Sweet, sticky, and with plenty of fiery attitude—Hot Honey is the flavor bomb your kitchen didn’t know it was missing! You’ll want to drizzle it over everything, because this quick homemade recipe brings together just three simple ingredients for an irresistibly spicy-sweet sauce you’ll crave again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortlessly Easy: Just three ingredients and twenty minutes stand between you and a jar of incredible Hot Honey.
- Customizable Spice: Dial the heat up or down by adjusting the pepper flakes or using fresh jalapeños—it’s all about finding your perfect sweet-and-spicy balance.
- Versatile Drizzle: This Hot Honey is the ultimate finishing touch for pizza, fried chicken, biscuits, roasted veggies, and even vanilla ice cream.
- Homemade Goodness: Skip mystery store-bought bottles and make your own, fresh and preservative-free, in minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Hot Honey delivers big flavor from just a few all-star ingredients. Each one pulls its weight, bringing either sweetness, fire, or that addictive little tang. Here’s what’s going in and why every component counts!
- Honey: The golden backbone—choose a mild, good-quality honey for best flavor and smooth texture.
- Crushed red pepper flakes or fresh jalapeño: These bring the heat; use flakes for a classic, smoky punch, or jalapeño for fresh, green spice and a little more attitude.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a subtle brightness that balances all the sweet fire, making the whole sauce pop.
Variations
This recipe loves to play dress-up—feel free to tweak the heat, sweetness, or flavor to make it truly your own. Here are a few fun ways to riff on your Hot Honey based on your cravings or what you have on hand:
- Smoky Hot Honey: Swap regular chili flakes for smoked chili flakes or a pinch of chipotle powder for a deep, campfire-kissed twist.
- Citrus Kick: Add a strip of orange or lemon zest to the pan while simmering—the citrus makes the honey pop with fresh, zingy notes.
- Garlicky Infusion: Toss in a peeled, smashed garlic clove with your peppers for a savory, garlicky undertone that’s amazing on roasted veggies.
- Milder Heat: For a gentler sizzle, use less pepper or try a mild fresh chili instead of jalapeño.
How to Make Hot Honey
Step 1: Simmer the Honey and Infuse the Heat
Grab your saucepan and pour in that golden honey. Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper flakes, or toss in fresh jalapeño slices if you want that bright green heat. Warm the mixture gently over medium heat—watch for the first gentle simmer, then give it a good stir and quickly pull it off the stove. You don’t want to boil the honey, just coax out the peppery spice.
Step 2: Let the Flavors Mingle
This is where the magic happens—leave the pan alone for 10 to 15 minutes and let those peppers infuse the honey, swirling their personality right in. The longer it sits, the bolder the spice will be, so sneak a taste to check if it’s right for you.
Step 3: Strain and Add Vinegar
Once you’re happy with the heat and the honey is golden and fragrant, grab a fine mesh strainer and pour your honey into a clean jar, catching all those pepper bits. Add the apple cider vinegar now—it adds a whisper of tang that makes every drop sing—and give it a quick stir.
Step 4: Serve or Store
Drizzle, dip, or spoon your Hot Honey over anything immediately (try it on a hot slice of pepperoni pizza—trust me!). Or let it cool, seal it up, and save it for next time. Now you’ve got a secret flavor weapon ready and waiting in your kitchen.
Pro Tips for Making Hot Honey
- Watch the Simmer: Don’t let the honey come to a rolling boil—just a gentle simmer is all you need to coax out the heat without losing silky texture.
- Timing is Everything: The longer you steep, the bolder your Hot Honey will be, so taste as you go for customized spice levels.
- Tame the Tang: Apple cider vinegar is magic but strong—add it slowly and taste to get your ideal sweet-tang balance.
- Jar it Up Safely: If you use fresh jalapeños, remember to store your finished honey in the fridge and use it within a week for top flavor and food safety.
