Ingredients
1 cup (240ml) honey
1–2 tablespoons red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine the honey and red pepper flakes.
Step 2: Heat over low to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Be careful not to boil vigorously. Continue to simmer for about 5-7 minutes to allow the chili flakes to infuse their flavor into the honey.
Step 3: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar.
Step 4: Let the mixture steep for at least 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to deepen. For a spicier sauce, you can let it steep longer, even up to an hour, or overnight in the refrigerator (gently reheat before straining if cooled).
Step 5: Strain the honey through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean, heat-proof jar or bottle to remove the chili flakes. If you prefer a more rustic sauce with visible flakes and more intense heat, you can skip this step.
Step 6: Allow the hot honey sauce to cool completely before sealing the jar. Store at room temperature in an airtight container. It will keep well for several weeks, if not months.
Notes
For varying levels of heat, adjust the amount of red pepper flakes. You can also experiment with different types of chilies, like a pinch of cayenne or a dash of smoked habanero powder, but start small! If the honey crystallizes over time, gently warm the jar in a bowl of warm water to return it to its liquid state.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Side Dishes
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 65 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: hot honey sauce, easy hot honey recipe, spicy honey, honey drizzle, condiment recipe, sweet and spicy sauce, homemade hot honey, honey chili sauce, pizza topping, chicken glaze, side dishes
