Last Updated on January 26, 2024 by Karen
Create Homemade Mike’s Hot Honey with just two ingredients and check out some creative ways to incorporate this sweet and spicy condiment into your favorite dishes.
If you’re a fan of the perfect balance between sweetness and heat, you’ve likely to be a fan of Mike’s Hot Honey. This versatile condiment has become one of our all time favorites, giving a kick of spice to all kinds of dishes, from pepperoni pizza to fried chicken to baked brie. The good news is, you can make your own hot honey at home with just a few simple ingredients.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through a straightforward homemade Mike’s Hot Honey recipe and share some creative ways to incorporate it into your favorite dishes and weeknight dinners to delight your taste buds!
What’s Hot Honey?
Hot honey is a delicious, sweet and spicy condiment developed by Mike Kurtz of the famous Mike’s Hot Honey. Mike’s Hot Honey has taken the culinary world by storm, offering a unique twist to regular honey. With a medium heat level and a hint of spiciness, it has become a pantry staple for those seeking to add a kick to their meals.
If you haven’t tried it yet, now might be the perfect time to jump on the spicy hot honey bandwagon! Some favorite ways to use this are: topping for pizza, glaze for chicken wings, pair with cheese, drizzle on breakfast sandwiches (if you like hot sauce with your eggs!), and even as an ingredient in cocktails.
Why you’ll love this homemade hot honey recipe:
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: With just two main ingredients—high-quality honey and dried chili flakes—this recipe is so simple. Yet, the combination of these ingredients creates a flavor profile that’s both complex and delicious.
- Customizable Spice Level: One of the beauties of making hot honey at home is the ability to control the spice level. Whether you prefer a milder kick (what I prefer) or a fiery heat (my husband!), you can easily adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- Elevate Your Dishes: This spicy honey isn’t just a one-trick pony. It’s a versatile condiment that can enhance a wide range of dishes. If you love adding hot sauce to pizzas and chicken wing sauce, try it with this homemade hot honey! The possibilities are endless.
- Cost-Effective: Making your own batch of hot honey is such a cost-effective option compared to store-bought alternatives. Plus, you have control over the quality of ingredients!
- Perfect as Homemade Gift: Whip up a batch of this hot honey, and you have a shareable and gift-worthy treat. A jar of hot honey makes for a great gift for friends, family, or any food lover in your life.
What ingredients are in Mike’s Hot Honey?
Honey: The choice of honey can influence the overall flavor, so be sure to use a good-quality pure honey. I like to use raw local honey, which has not undergone significant processing, heating, or pasteurization, with minimal filtration.
Red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes are dried and crushed red chili peppers. They are used for adding heat to the honey.
Apple cider vinegar: Mike’s Hot Honey contains vinegar. The acidity helps achieve the perfect balance of sweetness. If you want a sweeter sauce, you can leave this out.
Once you’ve gathered the ingredients, making the hot honey is quick and easy. Here are the steps:
- Combine Ingredients: Combine honey and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan.
- Heat Gently: Warm the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling; the goal is to gently infuse the honey with the heat from the red pepper flakes.
- Infuse Flavors: Simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the red pepper flakes to impart their spiciness into the honey. The longer you simmer, the stronger the flavor and higher heat level it will be.
- Strain (Optional): If desired, strain the honey using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the pepper flakes. This step is optional, depending on whether you prefer a smoother texture.
- Cool and Store: Allow the hot honey to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a clean, airtight container for storage.
- Enjoy: Get ready to add a delightful kick to your favorite dishes!
Homemade Mike's Hot Honey
Ingredients
- 1 cup high-quality honey
- 2 tbsps red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine honey and red pepper flakes.
- Warm the mixture over medium low heat, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Optional: If desired, strain the honey using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the pepper flakes.
- Allow the hot honey to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a clean, airtight container for storage. Enjoy!
What are some variations to homemade hot honey?
Smoky Flavor: Add a dash of smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a smoky undertone.
Use Fresh Chile Peppers: Instead of the dried chilies, use fresh chilis such as habanero peppers, jalapeno peppers, or even carolina reaper peppers if you dare! If you want the flavor of the peppers, but no so much of the heat, you can just use the hot peppers with the seeds removed. When using fresh peppers, you may have to simmer for a bit longer due to the extra water content.
Maple Syrup: Replace some or all of the honey with maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
How can I make hot honey even spicier?
Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness in hot honey by using more dried red pepper flakes, and leave them to infuse for longer.
How long does hot honey last?
Store hot honey in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and it should be good for up to 6 months.
What to do if the hot honey crystallizes?
Sometimes if hot honey is refrigerated, it can accelerate the crystallization process. Hot honey (especially those made with raw honey) may crystallize, forming sugar crystals that give it a grainy texture. This is a natural process and does not mean it’s spoiled.
If crystallization occurs, you can gently warm the honey to return it to its liquid state. It’s best to store your hot honey in a glass container, so you can place in a pot of simmering water to warm it up again.
Easy Recipe Ideas with Homemade Mike’s Hot Honey:
Hot Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce Recipe: Combine equal parts Dijon mustard and hot honey for a tasty sauce. Use the hot honey mustard sauce as a dipping sauce for chicken fingers, soft pretzel bites, or vegetables.
Fried Chicken with Hot Honey Sauce: This is a classic pairing for a flavor explosion. Elevate your fried chicken or chicken wings by tossing them in a glaze made with hot honey. It adds a perfect combination of sweet and spicy to each bite.
Hot Honey and Cheese and Meat Pairing: Try adding a side of hot honey to your charcuterie board. The sweet and spicy contrast enhances the flavors of both mild and sharp cheeses, as well as cured meats.
Hot Honey and Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Drizzle hot honey over roasted, caramelized brussels sprouts, with the smokiness of bacon. It makes for a delicious side dish!
Hot Honey Cocktails: Add a splash of hot honey to your favorite cocktails for a unique twist. It pairs exceptionally well with bourbon-based drinks or even a spicy margarita.
Hot Honey Toddy as Sore Throat Remedy: Here’s a quick hot toddy recipe to ease a sore throat: mix hot water with 1-2 tablespoons of honey and the juice of half a lemon in a mug (plus a shot of whiskey or bourbon if you like). Stir well, and feel free to add a cinnamon stick or slice of fresh ginger for extra flavor.
Hot Honey in Desserts: Upgrade your desserts by drizzling hot honey over vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, or even fruit salads. The little sweet heat adds a surprising element.
Sandwich Condiment: Spread hot honey on sandwiches or use it as a condiment for burgers and wraps. It can elevate the flavor profile of both meat and vegetarian options.
Hot Honey Vinaigrette: Whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of honey, salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the vinaigrette over your favorite salad or vegetables.
Hot Honey Stir Fry Sauce: Add a spoon or two of hot honey to your favorite teriyaki sauce for a zesty and spicy twist. It works well with a variety of proteins, vegetables, and even noodles.
This easy homemade Mike’s Hot Honey recipe is a great addition to your condiment repertoire. Experiment with different dishes and let your creativity flow as you discover new and exciting ways to enjoy the perfect blend of sweetness and heat.
What other ways do you like to use Hot Honey? Be sure to share in the comment section below!
