If you’re searching for an easy, flavor-packed way to jazz up everyday meals, Hot Honey is about to become your not-so-secret weapon. With a balance of sticky sweetness and gentle heat, every spoonful drizzles on bold, addictive flavor—perfect for pizza, fried chicken, and even your morning toast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet Heat Masterpiece: This hot honey is crave-worthy with a gorgeous balance—gentle sweet, gentle fire, all in one drizzle.
- Make It Your Way: Easily customize the spice level and even the flavor profile with your favorite chili—it’s incredibly versatile!
- Ridiculously Simple: With just a handful of ingredients and about twenty minutes, you’ll have a jar of homemade magic.
- Elevates Anything (Seriously!): Drizzle it on pizza, chicken, cheese boards, roasted veggies, or even ice cream for a thrilling upgrade.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s nothing tricky hiding in this lineup! These three ingredients are simple pantry staples, but together, they create a Hot Honey that’s truly greater than the sum of its parts—each brings its own stamp of flavor, color, and a touch of excitement.
- Honey: Go for your favorite mild honey—clover, wildflower, or even local—since it’s the base and provides that signature sticky sweetness.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes or Fresh Jalapeño: Choose crushed red pepper for classic, even heat, or sliced fresh jalapeño for a grassy, vibrant kick and pretty flecks in the jar.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash rounds out the sweetness and adds a gentle tang that makes the flavors really pop.
Variations
The best part? This Hot Honey recipe is just a foundation for your own spicy creations. Feel free to experiment based on your spice tolerance, favorite peppers, or need to make it diet-friendly—it’s all about making your perfect drizzle!
- Spicier Hot Honey: Infuse longer or add extra pepper flakes, fresh serrano, or a pinch of cayenne for extra boldness.
- Citrus Zest: Add a strip of lemon or orange zest to the honey while it simmers for a bright, fresh note.
- Garlic-Infused: Toss in a smashed garlic clove for a savory undertone that’s amazing on pizza and roasted veggies.
- Vegan Swap: Use agave instead of honey to keep things plant-based—agave also infuses wonderfully with chilis!
How to Make Hot Honey
Step 1: Gently Simmer the Honey and Chilis
Add your honey to a medium saucepan, then stir in your crushed red pepper or sliced jalapeño. Set it over medium heat and patiently wait for those tiny bubbles around the edge—don’t let it come to a hard boil. This gentle simmer is what infuses flavors without scorching the honey or making it bitter.
Step 2: Remove from Heat and Infuse
As soon as you see a light simmer, give the mixture a stir and remove the pan from the heat. This is where the magic happens—let the honey and peppers hang out together for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the heat and flavors to meld into every golden drop.
Step 3: Taste & Adjust the Heat
Give your Hot Honey a taste after it’s cooled a bit. Like it milder? Strain sooner. Want more “wow”? Add extra chiles or let it steep longer. You’re in the driver’s seat to make this as fiery (or mellow) as you love.
Step 4: Strain and Add Vinegar
When the flavor is just right for you, carefully strain the honey through a fine mesh strainer into a clean jar or bottle to remove the pepper bits. Stir in the apple cider vinegar while the honey’s still warm—the touch of acid is what gives Hot Honey its irresistible tangy finish!
Step 5: Serve, Store, and Enjoy
Your Hot Honey is ready to steal the show! Drizzle it over your favorite foods right away, or let it cool completely, then seal it up and stash it for quick and easy flavor boosts whenever the craving strikes.
Pro Tips for Making Hot Honey
- Low-and-Slow Infusion: Keep your heat gentle (never boiling!) or your honey can turn bitter and lose its smooth flavor.
- Flavor Flexibility: Taste frequently as it steeps; every type of chili packs its own punch, so infusing time determines the perfect heat for you.
- Straining Smarts: Strain while hot for a clear, pourable honey—if you like a bit of fire, leave some flakes behind for a more rustic look.
- Storing Fresh vs. Dried: Use the fridge (and consume within a week) if using fresh jalapeño, but dried chilis let you store at room temp for months!
How to Serve Hot Honey
Garnishes
A little goes a long way! Try drizzling Hot Honey over crispy fried chicken, pepperoni pizza, cheesy biscuits, or even roasted sweet potatoes. For a party platter, serve in a tiny pitcher with a few extra chili flakes or a slice of fresh jalapeño for a pop of color and a visual cue about what’s inside.
Side Dishes
This spicy-sweet treat plays nicely with all sorts of sides: think creamy coleslaw, cornbread, skillet greens, or even a sharp, aged cheese. It’s unexpectedly delightful on a cheese or charcuterie board, where it brings out new flavors in everything else on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping touch, pour Hot Honey into a cute squeeze bottle or clear glass jar—add a handmade tag for gifting. Serve in a shallow bowl for dipping pizza crust, or use a honey dipper draped across a cheese board. You can even set out extra chili flakes or edible flowers as a fun, colorful accent!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After cooling, transfer your Hot Honey to a clean, tightly sealed jar. If you used only dried peppers, you can keep it at room temperature for up to three months—just store it in a cool, dry spot out of direct sun. With fresh peppers (like jalapeño), it needs to stay refrigerated and is best within a week.
Freezing
While honey doesn’t freeze solid, you can absolutely tuck your Hot Honey in the freezer if you’re planning a big batch—just use a freezer-safe container and thaw at room temperature before serving. The texture and flavor will stay intact!
Reheating
If your Hot Honey thickens up in the fridge, simply set the jar in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, or give it a very quick zap in the microwave (uncovered, just a few seconds at a time). Stir gently, and it’ll pour smoothly again.
FAQs
-
Can I make Hot Honey less spicy?
Absolutely! Just reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or jalapeño, and don’t infuse as long. Taste as you go, and strain as soon as you love the flavor.
-
How long does Hot Honey last?
If you use dried red pepper flakes, it keeps for up to three months at room temperature. But if you use fresh jalapeño, always refrigerate, and try to use it within a week for best safety and flavor.
-
Can I use other types of hot peppers?
Definitely! Serrano, Fresno, or even habanero (if you’re feeling brave) all work. Taste as you go, since different peppers deliver heat in their own way.
-
Why add vinegar to Hot Honey?
The apple cider vinegar keeps every drizzle from being too sweet or cloying—it adds just the right tang and makes all the other flavors come alive.
Final Thoughts
This Hot Honey may be the easiest kitchen upgrade you’ll ever make, but it absolutely delivers on excitement. Whether you’re spicing up pizza night, hosting friends, or just want to add that “something special” to your day, give this recipe a try—I promise it’ll be love at first drizzle!
Print
Hot Honey Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 1 cup
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
A spicy and sweet condiment, Hot Honey adds a kick to your favorite dishes. This easy-to-make recipe combines the heat of red pepper flakes or jalapeños with the sweetness of honey, finished off with a hint of apple cider vinegar.
Ingredients
Honey
- 1 cup
Red Pepper Honey
- 2 to 3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes or 1 fresh jalapeño pepper, sliced
Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 to 2 teaspoons
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. Adjust heat level by adding more red pepper flakes or jalapeño slices as desired. Let the mixture continue to infuse for preferred heat intensity.
- Strain. Once desired heat level is achieved, strain the honey through a fine mesh strainer into a clean storage jar. Stir in apple cider vinegar until evenly combined.
- Serve or store. Use the hot honey immediately or store according to provided instructions for optimal storage.
Notes
- To store hot honey, cool to room temperature before sealing in a jar. Store at room temperature for up to 3 months. If using fresh peppers like jalapeños, refrigerate the hot honey 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: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
