The Best Hot Honey Recipe (Just 3 Ingredients!)

If you’ve been scrolling through food videos lately, chances are you’ve seen someone drizzling a golden, glistening spoonful of hot honey over everything from pizza to fried chicken. This spicy-sweet condiment has taken over kitchens everywhere, and once you try this easy hot honey recipe, you’ll understand why. The best part? You only need three simple ingredients and about five minutes of active cooking time to make a jar of hot honey that rivals, and honestly might beat, any store-bought version sitting on the grocery store shelf.

This homemade hot honey recipe delivers that perfect balance of sweetness and spice in every single bite. It’s become one of my favorite foods to keep stocked in the pantry, and it consistently earns praises of hot honey from anyone who tries it for the first time.

What Is Hot Honey, Exactly?

Hot honey is exactly what it sounds like: regular honey infused with hot peppers or dried chili flakes to create a spicy honey sauce with a little kick of heat. Brands like Mike’s Hot Honey helped popularize this spicy condiment, but making your own at home means you control the spice level, the quality of ingredients, and the price. Once you taste a homemade batch, you may never buy a bottle again.

The unique flavor of hot honey comes from letting red pepper flakes steep directly in the honey, allowing the natural oils from the peppers to infuse every drop. It’s a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and a whole lot addictive.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Hot Honey Recipe

• Simple ingredients. You only need honey, apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper.
• Quick cook time. Just 5 minutes on the stove and you’re done.
• Customizable heat level. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
• Pantry staple. Once made, it keeps for months without needing refrigeration.
• Great gift. Pour it into a sealed glass jar with a ribbon, and you’ve got a thoughtful homemade present for any foodie in your life.

Ingredients for this Hot Honey Recipe

You only need 3 things! Jump to the recipe card below for the full recipe.

• Honey
• Apple cider vinegar
• Crushed red pepper

Equipment Needed

• Small saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Fine mesh strainer (optional)

Directions

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Slowly heat, without stirring, until little bubbles start popping up on the edges of the honey and the honey has thinned.

3. Remove from the stove and either use it immediately, or, if you’d like it to thicken up a bit, pour it into a mason jar, cover it, and let it rest for about an hour. Enjoy!

That’s it! A spicy honey recipe simple enough for a weeknight, but impressive enough to serve on a cheese board for guests.

Choosing the Right Honey and Peppers

Type of Honey

The type of honey you use makes a real difference in the final flavor. Good quality honey, ideally local raw honey, will give you a richer, more complex base than mass-produced honey from the grocery store. Different types of honey (clover, wildflower, orange blossom) will each bring their own subtle notes to the final product, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite.

Choosing Your Heat

While this recipe calls for crushed red pepper, you have plenty of room to play with the spice level. Some of the best ways to customize your heat level include:

• Dried chili peppers or dried chiles for a more traditional, smoky hot honey sauce.
• Fresh chili peppers, fresh chilis, or fresh peppers like jalapeno peppers or serrano peppers, sliced thin and simmered in the honey for a brighter, fresher heat.
• Habanero peppers or cayenne pepper if you want to seriously turn up the spice.
• Less crushed red pepper if you prefer a milder, more subtle kick.

If you like a smoother hot honey sauce, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer right as it comes off the stove while it’s still thin. This removes the peppers and prevents the honey from continuing to increase in spiciness the longer it sits. If you don’t mind a bit of texture (and enjoy a slowly increasing heat level), leave the pepper flakes right in the jar.

Storing Your Hot Honey

Once your hot honey has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container — a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid works perfectly. Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, the same way you’d store regular honey. An airtight glass container will keep your hot honey fresh for months; some batches have gone well over a year without expiring. Just remember never to place it in the freezer, as this can affect the texture and consistency.

Best Ways to Use Hot Honey

Once you have a jar of hot honey ready to go, the fun really begins. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

• Fried chicken and chicken wings: a drizzle of hot honey over crispy chicken is a classic combination for a reason.
• Cheese board or charcuterie board: hot honey adds a spicy-sweet contrast to salty cheeses and cured meats.
• Pizza: the ultimate pantry staple for finishing a hot-out-of-the-oven pie.
• Dipping sauce: perfect alongside french fries, mozzarella sticks, or roasted vegetables.
• Salad dressings: whisk a spoonful into vinaigrettes for a sweet, spicy kick.
• Spread it on toast with cream cheese or peanut butter for a quick breakfast or snack.
• Dessert: a spoonful over vanilla ice cream might sound unexpected, but the spicy-sweet combo is delicious.
• Hot toddy: stir a spoonful into your favorite hot toddy recipe for a cozy, spiced twist.

Tips for Best Results

• Use good-quality honey for the richest flavor.
• Keep the heat at medium heat or medium-low heat and avoid stirring while it cooks, so the honey heats evenly without scorching.
• Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes up or down based on your preferred spice level.
• Let it rest in the jar for about an hour if you want a slightly thicker consistency.
• Always store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for the longest shelf life.

Try Hot Honey on These Recipes:

• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
• Crispy Buttered Ranch Panko Chicken Tenders
• Juicy Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Thighs
• New York Strip Steak Stovetop
• Addictively Delicious Air Fryer Chicken
• Parmesan Truffle Fries
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs – Moist & Flavorful with Crispy Skin
• Garlic Butter Oven Roasted Potatoes
• Butternut Squash Ricotta Flatbread