Hot honey sauce recipe is one of those things that started as an experiment in my kitchen and became a weekly staple. I still remember the day I was trying to spice up a fried chicken dinner—classic Southern comfort. I grabbed the honey, tossed in chili flakes, and just like that, I had something magical. It wasn’t just good—it was wow, lick-your-fingers-and-ask-for-more good.
Back in St. Francisville, my grandmother always added something sweet to balance her spicy dishes. She taught me that a little honey could tame heat and deepen flavor. When I moved to New Orleans and started playing with bolder flavors, I knew I wanted to create something that honored that memory but brought a little heat to the table. This hot honey sauce recipe does just that. It’s simple, sweet, and spicy—and it transforms whatever it touches.
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Hot Honey Sauce Recipe – Sweet, Spicy, and Totally Addictive
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Description
This hot honey sauce recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, made with just 4 ingredients in under 10 minutes. Ideal for pizza, chicken, veggies, and more.
Ingredients
1 cup honey (raw or regular)
1 ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Pinch of garlic powder (optional)
Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
1. In a small saucepan, combine honey and red pepper flakes.
2. Warm gently over low heat, stirring occasionally for 5–7 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and stir in apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and salt.
4. Let cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a clean glass jar.
5. Refrigerate and stir before each use.
Notes
Leave the chili flakes in for a stronger flavor or strain for a smooth finish.
Use different hot sauces or spice blends to adjust the heat level.
Great as a drizzle for pizza, chicken tenders, biscuits, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmer
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: hot honey sauce recipe, sweet spicy honey sauce, spicy honey drizzle
Whether I’m tossing it on roasted Brussels sprouts or drizzling it over cornbread, this sauce shows up with flavor and love. My kids even request it as a dip for chicken nuggets, and I’ve been known to sneak it onto sandwiches, pizza, even breakfast toast. It’s that good.
If you’ve already tried my homemade hot honey sauce, you’ll recognize the heart of this one. But the hot honey sauce recipe I’m sharing today is more than a condiment—it’s a mood. One that brings comfort, warmth, and a little bit of fire to the everyday table.
Table of Contents
Easy Hot Honey Sauce Recipe with Pantry Staples
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about this hot honey sauce recipe is how few ingredients it takes. Most of the time, you’ve already got everything in your pantry. This version keeps it classic—just sweet honey, a bit of heat, and a touch of acid to balance things out.
Here’s what I use:
- 1 cup honey (raw or regular)
- 1 ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Optional: pinch of garlic powder or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat
I usually start with these and adjust as I go depending on how bold I want it. You can even use this base as inspiration to explore variations like my hot honey mustard sauce, which adds creamy tang to the mix.
How to Make Hot Honey Sauce at Home
To make this hot honey sauce recipe, grab a small saucepan and combine the honey and crushed red pepper flakes. Set the heat to low and let it warm slowly. Stir every couple of minutes for about 5–7 minutes—just enough for the chili flakes to infuse but not burn.
Once it’s fragrant, take the pan off the heat and stir in your apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust—more flakes for kick, more honey to mellow it out. Let the sauce cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a clean jar. You can strain out the flakes or leave them in, depending on the texture you want.
This simple hot honey sauce recipe gives you big flavor with very little effort—and once you try it, you’ll want a jar in the fridge at all times.
Ways to Use This Hot Honey Sauce Recipe
Add It to Everything from Pizza to Roasted Veggies
This hot honey sauce recipe isn’t just a drizzle—it’s a game-changer. I keep a jar in the fridge and use it almost daily. It takes a basic pizza slice and gives it bold, sweet heat that cuts through the cheese and toppings. When I serve crispy roasted Brussels sprouts or carrots, this sauce brings them alive with flavor. Even just a few drops on avocado toast make breakfast feel special.
It’s also my go-to finishing sauce for grilled meats. A spoonful over chicken, pork chops, or even grilled shrimp adds that warm Southern touch—sweet, spicy, and completely satisfying. I love how the honey clings to the food while the chili heat lingers just enough to keep you coming back for more.
You can see the full version of my original hot honey sauce too—it’s the base for many of the sauces I use in this blog.
Use It in Dressings, Dips, and More
This hot honey sauce recipe also works great in dressings. Mix a bit with olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard for a quick vinaigrette. Or stir it into Greek yogurt or mayo to create a spicy dipping sauce that’s perfect for chicken tenders or fries.
