Homemade Hot Honey

This homemade hot honey is the ultimate sweet-and-spicy upgrade for your kitchen. With just 5 minutes and pantry staples, you can whip up a drizzle-worthy condiment that’s perfect on everything from crispy chicken and pizza to biscuits, brie, and even cocktails. Why pay for the fancy bottled stuff when you can make your own?

about this hot honey recipe

I randomly found out about hot honey by buying the wrong honey. Yes, this is a true story, haha. I was in a hurry to pick up a few ingredients for dinner one night and didn’t realize my mistake until I got home.

Of course, I am usually too lazy to go back to return anything to the grocery store, so I opened it up for a taste. That was when I realized exactly what I had been missing out on! The sweet heat it brings to your favorite recipes made it my new favorite condiment instantly.

Unfortunately, the store-bought stuff can be a little pricey, so I found a way to whip it up at home! All you need is a few ingredients (all pantry staples!) and about 5 minutes of your time.

This hot honey recipe is easy to whip up, and it adds an incredible kick to all kinds of foods. Pour it over fried chicken or pizza for a sweet and spicy glaze. We love to add it to our favorite charcuterie board! Drizzle it into cocktails like a hot toddy or iced tea for a fun twist. Use it to make next-level avocado toast or even liven up roasted veggies. Seriously, once you make this for yourself, you’ll find yourself putting it on everything.

No fancy skills or equipment required. Just grab honey, your favorite hot sauce and chili flakes, and a touch of apple cider vinegar (optional, but we think it’s worth the add). That’s it!

ingredients

honey. This is the primary ingredient! It brings the sweet element, obviously. Use a good quality honey! We usually use a clover honey, but you can use other flavors to change up the recipe as desired.

crushed red pepper flakes. Crushed red pepper flakes are the primary source of heat in this recipe. You can use fresh chili peppers instead for spice (serranos are a great option for hot peppers, as are thai red chile peppers). Read further on in this post to find out more information about that option!

hot sauce. Use your favorite hot sauce! We usually opt for Frank’s Red Hot Sauce for the heat level.

apple cider vinegar. This is an optional ingredient. It brings a little tanginess to the recipe, which strikes a nice balance between the sweet and spicy.

this recipe’s must-haves

You will need a small saucepan to make the hot honey on the stove.

We like to use a fine mesh strainer to strain out the dried chili flakes.

Store the honey in a small mason jar or other airtight glass container.

here’s how to make hot honey

simmer

Add honey, crushed red pepper flakes, and hot sauce to a small pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes to help the flavors meld. Do not let the mixture boil!

Remove from heat and stir in vinegar, if using. Let cool completely. Note that the flavor will get more intense the longer the mixture sites. You can taste it and strain it whenever you feel like the flavor is right.

strain

Strain and store in a tightly sealed glass jar or container. You don’t have to strain the mixture if you prefer to let the red pepper flakes sit in the honey longer. We prefer to strain it for the clean look and so it doesn’t get too spicy.

This recipe makes approximately 1 cup.

tips and tricks

use a flavored honey. The flavor of your hot honey totally depends on the base. Clover, wildflower, or orange blossom honeys all bring a slightly different vibe.

control the heat. Start with less crushed red pepper if you’re unsure about the spice level. Remember, the longer the flakes sit in the honey, the spicier it’ll get. Taste as you go.

don’t boil it. Keep the honey at a gentle simmer. If it boils, you risk scorching it and ruining the smooth texture.

make it giftable. Pour it into cute little jars and tie with twine. Boom, you’ve got the ultimate host or holiday gift.

double the recipe. Make a big batch of hot honey by doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling the recipe.

More delish sauces to try out: Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce | Baileys Hot Fudge Sauce | The Best Au Jus

what kind of hot sauce should I use?

Go with your favorite. I usually reach for Frank’s RedHot for its classic flavor, but anything from Cholula to sriracha works. If you’re feeling bold, try a smoky chipotle hot sauce.

can I use fresh peppers instead of crushed red pepper flakes?

Yep! Fresh peppers like habanero, serrano, or Thai chilis will give the honey a bolder, more complex heat.

We recommend using about 1 to 2 fresh peppers, depending on how spicy you want the honey to be. You can use habanero peppers, fresh chilis, jalapeños, etc. Chop up the peppers, including the seeds (that’s where the heat is!), and add to the honey in place of the red pepper flakes.

You can omit the hot sauce, or leave it in, depending on what flavor profile you’re going for.

how spicy is this recipe?

This hot honey is sweet with a solid medium heat that lingers on your tongue at the end of each taste. On a scale from 1 to 10, we would rate it as about a 6 or 7. Want more fire? Add extra chili flakes or a hotter sauce.

do I need to refrigerate hot honey?

Nope! Hot honey can be stored at room temp in a sealed glass jar for several months. Keep it in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight.

how long does hot honey last?

When stored in a glass jar with a tight seal, this hot honey will last for a few months!

Need some inspiration for dinner this week? Check out my main dish recipes page!

how to use this homemade hot honey recipe

This spicy honey is one of our favorite condiments to use on a variety of different foods! Here’s just a few ideas to get you started:

• Drizzle over your favorite buttery biscuits or cornbread.
• Dip your pizza crust in it! This is one of my favorite things to do 🙂
• Use it on your burgers for a little sweet heat.
• Brush it on your favorite proteins like chicken, steak, or salmon as a glaze.
• Use it in your favorite cocktails like a hot toddy in place of simple syrup for sweet heat.
• Drizzle it over your favorite chicken wings.
• Mix it into a salad dressing or sauce for a fruit salad for a little spice.
• Stir it into softened butter to make a hot honey butter.
• Top off your favorite wheel of brie.
• Add it to a charcuterie board or drizzle it over a wheel of brie.
• Toss your oven roasted brussel sprouts with it for a spicy twist!
• Drizzle over ice cream for a new take on a sundae.

The options are endless with this recipe! We have even used it on bacon or sausage in the morning for a little zing.

how to store

Store. Store in a glass container with a sealed lid at room temperature. The hot honey sauce will last for several months when stored in a cool, dry place.

more spicy recipes to try out

For dinner, whip up these spicy Italian stuffed peppers! They are extra cheesy and hearty.

Love a cheesy dip? This spicy lasagna dip packs the cheese and the heat.

We love our spicy cocktails, so this spicy mango margarita is always a favorite of ours!

Finally, if you make this easy hot honey recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!