This homemade hot honey is liquid gold — a simple, vibrant condiment that brightens everything it touches. If you enjoy spicy flavors combined with sweet notes, this hot honey will quickly become a go-to. It pairs beautifully with pizza, fried or roasted chicken, roasted vegetables, and cheeses on a board. The recipe infuses honey with red pepper flakes and finishes with a touch of apple cider vinegar for balance. The result is a versatile topping or dip that can be adjusted from mild to fiery depending on how many peppers you use. Drizzle it on savory dishes or add an unexpected twist to desserts like vanilla ice cream, cornbread, or pancakes. Packaged in a small jar, it makes a thoughtful homemade gift. This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and compatible with Paleo and the Specific Carbohydrate Diet; it can also be adapted for Keto or Whole30 with ingredient swaps.
So tasty! My first time making hot honey and I loved the result.
– Shannon
Table of Contents
- Why You Will Love This Spicy Hot Honey Recipe
- Ingredients You Will Need For This Hot Honey Recipe
- How To Make This Hot Honey Recipe
- What To Serve With This Hot Honey
- Common Questions
- Hot Honey Recipe Card
Why You Will Love This Spicy Hot Honey Recipe
- This hot honey comes together quickly — it takes only minutes to make and requires minimal hands-on time.
- It uses only three common ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores.
- You can tailor the heat level to taste by adjusting the amount of chili flakes or by using fresh peppers.
- Make extra to store in a jar for pantry use or portion into small jars as gifts for friends and family.
- The recipe works for a range of diets and can be modified to meet Keto or Whole30 needs if required.
Ingredients You Will Need For This Hot Honey Recipe
- Honey: Raw honey is preferred for its flavor and minimal processing. Use clover or another mild honey, or choose a zero-sugar honey alternative if you need a Keto or Whole30 option.
- Red pepper chili flakes: These provide heat and texture. For a milder result, reduce the quantity or strain them out after infusing.
- Apple cider vinegar: A splash of apple cider vinegar adds brightness and helps balance the sweetness and heat. Red wine vinegar can be used as an alternative.
A detailed ingredient list appears in the recipe card below for easy reference.
How To Make This Hot Honey Recipe
- Add the honey and chili flakes to a small saucepan and warm over medium-high heat.
- When the honey begins to gently bubble, reduce the heat and let it simmer carefully for about 3 minutes. Do not let it boil vigorously — a gentle simmer is all you need for infusion.
- Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the apple cider vinegar, and taste. If you prefer a milder honey, pass it through a fine sieve to remove the flakes before transferring.
- Pour the hot honey into a clean jar and let it cool to room temperature before sealing. Store in a cool, dark place or refrigerate if you prefer; refrigeration can speed crystallization.
What To Serve With This Hot Honey
This hot honey is incredibly versatile. Use it to add a sweet-heat finish to a wide range of dishes:
- Use as a dip for chicken wings, fried chicken, or fries.
- Drizzle over a charcuterie board — it pairs especially well with brie, goat cheese, or blue cheese for crostini or crackers.
- Finish roasted vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, or Brussels sprouts with a light drizzle for a caramelized, spicy glaze.
- Elevate breakfast classics by adding it to avocado toast, peanut butter toast, pancakes, or waffles.
- Spoon it over vanilla ice cream for an unexpected but delightful sweet-and-spicy dessert.
Common Questions
Stored in a clean, airtight container at room temperature, homemade hot honey will keep for several weeks to a few months. Glass jars or sealed bottles are ideal. Honey may crystallize over time; this is a natural process and does not indicate spoilage. If crystallization occurs, warm the jar in a bowl of warm water and stir until the crystals dissolve.
The heat depends on the amount and type of chili flakes or fresh peppers you use. This version is moderately spicy and may intensify after sitting for a few days. To reduce heat, halve the flakes or strain them out after infusing.
Yes. Fresh chiles like jalapeños, serranos, or habaneros can be sliced and used instead of dried flakes. Removing some or all seeds will lower the heat; slicing thinly increases surface area for infusion.
Here are a few recipe ideas that pair well with this hot honey:
- Panko chicken cutlets or breaded chicken
- Bacon-wrapped shrimp glazed with a touch of hot honey
- Sheet pan roasted Brussels sprouts or winter vegetables
- Grilled salmon skewers with an Asian-inspired glaze finished with hot honey
- Crostini topped with balsamic vegetables and a drizzle of hot honey
If you make this hot honey, leave a comment below or share a photo — I love seeing how you use it in your kitchen.
Hot Honey
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tbsp red pepper chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Add the honey and chili flakes to a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
- When the honey begins to gently bubble, lower the heat and keep a gentle simmer (do not boil) for about 3 minutes to infuse the spice.
- Remove from heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust heat if needed; for a milder honey, strain out the chili flakes through a fine sieve before storing.
- Pour the hot honey into a clean jar and allow it to cool. Seal and store in a cool, dark place.
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out.