SaveThis hot honey sauce recipe turns plain honey into a sweet, spicy drizzle with just three ingredients: honey, crushed red pepper flakes and a splash of apple cider vinegar. You warm the honey gently with the pepper flakes, stir in the vinegar, then let it steep so the heat infuses the honey. It takes about 20 minutes, most of it hands-off. Drizzle it over pizza, fried chicken, biscuits and cheese, or turn it into a wing sauce. Below you’ll find what each ingredient does, how to make it milder or hotter, and easy variations.
What Is Hot Honey?
Hot honey is honey infused with chili, so every spoonful is sweet first and then gently hot. It’s thinner than plain honey while it’s warm and drizzles easily, which makes it a quick finishing sauce for savory, salty or fried food.
Hot honey vs. honey mustard and honey BBQ sauce
| Hot honey | Honey mustard | Honey BBQ sauce | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Honey | Mayo, mustard, honey | Ketchup, honey |
| Flavor | Sweet, then spicy | Sweet and tangy | Sweet, smoky |
| Texture | Thin drizzle | Creamy dip | Thick sauce |
| Best with | Pizza, fried chicken, biscuits | Chicken tenders, pretzels | Ribs, wings |
For a creamy sweet dip, try our honey mustard sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Honey (1/2 cup): the base. A mild, runny honey lets the chili flavor come through.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (2 teaspoons): the heat. Use more for a spicier honey.
- Apple cider vinegar (1 teaspoon): a little tang that balances the sweetness. You won’t taste it as vinegar.
- Cayenne pepper (a pinch, optional): extra heat without more flakes.
How to Make Hot Honey
- Warm. Put the honey and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over low heat. Warm, stirring occasionally, for about 3 to 4 minutes, until the honey is runny and just steaming. Don’t let it boil.
- Add the vinegar. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the vinegar and cayenne (if using).
- Steep. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes so the pepper infuses the honey. Taste and add more flakes if you’d like it hotter.
- Strain or keep the flakes. Pour through a fine strainer for a smooth hot honey, or leave the flakes in; it will get spicier as it sits. Pour into a clean jar.
Hot honey is very hot straight from the stove, so let it cool a little before tasting.
Milder or Hotter
| Heat | Red pepper flakes | Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | 1 teaspoon | Strain after steeping |
| Medium (recipe card) | 2 teaspoons | — |
| Hot | 1 tablespoon | Pinch of cayenne; leave flakes in |
Ways to Use Hot Honey
- Pizza: drizzle over pepperoni or white pizza right out of the oven.
- Fried chicken and tenders: drizzle on, or serve on the side for dipping.
- Biscuits, cornbread and waffles: a sweet-spicy finish.
- Cheese boards: spoon over goat cheese, brie or ricotta.
- Roasted vegetables: toss with roasted carrots, sweet potatoes or Brussels sprouts.
- Hot honey wing sauce: stir 2 tablespoons melted butter into the hot honey and toss with cooked wings. For a classic, tangier wing sauce, see our homemade buffalo sauce.
Not for babies: do not give honey, or foods made with it, to children younger than 1 year old, as the CDC advises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hot honey made of?
Honey infused with chili, usually crushed red pepper flakes, often with a little vinegar for balance.
Do I have to strain hot honey?
No. Straining gives a smooth honey; leaving the flakes in makes it spicier over time.
Can I make hot honey with hot sauce?
Yes. Stir 1 to 2 teaspoons of your favorite hot sauce into warm honey instead of the flakes and vinegar. The flavor will be tangier.
How do I make hot honey mustard?
Stir 1 to 2 teaspoons of hot honey into honey mustard sauce, or whisk equal parts hot honey and Dijon mustard.
Why did my hot honey get thick?
Honey thickens as it cools and may crystallize over time. Warm the jar gently in a bowl of warm water to loosen it.
