In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and yeast.
4 cups (500g) all-purpose or bread flour, 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons or 7g) instant yeast
Add all the other ingredients and stir until roughly combined with a wooden spoon.
2 1/4 cups (310g) room temperature water, 1 1/2 tablespoons (17g) olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon (10g) honey, 1 3/4 teaspoons (12g) salt
Knead the dough until soft and no longer sticky, about 15 minutes by hand or 5-10 minutes with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Add just a tiny amount of flour if necessary, or wet your hands slightly with olive oil and knead the dough on a counter by hand or using the slap-and-fold method (Slap and fold is a method where you lift the dough, slap it onto the counter, and fold it over to build structure without adding extra flour.).
Grase the bowl lightly with olive oil and cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rise until doubled in volume, about 1 1/2 hours.
Divide the dough into 8 parts. Brush a large baking sheet with vegetable oil.
Shape each part into a round or oval bun and place it on the greased baking sheet.
To shape the buns: fold all the corners of a piece of dough into the center, pinch them together, then turn the dough over and form a ball using the palm of your hand. For an oval bun, roll it gently between your palm and the counter.
Cover the baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap lightly coated with olive oil (so the dough doesn’t stick) and let the buns rise for 40 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a small to medium baking dish at the bottom of the oven.
When the buns are done rising, score each one with a sharp serrated knife or a razor and spray them generously with water.
Pour about 2 cups of boiling water into the baking dish in the oven.
Place the baking sheet with the buns on a wire rack in the middle of the oven.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until well browned and crispy. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so make sure the Brötchen are not browning too much at the end.
Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack.
Let them cool completely, then enjoy!