Hot honey sauce was born out of my love for balance—sweet, spicy, and just the right amount of heat. The first time I made it, I was craving a dip for fried chicken, but I didn’t want something too heavy or sugary. So I grabbed some honey and a dash of hot sauce, added a bit of vinegar, and voilà—hot honey sauce was born. It was perfect—sweet but with a fiery kick that made everything taste better.
Since then, hot honey sauce has become my go-to condiment for everything from wings to roasted veggies. It’s the kind of sauce that turns a simple meal into something special. The sweetness of the honey works beautifully with the heat of the peppers, and the vinegar adds a tangy touch that cuts through the richness of fried foods. Whether you’re using it as a drizzle or dipping sauce, it’s guaranteed to impress.
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Hot Honey Sauce – Sweet, Spicy, and Perfect for Any Dish
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Description
This hot honey sauce delivers the perfect sweet and spicy balance. Drizzle it on fried chicken, wings, or roasted vegetables for an instant flavor upgrade.
Ingredients
1 cup honey (preferably raw)
2–3 tablespoons hot sauce (like sriracha)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon butter (optional)
Instructions
1. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, and vinegar. Stir well to mix.
2. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to simmer.
3. Add red pepper flakes and butter if using, and continue stirring for 2–3 minutes.
4. Taste and adjust the heat or sweetness by adding more hot sauce or honey as desired.
5. Remove from heat and let cool before serving. Store in a jar for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
You can swap in maple syrup if you prefer a deeper sweetness.
Adjust the spice by choosing a different hot sauce or adding cayenne pepper.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for longer shelf life.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tbsp
- Calories: 64
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: hot honey sauce, sweet spicy sauce, spicy honey
I also love how versatile it is. You can adjust the heat based on your preference, and if you’re in the mood for something a little extra, you can add garlic or even a touch of mustard for depth. If you enjoy this sweet-and-spicy vibe, check out my hot honey dressing—it’s another easy recipe that adds a bold punch to salads, grilled chicken, and more.
Hot honey sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and once you try it, you’ll find yourself putting it on just about everything.
Table of Contents
Ingredients & How to Make Hot Honey Sauce
What You Need to Make Hot Honey Sauce
Making hot honey sauce is quick and simple, with just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. The key to great hot honey is balancing the sweetness of the honey with the heat from the sauce, along with a little tang from vinegar. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup honey (raw honey works best)
- 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce (choose your favorite—sriracha is a good option)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for a smoother sauce)
You can adjust the heat to your liking by using more or less hot sauce, or even adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra spicy kick.
How to Make Hot Honey Sauce
- Combine the ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, and vinegar. Stir well to mix.
- Heat the sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Add the optional ingredients: If you’re using red pepper flakes or butter, add them in now. Continue to cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring until the butter melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or heat level by adding more honey or hot sauce, as needed.
- Cool and serve: Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, remove from heat and let it cool slightly before serving.
Hot honey sauce is great for dipping or drizzling. I especially love it over fried chicken, crispy wings, or even roasted vegetables. For another irresistible sauce to pair with your favorite dishes, try my Homemade hot honey sauce. It’s creamy and rich with a smoky twist—perfect for pasta or grilled meats.
Variations & How to Customize Hot Honey Sauce
Creative Ways to Make Hot Honey Sauce Your Own
One of the best things about hot honey sauce is how easy it is to make it your own. Once you master the basic recipe, you can adjust it to suit different dishes or flavor preferences. Here are a few ways to give your hot honey sauce a personal twist:
- Add Garlic: For a savory kick, try adding a teaspoon of minced garlic. This brings a whole new depth to the sauce, making it perfect for savory applications like chicken wings or grilled vegetables.
- Lemon or Lime Juice: A squeeze of citrus can add a refreshing balance to the sweetness and heat. This is perfect if you’re pairing the sauce with seafood or using it as a drizzle over salads.
- Maple Syrup: If you prefer a less floral flavor than honey, swap out the honey for maple syrup. It will give the sauce a deeper, woodsy sweetness that works especially well with roasted meats.
