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–+ servings

Hot Honey

This is one of those recipes that makes you wonder why you ever bought it in a bottle.
Once you’ve tried homemade hot honey on crispy chicken, buttery cornbread, or a gooey baked brie, you’ll never go back.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
resting time 10 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup raw or pure honey (preferably from the USA)
  • 2 tbsp  dried chili flakes (or 1 tablespoon for milder heat)
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

You can use any dried chili variety you like—experiment with Calabrian, Aleppo, ancho, or chipotle for different flavor notes.

Instructions
 

  • Warm the Honey
    Add honey and chili flakes to a small saucepan over medium heat. Gently warm until small bubbles form around the edges, but do not bring to a full boil—honey can scorch and overflow quickly.
    Infuse the Flavor
    Remove from heat and let steep for about 10 minutes (longer for a hotter infusion).
    Finish and Strain
    Stir in the apple cider vinegar, then pour the honey through a fine mesh sieve into a clean glass jar to remove the chili flakes.
    If you prefer extra heat, skip straining—the chili will continue to intensify over time.
    Store Properly
    Keep in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place. Hot honey will keep for several months.

Tips

  • Always heat honey gently—overheating makes it thick and sticky.
    Want a smoky twist? Add a pinch of smoked paprika before warming.
    For gift jars, tuck in a whole dried chili before sealing—it looks beautiful and adds more flavor with time.
Keyword homeade hot honey, honey, hot honey
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