Skip the store-bought hot honey and make your own in just three minutes! This easy recipe uses three simple ingredients and can be customized to your desired level of spiciness. It’s perfect for adding a little kick to your favorite dishes.

Hot honey has been having a moment—I’ve seen it everywhere! It’s drizzled on pizza, pasta, grilled cheese, and anything else that could use some sweet heat. So many brands are selling it now, too, but did you know it is SO easy to make yourself?

I personally love a slice of pizza drizzled with some hot honey, and I’ve also been putting it on all my slices of avocado toast lately. It’s the perfect sweet heat. It’s also such a good shortcut to add to salad dressings since it covers two flavors that automatically boost the taste of any dressing!

All you need are 3 ingredients and 3 minutes to make it! But first-

What is hot honey?

It’s as simple as it sounds—spicy honey is made by infusing honey with chili flakes or some other spicy ingredient. 

Ingredients: Honey, Chili Flakes, Apple Cider Vinegar

Honey: I prefer a light, raw honey for this recipe. Make sure you use good quality honey here, as it is the base of the recipe. I also recommend using a light honey as opposed to a darker, more robust honey so the chili shines. Play around with different types of honey for different vibes! You can also use agave syrup or vegan honey to make vegan hot honey.

Chili Flakes: I used crushed red pepper flakes. If you have a favorite dried chili you’d rather use, go ahead! Adjust the amount to suit your spiciness preferences. You can also add a small scoop of chili crisp is you prefer! 

Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds a little bit of tang to the honey and helps to balance the sweetness and the spiciness. White vinegar will also work.

Jar of honey with chili flakes mixed in, in a mason jar on a white plate.

How to make hot honey

  1. Combine the honey and chili flakes in a small saucepan and heat to a low simmer, until bubbling around the edges.
  2. Turn off the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Strain the mixture for less heat, or leave the chili flakes in for extra heat that will get spicier as it sits.
  3. That’s it! Drizzle on everything and enjoy.

Want to make vegan hot honey? Keep the recipe the same, but use a honey replacement like agave syrup, maple syrup, or vegan honey.

Adding your favorite hot sauce can also bump up the heat and tanginess! This is an easy way to change the flavor of your hot honey.

Uses For Hot Honey: Drizzling On Pizza, Chicken, Sandwiches, Cocktails, Etc.

  • Drizzle it on top of pizza
  • Add it to salad dressings
  • Drizzle on avocado toast
  • Mix it into marinades for your favorite protein
  • Add it to a cocktail for sweet heat
  • Serve it with cheese or as part of a charcuterie board
  • Drizzle on ice cream
  • Add to a breakfast sandwich

It also makes a fabulous gift! The recipe is easily doubled or tripled, so you can make an extra jar or two for your foodie friends as a delicious homemade gift.

Storage And Shelf Life

The shelf life of hot honey is at least a year. Honey is a preservative, as is the apple cider vinegar, and chili flakes also last forever. So, there’s no need to worry about this going bad quickly. You can keep this honey stored at room temperature in your cabinet, forget about it for a while, and it will still be good to go.

Does homemade honey need to be refrigerated?

No, it does not. It will keep at room temperature without issue.

I hope you love this easy hot honey recipe and drizzle it on everything! Enjoy.

Rachel Conners

Homemade Hot Honey (Made in 3 Minutes)

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This Homemade Hot Honey recipe is made in just three minutes with three simple ingredients! It’s easy to make and perfect for drizzling on pizza, avocado toast, add it to marinades and salad dressings, or anywhere you want sweet heat – the options are endless!
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Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes

Ingredients
 

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the honey and chili flakes together. As soon as it starts boiling around the edges, remove from the heat. Add in the apple cider vinegar.
    ½ cup raw honey, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Optionally strain out the chili flakes, or leave them in for a spicier kick that will get spicier as it sits.
  • Place in a jar and store in the cabinet indefinitely.
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