Have you had any hot honey yet? Although it’s been around for the past five years, it’s been the culinary rage since last spring and seems to be everywhere. It is a fusion of sweet honey and spicy chiles. The first half of 2025 saw an enormous increase in the demand for hot honey and hot honey products. Its reputation is built on turning the most mundane dish into something you can’t get enough of.
Ritz released its hot honey crackers, KFC launched a hot honey collaboration with Mike’s Hot Honey to produce chicken tenders covered with hot honey, and Chipotle created an entire hot honey menu in March.
I surprised myself by really liking pizza with hot honey and pepperoni. Culinary experts predict that it will become a pantry staple along with mustard, barbecue sauce, and ketchup. Mike’s Hot Honey has been considered the leading brand in the U.S. from the beginning and was a driving force in creating the craze.
Mike’s is pure honey infused with chili peppers and vinegar. It is all natural with no artificial sugar or preservatives added. Two 12 oz. bottles for $24.99.
Sweet Sting is made from honey, garlic, and crushed red peppers. It is dark brown in color and has a smooth, honey-like texture. It is described as a gentle sauce, scoring in their ‘mellow’ range. It can be used as a dip, a marinade, or drizzled over stir-fry or added to a sandwich. 5 fl. oz. for $12.99.
Elijha’s Xtreme Hot Honey is described as sweet with a slow burn. The fiery kick comes from Carolina Reaper peppers. $15.00 for a 12 oz. jar.
Hot Honey is not difficult to make at home. What I like about making it yourself is that you can adjust the spiciness to suit those you’re making it for. The recipe below is a combination of several recipes. This hot honey recipe takes 10 minutes to make. It does not include the time to let it cool. It’s very simple!
Ingredients
Recipe yields 4 servings
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (if you’re a spiciness wimp like I am, start with less and add more if too mild)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
- Combine honey, vinegar, red pepper flakes, thyme, smoked paprika, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and take off the heat. Taste-test for spiciness level. Add more red pepper flakes if it needs more zip.
- Let mixture cool to room temperature so flavors infuse, about 30 minutes. Strain out the red pepper flakes unless you like the bits in there.
Store at room temperature in a clean airtight container.
A few variations:
Add a little lemon or orange zest for a zing of citrus.
Add some chili crisp for more umami flavor and texture.
The website of Elijha’s Xtreme Hot Honey provides a comprehensive list of foods with which to use your hot honey.
- Fried Chicken: Hot honey and crispy skin!
- Pizza: A spicy drizzle over pepperoni or veggie slices sounds delicious.
- Roasted Veggies: Toss it over Brussels sprouts or carrots.
- Cheese Boards: Brie, goat cheese, sharp cheddar.
- Biscuits: Drizzle it inside a breakfast sandwich.
- Cocktails: Mix it into a spicy margarita or bourbon drink
- Bacon: Glaze it while cooking.
- Charcuterie Boards: Give your meats and cheeses a sweet kick.
- Yogurt & Oatmeal: Adds heat to your sweet morning routine.
- Fried Chicken: Hot honey and crispy skin? Next-level goodness. Seriously, it’s the flavor combo that hits every time.
- Pizza: A spicy drizzle over pepperoni or veggie slices sounds delicious. The sweet taste balances all that rich, cheesy flavor.
- Roasted Veggies: Toss it over Brussels sprouts or carrots. A little heat transforms earthy-tasting veggies.
- Cheese Boards: Brie, goat cheese, sharp cheddar. Yes to all. The drizzle ties it all together.
- Biscuits: Drizzle it inside a breakfast sandwich. That flaky, buttery texture with sweet heat is unreal.
- Cocktails: Mix it into a spicy margarita or bourbon drink. It gives your cocktail that unexpected spicy sweetness.
- Bacon: Glaze it while cooking. You’ll never go back to plain bacon.
- Charcuterie Boards: Give your meats and cheeses a sweet kick.
- Yogurt & Oatmeal: Adds heat to your sweet morning routine.
- You can also use it as a marinade for chicken, pork, or even tofu.
