30 Honey Recipes That Will Have You Buzzing

From sweet desserts to glazed chicken and salmon, these honey recipes bring flavor and sweetness to every meal and snack.

Some recipes use a drizzle of honey as a light, optional garnish, but these honey recipes don’t hide the sweet liquid; they make it an essential part of each dish. This collection of sweet and savory honey dishes takes advantage of its inherent sweetness and floral notes to show a range of ways it can enhance a meal. It’s stirred into dressings, baked into golden breads, glazed onto summer grilling recipes and swirled into desserts for a unique taste you can instantly pick out as honey.

There are many types of honey, each with a different color and flavor intensity that can transform a recipe. Lighter honey varieties, like clover and acacia, are versatile in sweet and savory dishes, from vinaigrettes to quick breads. Darker varieties, like buckwheat honey, have a deep, molasses-like taste that may not pair as well with light fruits, but are amazing in marinade recipes for the grill, where they can stand up to the char on grilled vegetables and meat. If a recipe doesn’t specify the type, choose the flavor path that appeals to you.

When it comes to sweet recipes, honey is right at home in traditional treats, like nutty baklava. It also enhances tender cakes topped with berries and quick dessert recipes, like layered parfaits with creamy yogurt and fresh fruit. Even peanut butter cookies benefit from the addition of honey for a toastier and chewier result than you might be used to. Honey also has a balancing quality that pulls dishes back from being too sharp, too spicy or a little flat. No matter how it’s used, this natural sweetener leaves its golden, sugary mark on everything it touches.

1/30

Honey Cinnamon Roll-Ups

Total Time:50 min
Servings:24
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This cinnamon treat reminds me of baklava, but with only a few easy ingredients, it's a fraction of the work. It's my aunt's recipe, and I think of her when I make it. —Susan Falk, Sterling Heights, Michigan
2/30

Rustic Honey Cake

Total Time:45 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: When my boys were young, they couldn’t drink milk but they could have yogurt. This was a cake they could eat. And it’s one dessert that doesn’t taste overly sweet, which is always a nice change of pace. —Linda Leuer, Hamel, Minnesota
3/30

Sheet-Pan Soy-Ginger Salmon with Veggies

Contest Winner
Total Time:40 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This salmon and veggie sheet-pan dinner is packed with umami Asian flavors and is so easy to make. It’s high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and so many other nutrients, but it’s so delicious! We like to serve it over brown rice or quinoa. —Pamela Gelsomini, Wrentham, Massachusetts
4/30

Baklava

Total Time:1 hour 10 min
Servings:4 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Baklava is a traditional Middle Eastern pastry made with flaky phyllo dough, chopped nuts and sweet honey. This dessert is very rich, so one pan goes a long way. —Judy Losecco, Buffalo, New York
5/30

Grilled Nectarines with Burrata and Honey

Contest Winner
Total Time:15 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: The classic caprese gets a sweet makeover with this inspired summer starter. Burrata, mint and honey are served over nectarine halves—or any stone fruit you like—in this creamy, dreamy dish. It’s one of those recipes with honey that’s unexpected and so delicious. —Anthony Gans, Hawthorne, California
6/30

Honey Challah

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:2 loaves (24 pieces each)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I use these shiny, beautiful loaves as the centerpiece of my spread. I love the taste of honey, but you can also add chocolate chips, cinnamon, orange zest or almonds. Leftover slices of this sweet challah recipe work well in bread pudding or for French toast. —Jennifer Newfield, Los Angeles, California

Want to make this delicious recipe? If you don’t have fresh honey and your old jar looks thick and grainy instead, you need to learn how to decrystallize honey.

7/30

Cilantro Lime Slaw

Total Time:20 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a refreshing take on slaw with a honey-lime vinaigrette rather than the traditional mayo. It’s a great take-along for all those summer picnics. —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
8/30

Honey Cornbread

Total Time:30 min
Servings:9
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Serving this moist cornbread to family and guests is a pleasure. Honey gives the bread a slightly sweet taste, and most people find it difficult to eat just one piece. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey
9/30

Honey Spice Bread

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:1 loaf (12 pieces)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: The texture of this bread is almost like a cake, so I usually serve slices of it for dessert. The loaf looks so festive with the pretty glaze drizzled on top. —Gaye O'Dell, Binghamton, New York
10/30

Honey Berry Sheet Cake

Total Time:1 hour 5 min
Servings:15
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I adapted a traditional honey cake recipe for this dessert. I wanted something that would show off all our amazing local honey as well as tasty summer berries. This also works perfectly as a Fourth of July cake, with the blueberries in the top corner and the raspberries in stripes—you wouldn't need as many blueberries, but you would need more raspberries. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
11/30

Honey Mustard Chicken

Total Time:1 hour
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This sheet-pan chicken is an easy gluten-free, low-carb meal ideal for busy weekdays. The chicken is tender, juicy and so delicious! It's now on the list of our favorite meals. You can substitute any low-carb vegetable for green beans. —Denise Browning, San Antonio, Texas
12/30

Spicy Honey Sriracha Game-Day Dip

Total Time:3 hours 20 min
Servings:12 (3 cups)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: You can easily whip up this creamy, spicy, salty dip. For parties, I love dips in the slow cooker—just turn it to low once the dip is cooked and let your guests help themselves. No need to worry about the dip getting cold and having to reheat it. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
13/30

Baklava Thumbprint Cookies

Contest Winner
Total Time:45 min
Servings:2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: The topping on my sister-in-law's peach cobbler was so delicious that I asked for the recipe; then I decided to use that to top a cookie I developed with the flavors of baklava. My adult son tried one and immediately ate two more—which is unusual for him! It's a good recipe to mix up the night before and bake fresh the next day for company. —Sharon Eshelman, Harrington, Delaware
14/30

