Hot Honey Recipe
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Hot honey is sweet, sticky, spicy, and ridiculously easy to make! Homemade hot honey takes less than 10 minutes to make with just three simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Hot Honey Recipe
Hot Honey Recipe
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This recipe lets you control the heat, so you can make it as mild or fiery as you like. I prefer to leave the crushed red pepper flakes in the honey because it keeps getting just a little spicier over time, but if you prefer a smooth honey, I’ll show you how to strain it too.
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Once you make a jar, don’t be surprised if you start drizzling it on everything.
Why you’ll love this recipe
This easy hot honey recipe comes together in less than 10 minutes with just three simple ingredients, making it one of the easiest condiments you can make from scratch.
It’s easy to customize the spice level to suit your taste, costs much less than buying a bottle at the store, and tastes amazing on everything from pizza and fried chicken to biscuits and roasted vegetables. Plus, it keeps for months, so you’ll always have a jar ready whenever a meal needs a little sweet heat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Step By Step Directions
- Add the honey, apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes to a small saucepan.
- Heat over low to medium heat until the honey becomes thin and tiny bubbles begin to appear around the edges. There’s no need to stir.
- Remove from the heat. Use immediately while warm, or pour into a mason jar and let it rest for about an hour if you’d like it to thicken slightly.
- If you prefer a smooth hot honey, strain it through a fine mesh sieve while it’s still warm. Serve immediately or store for later.
Tips For the Best Hot Honey
- Don’t boil the honey. Gentle heat is all you need. Boiling can change the flavor and texture.
- Adjust the heat to your taste. Start with less crushed red pepper if you’re sensitive to spice. You can always add more next time.
- Leave the pepper flakes in for a spicier honey. The longer they sit, the hotter the honey becomes.
- Strain the honey right after cooking if you want a smooth finish.
- Use good-quality honey since it’s the main flavor in the recipe.
Storage
Store hot honey in an airtight container or mason jar at room temperature in a cool, dry place. It will keep for 3 to 6 months.
Do not refrigerate unless absolutely necessary, as honey naturally crystallizes more quickly in the refrigerator. If your honey becomes too thick, simply place the jar in a bowl of warm water until it loosens again.
Freezing is not recommended.
What to serve with hot honey
Hot honey is incredibly versatile. Try drizzling it over: French bread pizza, baked chicken wings, homemade buttermilk biscuits, roasted brussels sprouts, baked sweet potatoes, avocado toast, baked salmon, or even on vanilla ice cream!
How to Make Hot Honey
Hot Honey Recipe
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Fine mesh sieve (optional)
- Mason jar or airtight container
Ingredients
- 8 ounces honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine the honey, apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small saucepan.
- Heat over low to medium heat without stirring until the honey thins and small bubbles begin to appear around the edges. Do not allow the honey to boil.
- Remove from the heat. Use immediately while warm, or pour into a mason jar, cover, and let rest for about 1 hour to thicken slightly.
- If desired, strain the honey through a fine mesh sieve while still warm to remove the pepper flakes.
- Drizzle over your favorite foods and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to make it milder or spicier.
- Leaving the pepper flakes in the honey will continue to increase the heat over time.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–6 months.
- Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Tools We Love
- Mason Jars – Wide mouth mason jars are my favorite way to prepare and store sauces!
- Honey Stirrers – You can’t serve a homemade honey sauce without this nostalgic server!
Other Awesome Homemade Sauces
- Alabama White Sauce
- Chick Fil A Sauce Recipe
- Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
- Cilantro Garlic Sauce
- See all our delicious condiment recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hot honey actually spicy?
It has a pleasant kick rather than overwhelming heat. You can easily adjust the spice level by using more or fewer crushed red pepper flakes.
Can I use different peppers?
Absolutely! Fresh jalapeños, dried chiles, or even habaneros can all be used for different flavor profiles. Just remember that hotter peppers will create a much spicier honey. If you use fresh peppers, you MUST refrigerate the honey.
Why isn’t my honey thick anymore?
Heating naturally thins honey. As it cools, it thickens back up. Letting it rest for about an hour helps restore its consistency.
Do I have to strain the pepper flakes?
Not at all. Leaving them in allows the honey to continue developing heat over time. If you want a smooth honey that stays at a consistent spice level, strain it immediately after cooking.
Does hot honey need to be refrigerated?
No. Just like regular honey, it stores best at room temperature in a sealed container away from heat and sunlight.
Final Thoughts
Once you make homemade hot honey, it’s hard to go back to the store-bought version. It’s quick, customizable, and adds the perfect balance of sweet heat to just about anything. Keep a jar in your pantry and don’t be afraid to drizzle it on everything!
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