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Do you enjoy the sweet and fiery combination of spice and honey? Then this recipe is for you! Hot honey has become a popular condiment, with its versatile use in both savory and sweet dishes. Whether drizzled on top of pizza or mixed into a cocktail, hot honey adds a kick to any meal. Many store-bought versions can be expensive or full of artificial ingredients, but fear not because making your own hot honey at home is quick and easy. Our favorite recipe for hot honey only involves 3-4 ingredients, and it will have your taste buds dancing with delight. So grab your apron and get ready to elevate your cooking game with this delicious condiment.
Spice up these Kale Chips by drizzling some hot honey on top!
Making hot honey at home is quick and easy, and you can customize the flavor to suit your taste preferences. Adjusting the type and amount of chili peppers allows you to control the heat level, making it as mild or fiery as you like. Whether you prefer the subtle warmth of crushed red pepper flakes or the intense heat of fresh habanero peppers, there's a perfect combination waiting for you to discover.
You can also experiment with adding different spices or herbs to your hot honey. Consider incorporating a pinch of chipotle powder for a smoky kick or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for an extra layer of flavor. The addition of apple cider vinegar not only enhances the taste but also helps balance the sweetness of the honey with a tangy twist.
Once you've mastered the basic recipe, you can explore creative uses for your homemade hot honey. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables for a sweet and spicy glaze, or use it as a dipping sauce for chicken wings to add an exciting twist to your appetizer spread. Hot honey also pairs beautifully with cheese, making it a delightful addition to a cheese board.
Incorporating hot honey into your culinary repertoire opens up a world of possibilities, from enhancing a simple salad dressing to adding a spicy kick to your morning toast. With its balance of sweet and spicy flavors, homemade hot honey is sure to become a favorite condiment in your kitchen.
Our Wildflower Honey would be perfect for this recipe
What is Hot Honey?
Hot honey is an enticing condiment that marries the sweetness of honey with the fiery punch of chili peppers or chili flakes. This sweet and spicy combination is perfect for adding a little bit of “sweet heat” to various dishes. The balance of flavors is achieved by blending honey with chili peppers and a hint of vinegar, creating a symphony of tastes that dance on your palate. The flavor can vary significantly based on the type of honey and chili used, ensuring that no two batches are exactly alike.
The variety and quantity of chili peppers used determine the spiciness of hot honey and hot peppers. Different peppers, from serrano to jalapeno to habanero, bring their unique heat levels and flavors to the mix.
This delightful condiment enhances meals with its sweet and spicy flavor, making it a popular choice for adding a kick to various foods. Hot honey is a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire, whether drizzled over pizza, mixed into a marinade, or served alongside a charcuterie board.
Benefits of Making Homemade Hot Honey
Making homemade hot honey comes with a host of benefits that make it a worthwhile addition to your kitchen. One of the biggest advantages is the ability to control the level of heat and flavor to suit your personal taste. By experimenting with different types of chili peppers or adjusting the amount of chili flakes, you can create a hot honey that perfectly matches your preference for spice.
Another significant benefit is the cost-effectiveness of making hot honey at home. Store-bought versions can be pricey, especially if you use hot honey frequently. By making it yourself, you can save money while still enjoying this delicious condiment.
Additionally, homemade hot honey allows you to avoid preservatives and additives that are often found in commercial products. This means you can enjoy a purer, more natural product. Plus, knowing exactly what goes into your hot honey gives you peace of mind about its quality and ingredients.
Finally, homemade hot honey makes a fantastic gift for friends and family who love spicy food. Packaged in a cute jar with a personalized label, it’s a thoughtful and unique present that’s sure to impress.
Our Honey Royale Set is of our many perfect honey gifts
Perfect Ingredients to Make Hot Honey
To make hot honey, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients, starting with honey as the base. We recommend using local clover honey for its mild flavor and smooth texture, but any good-quality raw honey will do. The type of honey you choose can subtly influence the final taste of your hot honey, so opting for a raw, unfiltered variety can add depth and complexity to your homemade hot honey recipe. Mike's Hot Honey is a popular store-bought option that can inspire you to make your own infused hot honey using ingredients like chili flakes and vinegar to achieve a similar taste.
