Sweet, spicy, and good on EVERYTHING.
The first time I experienced Hot Honey was drizzled on top of a pepperoni and ricotta cheese pizza.
That sweet and spicy combo was out-of-this-world!!
While I knew I could buy the bottle of Mike’s Hot Honey from the grocery store, I also had a feeling it wouldn’t be too complicated to make it at home.
And boy, was that instinct right!
Not only is it so super quick to whisk up, but you can also control the heat level of this spicy sauce by how many pepper flakes you add and how long you leave them in. The sweet honey and spicy peppers are the perfect balance.
If you’re a fan of fried chicken but have never had this topping, you NEED to try it now. (This Hot Honey Chicken is a delicious baked version!) One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is with a charcuterie board, as well.
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
- Garlic powder. Totally optional, but it adds a little extra flavor to the hot honey.
- Honey. A good quality, local honey is best. Avoid the artificial kind for the best results. If you have one, check out your local farmers market for honey from bees close to you. Avoid the thicker, raw version though.
- Red pepper flakes. You can easily increase or decrease the amount used to customize how spicy this hot sauce turns out. Different types of pepper, like dried chili flakes, will work, as well.
- Apple cider vinegar. This ingredient is responsible for the tangy taste in favorites like Mike’s. You can opt for white wine vinegar or lemon juice, if needed.
Step-by-step Instructions
Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
Heat the honey.
Add the honey to a medium-sized, sturdy saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Watch it carefully—as soon as it’s boiling, remove the pot from the heat.
Season it up.
With the pot away from the heat, stir in the red pepper flakes, vinegar, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk it well.
If you want it even spicier, try adding in a teaspoon or two of Sriracha or hot sauce.
Let the hot honey marinate for at least 5 minutes, or up to 10. This allows the spicy flavors to marry with the honey.
Strain (optional) and serve.
If you would like to remove the pepper flakes, place a fine mesh strainer over a glass jar. Carefully pour the honey over it.
Be sure to do this when the honey is still warm so it moves through the strainer easily.
FAQs
Hot honey is honey that has been infused with red pepper flakes or chili flakes. The flakes are left in, or strained out. The result is a highly flavorful, sweet and spicy honey.
Hot honey has a way of making just about everything taste better. It’s especially good on pizza, but don’t overlook it on vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt—the sweet heat with something cold is so good. For savory dishes, try it on fried chicken, roasted vegetables, or even eggs. It’s also great brushed over cornbread or biscuits, or drizzled on a cheese board with brie or goat cheese. Start with a light drizzle and add more as needed—homemade hot honey has a bit more kick, so a little goes a long way.
Hot honey, when stored correctly, will last virtually forever. Keep it in a clean, airtight glass container in the pantry, not in the fridge. If it starts to crystallize, warm the honey up slightly in the microwave or let it sit in hot water for 15 minutes.
The best way to store hot honey is in a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. A Mason jar works great. Be sure to leave it in a dry place, like the pantry or cabinet. If you keep a jar of hot honey in the fridge, it will crystallize faster.
What to serve with it?
This spicy-sweet condiment takes your favorite savory dishes up a notch. Try any of these recipes for an added kick.
It’s perfect with this Hot Honey Chicken.
It’s a great addition to Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, and Pretzel Pecan Honey Chicken.
Vegetables, like Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower, and Air Fryer Carrots, become irresistible.
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Hot Honey Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 1-2 tablespoons red pepper flakes depending on desired spice level
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder optional
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add the honey to a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the honey to a boil. Once boiling, remove the pot from the heat and mix in the red pepper flakes, vinegar, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk until everything is combined.1 cup honey, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, Pinch of salt, 1-2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
- Let the pepper flakes marinade in the honey for at least 5 minutes or up to 10 before straining. You can also serve as is with the flakes still in the honey for an even spicier kick.
- If straining, place a fine mesh strainer over a glass jar and pour the hot honey into it. You want to make sure the honey is still nice and warm so it goes through the strainer easily.
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Video
Notes
- One serving=1 tablespoon of hot honey
- Spice: You can pick the amount of red pepper flakes to create the spice level you prefer.
- Honey: If possible, choose honey from your area for the most health benefits.
- Strain it out. For less of a kick, strain the flakes out of the honey.
- Storage: This honey will last for years if stored correctly, in a glass jar in the pantry.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Sauce Recipes
If you’re looking for other sauce recipes to top your favorite dishes, whip up one of these next.
Never boil honey. It destroys all enzymes and beneficial aspects of honey. Warm to 110 then stir in ingredients. Fresh grated garlic is also more nutritious. That is all. Easy and still healthy.
Thanks so much for leaving a comment, Jamie! I appreciate you sharing your perspective.
Gently warming the honey is a great option if you’d like to preserve more of its natural properties, and fresh garlic is always a nice touch, too. Thanks for your tips!
thank you London, I wanted to know what hot honey was and how to make it.
Johnnie, you’re so welcome! I’m glad it helped explain what hot honey is and how easy it is to make at home. It’s such a simple recipe, but it adds so much flavor — hope you have fun using it!