This homemade hot honey recipe is quick and easy to make with 3 ingredients and can be used in countless delicious ways!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Yield: 1 cup 1x
Description
I don’t know about you, but we’ve become thoroughly obsessed with this spicy-sweet condiment over the past few years here in our house. Drizzled on everything from pizza, biscuits, fried chicken, baked salmon, shrimp boil, roasted veggies, cornbread, baked brie, or corn on the cob? Yes, please. Stirred in to sweeten your next cocktail, cup of hot tea (or hot toddy!), or even a batch of salad dressing? Great idea. Served as a dipper for fries, chicken fingers, or a charcuterie board? Definitely. That surprise heat adds the perfect extra kick to countless dishes where you might normally just use a plain sweetener. And if you’ve never tried it before, I’m convinced you’re going to love it!
Nowadays, hot honey is pretty commonly available in local grocery stores or online, but the markup is quite high and it’s usually much cheaper to make a batch yourself. Plus, it’s incredibly quick and easy to make at home. And with homemade hot honey, you get to be the one to decide which type of hot peppers to use and how spicy to make each batch. All you need are about 15 or 20 minutes and 3 ingredients and you’ll be good to go.
One more thing — with the holidays coming up, I also just wanted to mention that hot honey makes for great DIY gifting! Just grab some cute jars (you can rinse and reuse some old jam jars, order my favourite mini tulip jars, or use these adorable honey bear bottles), simmer up a quick batch of hot honey, and I’m certain your friends and family will put it to good use.
Ingredients
1 cup honey
2 to 3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes or 1 fresh jalapeño pepper, sliced
1 to 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Simmer. Add the honey and crushed red pepper flakes (or jalapeño slices) to a medium sauté pan or saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the honey very lightly begins to simmer. Give the mixture a quick stir to combine, then remove pan from the heat.
- Rest. Let the mixture rest for 10 to 15 minutes so that the flavors can infuse.
- Taste. Give the honey a quick taste to test the heat level. If you would like a spicier honey, you’re welcome to add more red pepper flakes (or jalapeño slices) and/or let the mixture continue to infuse for longer.
- Strain. Once the honey has reached your desired heat level, strain the honey through a fine mesh strainer into a clean storage jar. Stir in the apple cider vinegar until evenly combined.
- Serve or store. Use the honey immediately or see instructions below for storage instructions.
Ways To Use Hot Honey
Looking for some fun ideas for how to use hot honey? The options are endless, but here are a few of my favourites:
- Pizza: I’m completely obsessed with adding a drizzle to any type of pizza, although I’m convinced it pairs especially well with pepperoni.
- Biscuits and breads: Hot honey tastes absolutely divine drizzled on a warm biscuit, a slice of cornbread, or French toast. But feel free to also drizzle it on any of your favorite breads.
- Vegetables: Add a drizzle to your favourite grilled or roasted vegetables or stir-fry. It’s also fabulous with corn on the cob!
- Meats, seafood and tofu: Hot honey chicken wings are a classic! Hot honey also tastes delicious drizzled on steak, pork, shrimp, sausage, bacon, fish, scallops, tofu, and any other favorite proteins.
- Fried foods: Hot honey fried chicken (or fried fish) is another match made in heaven. It’s also fantastic on french fries and other various fried foods.
- Charcuterie boards: Serve hot honey as a dipper with your next cheese board, or drizzle it atop a wheel of baked brie.
- Vinaigrettes: Hot honey is a great way to sweeten your favourite salad dressing, while adding in a touch of heat.
- Desserts: Drizzle it over ice cream, brownies, cheesecakes and more.
- Drinks and cocktails: Use hot honey as a spicy sweetener in your next cocktail (I especially love it in an old fashioned, mojito, or gimlet) or stir it into your next hot cup of tea or hot toddy.
Notes
Storage instructions: To store hot honey, let it cool to room temperature. Then place a lid on the jar and store at room temperature for up to 3 months. (If using fresh peppers, such as jalapeños, you will need to instead keep the hot honey in the refrigerator, where it can be stored for up to 1 week.)