Hot Honey Sauce

0 comments

5 from 3 votes
Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Hot honey sauce is the trendsetting sweet and spicy condiment you never knew you needed in your life. It’s perfect for drizzling on fried chicken, pizza, buttermilk biscuits, and beyond!

hot honey sauce.

Once you get a taste of this homemade hot honey sauce, you’ll never go back to your regular condiments again. It’s a 3-ingredient sweet and spicy sauce that is putting all others to shame. Not only is it a signature part of my hot honey chicken sandwich, but you’ll want to drizzle it on everything, from fried chicken wings to pizza to spicy chicken sandwiches!

Table of Contents
  1. What is hot honey?
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make hot honey sauce
  4. Tips to make the best recipe
  5. Ways to use this sauce 
  6. Storage instructions
  7. Frequently asked questions
  8. More sauces and condiments to try
  9. Hot Honey Sauce (3 Ingredients!) (Recipe Card)

What is hot honey?

Hot honey infuses liquid honey with spicy peppers, like red pepper flakes. The honey is sweet, while the peppers give it an addicting spicy kick that complements all of your favorite foods. You can use it on practically everything, from meats to veggies and even dessert!

Here are some reasons why I LOVE this homemade hot honey recipe:

  • Easy to make with 3 ingredients. Despite it being made from only honey, vinegar, and chili flakes, this simple sauce delivers some seriously complex flavors.
  • Better than store-bought. Making hot honey from scratch is less expensive and tastes much better than store-bought. Plus, it leaves you in complete control over the level of heat. 
  • Pairs with anything and everything. With its sweet heat and touch of tang, this sauce is one of the best to pair with chicken, pizza, pork, and more.

One taste and this hot honey sauce will become a new must-have in your kitchen. Just like my spicy mayo and ranch dressing, it’s completely addictive!

honey hot sauce.

Ingredients needed

Once you see how easy it is to make this spicy honey sauce from scratch, you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff. The 3 simple ingredients you need to make this recipe are likely already in your pantry:

  • Honey. Try to use unflavored filtered honey because it tastes better and has a wider variety of nutrients. You can even use my keto honey if you’re looking for a sugar free hot honey sauce.
  • Apple cider vinegar. For a subtle acidic and tangy flavor that balances the rest of the sauce.
  • Red pepper flakes. These add the heat! Feel free to start with only 1 teaspoon of chili flakes, then add more to reach your preferred level of spice.

How to make hot honey sauce

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1 – Heat the honey and vinegar. Whisk the honey and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat. 

Step 2 – Infuse with red pepper flakes. Remove the saucepan from the heat as soon as the honey starts to simmer. Stir in the red pepper flakes.

how to make hot honey sauce.

Tips to make the best recipe

  • Heat the honey to a simmer over low heat. Do not let it boil! If it boils, the flavor will be thrown off.
  • This recipe makes about 16 tablespoons of sauce, but it’s very easy to double or triple the batch.
  • The flavor of the honey will be a key component of the sauce, so choose a high-quality honey with a flavor you enjoy. Raw honey or unfiltered local honey can add an extra layer of complexity to the sauce.
  • If the sauce is too hot for your taste, you can reduce spice level or add more honey. If it’s not hot enough, you can add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper.

Ways to use this sauce 

Deciding what to pair with this sauce is the hardest part about making homemade hot honey! Check out these craveable ideas for inspiration: 

Storage instructions

To store: If stored in a sterilized dry jar, airtight container, or bottle, this sauce will keep at room temperature for 6 months to 1 year. Just be sure to let it cool completely before sealing the container and keeping it in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate. 

hot honey sauce over chicken.

Frequently asked questions

How spicy is hot honey sauce?

You’re in complete control of the heat level here, so you can make this recipe as spicy as you like. Remember, the longer the crushed peppers soak, the hotter your honey sauce will be. Strain the red pepper flakes for a mild sauce, or leave them be if you want it extra spicy. 

Can you use fresh chilis instead?

Yes, in particular habanero peppers or jalapenos. Slice the fresh chili peppers first before stirring them into the honey and vinegar. Leaving the seeds and veins intact means the sauce will have more heat, but you can remove them ahead for a mild sauce.

Can you still use hot honey if it crystalizes?

Absolutely. If the honey sauce crystallizes or solidifies, simply place the tightly sealed jar under hot running water until the honey melts and returns to a smooth liquid.

How thick should hot honey sauce be?

The thickness of hot honey sauce can vary depending on personal preference. Some people prefer a thinner sauce that can be drizzled over food, while others prefer a thicker sauce that can be used as a glaze. If you want a thicker sauce, you can simmer it on low heat for a few minutes to reduce it.

More sauces and condiments to try

hot honey sauce recipe.

Hot Honey Sauce (3 Ingredients!)

5 from 3 votes
Spice up your dishes with this hot honey sauce recipe! This sweet and spicy condiment is made with honey and chili peppers, and adds the perfect kick to any dish!
Servings: 16 servings
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 2 minutes
Total: 3 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Whisk together the honey and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan and place over low heat.
  • Once it starts to simmer, remove from the heat and add the red pepper flakes.

Notes

STORAGE: If stored in a sterilized dry jar or bottle, this sauce will keep at room temperature for 6 months to 1 year. Just be sure to let it cool completely before sealing the container and keeping it in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 33kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 0.05gFat: 0.02gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 8mgFiber: 0.1gVitamin A: 37IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.1mgNET CARBS: 9g
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

You May Also Like

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating