Make hot honey at home in just 10 minutes with fresh or dried chili peppers. Adjust the heat from mild jalapeño to scorching Carolina Reaper, exactly to your level. Better than store-bought and incredibly easy. Perfect on pizza, fried chicken, biscuits, and more.
Homemade Hot Honey
If you like a bit of "sweet" with your heat, Hot Honey is going to be a new wonderful surprise. Many people like their sweets, but when you're a chilihead like me, even those need a little blast of warmth to fully satisfy.
When you douse hot sauce on pretty much anything, there's nothing like a bit of heat infusion to kick things up a notch.
That's exactly what this hot honey recipe is - an infusion. Like many other liquids, honey can be infused with all sorts of different ingredients and flavors.
It lends itself to many different things, though, being me, I am partial to chili peppers. Of course.
You've probably heard of brands like Mike's Hot Honey. It's great to buy some at the grocery store, but it's also fun to make it on your own, and so much fresher.
Let's talk about how to make hot honey at home, shall we?
Hot Honey Ingredients
- Chili Peppers. You can use either fresh hot peppers or dried hot peppers or hot chili flakes to make hot honey. You can use any spicy chili peppers to your preferred heat level.
- Honey. Use your favorite brand. Works with any types of honey.
- Vinegar. I prefer apple cider vinegar for its tangy flavor. Vinegar is optional, but it does help for longer keeping.
How to Make Hot Honey - the Recipe Method
Add the peppers and honey to a small saucepan or pot. Heat to medium low heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes to infuse them with the pepper flavor and heat. You can simmer longer if you'd like. Do not allow the honey to boil.
This recipe works with fresh chili peppers or with hot chili flakes or other dried hot peppers.
Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar (if using). If using fresh peppers, strain the honey into a jar through a fine mesh strainer. If using dried peppers, strain only if desired.
Cool and store in an airtight glass container. Makes 1 cup.
Use as needed. It's wonderfully sweet and spicy.
BOOM! Your hot honey is ready to serve! It's very easy to make. I love easy. Go and make yourself some spicy honey! I know you want to.
Recipe Notes & Tips
You can also make hot honey with either dried OR fresh peppers. It works either way. Crushed red pepper flakes are easy to find. I used a combination of crushed chili flakes and fresh pods.
Adjust the Heat Level. You can easily use fewer peppers for a milder infusion, or use hotter peppers to really bring the heat.
Also, consider adding a few splashes of your favorite hot sauce.
Save the Fresh Peppers. It is best to strain out fresh peppers for safe keeping. You can use these hot peppers for deserts or cocktails, as they are essentially "candied" or "honeyed", and quite delicious.
Hot honey made with dried peppers and chili flakes can remain unstrained. The choice is yours if you'd prefer to strain it for a smoother honey.
Best Chili Peppers for Making Hot Honey
I used both fresh habanero peppers and spicy dried red peppers for my infusion, Hawaiian Hots in particular. I like them for their heat and flavor.
However, you can use any type of chili pepper you'd like to make hot honey. Try making it with milder peppers, like jalapenos or mid levels like cayennes or serranos for less heat. If you'd like some REALLY SPICY hot honey, make this with either fresh or dried ghost peppers, 7 Pot peppers, Trinidad scorpion peppers, or even the Carolina Reaper.
Talk about some heat. Habaneros will give you a good level of heat, though. Be warned.
What To Serve with Hot Honey?
Hot honey is outstanding on many different dishes. Here is list of ideas you might try:
- Fried chicken. This is a favorite for many people. Drizzle a bit of your spicy honey over freshly fried chicken and you'll fall in love with it.
- Chicken and Waffles. Spoon it over chicken and waffles for some added kick, or oven fried or baked chicken wings for a pop of sweet heat. Hot honey wings are delicious!
- Seafood. This is my personal favorite. Think of recipes like Hot Honey Salmon or Hot Honey Glazed Shrimp. Drizzle it onto seared scallops or use it as a dipping sauce.
- Vegetables. Grilled, pan seared, roasted, steamed, it doesn't matter. Try Hot Honey Roasted Carrots or Hot Honey Roasted Pumpkin.
- Biscuits & Cornbread. Match made in heaven right here. Drizzle on these jalapeno-cheddar biscuits or jalapeno cornbread.
- Ice Cream. Drizzle a little over the top of a scoop of vanilla. Wonderful.
- Cocktails. Use it anywhere you'd use regular honey. Consider pairing it with whiskey or making a hot toddy. So many ways you can go with this.
- Honey Mustard. Swirl a bit of your hot honey with a spicy mustard, and you have a homemade spicy honey-mustard.
- Protein Shakes. Squirt in a teaspoon so it doesn't taste like cardboard. They often lack flavor.
- Hot Water with Lemon and Honey. There are health benefits to this concoction. Why not add the benefit of extra zing?
Think of it as an easy finishing sauce, but also a simple glaze, like my hot honey glazed ham recipe. Or as your very own honey hot sauce. Try it with my candied bacon recipe. YUM.
Storing Hot Honey
Store hot honey in a sealed glass jar or container at room temperature in a cool, dark place. A pantry is ideal. It will last 3 months or longer this way.
You can store it in the refrigerator, but it may become crystalized. If this happens, gently warm the hot honey in a water bath or in the microwave to loose it up.
Hot honey made with fresh peppers is more perishable, and should be stored in the refrigerator. Hot honey made with dried peppers can be stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container for 3 months or longer.
That's it, my friends! I hope you enjoy your spicy hot honey. Go ahead and whip up a batch and fill some bottles. They make great gifts, too.
I love this stuff. Enjoy!
This Recipe Is In our Cookbook - FLAVOR MADNESS
Did you know that you can find this recipe in our new cookbook FLAVOR MADNESS? It's waiting for you on PAGE 87.
Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes
If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
Hot Honey Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons hot chili flakes (or use crushed dried chilies, or 1-2 fresh hot chilies, sliced)
- 1 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- Add the peppers and honey to a small pot. Heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes to infuse them with the pepper flavor and heat. Do not allow the honey to boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vinegar (if using). If using fresh peppers, strain the honey into a jar. If using dried peppers, strain only if desired.
- Cool and store in an airtight glass container. Makes 1 cup.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hot honey?
Hot honey is honey that's been infused with fresh or dried chili peppers to create a sweet and spicy condiment. It's wildly versatile as a drizzle, a glaze, a dipping sauce, or anywhere you'd normally reach for plain honey but want a kick of heat.
What's the difference between hot honey and chili honey?
They are the same thing. Hot honey, chili honey, chilli honey, and spicy honey all refer to the same pepper-infused condiment. The name just varies by region. "Chilli honey" is more common in the UK and Australia, while "hot honey" is common in the US.
Can I make hot honey without vinegar?
Absolutely. Vinegar adds a slight tang and helps extend shelf life, but the recipe works perfectly without it. If you skip it, your honey may be slightly sweeter and will still taste fantastic.
How long does hot honey last?
Hot honey made with dried peppers or chili flakes will keep for 3 months or longer stored in an airtight glass jar at room temperature in a cool, dark spot. Hot honey made with fresh peppers is more perishable. Store that version in the refrigerator. If it crystallizes, just gently warm it up and it'll loosen right back up.
Can I make hot honey in the microwave?
Yes. For a quick version, combine your honey and chili flakes in a microwave-safe glass and heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through. No stovetop required. This method works best with dried peppers or flakes, not fresh.
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 3/28/26 to include new information and FAQs. The recipe itself was not changed.
Justin Gollnick says
The great thing about this recipe is how easy it is. I love heat and I happened to have dried arbol peppers. Its important to chop them so some of the seeds get. My first run I put them in whole and it offered no spice. I tried again after chopping them and it was beautiful. It offered a good amount of heat but the sweetness does tame it. I can also tell you to that it seems like a short amount of cook time but you can always let the chiles steep in it which is what I did. From experience and knowledge as a professional cook if you boil the honey you lose liquid which means you have less honey but you also turn it into a candy. That doesn't destroy it but makes it less versatile. You can't use it as a drizzle, it's too thick, but still makes an excellent glaze. I also used honey from the farmers market so I knew I had great quality. I would like to experiment with different peppers but this did not disappoint.
Mike Hultquist says
Thank you, Justin! Super helpful review!! I greatly appreciate you sharing this. Glad you're enjoying it.
Donald Presley says
I made this recipe recently, although I substituted dried Aleppo pepper flakes for the dried chili pepper flakes. It was very tasty on my baking soda biscuits I had that night with a beef stew I had made. I had previously tasted this honey on a pizza from a restaurant a couple of months ago and it was hardly noticeable. So when your recipe came out I had to try it myself. I will try it on other food items in the future, but it sure makes my biscuits tasty. YUM!
Mike Hultquist says
Outstanding!! Thanks so much for sharing this, Donald. I love to hear it! Super helpful. I need some biscuits now!
Nathan Yuma says
Made it! I'll just say YUMM. I used 3 Tbs. Arbol Chili. I forgot the apple cider vinegar and will use that next time. Either way.........love it. Thanks Mike and Chile Pepper Madness for another great recipe and the motivation!
Mike H. says
You are very welcome, Nathan. Enjoy!
Peg says
Naive question: are hot chili flakes and crushed red pepper flakes the same thing? I would like to use crushed red pepper flakes.
Mike Hultquist says
Peg, yes, they are the same thing. Enjoy.
Emiley says
I made my hot honey with red pepper flakes and opted for extra spicy. I served it with biscuits and also used it as a seasoning in cooking. The heat, acid and sweetness bring a lot of flavor to a dish! I was kept it simple and didn't strain, which means it needs a bit of stirring. If I were making for a special occasion I might strain. My husband said he could drink the stuff, so I think I will be making it again!
Mike H. says
Love it, Emiley. Have fun with the recipe!
Kurt says
This is an excellent recipe. Thank you Mike! I made the Hot Honey as written with red chile flakes but I also added a couple pinches of cayenne. So far we have enjoyed it on pork, chicken and cooked carrots.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks so much, Kurt! I appreciate the comments!! Great ways to enjoy it, my friend.
Cathy says
Loved this recipe! It was warm, spicy-sweet, and gave the perfect amount of spice on toast and muffins. Will make this often!
Mike H. says
Sounds like plan, Cathy. Enjoy!
Laurie B. says
Ahhh...sweet heat is the best! I used habaneros and crushed red. I strained it but really muddled the peppers through the sieve. Love the addition of the vinegar. I would have never thought of that, but it was the perfect addition. It came out SO good! I used it on top of salmon and a biscuit. Yum!
Mike H. says
Glad to hear it, Laurie. Thank you for the review!
Jesse Heuring says
I made it the honey with pepper flakes. I tried it without veniger and then with veniger and both were very good. I liked the section on how we can use hot honey. I always enjoy your articles and I do try some of them. thanks
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Jesse! I appreciate it! Good to know it's good with or without vinegar. Cheers!!
Lee Kallusch says
I made some hot honey with several kinds of peppers I had, both fresh and dried, and added just a touch to oven-fried chicken wings -- heaven!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Lee! I agree, this is PERFECT on fried chicken of any kind! BOOM!
Reginald Rose says
Mike & Staff,
I am so grateful for you all and the recipes that you all send out. I made a honey-rosemary jalapeño chicken glaze, and it was all inspired by you all. I wanted to share with you all, and I am so happy to have joined you . I want to be added to the $100 Amazon gift card draw, please. It would be such a blessing to win something.
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed it, Reginald, and I appreciate your comments!! Yes, you'll surely be entered this month! Cheers!
Kat says
I ended up with a glut of habanero peppers in the garden and this was an excellent way to use them! This honey will definitely become a pantry staple.
Mike Hultquist says
Yes, great way to use them for sure! Thanks, Kat!!
Lisa says
Great and easy recipe! I like my food spicy, so I used habanero peppers! Delicious on cream cheese and cornbread! Will definitely be saving this one to make again.
PS I love you cookbook - so many recipes I make regularly!
Mike Hultquist says
Great!! Thanks so much, Lisa! Glad you like it, and thanks for your support with my cookbook! Yay!!