Hot Honey is a sweet and spicy condiment made by infusing honey with red pepper flakes and apple cider vinegar. It is perfect for adding flavor to dishes and can even be mixed into cocktails for a unique twist. I also have a Hot Honey Ranch that is perfect for any foods that need a burst of flavor!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Honey: Honey is the recipe’s base, providing natural sweetness.
Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes, also known as crushed red pepper, put the ‘hot’ in both the name and the condiment itself. It’s easy to adjust the amount to make it reach your desired level of heat. And, you can strain the flakes to lessen the heat. As it sits with the red pepper flakes, it will get hotter over time.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy acidity to balance the sweetness. If you don’t have any on hand, you can leave it out.
How To Use Hot Honey
If you love adding flavor and a little bit of heat to foods, this will be your go-to condiment! Here are some delicious ways to use the honey:
- Add a drizzle of honey over your slice of pizza for a sweet and spicy kick.
- Brush hot honey over fried chicken like crispy chicken tenders. Or, use it on your chicken wings. Yum!
- Spread it over warm buttermilk biscuits or cornbread.
- Mix it into barbecue sauce, marinades, or salad dressings.
- Toss roasted vegetables in hot honey.
- Try a little bit in your margarita, whiskey sour, or other adult beverage.
- Add some to your scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
- Start your day out with a little drizzle of hot honey over pancakes or waffles!
Can I Customize The Spiciness?
Yes, you can customize the spiciness of the honey in a few ways. If you prefer a hotter honey, add more red pepper flakes. On the other hand, for less spice, use fewer red pepper flakes. If the honey has been sitting for a while, it can get hotter. To lessen the spice level at this point, strain out some or all of the flakes through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to reduce the overall spiciness while still retaining flavor.
How To Store Hot Honey
Hot honey should be stored in a sealed glass jar or airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to six months, but it’s always a good idea to check for any kind of spoilage like unusual odors or mold. Remember, the longer it sits, the hotter it can become!
Hot Honey
Ingredients
- 1 cup (340 g) honey
- 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- To a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add honey and crushed red pepper flakes. Heat, stirring often, until small bubbles form along the edges of the pan. (Do not let the honey come to a full boil.)
- As soon as small bubbles are forming, turn off the heat, letting the honey infuse for another 5-10 minutes. Then stir in the vinegar.
- Optional: To lessen the spice, strain out some or all of the red pepper flakes through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth before storing it.
- Carefully pour the hot honey into a glass jar. Store in the refrigerator. (Honey will continue to intensify in flavor as it is stored.*)
Video
Notes
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