How to Make Tasty Homemade Hot Honey Sauce - Recipe

homemade hot honey sauce recipe

If you’re a fan of sweet and spicy flavours, you're in for a treat. Today, we’re diving into the delicious homemade hot honey sauce world. This appetising mix of sticky sweetness from honey combined with a fiery kick of hot sauce has taken the culinary world by storm.

The honey sauce is a delicious mix of sweet and spicy. It is perfect for adding excitement to a variety of foods, including pizza, chicken, or vegetables." Hot honey can be made in a few minutes at home from a few basic building blocks. In this post, we're going to show you how to make this delectably spicy honey hot sauce with a simple hot honey sauce recipe! Now , take a bite of the sweet and tangy goodness.

Hot Honey Sauce Ingredients

  • A handful of ingredients are required to perfect home hot honey sauce:
  • 1 cup honey (raw honey for more flavour is highly recommended)
  • 2 tbsp chilli powder (or more if you like it spicy)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for tang)
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper (if you want more heat)
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (optional for creamier sauce)

What You’ll Need

Before we jump into the fun part, let’s gather our ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create your very own finger-licking-good hot honey sauce:

  • 1 cup honey: Use pure honey for the best flavour. If you can get your hands on local or artisanal honey, that would be even better!
  • 1/2 cup hot sauce: Choose a hot sauce you enjoy, such as Sriracha, cayenne pepper, or homemade.
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar: adds a little tang to balance the sweetness.
  • 1 clove garlic, minced: Fresh garlic gives your sauce an extra depth of flavour.
  • For extra heat and texture, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional).
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional): For a smoky twist, add this in.
  • A pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional): Adds richness and smoothness to the sauce.

Instructions

  • Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and salt. Stir to mix everything together. A saucepan with a heavy bottom works best to prevent the honey from burning.
  • Simmer: Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. You don’t want to boil it; just warm it up so the flavours blend perfectly.
  • Cook and Reduce: Continue simmering for 5-10 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavours meld together.
  • Add Butter and Paprika (optional): If you want a richer and slightly smoky sauce, stir in the melted butter and paprika.
  • Taste and Adjust: Taste your sauce. If you like it hotter, add a bit more red pepper flakes. If you prefer it to be sweeter, add a touch more honey.
  • Chill and Store: Once you’re happy with the flavour, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool completely. It will thicken as it cools. Transfer the cooled sauce to a clean, airtight jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

What Is Hot Honey?

Hot honey is nothing more than honey infused with spice—usually chilli pepper. That sweet and spicy combo makes it an ideal drizzle for savoury standbys like pizza, fried chicken, and even just on top of roasted veggies. The balance of heat and sweetness works wonders to elevate any dish to a flavour explosion.

Tips for Perfect Hot Honey Sauce

  • Customise the Heat: Adjust the red pepper flakes and hot sauce to your desired spice level. For a milder sauce, start with less spice and increase gradually.
  • Experiment with Flavours: Avoid trying different types of honey, vinegar, or spices. For example, a bit of crushed ginger or a pinch of cinnamon can add an extra punch of flavour.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients will produce a tastier sauce, so don’t skimp on quality!
  • Sterilise Jars: To prevent contamination, ensure your jars are clean and sterilised before storing the hot honey sauce.

How to Make Hot Honey Sauce, Step by Step

  • Heat the Honey: Begin with a small saucepan and add your honey. This will make mixing the honey with the other ingredients easier. One word of caution: Do not heat it up too much, as you risk killing the honey's beneficial properties.
  • Add the Spices: Once the honey is warm, add the chilli flakes and crushed red pepper. The mixture simmers for roughly 5 minutes, its flavours infusing. If you want your spicy
    The honey sauce is even spicier; add more chilli flakes or red pepper to make it hotter.
  • Add the Vinegar: After simmering for a few minutes, add the apple cider vinegar. The vinegar gives the sauce a nice tartness and counteracts the sweetness of the honey. Stir well to combine.
  • Thin Out the Consistency: You can also add a touch of olive oil if you want a thicker hot honey glaze since it will help emulsify the sauce. The oil will yield a luxurious, glossy sauce. Skip this step if you prefer a thinner sauce.
  • Let It Cool: Let the homemade hot honey sauce cool to room temperature. As it cools, the sauce will thicken some. You can start drizzling it over your favourite dishes when it's ready!

Creative Ways to Use Your Hot Honey Sauce

Now that you’ve made your hot honey sauce, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything! Here are some tasty ideas to get you started:

  • Drizzle Over Fried Chicken: The classic pairing of sweet and spicy sauce with crispy fried chicken is always a hit.
  • Toss with Roasted Veggies: Give your roasted veggies a sweet and spicy kick by tossing them with hot honey sauce before serving.
  • Enhance Your Pizza: Drizzle hot honey over your pizza for a unique flavour twist. It works particularly well with pepperoni or sausage.
  • Glaze for Grilled Meat: Brush this sauce onto grilled meats like chops or chicken wings during the last few minutes of cooking for a caramelised finish and amazing taste.
  • Dip for Cheese: Serve it with your cheese platter. It pairs especially well with cheeses like cheddar or gouda.

How to Use Hot Honey Sauce

  • The hot honey sauce can be used in many ways. Here are just a few ideas:
    Drizzle it on top of pizza, and you have a hot honey glaze that works well with spicy sausage or pepperoni.
  • Toss it with fried chicken for a honey-hot chicken sauce.
  • Serve it as a dipping sauce with mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets, or roasted vegetables.
  • Use it as an addition to tacos or burritos for a spicy-sweet kick.
  • Use it over a warm bowl of oatmeal or pancakes for an unexpected twist at breakfast.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it! You’ve created a delicious homemade hot honey sauce perfect for adding a sweet and spicy kick to your favourite dishes. Whether drizzling it over fried chicken or using it as a unique pizza topping, this sauce will surely become a favourite at your gatherings. Enjoy experimenting with this recipe, and don’t be afraid to make it your own!

FAQ’s

Q: How do you make hot honey at home?

A: Start with honey, chilli flakes, and apple cider vinegar for homemade hot honey preparation. Melt the honey before adding spices while simmering them together for several minutes to develop a taste union.

Q: What is the best recipe for hot honey sauce?

A: The best hot honey sauce is the one that gets the heat and sweetness in balance. A crowd-pleaser is our recipe with chilli flakes, crushed red pepper and apple cider vinegar.

Q: What’s the process for making honey hot sauce?

A: Heat and simmer to let the flavours marry. It’s that easy!

Q: Is it possible to create a spicy honey sauce or glaze without vinegar?

A: Yes, you can do without the vinegar, but it provides a nice tangy counterpoint to the sweetness. You can replace it with lemon juice (or leave it out altogether if you want a sweeter sauce).