beautiful, sticky, sweet-and-spicy Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls cooling slightly, the real question is: What are we eating them with? These aren’t just for soaking up butter, oh no! The touch of spice and the sweetness mean they pair brilliantly with savory, rich main dishes that need a little counterpoint. They aren’t fussy, but they certainly do deserve a good neighbor on the plate!

If you’re looking for a perfect pairing that lets these rolls truly shine, I have a couple of favorites that always make an appearance when I bake a batch. You HAVE to try them with something roasted. My favorite is a simple roast chicken, where the pan drippings mix perfectly with the residual honey glaze left on the rolls.

Speaking of amazing things to eat with these, you might need a hearty main course to balance out that complex flavor. I have an absolute show-stopper recipe for Irresistible Honey Butter Chicken that shares some flavor profiles with the rolls, making the whole meal feel connected, just slightly less spicy, which is perfect!

Savory Pairings That Need These Sticky Rolls

You want something savory that won’t fight the garlic or the honey. Rich flavors are your best friend here.

• Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork or Brisket: The slight sweetness in the rolls complements smoky barbecue flavors beautifully. They are sturdy enough to hold up to a little bit of sauce, too!
• Hearty Stews or Chili: Imagine dunking a warm piece of this soft bread into a rich beef stew or a pot of three-bean chili. The heat in the roll cuts right through the richness of the stew.
• Roasted Root Vegetables: If you are keeping it vegetarian, roast up some carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes with rosemary. The natural sweetness of the glaze sings alongside the glaze.

Honestly, you don’t even need a grand entree. These rolls are so flavorful, they are fantastic simply served warm with a side salad. But if you’re having a big meal, make sure you have plenty, because they go fast!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

Leftovers? What leftovers? Just kidding! If, by some miracle, you have any of these sticky, magnificent rolls left over the next day, we absolutely need to talk about how to revive them. Since they have that sticky honey garlic glaze, they can get a little cement-like when they cool completely, which is just tragic. But don’t you dare toss them out!

The key here is moisture. We need to use gentle heat to get that butter and honey gooey again without burning the garlic bits. If you try microwaving them, you’ll end up with a super hard roll in about five minutes flat, so we’re skipping that mess.

Storing Your Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

When you put them away, make sure the pan is totally cooled down first. If you seal them up while they are still warm, the steam gets trapped and turns the rolls soggy—and nobody wants soggy bread!

Once cooled, the best way to store them is right in the 9×13 pan if it has a tight-fitting lid. If not, carefully transfer the rolls into an airtight container. You want to minimize the air exposure as much as possible. They should keep just fine on the counter at room temperature for up to two days. I wouldn’t push it past that, though; that fresh yeast flavor fades fast.

Reheating to Bring Back the Softness

If you need to refresh just one or two rolls, the microwave on low power for about 10 seconds works in a pinch, but for the whole pan, the oven is your much, much better friend. Preheat your oven or a toaster oven to a nice, gentle 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil. This traps the steam evaporating from the rolls, keeping them moist while the heat warms everything through. Let them bake under the foil for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until they feel warm and look glossy again. If you want them extra crispy on top, pull the foil off for the last two minutes, but watch them like a hawk so that honey doesn’t scorch!

If you happen to freeze extras (which you totally should!), make sure they are wrapped very tightly in plastic wrap first, and then placed in a freezer bag. They should be good for up to two months. When you want to eat them, just let them thaw on the counter overnight, then follow the foil-covering reheating method above. They’ll taste as fresh as the day you baked them!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

I always get so many great questions when people start making these sticky beauties for the first time, and that is totally fine! We are dealing with yeast bread here, so a few little nuances can pop up. Don’t worry if you have questions—that’s why I’m here! If you love how fluffy these turn out, you might also want to check out my ideas for using up leftovers in my Hawaiian Roll French Toast recipe!

Can I skip the kneading step entirely and just use a stand mixer?

You absolutely can use a stand mixer, and it saves your arms! If you use the dough hook attachment, you’ll probably need about 4 to 5 minutes on medium-low speed instead of the 6 to 8 minutes by hand. But here’s the thing: you still need to work the dough until that gluten develops. If you just mix it until everything is ‘combined,’ you won’t get that incredible pull-apart texture that makes these rolls so special. So, while the mixer helps, don’t cut the time short!

How long do these sweet bread rolls really stay fresh?

