This easy hot honey recipe is made with just three ingredients in less than 20 minutes, and it gives you that sweet honey flavor with a warm little kick. It’s just right for drizzling over pizza, crispy chicken wings, warm biscuits, roasted vegetables, cheese boards, or anything else that needs a little sweet-and-spicy goodness.
This recipe started back when we had beehives, and I was always looking for ways to use our honey for more than a sweetener. I saw the price of Mike’s hot honey in my store and decided it would be easy to create my own copycat recipe. Now I keep a jar on hand because there are so many ways to use it. It’s delicious on pizza, salt and pepper chicken wings, warm homemade biscuits, roasted vegetables, and cheese boards, and it’s one of my favorite ways to make a simple homemade food gift to give to your foodie friends.
This isn’t a copycat recipe. It’s better than mikes. I used a higher quality honey than they do. And you could easily tweak this to your personal taste / heat.
—JOHN
Main Ingredients
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Helpful Ingredient Tips
- Honey: A good-quality raw honey gives the best flavor. Since honey is the star ingredient, you’ll notice the difference. Keep in mind that darker varieties tend to have a richer taste, while lighter honeys are a little more delicate.
- Red pepper flakes: Crushed flakes with seeds give this hot honey a moderate spice level that works well for most people. Also, quick tip: if you’re sensitive to peppers or handling a lot of flakes, wear gloves. Touching your eyes or face afterward can cause irritation.
- Apple cider vinegar: Measure carefully. A small amount brightens the flavor without making the honey taste acidic.
How To Make The Best Hot Honey Recipe
This recipe is simple, but I’m sure you will want to always keep a jar on hand in your pantry.
Steps 1 and 2: Add the honey to a small saucepan and warm it over medium-low heat, stirring frequently with a rubber spatula. Heat for about 4 minutes. The honey should be warm but not boiling. If you’re using a thermometer, aim for 95–104°F.
Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes and continue heating for 1 minute.
Steps 3 and 4: Then add the apple cider vinegar and cook for 1 additional minute while stirring.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar, pressing the solids to capture every drop.
Tip: If possible, use a light-colored saucepan. It makes it easier to see when the honey is getting too hot. The goal is to gently infuse the honey with flavor, not bring it to a boil, so keep the heat low and watch it closely.
Variations
- Make it milder: Reduce the steeping time slightly if you prefer less heat. The honey will still have plenty of flavor.
- Make it hotter: Let the mixture steep for up to 30 minutes, or leave the pepper flakes in the finished honey. Just remember that the longer the flakes stay in the honey, the spicier it becomes.
- Add garlic: Toss in a few garlic cloves while the honey steeps for a savory twist. Remove them before storing.
- Try chipotle flakes: For a smoky twist, swap some or all of the red pepper flakes for chipotle flakes. This variation is especially good with grilled meats and roasted vegetables.
- Use different peppers: Experiment with dried chiles such as ancho, cayenne, or arbol peppers to create your own flavor profile.
- Vegan option: Substitute agave syrup or maple syrup for the honey. The flavor will be different, but you’ll still get a sweet and spicy drizzle.
Can I use a different vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar gives this recipe its subtle tang and balanced flavor. You can experiment with other vinegars, but the flavor will be different.
Make Ahead Tips
This recipe is a great make-ahead pantry staple. In fact, I think it tastes even better after a few days a day because the flavors continue to develop as it sits. I like keeping a jar on hand for easy entertaining and weeknight meals.
Easy Hot Honey Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey, use a good-quality raw honey
- 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes and seeds, crushed, adjust to taste
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Warm The Honey
- Add the honey to a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring frequently with a rubber spatula.1 cup honey
- Warm gently for about 4 minutes — do not let it boil. Honey should be heated to around 95–104°F (35–40°C) to avoid burning or losing nutrients.
Add The Heat
- Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes. Continue to stir and heat for another minute.2 tablespoons red pepper flakes and seeds
Add Vinegar
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar and cook for 1 more minute.2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Steep
- Remove the pan from the heat. Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes so the flavors infuse. For a hotter honey, allow it to steep for 30 minutes.
Strain (optional)
- Pour the hot honey through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar or bottle.
- Press down on the solids to extract every drop.
- Tip: Leave the flakes in if you want an extra spicy version, but note it will continue to get hotter over time.
Gina’s Notes and Tips
- Store hot honey in a clean glass jar at room temperature for up to 3 months. Keep it away from direct sunlight.
- If the honey thickens, warm it gently in a bowl of warm water or microwave briefly until it loosens.
Tried this recipe?
Please consider Leaving a Review!Hospitality with This Quick Hot Honey Recipe
One of the easiest ways to share this hot honey with guests is by hosting a DIY pizza night. Set out a few pizza crusts, sauces, cheeses, and toppings, then let guests build their own pizzas. I often serve a few easy make-ahead finger foods so guests can snack and mingle while the pizzas are baking. Once everything comes out of the oven, put a jar of hot honey right in the middle of the table and watch people discover just how good that sweet-and-spicy drizzle is on a slice of pizza. Keep things simple by serving a fresh tomato salad, breadsticks, or a small cheese board with it and enjoy a relaxed evening gathered around the table.
What I like about a simple pizza night is that nobody expects perfection. People gather around the table, share food, laugh, and linger a little longer. As Proverbs 16:24 reminds us, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Just as honey adds sweetness to a meal, our words and actions can bring encouragement and warmth to those gathered around our table.
Good recipe!
My brother-in-law and I are bee keepers and I wanted to try making some hot! We harvested close to 60 gallons last season and we just give to friends.
I need to find an ultra fine sieve to get all the solids out so it doesn’t get much hotter over time.
Can’t wait to experiment with other dried peppers and steep times.
We had hives too. Mostly Italians and Carniolans. My son loves to put whole raw garlic in 1/2 pint honey jars. He lets them sit for 6 months or so and then drizzles it on snacks and meats. Let me know how other dried peppers work.
This is elite. I live in the UK and love Mike’s and used to buy 3 bottles at a time to save some money, they would cost £30 ($38) but needing some I looked and could only find it for £15 a bottle ($19) so I thought I’d try making some. Safe to say I don’t need to buy anymore.
This isn’t a copycat recipe. It’s better than mikes. I used a higher quality honey than they do. And you could easily tweak this to your personal taste / heat.
John, I never thought about using a higher quality honey than bulk manufacturing would use. Very smart thinking. I have had bee hives in the past and sold honey to locals to help with their allergies also. I’m adding your review to the top of the post. Thanks for sharing.
I left the chili’s in and you weren’t kidding as it is getting darker and darker everyday. I used fresh hot chili (pizza) flakes so I am not worried about the heat but the color… I’m justwaiting to finish off my open bottle of Mikes
I used the chili flakes like you put on pizza as well. Test it, if it’s getting to spicy you could drain the chili flakes now. If you are brave, leave them in. ;)
great recipe I will remember.
It’s an easy gift idea during the holidays too.
I think you do not understand the healing elements of raw honey when you suggest maple syrup or agave
I agree honey is so good for us. I have kept bee hives for years and so appreciate the gift the bees give us. I mentioned the maple syrup and agave for vegans.