I made a Hot Honey Recipe that quickly combines one cup of honey with a hint of red pepper flakes, a dash of apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt. In just three minutes, I created a vibrant sauce that adds a sweet and spicy twist to nearly any dish.
I’ve recently come across a cool twist on one of my all time favorite recipes, and I just had to share it. I made this homemade hot honey sauce using only 4 simple ingredients in a mere 3 minutes.
I started with 1 cup of honey, then added a tablespoon of red pepper flakes and another tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt to round it all out. This sauce is perfect when you’re looking to add a sweet and spicy kick to your chicken or even drizzled over wings.
I’ve also used it as a neat dip sometimes and it’s become my go-to hot honey sauce for chicken. I know some people swear by spicy honey sauce for chicken and wing sauce recipes, and now i think this is one of those recipes you definitely need to try out if you love a little heat mixed with a hint of sweetness.
Enjoy, and experiment a bit with it too.
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe for several reasons. First, I really like that it’s super simple and only takes a few minutes to whip up, which makes it perfect for when I’m in a hurry. Second, I enjoy how the sweet honey mixes with the red pepper flakes and apple cider vinegar, giving me that amazing sweet and spicy kick every time. Third, I appreciate that it’s so versatile—I can use it as a dip or drizzle it over my favorite dishes, making any meal a little more exciting.
Here’s a quick rundown of how I make it in my own words:
I start by pouring 1 cup of honey into a small saucepan and set it over low heat. Then, I stir in 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt. I let the mixture heat up slowly for about 2 to 3 minutes while stirring every now and then so it doesnt burn. Once I start to smell that spicy aroma, I take the pan off the heat right away. I let it sit for a minute or two so it cools a bit before I use it. If I want a smoother texture, I strain out the red pepper flakes, but sometimes I just leave them in because I like the extra bit of crunch. I then drizzle this hot honey sauce over my favorite dish or use it as a dip. It always ends up giving a tasty, sweet and spicy vibe to whatever I serve it with. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- Honey provides simple carbohydrates, is naturally sweet, and boosts energy although it’s high in sugar.
- Red pepper flakes deliver a spicy kick and contain antioxidants increasing metabolism and flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar offers a tangy note and helps digestion adding zesty brightness.
- Salt enhances overall flavors and brings balance to the sauce without overpowering other ingredients.
- This sauce combines sweet spicy and tangy notes for an irresistible, bold taste.
- Health note: Enjoy sparingly as honey is rich in sugars dont overdo it.
- Great for drizzling on pizza, fried chicken, or roasted veggies for extra zing.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 cup of honey
- 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- A pinch of salt
How to Make this
1. Pour 1 cup of honey into a small saucepan and set it over low heat.
2. Stir in 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt.
3. Heat the mixture slowly, letting it warm up for about 2 to 3 minutes while stirring occasionally so it doesnt burn.
4. Once you start to smell the spicy aroma, remove the pan from heat immediately.
5. Let the sauce sit for a minute or two to cool slightly before using.
6. For a smoother texture, you can strain the red pepper flakes out if you dont like bits in your sauce.
7. Drizzle this hot honey sauce over your favorite dish or use it as a flavorful dip. Enjoy!
Equipment Needed
1. Small saucepan – to heat and combine the ingredients
2. Measuring cup – to accurately measure 1 cup of honey
3. Measuring spoons – for the red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and salt
4. Heat-resistant spoon – for stirring the mixture
5. Stove – to provide controlled, low heat for the saucepan
6. Strainer (optional) – to remove red pepper flakes for a smoother sauce texture
FAQ
Homemade Hot Honey Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- You can swap out the honey for maple syrup or agave nectar if you want a slightly different sweetness.
- If you run out of red pepper flakes try using a pinch of cayenne pepper instead, just be careful cause it packs a punch.
- Instead of apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or even a bit of lemon juice can lend the tang you’re after.
- Tech-wise, if you dont have the regular salt handy, try using sea salt or kosher salt for a similar flavor kick.
Pro Tips
1. Make sure you keep the heat really low so that your honey doesn’t burn, cause once it starts to darken it can ruin the flavor even if you stir occasionally.
2. If you hate the idea of bits in your sauce, strain it after it cools off a bit. It’s a neat trick that makes it feel smoother and more useable.
3. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the spiciness – if you wanna really kick it up a notch, try adding a little more red pepper flakes, but always taste as you go.
4. Let the sauce sit for a couple of minutes off the heat so all the flavors have a chance to blend together; this rest time makes a bigger difference than you might think.
Homemade Hot Honey Sauce Recipe
My favorite Homemade Hot Honey Sauce Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Small saucepan – to heat and combine the ingredients
2. Measuring cup – to accurately measure 1 cup of honey
3. Measuring spoons – for the red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and salt
4. Heat-resistant spoon – for stirring the mixture
5. Stove – to provide controlled, low heat for the saucepan
6. Strainer (optional) – to remove red pepper flakes for a smoother sauce texture
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of honey
- 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Pour 1 cup of honey into a small saucepan and set it over low heat.
2. Stir in 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt.
3. Heat the mixture slowly, letting it warm up for about 2 to 3 minutes while stirring occasionally so it doesnt burn.
4. Once you start to smell the spicy aroma, remove the pan from heat immediately.
5. Let the sauce sit for a minute or two to cool slightly before using.
6. For a smoother texture, you can strain the red pepper flakes out if you dont like bits in your sauce.
7. Drizzle this hot honey sauce over your favorite dish or use it as a flavorful dip. Enjoy!