Honey Butter Toast Recipe (Japanese)
Make Japanese honey butter toast at home with shokupan or brioche, honey, butter and brown sugar. Bake in the oven or air fryer until crisp and golden.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Shokupan or Brioche or Pan De Mie
- 180 g Butter Salted or Unsalted - Skip the Salt if using Salted (¾ Cup)
- 175 g Light Brown Sugar (¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons)
- 90 g Honey (¼ cup)
- Pinch Flaky Sea Salt
Instructions
Prepare the bread
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (360°F/Gas Mark 4).
- Cut the shokupan, brioche or pain de mie into thick slices, approximately 4–5cm (1½–2 inches) thick.
- Trim the crusts from the sides if you prefer neat, straight edges.
Make the honey butter
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, honey and a pinch of flaky sea salt.
- Mix until you have a smooth, spreadable paste.
Coat the bread
- Use a palette knife or butter knife to spread the honey butter evenly over the top, bottom and sides of each slice.
- Make sure you reach the edges so that the bread caramelises evenly.
Bake
- Place the coated slices on a wire rack set over a baking tray lined with baking paper. This allows the heat to circulate around the bread while catching any drips.
- Bake for 8 minutes.
- Carefully turn each slice using tongs and bake for another 8 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
- Keep an eye on the toast towards the end as the honey and sugar can brown quickly.
Cool and serve
- Remove from the oven and allow the toast to cool on the wire rack for 10–15 minutes.
- The coating will continue to firm up as it cools. Serve plain or with your favourite toppings.
Notes
How to Make Honey Butter Toast in an Air Fryer
You can also make this recipe in an air fryer, which is particularly useful when making a smaller batch. 1. Prepare the bread and honey butter mixture as described above.2. Spread the honey butter evenly over all sides of each slice.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C.
4. Arrange the slices on the air fryer rack in a single layer, leaving space around each piece for the air to circulate.
5. Air fry for approximately 5 minutes, checking towards the end, until the outside is golden and caramelised.
6. Carefully remove and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow to cool for 10–15 minutes before serving. Air fryers vary, so check the toast early the first time you make it. The honey and sugar coating can darken quickly. Avoid overcrowding the basket.
What to Serve with Honey Butter Toast
Honey butter toast is lovely on its own, but there are plenty of ways to serve it.- Whipped cream: Serve with whipped double cream and a drizzle of salted caramel.
- Fresh fruit: Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries add freshness.
- Chocolate: Melted chocolate, chocolate shavings or crushed biscuits make it more indulgent.
- Hot drinks: Serve alongside chai or coffee for an afternoon treat.
- Ice cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside warm toast is a classic combination.
Variations
Use Demerara Sugar: Swap the light brown sugar for Demerara sugar for a slightly crunchier finish. Try Different Honey: A mild floral honey works particularly well, but you can experiment with different varieties. Add Pistachio and Chocolate: Finish with melted chocolate, chopped pistachios and toasted kataifi for a Dubai chocolate-inspired topping. Add Tahini and Date Molasses: A drizzle of tahini and date molasses gives the toast a lovely sweet and nutty finish. Serve with Fruit Compote: Raspberry or blueberry compote works particularly well with the buttery toast and cream. Top Tips Use thick bread: Thin slices won't give you the same soft middle and can dry out during cooking. Coat all sides: Make sure the honey butter reaches the edges and sides of the bread. Use a wire rack: This allows air to circulate around the toast and helps the coating crisp up. Watch the cooking time: Honey and brown sugar can caramelise quickly, particularly in an air fryer. Allow it to cool: The coating becomes crisper as the toast cools. Give it 10–15 minutes before serving. Be careful when handling: The honey and sugar mixture gets extremely hot during cooking.Storage
Honey butter toast is best made and eaten fresh, as the crisp coating gradually softens. Make Ahead: You can prepare and slice the bread up to 2 days ahead. Store it in an airtight container or bread bag at room temperature. Leftovers: If you have any leftover toast, allow it to cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Reheating: Reheat in an oven at 180°C for 1–2 minutes or briefly in an air fryer until warmed through and crisp again. Watch carefully to avoid burning the coating.Frequently Asked Questions
What is Japanese honey butter toast?
Japanese honey butter toast is thick-cut milk bread coated in a mixture of butter, honey and sugar, then baked until golden and caramelised. It has a crisp, sweet exterior and a soft, fluffy middle.What bread is best for honey butter toast?
Shokupan, or Japanese milk bread, is the traditional choice for this style of toast. Its soft, fluffy texture works particularly well. Brioche and pain de mie are good alternatives if you cannot find shokupan.Can you make honey butter toast in an air fryer?
Yes. Coat the bread with the honey butter mixture and air fry at 180°C for approximately 5 minutes on a rack. Check towards the end because the sugar and honey can caramelise quickly. Allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.Is honey butter toast the same as Shibuya toast?
They are closely related but not quite the same. Honey butter toast is usually made with individual thick slices of bread coated in honey butter and baked until crisp. Shibuya toast is typically made using a larger hollowed-out loaf of milk bread, with the toasted pieces served alongside toppings such as ice cream, fruit and cream.Why is my honey butter toast not crispy?
It may need a little longer in the oven, or the coating may be too thick. Make sure you coat the bread evenly and allow it to cool on a wire rack after baking. The coating firms up as it cools.Can I use brioche instead of shokupan?
Yes. Brioche is an excellent alternative because it has a soft crumb and a rich, buttery flavour. Pain de mie also works well.What can I serve with honey butter toast?
Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, fresh berries, sliced bananas, chocolate and salted caramel are all delicious with honey butter toast. It can also be enjoyed plain with a cup of chai or coffee.Can I prepare honey butter toast ahead of time?
It is best cooked just before serving. You can, however, prepare the honey butter mixture and slice the bread ahead of time. Coat and cook the bread when you are ready to serve.Nutrition
Calories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 0.3gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 151mgPotassium: 40mgFiber: 0.02gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 562IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 0.2mg
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