Hot honeys are favored by foodies for their ability to elevate just about any dish, sweet or savory, starting with taking a fried chicken sandwich to the next level or adding zesty sweetness to a classic PB&J.
We’ve tracked down seven of the most popular hot honey sauces so you can enjoy this gooey goodness at home. Our selections are ranked from best down to one that’s still worthy in a pinch.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
What Is Hot Honey, and How Did It Become Popular?
Honey gets hot because it’s infused with fresh or dried chili peppers, but recipes — and heat levels — vary. The popular Brazilian condiment picked up heat here (pun intended) when Mike Kurtz began drizzling it on pizzas he sold at a shop in Brooklyn, New York, in 2010 (who needs plain old red pepper flakes, anyway?). Soon, customers and other pizzerias were asking to buy it in bulk. It’s now sold everywhere, on supermarket shelves and online.
You can use hot honey on just about anything: pizzas, fried chicken, salads, tacos, chicken wings, ice cream, fresh fruit, and even cocktails such as a spicy margarita or Aperol spritz. Drizzle it, use it as a dipping sauce, experiment with spice levels — your taste buds will thank you.
Homemade Hot Honey Recipe
Before we get into our favorite brands, let’s talk about homemade hot honey. Concocting your own batch of hot honey is simple enough — all you need is honey, apple cider vinegar, crushed red chili flakes or jalapeño peppers, plus a small saucepan. Here’s one of our favorite recipes from Gimme Some Oven:
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes or 1 fresh jalapeño pepper, sliced
- 1–2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Add the honey and crushed red pepper flakes (or jalapeño slices) to a medium sauté pan or saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the honey very lightly begins to simmer. Give the mixture a quick stir to combine, then remove pan from the heat.
- Let the mixture rest for 10 to 15 minutes so that the flavors can infuse.
- Give the honey a quick taste to test the heat level. If you would like a spicier honey, add more red pepper flakes (or jalapeño slices) and/or let the mixture continue to infuse for longer.
- Once the honey has reached your desired heat level, strain the honey through a fine mesh strainer into a clean storage jar. Stir in the apple cider vinegar until evenly combined.
- Use the honey immediately. Alternatively, let it cool to room temperature, place a lid on the jar, and store at room temperature for up to three months.
Best: Mike’s Hot Honey
Perhaps not surprisingly, Kurtz’s original concoction is the best hot honey. Infused with real chili peppers and a dash of vinegar, Mike’s Hot Honey has the perfect amount of heat. It gives a slight mouth-tingling kick to favorite dishes, but it’s sweet and mild enough to keep you wanting more. True fans can buy a 192-ounce jug for $137.
For more great food tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.
2. Bushwick Kitchen Bees Knees Spicy Honey
$14
If your spice tolerance is on the higher side, BK’s Spicy Honey is another solid choice for one of the best hot honeys out there. Made from fresh habanero peppers and wildflower honey, this recipe has a fruity finish that packs some serious heat. Bees Knees Spicy Honey is also climate-pledge friendly, which means its products are made with minimal harm to the natural world. The brand’s other sauces include gochujang Sriracha and spicy maple syrup.
Looking for more heat? Check out our definitive ranking of the best hot sauces.
3. Mike’s Extra Hot Honey
$25 for two
Packing some serious heat, Mike’s Extra Hot Honey is not for the faint of mouth. That said, it’s not spicy to the point of a painful burn, and leaves you coming back for more.
For some more spicy options, check out our ranking of Melinda’s hot sauces.
Trending on Cheapism
4. The Spicy Shark Hot Honey
$13
Cinnamon sets this spicy honey apart. The Spicy Shark’s Hot Honey is tangy and nutty with a medium-heat finish. Pair it with sweet, tangy dishes such as orange chicken, stir-fries, and roasted meats. It can also infuse deeper flavor into marinades and salad dressings.
Are you a fan of orange chicken? Check out our ranking of every dish on the Panda Express menu.
5. Trader Joe’s Organic Spicy Honey Sauce
$3
Trader Joe’s is known for its snacks and sauces, and the store’s hot honey does not disappoint. Made with chili pepper spices and organic vinegar, this sauce has a smooth and balanced flavor profile. Try adding it to sandwiches, pizza, or shrimp tacos to elevate quick meals. It’s also good with pasta dishes and breakfast tacos, and at only $3 per bottle, it’s a deal.
6. Nature Nate’s Hot Honey
$10
Featuring bright citrusy notes, Nature Nate’s Hot Honey is popular with customers who prefer a milder taste — or for those newly embarking on adventurous food journeys. Thanks to its balanced finish, it makes a great addition to a charcuterie board, or as a topping for ice creams and smoothies.
Related: I Tried a Chick-Fil-A Worker’s Favorite Hot Honey Hack, and It Was Sticky Delicious
Sign up for our newsletter
7. Gold Emblem Hot Honey
$8
Though coming in last, this CVS brand of hot honey is surprisingly good. Smoky notes of paprika and black pepper make it worth a try, especially at the price. Add a dash to a favorite soup, or use it to top off pancakes and other sweet dishes.