The heat in hot honey comes from crushed red pepper flakes, the primary source of spice in this recipe. However, you can also experiment with fresh chili peppers or even a blend of dried chili flakes to customize the flavor and heat level to your liking. Adding hot sauce is another great way to introduce a different layer of flavor and heat, allowing you to make hot honey that perfectly suits your taste preferences.
Incorporating apple cider vinegar adds an extra tangy twist to your hot honey. This optional ingredient adds a pleasant acidity and helps balance the sweetness and spice, giving your hot honey a more complex flavor profile.
With these simple yet versatile ingredients, you’re on your way to creating a hot honey recipe that will earn rave reviews.
Essential Equipment for Making Hot Honey
One of the best things about making hot honey is that you don’t need fancy skills or equipment. A small saucepan is essential for gently heating the honey and infusing it with spices. This allows the flavors to meld together without burning the honey, ensuring a smooth and delicious final product.
A fine mesh strainer is another crucial tool for this recipe. It helps to filter out the chili flakes and any other solids from the hot honey. This step ensures a silky texture and prevents any unwanted bits from ending up in the finished product.
These two pieces of equipment make it easy to whip up a batch of homemade hot honey that rivals any store-bought version.
Our Sustainable Honey Lovers Bundle features our most natural honey skincare products
How to Make Hot Honey
Follow this simple step-by-step guide to create your batch of sweet and spicy hot honey.
The process will be broken down into easy-to-follow stages, from combining the ingredients to straining and storing the final product.
One: Combine Ingredients
In a small saucepan, mix honey with crushed red pepper flakes and your favorite hot sauce if desired. Honey and chili flakes form the heart of this recipe, providing the perfect balance of sweetness and heat.
Stir the mixture well to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Two: Heat and Simmer
Place the saucepan over medium heat and gently warm the honey mixture. Be careful not to let it come to a full boil. Simmer the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and to help the flavors meld together.
Gently heating the mixture infuses the spicy honey with the spicy kick of the chili flakes and hot sauce.
Three: Add Apple Cider Vinegar
After removing the saucepan from the heat, mix in a splash of apple cider vinegar for added complexity. The tangy addition enhances the overall flavor profile of your hot honey.
Adjust the amount to your taste preference, but typically, two tablespoons should suffice.
Four: Strain and Store
Once the mixture has cooled slightly, use a fine mesh strainer to remove the chili flakes and other solids from the hot honey.
Pour the strained hot honey sauce into an airtight container, such as a sealable jar, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. This ensures your homemade hot honey stays fresh and ready to use whenever you need a sweet heat.
Our honey is always pure, raw, and minimally filtered. Spring Honey comes from Kara's farm!
Tips for Customizing Your Hot Honey
One of the joys of making hot honey is the ability to customize it to your liking. If you prefer a milder heat, start with half a small pepper for each cup of honey and adjust from there. Removing the seeds and ribs from the peppers can also help reduce the heat level. Alternatively, if you like extra spicy hot honey, add more crushed red pepper flakes or let the pepper steep longer in the honey.
Experimenting with different types of chili peppers can yield unique and exciting flavor profiles. Habaneros, for example, provide significant heat well-suited for hot honey. Fresh chilis can also enhance the flavor, giving your hot honey a fresher and more vibrant taste. If you find your hot honey too spicy, mix in more honey to balance the heat.
Incorporate other ingredients like black pepper or fresh herbs for a unique twist to create your signature hot honey blend. Dehydrated peppers can also be an optional ingredient for added heat and texture. The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to get creative and make hot honey that perfectly fits your palate.
