Spicy Hot Honey

Hot honey is a type of honey that has been infused with chili peppers or other spicy ingredients to give it a sweet and spicy flavor. Learn how to make hot honey at home and use it when you please. Such a quick and easy spicy honey recipe. This hot honey sauce is a must for your chicken wings, and favorite dishes, or even elevate any dish with this spicy condiment. This has easily become one of our favorite pantry staples.

This hot honey condiment is often used as a topping for food such as pizza, fried chicken, and biscuits or as a glaze for meats such as ham or pork. Some people also use hot honey as a dipping sauce for vegetables or as a condiment for sandwiches. The heat level of hot honey can vary depending on the type of chili pepper or spices used, so it can range from mild to spicy.

Why people love hot honey…

Overall, hot honey offers a unique blend of flavors and versatility that appeals to many people, making it a popular condiment.

• Flavor: The combination of sweet and spicy flavors in hot honey appeals to many people’s taste buds and adds a unique twist to traditional honey. A whole lot of sweet honey with some heat in each bite. The honey mixture is truly a pairing. The best part you control how much heat you have. So make it medium heat, hot, or even mild based on your preference of the spicy hot honey.
• Versatility: Hot honey can be used in a variety of ways, such as a topping, glaze, dipping sauce, brussels sprouts, dip French fries, chicken fingers, drizzle on homemade biscuits, Greek yogurt, avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches, or condiment, making it a versatile addition to many different dishes.
• Heat level: Some people enjoy the heat from the chili peppers or spices in hot honey and find it adds an extra layer of flavor to their food.
• Health benefits: Honey is known for its natural antibacterial and antioxidant properties, and adding spices to it can also provide additional health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system.

Ingredients You Will Need

Honey: Use high-quality, raw honey for the best flavor. If you can get your hands on local honey we recommend that. If not feel free to use whatever brand you like for this homemade hot honey recipe.

Chili peppers: You can use any type of chili pepper to make hot honey, such as red pepper flakes, dried chili peppers, or fresh chilis. The hot peppers are of course the heat in the recipe. We used dried chili flakes but feel free to adjust to what you have and for the spicy level you would prefer for your jar of hot honey.

Vinegar: A small amount of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, can help to balance out the sweetness of the honey.

Variations To Recipe

• Spices: Some recipes call for additional spices, such as garlic, ginger, or black pepper, to add extra flavor.
• Salt: A pinch of salt helps to enhance the flavors of the honey and chili peppers.
• Honey: If you want to change up the flavor instead of a basic clover honey, reach for an orange blossom honey or other flavored honey for added sweetness paired with the heat. So it creates a new level of a little sweet heat.

Pro Tip: If you are looking for a honey jar you can find all types to buy. No drip jars, classic honey jars, and more. We love all the options.

How to Make

Full directions on how to make this hot honey recipe is in the printable recipe card, which is at the bottom of the post.

• In a small saucepan add all three ingredients.
• Turn on medium-low heat and bring to a simmer. Once the sauce is simmering, remove from the heat.
• Let the hot honey sit for an hour at room temperature. Then strain out the flakes or leave them in for a spicier honey.

Tips for Success

Here are some tips for making homemade hot honey:

Heat level: Control the heat level of your hot honey by adjusting the amount of chili peppers you use. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.

Infuse the flavors: Simmer the honey and chili peppers over low heat for 10-15 minutes to fully infuse the flavors. This will also help to soften the chili peppers, making them easier to strain.

Drizzle your hot honey over this creamy skillet corn to elevate the flavor.

Storing Honey

Store in an airtight container: Once cooled, store your hot honey in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last for several months.

Freezing: Freezing the honey is a good way to preserve its flavor and texture, and it also makes it easier to store. To freeze hot honey, transfer it to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag and place it in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

It’s important to note that freezing honey can change its texture and cause it to become thicker and more syrupy. This can be remedied by stirring the spicy honey or warming it up slightly to restore its original consistency.

Overall, freezing hot honey is a convenient and effective way to preserve it for later use. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.

Practical notes

What makes hot honey hot?

Hot honey gets its heat from the chili peppers or other spicy ingredients that are infused into the honey. The heat level of the honey can vary depending on the type of chili pepper or spice used, as well as the amount added.

What happens if honey gets too hot?

If honey gets too hot, it can cause several changes to its flavor, color, and texture. Some of the most common effects of overheating honey include:Darkening of color: Overheating honey can cause it to darken in color, becoming more amber or brown in hue.Loss of flavor: Heating honey too much can cause it to lose some of its delicate flavor, making it taste less sweet and more bitter.Change in texture: Overheating honey can cause it to become thicker and more viscous, making it difficult to pour or spread.Destruction of beneficial enzymes: Honey contains naturally occurring enzymes that are beneficial for health. Heating honey too much can destroy these enzymes, reducing its nutritional value.Formation of harmful substances: When honey is heated to high temperatures, it can form harmful substances such as hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which is toxic in high concentrations.

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Printable Recipe Card

Ingredients

Makes 1 cup

• 1 cup honey
• 3 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 2 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar.

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Measuring Cups
• Jar
• Strainer

Method

1. In a small saucepan, you will add the honey, peppers, and vinegar in the pan. Stir well.
2. Turn heat to medium-low and allow the honey sauce to simmer. Once it is simmering, remove from the heat.
3. Allow the honey to set at room temperature for one hour.
4. Strain your honey if you would like to remove some spice. Or leave the red pepper flakes in the honey for a spicier sauce.

Kitchen notes

Honey – High quality honey is recommended. Spice factor – You can use less or more on red pepper flakes. Now, you can change the type of pepper seeds you use to alter the flavor. Vinegar – The apple cider vinegar will balance out the flavor of sweet and spicy. We find the apple cider offers the best flavor. Straining – Feel free to strain the honey, or skip that step.