🔥 Hot Honey Recipe: Sweet, Spicy & Addictively Delicious!
If you’ve never tried hot honey, get ready to fall in love. This sweet-meets-heat condiment adds a bold kick to just about anything — from fried chicken and pizza to roasted veggies, biscuits, and even cocktails. The best part? You can make your own hot honey recipe in under 10 minutes using just a few simple ingredients.
In this post, we’ll cover everything:
âś… How to make hot honey at home
âś… The best peppers to use for different spice levels
âś… Creative ways to use it in your kitchen
âś… Storage tips and FAQs
Let’s dive into this golden, spicy magic!
🍯 What Is Hot Honey?
Hot honey is exactly what it sounds like — honey infused with chili heat. It’s sweet, sticky, and carries just the right amount of spice to make your taste buds dance.
This delicious condiment started gaining popularity thanks to brands like Mike’s Hot Honey, but making your own at home is so easy (and cheaper!). Plus, you can control how spicy it is by choosing your favorite chili peppers or flakes.
Homemade hot honey gives you the freedom to customize — mild, medium, or extra hot — depending on your preference.
🌶️ Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Takes less than 10 minutes start to finish.
- Customizable Heat: Use mild or hot chili flakes, or even fresh peppers.
- Versatile: Drizzle it on pizza, chicken, cornbread, or ice cream.
- Perfect Gift: Bottled hot honey makes a fantastic DIY food gift.
- All-Natural: No preservatives or artificial flavors — just pure, clean ingredients.
🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need for Hot Honey Recipe
Here’s what you need to make this homemade hot honey recipe:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honey | 1 cup | Use raw or pure honey for best flavor |
| Crushed Red Pepper Flakes | 1–2 tablespoons | Adjust to your desired heat level |
| Apple Cider Vinegar (optional) | 1 teaspoon | Adds tangy depth and balances sweetness |
That’s it! Simple ingredients, big flavor.
If you prefer using fresh chili peppers (like jalapeños or habaneros), you can easily substitute them — more on that below.
🍯 Step-by-Step: How To Make Hot Honey
Step 1: Warm the Honey
In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of honey. Warm it over low heat — do not boil. You just want it warm enough to infuse the flavor.
Step 2: Add the Heat
Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper flakes (or use 1–2 sliced fresh chilies). The amount depends on how spicy you want it.
- For mild hot honey: use ½ to 1 tablespoon of flakes.
- For medium: 1½ tablespoons.
- For extra hot: 2 tablespoons or more.
Step 3: Simmer & Infuse
Let the mixture simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be sure not to let it boil, or the honey can burn or lose its floral flavor.
You’ll start to smell that irresistible mix of sweet and spicy aromas!
Step 4: Optional Vinegar Kick
If you like a little tang, stir in 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. This brightens the flavor and keeps the sweetness from overwhelming the spice.
Step 5: Strain & Cool
Remove the pan from heat and let it cool slightly.
Then, pour it through a fine mesh strainer to remove the chili flakes (or leave them in if you like it extra punchy).
Step 6: Store
Transfer your homemade hot honey into a glass jar or bottle. Store it at room temperature for up to 3 months.
🌶️ Best Peppers to Use in Hot Honey
You can customize your hot honey recipe by using different chili varieties. Each pepper brings a unique flavor and heat level.
| Pepper Type | Flavor Profile | Heat Level |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pepper Flakes | Classic, smoky heat | Medium |
| Jalapeño | Fresh, grassy, mild | Mild |
| Serrano | Brighter, more intense | Medium-hot |
| Habanero | Fruity, floral, fiery | Hot |
| Ghost Pepper | Extremely spicy | Extra-hot |
👉 Pro Tip: Start small! You can always add more spice later, but you can’t take it out once it’s too hot.
🍗 What To Use Hot Honey On
This is where the fun begins — hot honey goes with almost everything!
