Give a spicy kick to a classic sweetener.
When it comes to all-natural sweeteners, the most obvious is honey, a gift from bees that is thick, sweet, and soothing. I absolutely love honey; it’s nature’s candy, and it adds much-needed sweetness to so many things. I use honey in my tea and in my oatmeal, and I even use it to sweeten my coffee. But the sweetness of honey can go far beyond those uses. It can also be blended with other flavors to make delicious sauces, spreads, dips, and marinades. I know you have seen honey blends out and about: honey barbecue sauce, honey mustard, and my personal favorite, hot honey. If you are unfamiliar, hot honey is just honey blended with chili peppers to spice things up. It can be found on the menu at many hot chicken restaurants.
Adding chilis to honey has been a custom in Italy for some time, and it has been a trend in Brazil for many years, too. Hot honey, as we call it in the U.S., exploded in popularity in recent years, with brands like Mike’s Hot Honey now being readily available in grocery stores and restaurants. As soon as you taste hot honey, you’ll understand why it has become so popular. When it hits your mouth, you get the sweet forward flavor of the honey, then some heat that creeps into the back of your throat. You can also add a splash of apple cider vinegar, which offers a slightly tangy finish. It really is the ideal dip, spread, or marinade.
Is Hot Honey Healthy?
Honey is, of course, our main ingredient here. It’s high in natural sugar, though it has a lower glycemic index than refined white sugar. Though raw honey has numerous healthy qualities, including being an antifungal, heating it up sadly degrades its beneficial antioxidants and enzymes. So, hot honey doesn’t offer much by way of nutrition. But, it’s still delicious!
Not All Honey Is The Same
Honey is an incredible ingredient. There are over 300 varieties of it available all around the world, each made from specific flowers with unique colors and flavors.
The most common honey variety found in the United States is clover honey. It has a light amber color, a deliciously sweet floral flavor, and very little aftertaste. Clover honey is perfect for this recipe, and since you will more than likely be getting your honey at the grocery store, it’s most likely the honey you’ll use.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
To store your hot honey, let it cool to room temperature and put it into a sealed jar, such as a mason jar. Since this recipe also calls for dried chili flakes and vinegar, you can store it at room temperature. Honey is shelf-stable. You will want to keep it out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures, so I recommend storing it in the pantry. Your hot honey should be good for several months.
Serving Suggestions
The beauty of hot honey is its versatility. You can easily use it as a glaze on pork, turkey, or the chicken in these Caribbean Chicken Bowls. You can use it as an ingredient in a cocktail, like the Bee’s Knees, to add some spice to your spirits. I personally love to drizzle some hot honey on a pizza. Try it over a simple Flatbread Pizza and watch how the flavors come to life!
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar optional
Instructions
- Combine honey and chili flakes in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat, being careful not to bring to a boil. Small bubbles should form along the edge of the saucepan.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture rest for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.
- Strain the honey through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the chili flakes, then stir in the apple cider vinegar if a balance of sweetness and acidity is desired.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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