The Ultimate DIY Hot Honey: Bee Careful, It’s Hot!
Add a touch of spicy sweetness to your meals with my hot honey recipe. Made with just four ingredients, it’s a quick and easy way to enhance the flavor of your favorite foods. I love to drizzle it over everything from cheese boards to grilled meats.
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Hot honey is a versatile condiment that combines the natural sweetness of honey with the fiery kick of hot peppers. This simple recipe allows me to create a unique flavor profile that enhances a variety of dishes. The best feature of hot honey is its ability to balance sweetness and heat, making it a perfect addition to both savory and sweet recipes.
I love to serve this hot and sweet honey drizzled over cheese boards, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables to add a delightful spicy sweetness. It also pairs wonderfully with fried chicken, pizza, and even ice cream, providing an unexpected yet delicious twist.
Ingredients
Honey: For the best flavor and texture, I recommend using high-quality, raw honey. Look for local or artisanal varieties for an even more distinctive flavor.
Chili Flakes and Cayenne: For a balanced heat profile, use a combination of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper. Red pepper flakes give a nuanced spiciness without overwhelming the honey, while cayenne pepper adds an extra layer of heat and depth.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a touch of tanginess that balances the sweetness of the honey. It’s a subtle difference, but it can be a nice addition if you appreciate a more complex flavor profile.
See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Hot Honey
Step 1: Place the honey, chili flakes, and cayenne in a small saucepan. Place it on medium heat until the honey begins to get hot. Lower the heat to low and let the honey heat for 1-2 minutes. Make sure it does not come to a boil. Keep stirring occasionally. Add apple cider vinegar and mix well.
Step 2: Turn off the heat and let the honey cool down completely before straining it in clean, sterilized jars.
Expert Tips
- Do not boil the honey, as this can alter its flavor and texture. Make sure it is on low heat and gently heated through.
- Store it in a clean, airtight container at room temperature. It can last for several months.
- Always use a clean and dry spoon when handling the honey. Any moisture content can reduce its shelf life.
- You can also use fresh chili peppers instead of chili flakes. However, in that case, the shelf life will be reduced, and it must be stored in the refrigerator.
How To Use Hot Honey
I love using hot honey to enhance a variety of dishes. Drizzle it on pizza, fried chicken, or roasted vegetables for a sweet and spicy kick. It’s also great with these red lentil pancakes. It’s perfect on cheese boards with sharp cheddar or creamy brie. I also enjoy it drizzled over ice cream, sandwiches, and cocktails like spicy margaritas.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Place the honey, chili flakes, and cayenne in a small saucepan. Place it on medium heat until the honey beings to get hot. Lower the heat to low and let the honey heat for 1-2 minutes. Make sure it does not come to a boil.
- Keep stirring occasionally. Add apple cider vinegar and mix well. Turn off the heat and let the honey cool down completely before storing it in clean, sterilized jars.
Notes
- Do not boil the honey, as this can alter its flavor and texture.
- Make sure it is on low heat and gently heated through.
- Store your hot honey in a clean, airtight container at room temperature. It can last for several months.
- Always use a clean and dry spoon when handling the honey. Any moisture content can reduce its shelf life.