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, 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.
Dan Hewitt says
I love your dehydrator cookbook. I smoked and dried some jalapenos and a few Pineapple Aji's last year. Then ground them into a powder. It's almost gone but I plan to use what is left in this recipe. I will let you know how it comes out. Dan
Mike H. says
Awesome, Dan. Thanks a lot for buying my book and enjoy the process!
Nadya says
Hi,
Can this be preserved using water bath canning method ?
Mike Hultquist says
I haven't tried to preserve it this way, Nadya, though I believe you can.
Mark Murfin says
Just wondering why you shouldn’t boil the honey?
Mike Hultquist says
Mark, boiling honey reduces its overall quality.
Emily says
If you evaporate too much water the honey will crystallize. If you start to notice the honey getting too thick you can add a bit of water back in.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks for sharing, Emily. A 5-Star comment.
Ailene says
I cut the recipe in half and made one chili and one jalapeño.
Loved them both. We made fried egg sandwiches and used the strained peppers in them. Yummy
Thank you for sharing
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome, Ailene! Glad you enjoyed it!
Travis says
Could you possibly use pepper powders such as ghost powder instead of the crushed? I realize I wouldn’t be able to strain something that fine and may get hotter in time
Mike Hultquist says
Yes, you can use powders, Travis. Enjoy!
Travis says
How much powder would you recommend for 12oz of honey?
Mike Hultquist says
Travis, you can start with 1 teaspoon and go up to 2 tablespoons, depending on how spicy you want it. You might even be able to add more.
Linda curcio says
Is it teaspoon or tablespoon
For the calorie count?
Thank you
Mike Hultquist says
Per teaspoon, Linda. Enjoy.
Don S says
Similar recipes I see use a lot less pepper flakes. Would you say that 2T arrives at a heat level similar to Mike's?
Mike Hultquist says
Don, yes, you can use 2 tsp for milder heat/flavor. You can always reprocess it to add more chili flakes if you feel you need to. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Sharon says
Looking forward to trying this. I don't have chili peppers on hand but I do have a chili pepper infused oil which gives amazing heat. only a little is needed. Can that be added to the honey instead?
Mike Hultquist says
Sharon, you can do that, yes, though I'm not sure how the oil will mix with the honey. I think it will be fine enough, and should add some nice heat for you. Let me know how it turns out!
GavinB says
Great combo - why have I never thought of this before?! I had half a big jar of Polish honey and some anonymous chillis (could be Scotch bonnets or possibly something much hotter!) in the fridge, and used balsamic vinegar after removing from heat and straining so we will see how it turns out once it has cooled from current volcanic temperature. This is definitely a thing now though.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Gavin. Yeah, I hope you love it! We love this stuff.
KrisR says
I also make hot honey but have a few differences. First of all, I use raw honey and only heat a portion of it with the peppers to retain the integrity of the honey and then mix them together. I also find it easier to hold the peppers by the stem and cut them into quarters or more---keeping them attached at the stem end---using scissors.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks for sharing, Kris!
Karen Knapik says
The vinegar is optional but when do you add it if using?
Mike Hultquist says
Karen, stir it in just after you remove it from heat. Thanks!!
Carol Palmer says
Darn.....I JUST bought some 2 days ago.....never again, this sounds GREAT !!!!
Mike Hultquist says
Yes! So easy to make, and you can really customize it. You'll love it homemade, Carol.
CMWhitley says
If this tastes 1/10th as good as it looks and sounds then it is a winner. No doubt, I'll be trying this. Thanks
Mike Hultquist says
Yes! Enjoy for sure. Definitely delicious!
Chris says
Absolutely awesome! No more having to buy Mikes Hot Honey at 15.00 a bottle! We can now make our favorite “Mikes” Hot Honey at home! Thanks for the inspiration!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Chris! Yes, SUPER EASY to make at home, and you can make it as spicy as you'd like. Enjoy!