Honey Butter Croissants Recipe (Japanese Inspired)

Honey Butter Croissants Recipe (Japanese Inspired) - Make buttery, golden Honey Butter Croissants inspired by Japanese Shibuya Toast! Flaky croissants brushed with a sweet honey butter glaze, perfect for brunch, dessert, or afternoon tea. Ready in just 20 minutes!

These Honey Butter Croissants are my flaky, golden twist on the famous Japanese-inspired Honey Butter Toast. Instead of using a whole loaf of bread, we're keeping things simple with buttery croissants that are brushed with a luscious honey butter glaze and baked until caramelised, glossy, and irresistible.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients in Honey Butter Croissants
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• What to Serve with Honey Butter Croissants
• Variations
• Storage
• Honey Butter Croissants Recipe (Japanese Inspired)

They're the perfect quick dessert or sweet brunch treat. With crisp, caramelised edges and soft, buttery middles, you'll want to make these time and time again. If you love Honey Butter everything, try our Honey Butter Toast or our Honey Butter Crumpets recipe.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These Honey Butter Croissants are buttery, golden, and glazed with a caramel like sweetness that makes them taste like something straight out of a cafe in Paris or Tokyo.

Whether you serve them plain, with a scoop of ice cream, or with fresh fruit, they're the perfect indulgence for brunch or dessert. These Honey Butter Croissaints are easy to make. It is almost like a cheats recipe that is reminiscent of Kouign-amann.

• Quick & Easy - Ready in under 20 minutes.
• Minimal Ingredients - Just 4 pantry staples + croissants.
• Show-Stopping - Beautifully glossy and golden.
• Versatile - Serve plain or dress them up with fruit, ice cream, or a drizzle of chocolate.

Ingredients in Honey Butter Croissants

You only need a few ingredients to whip these up:

1. Large buttery croissants (fresh or day-old)
Role: Base of the dish.
Effect:Fresh croissants are soft, light, and airy; they give a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Day-old croissants are slightly firmer, which helps them absorb butter, honey, and sugar without falling apart. This makes them ideal for bakes or puddings.
Flavour: Naturally rich, buttery, and slightly sweet.

2. Butter (125 g, salted)
Role: Fat, moisture, flavor.
Effect: Adds richness and helps create a golden, crispy outer layer if baked or toasted.
Salted butter balances the sweetness of honey and brown sugar, enhancing overall flavor.
Texture: Contributes to a creamy, indulgent mouthfeel when melted over croissants.

3. Honey (65 g)
Role: Sweetener and flavor enhancer.
Effect:Adds natural sweetness with floral notes, more complex than plain sugar.
Helps glaze the croissants, giving them shine and sticky, luscious texture.
Pairs beautifully with butter for a classic honey-butter flavor.

4. Light brown sugar (65 g)
Role: Sweetener with moisture.
Effect:Adds caramel notes thanks to its molasses content.
Works with honey to create a sticky, slightly gooey coating when baked.
Enhances browning through the Maillard reaction, giving that appetizing golden color.

5. Pinch of flaky salt
Role: Flavor enhancer.
Effect:Balances the sweetness of honey and brown sugar.
Amplifies the buttery richness of the croissants.
Even a tiny pinch makes flavors more rounded and harmonious.

Optional toppings:

• Ice cream (vanilla, pistachio, or salted caramel are my favorites)
• Berries or banana slices
• Melted chocolate, Nutella, or caramel sauce
• Whipped cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

The full recipe card can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 180C / 360F / Gas Mark 4 so it's ready to go.

Step 2: Make the Honey Butter Glaze

In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Stir in the honey, light brown sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Prepare the Croissants

Slice each croissant in half. This allows the glaze to soak into the layers.

Step 4: Brush Generously

Using a pastry brush, coat the inside and outside of the croissants with the honey butter glaze. Be generous! It's what makes them golden and caramelised. Or simply dip the Croissant into the mixture like i do. (I let the mixture cool slightly first).

Step 5: Bake

Arrange the croissants on a lined baking tray (you can do them flat or stood up - note - they will likely fall down if stood up if the croissants are not large as there won't be enough surface area at the bottom), and bake for 12 - 15 minutes, or until golden, glossy, and bubbling at the edges.

Step 6: Cool & Serve

Allow them to cool for about 5 minutes (the glaze will be HOT). Serve plain or with toppings like ice cream, berries, or a drizzle of melted chocolate.

What to Serve with Honey Butter Croissants

• A scoop of ice cream
• Fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, or bananas
• Chocolate drizzle or Nutella
• A hot drink such as chai, matcha latte, or coffee

Variations

• Nutty twist - Sprinkle with chopped almonds or pecans before baking.
• Cinnamon sugar - Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the glaze.
• Mini croissants - Use minis for bite-sized treats, perfect for parties or afternoon tea.
• Dubai Chocolate - Add some Pistachio Paste and melted Chocolate to make a Dubai Chocolate version like we do in these Dubai Chocolate Brownies.
• Cut them differently - Cut them across horizontally instead.

Storage

• Best enjoyed fresh!
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 1 day.
• Reheat in the oven at 180C for 2-3 minutes or pan-fry with a little butter for extra crispness.

Notes and Tips

Arranging the Croissants on a tray - You can bake Croissants flat or stood up. They will likely fall down if stood up if the croissants are not large as there won't be enough surface area at the bottom so choose large Croissants).

Step 4: Brush or dip Croissants Generously - Using a pastry brush, coat the inside and outside of the croissants with the honey butter glaze. Be generous! It's what makes them golden and caramelised. Or simply dip the Croissant into the mixture like i do. (I let the mixture cool slightly first).

Try these other popular Desserts:

Honey Butter Crumpets (Japanese Inspired)

Honey Butter Toast Recipe (Japanese)

Lazy Cat Cake by Kuwaiti Chef Ahmad Al Zamel

Crinkly Brownie Cookies with Pistachio Cream

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