Golden Honey Pan Rolls

Contest Winner
Total Time:55 min
Servings:2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: A cousin in North Carolina gave me the recipe for these delicious honey-glazed rolls. Using my bread machine to make the dough saves me about 2 hours compared to the traditional method. The rich buttery taste of these rolls is so popular with family and friends that I usually make two batches so I have enough! —Sara Wing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
15/30

Quinoa, Fresh Fig & Honey-Balsamic Parfaits

Total Time:30 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This quinoa yogurt parfait is special to me because of its wholesome ingredients. Quinoa is gluten-free, which is good for those who have food allergies, like my daughter. And I love fresh ripe figs when they are in season. Enjoy this for breakfast or dessert. —Dawn Hutchins, St. Johns, Florida
16/30

Canned Nectarines in Honey Syrup

Total Time:40 min
Servings:8 pint jars
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Nectarines are in season for such a short time, you'll want to do whatever you can to extend the season. With this quick method for canning nectarines, you'll have delicious fruit all year long. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
17/30

Homemade Honey Grahams

Total Time:25 min
Servings:32 crackers
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: The way my boys eat them, I would spend a fortune on honey graham crackers at the grocery store. So I decided to make a homemade version that is less processed—and less expensive. These are wonderful, although they still don’t last long. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
18/30

Honey-Citrus Iced Tea

Total Time:15 min
Servings:8 (2 quarts)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: A frozen orange or lemon slice in the glass looks pretty and helps keep this refreshing punch nice and cold. Using honey instead of sugar adds a sweet touch. —Sheila Bradshaw, Columbus, Ohio
19/30

Bee Sting Cake

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: The bee sting cake, or bienenstich, may look daunting, but it's well worth the effort. Take the steps one at a time and you'll be surprised how easy it is to make. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
20/30

Honey-Glazed Ham

Total Time:4 hours 40 min
Servings:14
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Here’s an easy solution for feeding a large group. The simple honey ham is perfect for family dinners, where time in the kitchen is as valuable as space in the oven.—Jacquie Stolz, Little Sioux, Iowa
21/30

Honey-Mustard Glazed Salmon

Total Time:20 min
Servings:10
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: You won’t need to fish for compliments from your dinner guests when you serve this spectacular honey mustard salmon! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
22/30

Honey Peanut Butter Cookies

Total Time:25 min
Servings:5 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: When my husband wants a treat, he requests these chewy peanut butter honey cookies. —Lucile Proctor, Panguitch, Utah
23/30

Honey Bread

Contest Winner
Total Time:45 min
Servings:2 loaves (16 pieces each)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My dad has been a wheat farmer all his life and my state is the wheat capital, so this recipe represents my region and my family well. This bread never lasts too long at our house. —Kathy McCreary, Goddard, Kansas
24/30

Roasted Honey Sweet Potatoes

Total Time:55 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Cinnamon and honey bring out the natural earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes in this simple, elegant side dish. —Laura Mifsud, Northville, Michigan
25/30

Apple-Honey Dutch Baby

Total Time:30 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I love to make this treat on Sunday morning. It's so impressive when it's served warm right out of the oven ... and the apple honey filling is yummy! —Kathy Fleming, Lisle, Illinois
26/30

Honey-Glazed Carrots

Total Time:10 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My mother used sugar in this recipe, but a local man who keeps bees on our farm shares honey with us, so I use that instead to make honey-glazed carrots. —Julie Anglen, Riverton, Wyoming
27/30

Honey-Lime Almond Cookies

Total Time:35 min
Servings:about 3 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Decades ago my grandmother passed this buttery lime cookie recipe to me. Through years of baking, our cookie memories keep the family connected, although we’re miles apart. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
28/30

Apple Honey Tapioca Pudding

Total Time:25 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I’m glad that apple season is long, since my family requests this pudding quite often!
29/30

Honey Balsamic Chicken

Total Time:20 min
Servings:2
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This balsamic chicken is a recipe I adapted from a cookbook that featured quick and easy recipes. I adjusted the seasonings somewhat and added a bit more honey to better suit my tastes. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
30/30

Baklava Cheesecake

Total Time:2 hours 5 min
Servings:16
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: My unique baklava cheesecake makes a grand display for office parties and other special events. —Aryanna Gamble, New Orleans, Louisiana

Honey Recipes FAQ

Can I substitute honey for sugar in baking?

You can substitute honey for sugar in baking, but you will need to make some adjustments. Since honey is liquid, slightly acidic and a little sweeter than sugar, you should use less of it, add a pinch of baking soda to counter the acidity and adjust the liquid amounts in your recipe. Honey also browns faster than sugar, so reducing the baking temperature will prevent the dessert from over-browning. Remember that honey adds a distinct flavor and extra moisture, so it’s best to avoid using honey in crisp cookies or delicate cakes.

What are some savory recipes using honey?

Honey is delicious in savory recipes with spicy, rich or bold flavors, like garlicky chicken, glazed salmon and creamy dips. It’s also a key ingredient in honey-mustard sauce, which you can spread on sandwiches or toss with crispy wings. Honey balances acidity in vinaigrettes and helps emulsify them, for balanced salad dressings.

How do I store honey for long-term use?

For long-term use, store honey in a tightly sealed container, preferably glass, at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. While honey doesn’t expire, it may crystallize over time. To return it to its original texture, gently warm the container in hot water until it is liquid again. Avoid refrigeration, as it speeds up crystallization.