If stored correctly, these Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls are best eaten the day they are made, hands down. That glaze is just too good when it’s fresh and warm! That said, because the glaze has a lot of honey and butter, they tend to hold moisture pretty well. They stay nicely soft for about 24 hours at room temperature in an airtight container. After that, they start to firm up significantly. That’s why I always recommend reheating them under foil as I described earlier if you make them ahead!

Can I make the Honey Garlic Glaze ahead of time?

You know, you totally can mix the glaze ingredients together beforehand, but I strongly advise against heating them or mixing them until the rolls are actually out of the oven. The reason is the garlic. If you mix the raw, minced garlic with the honey and butter and let it sit for hours, the garlic starts to mellow out or even overpower the honey flavor profile when you finally add it near the end. For the absolute best sharp, punchy garlic flavor, whisk the glaze together just as you set the timer for the last five minutes of baking.

What if I want less sugar overall in this yeast bread?

That’s a fair question, as the glaze definitely makes these rolls quite sweet right now! You can definitely pull back on the sugar in the dough itself. I used a quarter cup of granulated sugar, but you could easily reduce that to just two tablespoons and still get a good rise because the yeast needs *some* food. You won’t affect the texture too much, but it will make the final roll taste less like a sweet treat and more like a savory accompaniment. Just be aware that reducing the sugar in the dough *might* slightly slow down your rising time.

Can I use a different kind of flour, like whole wheat?

You certainly can mix things up, but I’d tread carefully with this specific recipe. These rolls are designed to be super light and fluffy, and the all-purpose flour really helps achieve that high rise and soft crumb. If you substitute more than half a cup of the white flour with whole wheat flour, the resulting yeast bread will be noticeably denser and won’t rise quite as high. If you really want to try it, keep the substitution minimal—maybe swap out just half a cup—and be prepared that the texture will change quite a bit!

Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

I know a lot of you are curious about what you’re feeding your family, and while these rolls are definitely a treat, I always like to give you a little look-see at the numbers. These figures are based on dividing the whole batch into 12 equal servings, which is a pretty generous roll if you ask me!

Remember, using different brands of honey or different amounts of that spicy glaze can change these figures a bit, so think of this as a good general guide for your planning. You can see why these are so delicious when you look at that sugar content—it’s what makes that glaze king!

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 12 grams
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 8 grams
• Protein: 5 grams
• Carbohydrates: 40 grams

Share Your Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls Creations

I truly hope you loved making these rolls as much as I love eating them! Seriously, when you pull that pan out and start brushing on that spicy honey garlic glaze, the whole house smells incredible. I cannot wait to hear what you think!

When you make these, please don’t be shy! Snap a picture of your beautiful, sticky rolls—especially if you manage to get a perfect pull-apart shot—and tag me on social media. I love scrolling through and seeing your kitchen triumphs. And if you have a moment, please leave a rating right here on the page. Five stars lets other bakers know this recipe is worth the effort, and your comments help me know what you’d like to see next!

If you have any specific questions about technique or substitutions that I missed in the FAQ, feel free to reach out to me directly on my contact page. Happy baking, everyone!

Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls

I know a lot of you are curious about what you’re feeding your family, and while these rolls are definitely a treat, I always like to give you a little look-see at the numbers. These figures are based on dividing the whole batch into 12 equal servings, which is a pretty generous roll if you ask me!

Remember, using different brands of honey or different amounts of that spicy glaze can change these figures a bit, so think of this as a good general guide for your planning. You can see why these are so delicious when you look at that sugar content—it’s what makes that glaze king!

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 12 grams
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 8 grams
• Protein: 5 grams
• Carbohydrates: 40 grams

Share Your Hot Honey Garlic Dinner Rolls Creations

I truly hope you loved making these rolls as much as I love eating them! Seriously, when you pull that pan out and start brushing on that spicy honey garlic glaze, the whole house smells incredible. I cannot wait to hear what you think!

When you make these, please don’t be shy! Snap a picture of your beautiful, sticky rolls—especially if you manage to get a perfect pull-apart shot—and tag me on social media. I love scrolling through and seeing your kitchen triumphs. And if you have a moment, please leave a rating right here on the page. Five stars lets other bakers know this recipe is worth the effort, and your comments help me know what you’d like to see next!

If you have any specific questions about technique or substitutions that I missed in the FAQ, feel free to reach out to me directly on my contact page. Happy baking, everyone!

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