SUPER SOFT HONEY DINNER ROLLS — THIN CRUST, LIGHTLY SWEET & SALTY

These ultra-soft rolls have a delicate, thin crust with a subtle balance of sweet honey and salt, making them perfect for breakfast with milk, butter, and jam or as a tasty accompaniment to an appetizer platter.

🕒 Prep Time: 20 min

⏲️ Rising Time: 2 hours (in two stages)
⏲️ Baking Time: 10–15 min
🍽️ Yields: 8 rolls

Ingredients

450 g all-purpose flour (type 650)
2 teaspoons salt
300 g warm water (divided)
35 g honey
8 g dry yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil
Fleur de sel or Maldon salt flakes for topping

Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast

In a cup, combine dry yeast, 1 teaspoon honey, and 50 ml warm water. Let it rest in a warm place for 10–15 minutes until frothy and active.

2. Prepare the Dough

Dissolve the remaining honey in 250 ml warm water.
In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
Make a well in the center and pour in honey water, yeast mixture, and olive oil.
Mix by hand until a rough dough forms.
Knead by hand for a few minutes until elastic and only slightly sticky, then continue kneading for 3 minutes in a bread machine or stand mixer on kneading mode.

3. First Rise

Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place (26–30°C) for 1 hour.

4. Shape the Rolls

Turn dough out onto a floured surface and divide into 8 equal pieces, handling gently to preserve air bubbles.
Shape each piece into a smooth round roll by pulling dough edges underneath.
Place rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Second Rise

Cover the baking tray with a large plastic bag, ensuring it doesn’t touch the dough.
Let rolls rise in a warm place for another hour.

6. Bake

Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).
Sprinkle each roll with a pinch of coarse salt (fleur de sel or Maldon).
Bake rolls for 10–15 minutes until golden brown. Watch closely after 10 minutes to avoid burning.

7. Serve

Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Rolls are best within 2 days.

💡 Tips

Gentle handling preserves the airy texture and soft crumb.
Using fleur de sel or Maldon salt flakes adds a pleasant salty crunch on top.
Honey adds subtle sweetness and helps create a beautiful crust color.

🎉 Perfect For

Breakfast with butter and jam
Accompanying cheese or charcuterie platters
Soft dinner rolls for any meal

📝 Final Thoughts

These super soft honey dinner rolls boast a tender crumb and a thin, delicate crust with a perfect hint of sweet and salty. Easy to make and versatile, they’re sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire.