Homemade Hot Honey Recipe

Learn how to make hot honey at home in minutes. Sweet, spicy, and better than store-bought, and great on everything from toast to chicken.
4.75 from 4 reviews

Sweet and infused with spicy peppers, homemade Hot Honey is easy to make and totally addictive! If you love sweet and spicy flavors, I’m giving you a fair warning…after one taste, you’ll want to drizzle this sticky, delicious condiment on just about everything!

Simple to make and crazy delicious, Hot Honey is drizzled over two pieces of perfectly fried chicken with biscuits served as a side.
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Let’s Talk About Hot Honey

I’ve always loved the sweet heat of hot honey, but once I started making it myself, I couldn’t go back. It’s quick, simple, and with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, it tastes even better than store-bought. I keep a jar in the fridge and use it on everything from biscuits to fried chicken—it just adds that little something that makes a dish extra special.

Hot Honey Goes With More Than You Think

Ever wondered how to use hot honey? Here’s my short list:

Fresh jalapenos and red pepper flakes create a mouthwatering, sweet and spicy flavor profile for Hot Honey. Drizzled over fried chicken or biscuits, it's delicious!

What’s In Hot Honey?

  • Honey – I like to use pasteurized honey, and if I can get it from the local farmers market, even better. It adds a rich, floral sweetness that makes this recipe shine.
  • Fresh Jalapeños – Sliced thin, these bring a fresh, green heat and infuse the honey with a little extra kick.
  • Red Pepper Flakes – Just a pinch goes a long way. The flakes give this hot honey its signature heat and a deep, warm spice that lingers in the best way.

What’s The Best Pepper To Use For Spicy Honey?

I used a combination of fresh jalapenos and dried chilies. This infusion gives a great balance of heat and fresh flavor. You can also use fresh chilies, such as serranos, habanero peppers, or any other hot peppers you prefer. Dried chili peppers will give a slightly deep flavor to the hot sauce.

Often Asked Questions With Answers

Can I use other sweeteners?

Agave or maple syrup may work, but honey brings that signature floral sweetness and viscosity.

What type of honey should I use for Hot Honey?

I recommend using clover honey for its smooth, mild flavor that beautifully complements the spicy elements.

Can I adjust the spice level in this recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to modify the amount of jalapeños and red chili flakes based on your preferred heat level. You can use ghost or Carolina Reaper peppers if you want it spicy.


Is Hot Honey gluten-free?

Absolutely! This recipe is naturally gluten-free and paleo-friendly if your honey meets those standards.

Rich, spicy, sweet Hot Honey is placed into a mason jar, waiting to be drizzled over fried chicken or biscuits.
Hot honey is sweet with a spicy kick. It's simple to make and crazy delicious drizzled over chicken, biscuits, cornbread, pizza or used in iced tea and vinaigrette.

Easy Hot Honey Recipe

4.75 from 4 reviews
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Calories: 1048kcal
Print Pin Rate
Sweet and infused with spicy peppers, homemade Hot Honey is easy to make and totally addictive! If you love sweet and spicy flavors, I'm giving you a fair warning…after one taste, you'll want to drizzle this sticky, delicious condiment on just about everything!

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces pasteurized honey
  • 2 Jalapeño pepper – sliced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • To a medium size pot, add honey, Jalapeño slices and red pepper flakes. Over medium heat, simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool in pot.
  • When cooled, strain the honey through a fine mesh seive and place in a jar with lid and store in refrigerator or on the counter until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 1048kcal · Carbohydrates: 283g · Protein: 2g · Fat: 0.4g · Saturated Fat: 0.1g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g · Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g · Sodium: 47mg · Potassium: 285mg · Fiber: 2g · Sugar: 281g · Vitamin A: 895IU · Vitamin C: 35mg · Calcium: 30mg · Iron: 2mg

Storage Tips & Shelf Life

For longer freshness, keep it in the refrigerator—let it sit at room temp before using, as it may thicken when cold.

Store hot honey in a sealed jar at room temperature for up to one month.

More Recipes Like This You’ll Love

If you tried this Easy Hot Honey Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!

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16 Comments

    1. Hey there! I give all the storage details in the post. For me it normally lasts about 2 weeks kept in the fridge.
      ~Donya

  1. 5 stars
    I love making your recipes they are fun and WOW! This one was super easy and my family loves spicy. Such a great idea, super fast, easy and yummy. Thanks again, and keep them coming! Love it!

    1. Sharon, you are the best! Thank you so much and I’m thrilled you are following and cooking along with me.
      ~Donya

  2. In the comment section you mentioned to strain the cooled “hot honey” before pouring it into the mason jar. You omitted that in your instructions. Could you substitute & use other chili peppers to change the flavor & level of heat of the “hot honey” (habanero, ghost pepper, chipotle, serano, thai chili…)?

    1. Hey there Monica!
      Thank you for your interest in this recipe, I think you’re going to love it, there are so many delicious uses for Hot Honey! I usually let it cool for about 10 minutes before I strain it into a jar, the honey can be warm still, but not so hot that it will burn you. I hope this helps, let me know how everything turns out if you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you think!
      ~Donya

  3. 5 stars
    My husband and I love super spicy concoctions. I made this with habaneros. Yes we drizzle it on everything from cornbread to chicken to quesadillas. AMAZING!!

    1. Hey Laura!
      I am absolutely thrilled to hear y’all are liking this recipe! Thank you so much for your rating and support!
      ~Donya

  4. I am making this for one of my son-in-laws and know he will love it! Quick question: Do you strain it after simmering or does it all go in the jar? Thanks!

    1. Hey Denise!
      Yes, I do strain it. I hope your son in law likes it. I drizzled it over pizza this past weekend and it was awesome. Keep me posted!
      Have a great day,
      ~Donya

    1. Awesome, Diane! I know you’ll love it. I had it on fried okra last night. Good heavens that was good. Let me know how you serve it.
      Thanks so much and have a great weekend!
      ~Donya

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