Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hot honey is the perfect fusion of sweet, spicy, and savory, making it an excellent addition to a wide variety of dishes. The honey itself is smooth and naturally sweet, while the chili flakes provide the perfect amount of heat without overpowering the sweetness. It’s a wonderful drizzle for pizza, a zesty kick for fried chicken, and even a surprising topping for biscuits or roasted vegetables. Whether you’re hosting a cheese plate or just adding a special touch to your toast, this spicy honey will quickly become a pantry staple.

Not only does it elevate savory dishes, but it also works wonders as a dipping sauce or condiment, making it an extremely versatile and easy-to-make addition to any meal.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 cup honey
2 tablespoons chili flakes
Optional: 2 teaspoons hot sauce or apple cider vinegar (see notes)

Directions

Heat the honey: Add the honey and chili flakes to a small pot or pan over medium heat.
Infuse the honey: Gently heat the honey, stirring occasionally, until you begin to see small bubbles forming along the edges of the pan. Once you see the bubbles, remove the pan from the heat.
Let it sit: Allow the honey to infuse with the chili flakes for 5 minutes. If you’re using hot sauce or apple cider vinegar, stir it into the honey at this point.
Strain (Optional): If you prefer a smoother honey without the chili flakes, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean glass jar. This step is optional, but it will help remove the chili flakes if you don’t want them in the final product.
Store and Serve: Let the honey cool, then transfer it to a jar or bottle for storage. Use it as a drizzle on your favorite dishes, or store it for later use.

Servings and Timing

Servings: Makes about 1 cup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Variations

Extra spice: If you like your hot honey extra spicy, add more chili flakes or use a hotter variety of chili pepper flakes.
Vinegar or hot sauce: For a tangy twist, add apple cider vinegar or your favorite hot sauce, like Frank’s or Tapatio, for a taste similar to Mike’s Hot Honey.
Herbs and spices: Experiment by adding other flavors like a pinch of cinnamon or smoked paprika to make it even more unique.

Storage/Reheating

Store the spicy honey in an airtight jar or bottle at room temperature for up to 1 month. If you prefer a thicker consistency, simply reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave for a few seconds to bring it back to a pourable state.

FAQs

How spicy is this honey?

The spice level depends on the type of chili flakes you use and how much you add. The recipe provides a moderate level of heat, but you can adjust it to your taste by adding more chili flakes or using hotter varieties of chili.

Can I use any type of honey for this recipe?

Yes, you can use any honey you prefer. However, a mild, floral honey works best to allow the chili flavor to shine through without being too overpowering.

Do I have to strain the honey?

Straining the honey is optional. If you prefer a smoother consistency, strain out the chili flakes. If you don’t mind a bit of heat and texture, you can leave them in.

Can I use fresh chili peppers instead of chili flakes?

Yes, you can use fresh chili peppers, but they will need to be finely chopped. Be sure to cook the fresh peppers in the honey as you would with the chili flakes to allow the flavors to infuse.

How long will this spicy honey last?

Spicy honey will last for about a month when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The honey’s natural preservatives help it stay fresh.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can make spicy honey ahead of time. It actually improves in flavor as it sits, so making it a day or two before using it can help the flavors meld together.

Can I make this honey less spicy?

If you want to reduce the heat, you can use fewer chili flakes or omit the chili flakes entirely and just use hot sauce for flavor.

What dishes can I use spicy honey on?

Spicy honey is perfect for pizza, fried chicken, biscuits, roasted vegetables, cheese plates, or even as a dip for French fries or chicken wings.

Can I store this in the fridge?

While you can store spicy honey in the fridge, it’s not necessary. Honey is a natural preservative and will last just fine at room temperature. Refrigerating it may cause it to become thicker.

Can I double or triple the recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe is easy to scale up. Just adjust the ingredients accordingly, and you can make a larger batch to keep on hand.

Conclusion

Spicy honey is a game-changer when it comes to adding bold flavors to your meals. With just two main ingredients and a few optional add-ins, this recipe is incredibly simple to make yet packs a punch of flavor. Drizzle it on your favorite dishes for an extra layer of sweetness and spice—whether it’s on pizza, fried chicken, or roasted vegetables, this easy homemade hot honey will quickly become a go-to condiment in your kitchen!

Spicy Honey Recipe

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Spicy honey is a simple and versatile condiment that combines sweet honey with the perfect amount of heat from chili flakes. This easy-to-make sauce is perfect for drizzling on pizza, fried chicken, roasted vegetables, or even as a spread on toast.

Author: Amy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
Category: Condiment
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

1 cup honey

2 tablespoons chili flakes

Optional: 2 teaspoons hot sauce or apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

Heat the honey and chili flakes in a small pot over medium heat.
Once small bubbles form along the edges, remove the pan from heat.
Let the honey sit for 5 minutes to infuse with the chili flakes. If using, add hot sauce or apple cider vinegar at this point.
If you prefer smoother honey, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the chili flakes.
Let the honey cool before transferring it to a jar or bottle for storage.