Honey Hot Sauce Recipe
This easy honey hot sauce is sweet, spicy, and crunchy, made with just honey and chili crisp. Warm it briefly to loosen, then use it as a drizzle, glaze, or dipping sauce.
Servings (change as needed): 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.
Notes
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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