Ever wondered how to make hot honey? This easy hot honey recipe requires just 3 simple ingredients and 10 minutes for the most amazing sauce or condiment. It can be drizzled on everything from pizza to wings to whatever your heart desires!
With the holidays just around the corner I thought I’d stop in with another one of my favorite DIY gifts: This Hot Honey Recipe! Nowadays you can easily find hot honey in most grocery stores but the markup on them is SHOCKING when you can easily make hot honey at home. Seriously, Mike’s Hot Honey is $13! You can make it for so much less.
I mentioned in my sweet and spicy roasted pecans post that this year everyone in my life is getting edible gifts and this hot honey is on the list. It’s perfect for drizzling on everything from pizza to avocado toast to wings.
It can be used in place of any recipe that calls for honey but where you want a nice added kick. I love using it in salad dressing and marinades but it can also be enjoyed with your favorite “dippers” like fries, chicken fingers or even with veggies! Don’t knock the hot honey trend until you try it.
And better yet, you can try it at home with just 10 minutes and 3 simple ingredients. Trust me, you’ll want this by the gallon!
Ingredients in Homemade Hot Honey
Honey – Any honey will work here. I like the taste of clover or buckwheat honey but truly use whatever honey you desire. Ideally purchase from local beekeepers to support the bee population in your area! We have a beekeeper who lives down the street from us and graciously has gifted us lots of honey.
Red chili flakes – any dried chili flake can be used here. I prefer to use just basic crushed red chili peppers. You could also use fresh chiles but note that you will definitely need to strain your hot honey if you do. I’ve included a range of dried red chili flake amounts since everyone’s heat preference is different. If you find your hot honey needs a bit more heat, you can always add more. If you find it too spicy you can always dilute with regular honey.
Apple Cider Vinegar – This is not essential but the acidity helps to balance the sweetness and the heat. You could also use regular white vinegar if that’s all you have.
How to Make Hot Honey
STEP 1: HEAT HONEY
In a medium saucepan add your honey and red pepper flakes over medium heat until it begins to simmer. This will only take a few minutes. Remove pan from heat and allow your red pepper flakes to sit in the honey for 10 minutes.
STEP 2: STRAIN HONEY (OPTIONAL)
If desired you can strain your hot honey through a fine-mesh sieve but this is not essential.
STEP 3: STORE
Try your hot honey and either add more chili flakes or dilute with more honey. Note that if you leave your chili flakes in your honey it will get spicier over time so err on the side of caution when adding chili flakes. Stir in apple cider vinegar.
How to Use Honey Honey
On Pizza – I feel like hot honey became the trend that it is because of how popular it is on pizza. It sounds weird to have honey on pizza but trust me, it’s amazing!
On Wings – you can marinate your wings in a hot honey sauce or dip your wings in it instead.
As a Marinade – speaking of marinade, use your honey to marinate any meats or veggies.
On Toast + Sandwiches – Drizzle your avocado toast or your favorite sandwich with this honey.
In Salad Dressings – have a dressing that calls for honey? Sub in hot honey instead!
As a Tea – think lemon + honey water but with an added kick!
In a Cocktail – have a cocktail that calls for sweetener? Use this hot honey instead! I’m thinking a hot honey hot toddy!
–>FAQs
No! It is not essential to strain your hot honey. Just note that your hot honey will get spicier if you leave the chili flakes in it so add less rather than more when deciding spice amount.
No you do not. This is optional but the acidity helps to break through some of the sweetness and spice.
The taste won’t be exactly the same but you can sub in agave nectar for honey to make a vegan version.
Storage Instructions
Honey is a preservative so this hot honey recipe will actually last…FOREVER! That’s right. If stored in an airtight container or mason jar in a cool place you never have to worry about your hot honey going bad.
More Homemade Sauces & Drizzles:
How to Make Hot Honey
Ever wondered how to make hot honey? This easy hot honey recipe requires just 3 simple ingredients and 10 minutes for the most amazing sauce drizzled on everything from pizza to wings to whatever your heart desires!
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Cook
- Diet: Gluten Free
- 1 cup honey
- 1–2 tbsp crushed red chili flakes
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- In a medium saucepan add your honey and red pepper flakes over medium heat until it begins to simmer. This will only take a few minutes.
- Remove pan from heat and allow your red pepper flakes to sit in the honey for 10 minutes.
- If desired you can strain your hot honey through a fine-mesh sieve but this is not essential.
- Try your hot honey and either add more chili flakes or dilute with more honey. Note that if you leave your chili flakes in your honey it will get spicier over time so err on the side of caution when adding chili flakes.
- Stir in apple cider vinegar.
- Store your hot honey in a mason jar or desired container at room temperature.