Pair Honey Sauce with Other Recipes
Hot honey sauce is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with many of your favorite dishes. It’s perfect for chicken wings, fried shrimp, and even roasted vegetables. But did you know it also makes a fantastic topping for pasta?
For a fun twist, drizzle honey sauce over mac n cheese with alfredo sauce. The creamy cheese and the heat from the honey create a surprising combination that’s sure to be a hit at dinner.
Storing, Reheating & Tips for Hot Honey Sauce
How to Store Hot Honey Sauce
Once you’ve made your hot honey sauce, you can store it for later use. Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Because of the honey and vinegar, this sauce has a nice shelf life, and it will still keep its texture and flavor when stored properly.
If you’ve made a big batch and need to freeze it, just make sure to use an airtight, freezer-safe container. The sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months, though I recommend reheating it gently to avoid any separation of the ingredients.
How to Reheat Hot Honey Sauce
When reheating, it’s best to reheat on the stovetop over low heat. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of water or more vinegar to restore its consistency. Stir it constantly to keep the sauce smooth. You can also microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating.
For an extra flavorful kick, you can add a little more hot sauce or chili flakes when reheating, adjusting the heat to your liking.
Serving Suggestions & Final Tips
Hot honey sauce is perfect for dipping, drizzling, or glazing. Whether you’re serving it with wings, fried chicken, or roasted vegetables, it adds a sweet and spicy dimension to any dish.
And if you love this hot honey sauce, you might also enjoy my hot honey mustard sauce. It’s a creamy, bold sauce that makes an excellent pairing for pasta, chicken, or even as a dipping sauce—just like this hot honey sauce, but with a rich, creamy twist.
FAQs About Hot Honey Sauce
How to make hot honey sauce?
Making hot honey sauce is incredibly simple. Just combine honey, your choice of hot sauce, vinegar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Simmer the mixture on the stovetop for a few minutes until it thickens slightly, and you’ve got a sweet, spicy sauce perfect for dipping or drizzling.
How to make hot honey sauce for chicken?
To make hot honey sauce for chicken, follow the basic recipe and simply drizzle it over fried or grilled chicken. You can also use it as a glaze while grilling or roasting for a sticky, flavorful finish. This sauce works wonderfully with crispy chicken and adds the perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
How to make hot honey sauce for wings?
To make honey sauce for wings, just toss your cooked wings in the sauce right before serving. You can either dip the wings in the sauce or brush it on them for a nice glaze. The sweet heat will complement the crispy texture of the wings beautifully.
What is hot honey made of?
Hot honey is a combination of honey and hot sauce, often with the addition of vinegar, garlic, or spices. The heat comes from chili peppers or hot sauce, and the honey provides a natural sweetness that balances the spicy kick. It’s a great condiment for all kinds of savory dishes.
Is hot honey just sweet chili?
While hot honey and sweet chili sauce both have a sweet-and-spicy flavor, they are not the same. Hot honey is primarily made from honey and hot sauce or chili peppers, with a focus on a balance of heat and sweetness. Sweet chili sauce, on the other hand, is a thicker, tangier sauce that usually contains garlic, vinegar, and sugar, offering a slightly different flavor profile.
Conclusion
Hot honey sauce is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy. It’s incredibly easy to make and versatile enough to pair with almost any dish—whether you’re drizzling it over fried chicken, tossing it on wings, or glazing roasted veggies. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this simple, flavorful sauce.
The best part? You can easily adjust the heat and sweetness to suit your personal taste. Whether you like it mild or with a serious kick, hot honey sauce is always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it stores well for up to two weeks, so you can enjoy it again and again.
If you’re a fan of bold flavors, check out my hot honey BBQ sauce. It’s a tangy, flavorful dressing that’s perfect for salads, but also works as a great dip—just like this hot honey sauce!
Thank you for stopping by today! I hope this honey sauce becomes one of your new go-to condiments—just like it has for us. Want more easy and delicious ideas from New Easy Recipe? Check out our full collection on Pinterest.
