Spicy Hot Honey Recipe
Introduction
Hot honey is a perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors that adds a delicious kick to a variety of dishes. This easy homemade version brings warmth and depth with a combination of chili flakes, cayenne, and a touch of vinegar. Drizzle it over pizza, fried chicken, or roasted vegetables to elevate your meals.

Ingredients
- 8 ounces honey
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the honey, crushed red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, and cayenne pepper.
- Step 2: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally and let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the honey is fully infused with the spices.
- Step 3: Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully pour the hot honey into a heatproof jar.
- Step 4: Let the honey cool slightly, then taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more hot sauce for extra heat or vinegar for additional tang.
- Step 5: Allow the honey to cool completely before using. It will thicken slightly as it cools.
Tips & Variations
- Use smoked paprika instead of cayenne for a smoky flavor twist.
- Swap apple cider vinegar for lemon juice to add a bright citrus note.
- Let the infused honey sit for 24 hours to deepen the flavors even more.
- Strain the honey after simmering if you prefer a smooth texture without pepper flakes.
Storage
Store hot honey in a sealed jar at room temperature for up to one month. If it crystallizes, warm the jar gently in a bowl of hot water to restore its liquid consistency. No refrigeration is necessary.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar?
While apple cider vinegar adds a subtle sweetness and tang, you can use white vinegar in a pinch. Just be aware that it may alter the final flavor slightly.
How spicy is hot honey?
The spiciness depends on your choice of hot sauce and amount of crushed red pepper flakes. You can adjust the levels to suit your heat preference by using more or less cayenne and hot sauce.
Print
Spicy Hot Honey Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 3/4 cup (6 fluid ounces) 1x
Description
This Hot Honey recipe offers a perfect blend of sweetness and heat, combining honey with crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne, hot sauce, and a touch of apple cider vinegar. It’s an ideal condiment to drizzle over fried chicken, pizza, roasted vegetables, or cheese, adding a complex spicy-sweet kick that enhances any dish.
Ingredients
Hot Honey Ingredients
- 8 ounces honey
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium-sized saucepan, add 8 ounces of honey, 1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of hot sauce, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. This combination sets the base for your spicy-sweet hot honey.
- Simmer the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and gently bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir occasionally to blend the flavors and allow it to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, which helps the honey fully infuse with the spices.
- Remove from Heat and Transfer: Carefully remove the saucepan from heat and pour the hot honey mixture into a heatproof jar, ensuring safety from the hot liquid.
- Adjust Seasoning: Let the honey cool slightly before tasting. Adjust the heat level by adding more hot sauce for increased spice or more vinegar for tanginess according to your preference.
- Cool Completely: Allow the hot honey to cool completely to room temperature before using it as a condiment or storing it. This helps the flavors to meld perfectly.
Notes
- Use a heatproof jar for storing the hot honey to avoid any cracking due to heat.
- The longer you steep the crushed red pepper flakes, the spicier the honey becomes; adjust timing based on your heat preference.
- This hot honey can be stored at room temperature for up to one month.
- Perfect drizzle over fried chicken, cheese boards, pizza, or roasted vegetables.
- Adjust cayenne and hot sauce quantities based on desired spiciness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: hot honey, spicy honey, honey condiment, sweet and spicy sauce, homemade hot honey, chili infused honey