How to Serve Hot Honey
Garnishes
Hot Honey hardly needs anything extra, but a sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs—think thyme or basil—or a dusting of flaky salt adds a beautiful contrast and a restaurant-worthy finish.
Side Dishes
Pair your Hot Honey with fried chicken, crispy roasted potatoes, warm buttery biscuits, or a creamy slaw salad for a table of crave-worthy, Southern-inspired goodness. Don’t forget to try it as a unique topper on fresh fruit or sharp cheeses!
Creative Ways to Present
Bring out a little jar with a cute dripper at brunch, give Hot Honey as edible gifts in pretty bottles, or set up a DIY pizza bar with Hot Honey as the star drizzle—everyone will want to customize their own sweet-spicy slice!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your Hot Honey cool to room temperature before sealing it in a clean jar. With dried pepper flakes, it’ll keep happily at room temp for up to three months; use a dark, cool pantry spot for best flavor.
Freezing
While honey naturally resists spoiling, freezing isn’t necessary and can change the texture. It’s best to make just what you’ll use in a few months, but if you have a surplus, store in small containers and thaw at room temperature as needed.
Reheating
If your Hot Honey thickens over time or after fridge storage, simply warm it gently in a hot water bath or zap (uncovered, and without a metal lid!) in the microwave for a few seconds—just enough to loosen it for the perfect drizzle.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of honey in this recipe?
Absolutely! Mild clover or wildflower honey lets the spicy flavor shine, but stronger honeys like buckwheat or orange blossom will add their own unique notes. Just steer clear of honey with strong medicinal flavors unless you want it to come through front and center.
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Is Hot Honey vegan?
Traditional Hot Honey isn’t vegan since it uses real honey, but you can easily swap in a plant-based honey alternative with similar results—just monitor how it heats and infuses, as plant-based options can behave a bit differently.
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Can I make Hot Honey with different peppers?
Definitely! Feel free to try Thai bird chilis, habanero, or even a dried ancho or chipotle for new levels of heat and flavor. Always taste as you go to find your perfect sweet-heat punch.
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What dishes pair best with Hot Honey?
Hot Honey is a multitasker—drizzle it over fried chicken, pizza, roasted veggies, buttery biscuits, grilled cheese, or even vanilla ice cream and sharp aged cheddar. It truly adds that “wow” to both sweet and savory dishes!
Final Thoughts
Once you make a batch of Hot Honey, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it! Let its sweet fire spark up your meals and surprise your taste buds—trust me, you’ll be drizzling, dipping, and dreaming up new uses in no time. Give it a try and let this little jar of joy become your new secret kitchen weapon. Enjoy!
Print
Hot Honey Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
Hot honey is a versatile condiment that combines the sweetness of honey with a spicy kick. This recipe allows you to customize the level of heat to suit your preference, making it perfect for drizzling over fried chicken, pizza, biscuits, or even in cocktails.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup honey
- 2 to 3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes or 1 fresh jalapeño pepper, sliced
- 1 to 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Simmer: Add the honey and crushed red pepper flakes (or jalapeño slices) to a medium sauté pan or saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the honey very lightly begins to simmer. Give the mixture a quick stir to combine, then remove pan from the heat.
- Rest: Let the mixture rest for 10 to 15 minutes so that the flavors can infuse.
- Taste: Give the honey a quick taste to test the heat level. If you would like a spicier honey, you’re welcome to add more red pepper flakes (or jalapeño slices) and/or let the mixture continue to infuse for longer.
- Strain: Once the honey has reached your desired heat level, strain the honey through a fine mesh strainer into a clean storage jar. Stir in the apple cider vinegar until evenly combined.
- Serve or store: Use the honey immediately or see instructions below for storage instructions.
Notes
- Storage instructions: To store hot honey, let it cool to room temperature. Then place a lid on the jar and store at room temperature for up to 3 months. (If using fresh peppers, such as jalapeños, you will need to instead keep the hot honey in the refrigerator, where it can be stored for up to 1 week.)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