Here are some delicious ways to use it:
1. Fried Chicken
Drizzle hot honey over crispy fried chicken for that sweet-and-spicy Southern-style flavor bomb.
2. Pizza
A light drizzle on pepperoni pizza or even a Margherita pizza gives an irresistible sweet heat.
3. Cheese Boards
Pair with soft cheeses like brie, goat cheese, or blue cheese. The combo of spicy honey and creamy cheese is divine.
4. Biscuits or Cornbread
Add a spoonful to warm, buttery biscuits or cornbread for a comfort-food upgrade.
5. Roasted Veggies
Glaze roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes with a touch of hot honey for caramelized perfection.
6. Cocktails
Yes — try a few drops in a whiskey sour, margarita, or hot toddy for a spicy twist.
7. Ice Cream
Vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of hot honey? Absolute magic.
8. Glazes & Marinades
Use it as a glaze for salmon, chicken wings, or pork chops for an easy gourmet finish.
đź«™ How To Store Hot Honey
Store your hot honey in a clean, airtight jar or squeeze bottle. Keep it in a cool, dry place (no need to refrigerate).
It should stay fresh for up to 3 months — even longer if you used pure honey.
If it crystallizes, simply warm it gently in a hot water bath to restore its smooth texture.
🔄 Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic hot honey recipe, you can get creative! Here are some fun variations:
- Garlic Hot Honey: Add a clove of smashed garlic during the simmer for savory depth.
- Citrus Hot Honey: Stir in a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest for a bright, zippy flavor.
- Smoked Hot Honey: Use chipotle flakes or smoked paprika for a smoky kick.
- Herb-Infused Hot Honey: Add thyme or rosemary sprigs while heating for an aromatic touch.
Each variation brings a unique personality to your table — perfect for experimenting!
đź’ˇ Pro Tips for the Perfect Hot Honey Recipe
- Don’t Overheat the Honey: Boiling destroys enzymes and natural flavor — keep it under 160°F (71°C).
- Taste as You Go: Start with less spice, then add more if needed.
- Use Good-Quality Honey: Local, raw honey makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Strain While Warm: It’s easier to strain chili flakes while the honey is still warm and runny.
- Make Extra: You’ll find yourself drizzling this stuff on everything!
🧑‍🍳 Quick Recipe Recap: Hot Honey Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup honey
- 1–2 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat honey over low heat.
- Add red pepper flakes; simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in vinegar (optional).
- Strain and cool.
- Store in a jar at room temperature.
Yield: About 1 cup
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
🧠FAQ About Hot Honey
Q: How spicy is hot honey?
A: It depends on the amount and type of pepper you use. You can make it mild or fiery — totally customizable!
Q: Can I use fresh peppers instead of flakes?
A: Yes! Slice them thinly, simmer, then strain them out before storing.
Q: Does hot honey need to be refrigerated?
A: Nope. Honey is naturally shelf-stable — just keep it tightly sealed.
Q: Can I use other sweeteners like maple syrup?
A: You can, but the texture and flavor will differ. Honey gives the best consistency.
Q: How long does homemade hot honey last?
A: Up to 3 months at room temp, or up to 6 months if refrigerated.
❤️ Why This Hot Honey Recipe Belongs in Your Kitchen
This hot honey recipe is one of those simple kitchen hacks that completely changes the game. A drizzle can transform ordinary meals into flavor-packed creations. It’s versatile, easy, and utterly irresistible.
Once you try it, you’ll never go back to plain honey again.
Whether you’re serving up Sunday brunch, a backyard BBQ, or a cozy movie night snack, homemade hot honey adds the perfect finishing touch.
🔥 Final Thoughts
Making your own hot honey recipe at home is fast, fun, and customizable. You control the ingredients, the spice level, and the flavor variations. With just a few minutes and simple pantry staples, you can create a gourmet condiment that enhances every dish it touches.
So grab your honey, heat it up, and let that sweet-spicy magic begin. 🍯🌶️
