How To Make Hot Honey

hot honey in a small jar with red pepper flakes around it dripping off spoon

Learn how to make hot honey to add bold, sweet heat to your meals with minimal effort. Made with raw honey, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar, this easy copycat of Mike’s Hot Honey recipe is perfect for drizzle over everything.

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 4

Steep 10

Total Time 16

Servings teaspoons (about 1 cup)

Calories 22

Author Gina Dickson

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 heat. Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes so the flavors infuse.

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.

Notes

Safety Tip: Remember it's best to wear gloves and handle red pepper flakes. If you accidentally get the oils from the chili peppers on your hand and then touch your face, they can cause skin irritation and burning sensations if not handled properly.

Recipe Variations:

- Add garlic cloves while steeping for a savory twist.

- Try a smoky variation with chipotle flakes.

- For a vegan version, use agave or maple syrup instead of honey.

Nutrition