Sometimes I even brush it on baked biscuits or cornbread right out of the oven. That sticky-sweet glaze turns even the simplest bread into something craveable.
The versatility of this hot honey sauce recipe is what makes it so loved. Whether you’re meal prepping, hosting a dinner, or just jazzing up leftovers, it fits in with just about everything on the table.
Customize and Store Your Hot Honey Sauce Recipe
Adjust the Heat to Match Your Taste
One of the best parts of this hot honey sauce recipe is how easy it is to adjust. Like it spicier? Add more red pepper flakes or stir in your favorite hot sauce—think sriracha, chipotle, or even cayenne oil. Want to keep it kid-friendly? Use fewer flakes and strain them out before storing.
I’ve also played with flavor variations depending on what I’m serving. A dash of garlic powder or smoked paprika adds a savory twist, and a touch of lemon juice can brighten it for lighter dishes like grilled fish or salad dressings. You can even create spin-offs—like I did with my hot honey BBQ sauce—by building layers of tang and smoke.
This hot honey sauce recipe is a great starting point, and once you make it your own, it becomes something you can use across countless meals.
Storing It Right Keeps the Flavor Strong
After you make your batch, pour the sauce into a clean glass jar or squeeze bottle. Let it cool fully before sealing it. I store mine in the fridge, where it keeps well for about two weeks. The honey may thicken a little, but you can easily warm it up for a few seconds in the microwave or in warm water.
I usually stir before each use, especially if the pepper flakes have settled. The flavor continues to develop over time, so don’t be surprised if the last spoonful is even better than the first.
Whether you’re meal prepping or planning for a cookout, this hot honey sauce recipe stores beautifully and is always ready to bring sweet heat to the table.
FAQs About Hot Honey Sauce Recipe
What is hot honey sauce made of?
Hot honey sauce is made with a simple mix of honey, crushed red pepper flakes, and vinegar. Some recipes, including my favorite version, add optional seasonings like garlic powder or hot sauce to boost flavor. This combination delivers that perfect balance of sweet heat that pairs well with almost anything.
How to make a simple honey sauce?
To make a basic honey sauce, mix 1 cup of honey with a splash of apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt. For heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce. Warm gently on the stove to blend the flavors, and your sauce is ready in minutes.
Why is Mike’s Hot Honey so good?
Mike’s Hot Honey has become popular because it nails the sweet-spicy balance using clean, high-quality ingredients. But with the right recipe—like this hot honey sauce recipe—you can make something just as bold at home with ingredients you already have.
What is honey hot wing sauce made of?
Honey hot wing sauce usually combines honey, butter, hot sauce, and sometimes garlic or cayenne. It’s rich, sticky, and ideal for coating crispy wings. You can also use a homemade hot honey sauce recipe as a base, then add melted butter to create an instant wing glaze.
How to make honey hot sauce recipe?
Making a hot honey sauce recipe is easy. Just heat honey with chili flakes over low heat, then stir in vinegar. Let it cool and store. You can adjust the spice level, add garlic, or even infuse herbs to make it your own. It takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish.
Conclusion
Final Thoughts on This Hot Honey Sauce Recipe
Some recipes are fun to try once. Others become part of how you cook. This hot honey sauce recipe is one of those keepers—the kind of recipe that lives on your kitchen counter, always ready to drizzle over something delicious. For more ways to elevate your wings, check out my full guide on How to Make Hot Honey Sauce and explore all the sweet-heat variations you can try.
It brings together everything I love about cooking: a few good ingredients, a little heat, a lot of heart, and no stress. Whether I’m spicing up a quick lunch or adding a bold finish to a slow Sunday roast, this sauce always earns its place on the table.
The best part? You can make it your own. Add more kick, go milder, stir in garlic, or try it with lemon—this sauce invites creativity. And once you see how easily it comes together, you’ll never want to buy the bottled version again. For the full recipe, feel free to check out my How to Make Hot Honey Sauce for Wings
So, grab a jar, warm up the honey, and let this hot honey sauce recipe become your go-to for sweet, spicy flavor anytime you need it. Want more easy and delicious ideas from New Easy Recipe? Check out our full collection on Pinterest.