Versatile Uses for Hot Honey
Hot honey is incredibly versatile and can be used in various dishes, adding a delightful sweet and spicy flavor. Drizzle it over fried chicken to elevate this classic dish with a gourmet flair. It’s also a fantastic glaze for chicken wings, providing a perfect balance of sweetness and heat.
Vegetable lovers will appreciate how hot honey enhances the natural flavors of roasted vegetables like sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Its sweetness pairs particularly well with cheese, making it an excellent addition to a cheese board or drizzled over-baked brie or goat cheese.
For a unique twist, use hot honey in cocktails like a spicy Margarita or whisky sour to impress your guests with a flavor-packed drink.
If you enjoy making your own sauces, try making this Blueberry Ketchup with honey
Popular Spicy Recipes to Try
If you’re a fan of hot honey, you’ll love these spicy recipes that incorporate chili peppers and hot sauce. Each dish is a delightful blend of sweet and heat, perfect for adding a kick to your meals.
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Spicy Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers: Marinate shrimp and pineapple chunks in a mixture of hot honey, soy sauce, and chili flakes. Grill until the shrimp are cooked through and the pineapple is caramelized for a sweet and spicy treat.
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Hot Honey Fried Chicken: Drizzle hot honey over fried chicken wings or tenders for a mouthwatering twist on a classic favorite. The combination of crispy chicken and sweet heat is irresistible.
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Spicy Chili Con Carne: Add a spoonful of hot honey to your favorite chili recipe. The hot honey enhances the flavors and adds an extra kick of heat that will warm you up from the inside out.
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Hot Honey Glazed Pork Chops: Brush pork chops with a mixture of hot honey, soy sauce, and chili flakes during the last few minutes of grilling. The result is a beautifully glazed chop with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
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Spicy Roasted Vegetables: Toss sliced or chopped vegetables like Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes with hot honey, olive oil, and chili flakes. Roast in the oven until caramelized and tender for a side dish that’s bursting with flavor.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. With hot honey as a staple in your pantry, the possibilities for creating spicy and delicious recipes are endless!
Storage and Shelf Life
Proper storage maintains the freshness and flavor of your hot honey sauce. Store it in an airtight glass container, such as a mason jar, to keep it fresh for extended periods. Stored properly, hot honey has a shelf life of 3 months or more.
If your hot honey starts to crystallize, warm the jar gently in hot water to return it to its smooth, liquid state. Avoid refrigerating hot honey, as cool temperatures can speed up crystallization.
To preserve the quality of hot honey made with dried peppers, store it in a cool, dry place.
Try Honey Lollipops for a sweet treat
Making Hot Honey is Easy & Delicious
Making hot honey at home is a simple and rewarding process. Following this guide, you can create a delicious condiment that brings the perfect balance of sweetness and spice to various dishes. From selecting quality ingredients to customizing the heat level, you have all the tools to make hot honey that suits your taste.
So why not give it a try? With its versatility and unique flavor, hot honey will become a staple in your kitchen. Whether drizzling it over fried chicken, mixing it into a cocktail, or simply spreading it on toast, this homemade hot honey recipe will delight your taste buds and impress your friends and family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any honey to make hot honey?
You can use any good quality honey for hot honey, but local clover honey is especially recommended for its mild flavor and smooth texture. It’s a great choice to enhance your dish!
How can I reduce the spiciness of my hot honey?
You can easily tone down the spiciness of your hot honey by using fewer chili flakes, removing the seeds and ribs from the peppers, or simply adding more honey to sweeten it up. Give it a try, and adjust until it suits your taste!
How long does homemade hot honey last?
Homemade hot honey can last for three months or even longer if it is stored properly in an airtight container.
What are some creative ways to use hot honey?
You can get creative with hot honey! Drizzle it over fried chicken, use it as a glaze on meats, mix it into cocktails, or add it to your cheese board for an exciting kick.
Can I store hot honey in the refrigerator?
Storing hot honey in the refrigerator is not a good idea since it can cause crystallization. Instead, please keep it in an airtight glass container at room temperature.
