Hot honey has grown in recent years into one of the biggest food trends. From pizza and grilled chicken to barbecue shrimp and creamy feta dips: more and more recipes use this surprising combination of sweet honey and spicy chili peppers.
But what exactly is hot honey, why is it so popular and how do you use it in the kitchen? In this blog you’ll discover everything you need to know about hot honey, including inspiration for delicious recipes.
What Is Hot Honey?
Hot honey is simply honey that has been enriched with chili peppers or chili flakes. This creates a seasoning that is both sweet and spicy.
The combination may sound unexpected, but it is precisely the contrast between the soft sweetness of honey and the heat of chili that creates a unique taste experience. Depending on the peppers used, hot honey can be mildly spicy or deliver a serious kick.
Hot honey originates in the United States, where it became especially popular as a topping for pizza. It is now used worldwide in all kinds of dishes.
What Does Hot Honey Taste Like?
Hot honey has a rich, sweet base flavor of honey with a pleasant spiciness that builds slowly. Because hot honey not only adds heat but also sweetness, it pairs perfectly with meat, fish, vegetables and even cheese.
The taste is:
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Sweet
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Mildly spicy to very spicy
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Caramel-like
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Full and aromatic
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Perfectly balanced between sweet and savory
Making Hot Honey Yourself
Making hot honey yourself is surprisingly simple.
Ingredients
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125 ml honey
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1 teaspoon chili flakes
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½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
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1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Preparation
Gently warm the honey in a small saucepan. Add the chili flakes and cayenne pepper and let the mixture steep for a few minutes. Then stir in the apple cider vinegar and let cool.
Store the hot honey in a sealed glass jar at room temperature.
What Do You Use Hot Honey For?
One of the reasons hot honey has become so popular is its versatility. You can use it as a sauce, marinade, glaze or topping.
Popular uses are:
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Pizza
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Grilled chicken
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Shrimp
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Cheese boards
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Feta dips
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Grilled vegetables
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Burgers
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Sandwiches
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BBQ dishes
Below you’ll find some of the tastiest ways to use hot honey.
Hot Honey Chicken
Hot Honey Chicken may be the most well-known dish with hot honey.
Juicy chicken thighs are seasoned with spices like paprika, garlic powder and black pepper. They are then finished with a sticky hot honey glaze that lightly caramelizes during baking.
The result is a perfect balance between sweet, spicy and savory.
Hot Honey Chicken can be prepared:
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In the oven
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In the air fryer
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On the barbecue
Serve with sweet potato fries, coleslaw or rice for a complete meal.
You can find the full recipe here: Hot Honey Chicken
Hot Honey Shrimp From The BBQ
Shrimp also pair excellently with hot honey.
Toss large shrimp with olive oil, garlic and a little lemon juice. Grill them briefly on the barbecue and brush them with hot honey just before serving.
The sweet and spicy flavors enhance the natural sweetness of the shrimp and make this an ideal summer dish.
Delicious with:
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Grilled corn
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Rice
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Fresh salad
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Roasted vegetables
Hot Honey Feta Dip
Another popular use is a creamy hot honey feta dip.
Whip feta together with Greek yogurt or cream cheese until airy. Finish with a generous drizzle of hot honey and some chili flakes.
The combination of salty feta, creamy texture and spicy honey makes for an irresistible dip that's perfect with:
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Pita bread
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Crackers
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Vegetable sticks
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Appetizer boards
This dip is also ready in a few minutes. You can find the full recipe for Hot Honey Feta dip here
Which Herbs And Spices Pair Well With Hot Honey?
Hot honey pairs excellently with various herbs and spices.
Think for example of:
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Garlic powder
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Onion powder
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Black pepper
With these spices you can easily compose your own hot honey marinades, rubs and sauces.
Why Is Hot Honey So Popular?
Hot honey fits perfectly with current food trends.
Consumers increasingly look for dishes that combine different flavors. The balance between sweet, spicy, salty and savory makes hot honey particularly versatile and suitable for both simple meals and barbecue dishes.
In addition, it’s easy to make yourself and you can fully adjust the spiciness to your own taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is hot honey?
Hot honey is honey that has been enriched with chili peppers or chili flakes for a sweet-spicy flavor.
2. Is hot honey very spicy?
That depends on the peppers used. You can easily adjust the spiciness by adding more or less chili.
3. How long does hot honey keep?
Homemade hot honey typically remains good for several months when stored in a sealed jar.
4. What do you use hot honey for?
Hot honey is used on pizza, chicken, shrimp, vegetables, cheese boards, dips and barbecue dishes.
5. Can I use hot honey on pizza?
Yes, hot honey is particularly popular as a topping on pizzas with pepperoni, salami or goat cheese.
6. Which honey is best for hot honey?
Flower honey and acacia honey are popular choices because of their mild flavor.
7. Which herbs pair well with hot honey?
Cayenne pepper, chili flakes, smoked paprika, garlic powder and chipotle combine excellently with hot honey.
