Honey Hot Sauce Recipe (2 Ingredients, 1 Minute)

This homemade honey hot sauce recipe is sweet, spicy, crunchy, and delish, but calling it a recipe is a bit of a stretch I realize. Simply combine honey and chili crisp, and warm it for a few seconds in the microwave. That’s it!

More importantly, check out the great ways to use this addictive sauce, condiment or glaze. It’s a super versatile condiment and, as always, there are a few good variations to try.

hot honey sauce being drizzled over grilled chicken.

What to expect

This is the easiest homemade hot honey recipe ever. A perfect combination of 2 simple ingredients, a nice kick of heat, better than a store-bought version and only 1 minute to make.

It’s different from many of the recipes online because you are:

  • not cooking it on the stove
  • not straining it so it has a wonderful crunchy texture (the crunchy bits in the chili crisp are a delicious twist on the more usual smooth sauce)
  • only using 2 ingredients (unless you choose to add a few variations)
  • getting all the additional flavors in chili crisp (crispy garlic and shallot bits, chili peppers and various spices)

Move over Mike’s hot honey and check this one out!

Ingredients – tailored to your taste

honey, chili crisp.

Honey: Any kind of honey will work for this recipe. I prefer pure local honey, or at least not the kind made with corn syrup. See FAQs for more info on honey.

Chili crisp: I buy it in a jar at my local Asian grocery store but many mainstream grocery stores and Amazon carry it now. Check out FAQs on the best brands to buy. You can also it yourself with this homemade chili crisp recipe by Chili Pepper Madness.

  • For smokiness, add a pinch of smoked paprika or chipotle peppers (or ground chipotle)
  • Add 2-3 teaspoons of butter before microwaving the hot honey for extra richness. Many recipes contain a lot of butter. I don’t find it necessary.
  • Add a small splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to tame the sweet honey.
  • Mix in a little sour cream or mayonnaise for a creamy dipping sauce.
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon and/or salt for extra flavor.
  • Experiment with different types of honey – clover honey, wildflower honey, orange blossom.

How to make homemade hot honey sauce

hot honey sauce in small bowl.
Mix the chili crisp and honey in a small bowl, adjusting the chili crisp spice level to your liking. Microwave for 10-15 seconds to make it more liquidy if you like. That’s it!
hot honey sauce being drizzled over grilled chicken.
Enjoy it as a sauce, glaze or condiment.

Great ways to use spicy honey sauce

Hot honey sauce can be used as a sauce, glaze or spicy-sweet condiment. It’s a great addition to so many dishes.

Enjoy a drizzle of hot honey on:

Or use it as a spicy condiment or glaze for:

Make Ahead

Store the honey hot sauce in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 months. To loosen it up, microwave it for 10-15 seconds.

Recipe FAQs

What kind of honey is best?

According to Healthline, most honey in grocery stores has been pasteurized, meaning it has been heated and many of its nutrients and health benefits destroyed. Raw honey is unpasteurized and comes straight from the beehive – just be careful you are buying it from a reliable source. Labels such as “natural,” “organic,” and “pure,” do not mean that it’s raw. There are many different varieties.

Does heating destroy the benefits of honey?

Prolonged high heat will destroy the benefits of honey. Microwaving it for a few seconds in short bursts is fine.

How long does honey last?

Honey has a very long shelf life – it never goes bad! Raw honey can crystallize but it is still fine to eat. You can decrystalize honey by putting the jar in warm water. Or microwave it in a microwave-safe container for 10-15 seconds. Do not overheat it – use short bursts.

What is chili crisp?

Chili crisp, also known as chili oil flakes or chili crunch is a popular condiment in many Asian cuisines. It typically consists of fresh chili peppers, garlic, shallots, and various spices infused with oil and fried until crispy. Sometimes vinegar is added, but not always. Chili crisp adds heat, flavor, and texture to various dishes.

What is the best brand of chili crisp?

Bon Appetite editors recommend the top 10 chili crisps in a jar. Favorites are Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisps (crunchy and spicy but not too spicy), Mẹ’s Way Chili Sauce (includes fish sauce), Momofuku Chili Crunch (very hot, crunchy, umami with some sweetness). Check the ingredients if you are vegetarian (some contain fish sauce, anchovies or dried shrimp).

hot honey sauce being drizzled over grilled chicken.

More recipes for condiments and sauces

If you like this recipe, please leave a 5 star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟with a comment in the recipe card below. Thanks so much!

hot honey sauce being drizzled over grilled chicken.
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5 from 3 votes

Honey Hot Sauce Recipe (2 Ingredients, 1 Minute)

This homemade honey hot sauce recipe is sweet, spicy, crunchy, and delish, but calling it a recipe is a bit of a stretch I realize. Simply combine honey and chili crisp, and warm it for a few seconds in the microwave. That's it!
Total Time1 minute
Course: sauces and condiments
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 10 tablespoons

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup honey, any kind
  • 2 tablespoons chili crisp, Note 1 (or more or less to suit your heat preference)
  • pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

  • MAKE HOT HONEY SAUCE: Combine honey and chili crisp in a small microwave-safe cup or pyrex measuring cup. Start with less chili crisp, taste and add more to the heat level you prefer. To make it more liquidy, place in microwave and heat on high for 10-15 seconds. Add a few more seconds if needed. Note 2 for other heating options. For certain uses (like tossing with crispy wings), heating is not necessary.

Recipe Notes

  1. Chili crisps: Buy them at an Asian grocery store or on Amazon. Some good brands are: Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisps (crunchy and spicy but not too spicy), Mẹ’s Way Chili Sauce (includes fish sauce), Momofuku Chili Crunch (very hot, crunchy, umami with some sweetness). Or make them yourself with this homemade chili crisp recipe by Chili Pepper Madness if you like.
  2. Other heating options: Instead of the microwave you can place your glass bowl in hot water to loosen up the hot honey. Or warm it on the stovetop on medium-low heat in a small saucepan for a couple of minutes. Keep in mind you don’t have to heat the hot honey. For example, if using on baked wings, just toss it with the hot wings.
  3. Variations
    • For smokiness, add a pinch of smoked paprika or chipotle peppers (or ground chipotle)
    • Add 2-3 teaspoons of butter before microwaving the hot honey for extra richness. Many recipes contain a lot of butter. I don’t find it necessary.
    • Add a small splash of apple cider vinegar or lime juice to tame the sweetness.
    • Mix in a little sour cream or mayonnaise for a creamy dipping sauce.
    • Add a pinch of cinnamon and/or salt for extra flavor.
    • Experiment with different types of honey – clover honey, wildflower honey, orange blossom.
  4. Use spicy hot honey sauce on: fried chicken, baked wings, salmon, biscuits, corn on the cob, cornbread, roasted vegetables, goat cheese or ricotta spread, baked brie, fries, and sandwiches. 
  5. Make ahead: Store in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 months. It can also be stored at room temperature, but that will depend on the ingredients in the chili crisp. I would use the fridge to be safe. To loosen it up, microwave it for 10-15 seconds. 
 
Nutrition values are loosely estimated and will depend on the chili crisp used. 

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?We’d love you to rate it above under ‘rate this recipe’ or in the comment section below. Thanks!
5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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