Okay, so have you BEEN living under a rock? Hot honey is EVERYWHERE right now! I first tried it at this little pizza joint downtown, and WOW. Total game changer. I’m talking sweet, spicy, drippy goodness that just makes everything better. Seriously, I started putting it on EVERYTHING.
It’s kinda blown up on TikTok and Instagram too, right? But honestly, store-bought stuff can be kinda pricey. That’s why I started making my own, and trust me, it’s SO easy. This recipe? It’s gonna save you a ton of money and you can tweak it to be exactly how you like it. Let’s get our hot honey on!
Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Recipe
Okay, so why make your own hot honey? Let me tell you!
- It’s seriously quick and easy – like, barely any effort!
- You can make it as spicy (or not!) as you want. Total control!
- It adds the BEST sweet and spicy kick to, well, everything.
- You’ll totally impress your friends and fam with this trendy stuff.
- And the best part? You save a bunch of money making it yourself!
Ingredients for Your Hot Honey
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You really don’t need much to whip up a batch of this liquid gold.
- You’ll want 1 cup of honey. I usually go for a mild wildflower honey ’cause it lets the chili flavor shine, but clover honey works great too!
- Next up, 2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes. I use the crushed kind you find in the pizza spice packets.
- And last but not least, 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is my go-to, it adds a nice little tang, but rice vinegar is also yummy!
How to Make Hot Honey
Okay, here’s the super-easy part! Making hot honey is seriously a breeze. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be drizzling in no time!
Step 1: Combine Ingredients for Hot Honey
First, grab a small saucepan – anything around 2-3 quarts is perfect. Pour in your honey, then add the red pepper flakes and vinegar. Easy peasy! Just make sure the saucepan isn’t too big, or the honey will spread out too thin and might burn.
Step 2: Infuse the Hot Honey
Now, pop that saucepan on the stove over LOW heat. This is important, y’all! You don’t want to burn the honey, trust me. Stir it gently as it heats up. You’ll start to see the chili flakes softening and releasing their flavor. The honey might get a little darker in color too. This whole process should take about 5-10 minutes. You want the honey to be warm and the chili flavor to be infused, but not boiling or bubbling like crazy! Be patient, low and slow is the key.
Step 3: Cool and Store Your Hot Honey
Once the chili flakes are nicely infused, take the saucepan off the heat and let the hot honey cool completely. This helps the flavors meld even more. Once it’s cool, pour it into an airtight jar or container. A mason jar works great! You can store your homemade hot honey at room temperature for up to a month. Just keep it away from direct sunlight and heat. If you notice any crystallization, don’t worry! Just gently warm it up again on the stove.
Tips for the Best Hot Honey
Okay, listen up ’cause I’m about to drop some serious hot honey wisdom on ya!
- First things first: spice level. Start with less chili flakes than you think you need. You can always add more, but you can’t take ’em out, ya know?
- Seriously, use good honey! That cheap stuff from the grocery store just won’t cut it. Splurge a little, it makes a HUGE difference.
- If your hot honey gets kinda crystal-y, don’t freak out! Just pop it back in the saucepan and warm it up gently. It’ll be good as new!
- Don’t be afraid to play around with different chili flakes! Some are hotter, some are fruitier, it’s fun to experiment!
- Want a little smoky flavor? Throw in a pinch of smoked paprika. Wowza!
Hot Honey Variations
Alright, so you’ve got the basic hot honey down? Let’s get a little crazy and mix things up! This is where you can really let your creativity shine. Seriously, the possibilities are endless!
- Garlic Hot Honey? Oh yeah! Toss in some minced garlic while it’s infusing. Trust me.
- Ginger Hot Honey is AMAZING on chicken. Just add some grated ginger to the saucepan.
- Feeling fancy? Throw in some fresh herbs! Rosemary, thyme, oregano… yum! Just toss ’em in while the honey is heating up.
- Want a little smokiness? Skip the chili flakes and use smoked paprika or chipotle powder. So good!
- And for a bright, zesty kick? Add some lemon or orange zest. Seriously, try it!
Serving Suggestions for Hot Honey
Okay, so you’ve made this amazing hot honey… now what? The possibilities are ENDLESS, seriously! I wasn’t kidding when I said “on everything!” Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Pizza, duh! It’s like, made for pizza.
- Chicken wings or salmon? YES. Glaze ’em with this stuff, and you’ll be in heaven.
- Brussels sprouts? Trust me on this one. Roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with hot honey are AMAZING.
- Avocado toast? Level up!
- Cheese and crackers? Sweet, spicy, creamy… it’s a party in your mouth!
- Add a little kick to your cocktails! Seriously, a drizzle in a margarita? Game changer.
- And don’t forget the classics! Biscuits or cornbread with a drizzle of hot honey? Southern comfort food at its finest!
FAQ About Hot Honey
Okay, so you’ve got questions, right? I get it! Hot honey’s kinda new on the scene, so let’s break it down:
- What *is* hot honey, anyway? It’s basically a magical combo of sweet and spicy. You get that yummy honey flavor, but then BAM! A kick of heat from the chili. It’s seriously addictive!
- How long does this homemade hot honey last? Okay, so it won’t last FOREVER, but it’ll keep for about a month if you store it right (airtight container, room temp, you know the drill). Honestly, mine never lasts that long ’cause I put it on everything!
- Can I use, like, a different vinegar? Totally! Apple cider vinegar’s my fave, but you can play around. Rice vinegar adds a subtle sweetness, or a little balsamic vinegar would be AMAZING! Just don’t use anything too strong, or it’ll overpower the honey.
- Can I make this without chili flakes?! Hmmm… okay, so it wouldn’t be *hot* honey, but you could try other spices! A pinch of cayenne pepper would work, or even some smoked paprika for a smoky-sweet vibe.
- Is hot honey vegan? Okay, so this is a tricky one. Technically, no, because honey comes from bees. If you’re strictly vegan, you might want to skip this one, or find a vegan honey substitute!
Storing Your Homemade Hot Honey
Alright, so you’ve made a batch of this liquid gold. Now, how do you keep it fresh? Easy! Just pour it into an airtight container – a mason jar works great – and keep it at room temperature. It’ll last for about a month, but trust me, it’ll be gone way before then! If it starts to get a little crystal-y, just warm it up gently in a saucepan. Don’t put it in the fridge, though! That’ll make it all hard and gloopy, and nobody wants that!
Nutritional Information for Hot Honey
Okay, so I’m not a nutritionist, and honestly, the nutrition info for this stuff? It’s all over the place! Just remember that it’s gonna vary depending on the honey and chili flakes you use, so take any numbers you see with a grain of salt, okay?
Make Your Own Hot Honey, and Share
Seriously, this hot honey is gonna change your life! Loved it? Leave me a comment and rate the recipe below! And don’t forget to show off your creations on Insta using #HotHoneyEverything! I wanna see what you’re drizzling it on!
Rage-worthy Hot Honey: Just 3 ingredients Away
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Hot honey is a sweet and spicy condiment perfect for drizzling on everything. Make your own chili-infused honey at home for pizza, chicken, wings, salmon, and Brussels sprouts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
Instructions
- Combine honey, chili flakes, and vinegar in a saucepan.
- Heat over low heat, stirring until chili flakes are infused.
- Let cool before using.
- Drizzle on your favorite foods.
Notes
- Adjust chili flakes to your spice preference.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Try different types of vinegar for varied flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
