Have you ever wondered how to make hot honey? This easy hot honey recipe requires just 3 simple ingredients and 10 minutes to make the most amazing sauces and seasonings. You can put it on everything from pizza to chicken wings, depending on your preference.
As the holiday season approaches, I thought I’d stop by for another one of my favorite DIY gifts: Hot Honey recipe. You can easily find hot honey in most grocery stores these days, but the price can be shocking considering how easy hot honey is to make at home. Seriously, Mike’s Hot Honey is $13. It can be made very cheaply.
In my Sweet and Spicy Roasted Pecans post, I mentioned that everyone around me was getting edible gifts this year, and this hot honey is on that list. It’s perfect on everything from pizza to avocado toast to chicken wings.
You can use it in place of recipes that call for honey if you want to add an extra kick. I love using it in salad dressings and marinades, but you can also enjoy it with your favorite “dippers” and veggies, like fries or chicken fingers. Don’t dismiss the hot honey trend until you try it.
Even better, you can try it at home in just 10 minutes and 3 simple ingredients. Trust me, you’ll want this by the gallon!
Ingredients of homemade hot honey
Honey – Any honey will work here. I like the taste of clover or buckwheat honey, but feel free to use whatever honey you really like. To support the bee population in your area, purchasing from a local beekeeper is ideal. The beekeeper who lives down the street was kind enough to give us lots of honey.
Red chili pepper flakes – You can use any dried chili pepper flakes. I prefer to use just basic crushed red pepper. You can also use fresh chiles, but keep in mind that in that case you will need to strain the hot honey. Since everyone has different spiciness preferences, I’ve included a range of amounts of dried red pepper flakes. If your hot honey needs a little more heat, you can always add more. If you find it too spicy, you can always dilute it with regular honey.
Apple cider vinegar – This is not required, but the acidity helps balance the sweetness and spiciness. If you only have regular white vinegar, you can also use that.
How to make hot honey
Step 1: Heat the honey
Add the honey and red pepper flakes to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until it begins to boil. This only takes a few minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the red pepper flakes sit in the honey for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Strain the honey (optional)
If desired, you can strain the hot honey through a fine sieve, but this is not necessary.
Step 3: Save
Try hot honey and add more chili flakes or dilute with honey. Be careful when adding chili flakes, as leaving them in the honey will increase the spiciness over time. Add apple cider vinegar and stir.
How to use honey
On Pizza – I think hot honey became a trend because it was popular on pizza. Honey on pizza seems weird, but trust me, it’s great.
With Wings – You can marinate the wings in hot honey sauce or dip the wings in it instead.
As a marinade – Speaking of marinades, honey is used to marinate meat and vegetables.
On Toast and Sandwiches – Drizzle this honey on avocado toast or your favorite sandwich.
Do you have a salad dressing that calls for honey? Just add hot honey instead!
As a tea – think lemon + honey water, but with an added kick.
In Cocktails – Do you have a cocktail that needs a sweetener? Use this hot honey instead! I’m thinking of Hot Honey Hot Toddy!
–>Frequently Asked Questions
no! There is no need to strain warm honey. Keep in mind that leaving chili flakes in hot honey will increase the spiciness, so when determining the amount of spices, be sure to use less rather than more.
No, it’s not. This is optional, but the acidity helps tone down some of the sweetness and spice.
You can also make a vegan version by adding agave nectar instead of honey, although the taste won’t be quite the same.
Precautions for storage
Honey is a preservative, so this hot honey recipe will actually last forever. That’s correct. You don’t have to worry about hot honey spoiling if you store it in an airtight container or mason jar in a cool place.
Other homemade sauces and drizzles:
How to make hot honey
Have you ever wondered how to make hot honey? This easy hot honey recipe requires just 3 simple ingredients and makes a great sauce for everything from pizza to chicken wings in 10 minutes. I will.
Author: Davida Lederle Preparation time: 2 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 12 minutes
yield: 16 for one person 1×
category: seasoning
method: cook
diet: gluten free
1 cup honey
1–2 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Add the honey and red pepper flakes to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until it begins to boil. This only takes a few minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the red pepper flakes sit in the honey for 10 minutes. If desired, you can strain the hot honey through a fine sieve, but this is not necessary. Try hot honey and add more chili flakes or dilute with honey. Be careful when adding chili flakes, as leaving them in the honey will increase the spiciness over time. Add apple cider vinegar and stir. Store hot honey at room temperature in a mason jar or container of your choice.
