Meet our new favourite pantry staple: this easy hot honey recipe takes minutes to make and adds sweet heat to everything it touches. With just a handful of ingredients, you'll have your own hot honey ready to drizzle, dip or gift - yes, it makes a great gift for your spice-loving friends. This Homemade Hot Honey With Smoked Paprika has just the right amount of warmth and smoke, and there are endless delicious ways to use it.
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Hot Honey, But Smoky
The internet's been singing the praises of hot honey for a while now - and fair enough, it's a wonderful spicy condiment. But honestly? I always felt spicy honey needed a little extra edge.
That's where smoked paprika comes in. It adds a subtle, sultry smokiness that transforms the sweet heat into something bold and deeply addictive - that's what sets our recipe apart.
Ingredient Notes
Here are 5 simple ingredients that you will need to make this spicy hot honey:
- clear honey: save your good quality honey (especially raw honey) for drizzling - since heating can dull both its health perks and delicate flavour, this recipe's a great excuse to use the cheaper stuff.
- dried chilli flakes: a.k.a. red pepper flakes. Adjust to suit your spice level preferences.
- smoked paprika.
- salt.
- apple cider vinegar: or red or white wine vinegar.
As always, find the ingredient quantities, step-by-step method and nutritional information in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Tips
- Control the heat level by adjusting the chilli flakes.
- Swap dried chillies out entirely for fresh peppers like jalapeños or habaneros (thinly sliced) for a slow-building burn.
- Experiment with different types of honey- darker honeys like buckwheat bring richer, deeper flavour, while light clover or acacia keep things floral and mild.
- Always heat your honey gently over medium-low heat - too hot, and it can burn or lose its flavour entirely.
- Taste before adding vinegar; if it's too spicy already, the acid can amplify the heat even more.
To Strain Or Not To Strain
Here's the thing: leaving the chilli flakes in is the easy way to let your hot honey keep getting bolder-the longer it sits, the more of a serious kick you'll get. Straining it through a fine mesh strainer tones down the heat over time, but gives you a smoother finish.
Personally? I think the flakes floating in the jar look like a whole lot of flavour waiting to happen.
Storage
Keep your jar of hot honey in a sealed glass jar or any airtight container at room temperature-no need to refrigerate. Stored properly, it'll last a long time, and the flavour will only deepen. Just give it a stir before each use and you're always seconds away from a fiery drizzle of hot honey.
Uses For Smoky Hot Honey
Wondering how to use up your jar of smoky hot honey? Here are some of the best ways to make the most of this addictive spicy-sweet condiment:
- Fried chicken + a drizzle of sweet heat = actual magic. Try it on waffles, too.
- Brush over hot honey chicken wings or chicken tenders as a spicy glaze before baking or grilling. We love Hot Honey Chicken Wraps too.
- Stir into a salad dressing with olive oil and vinegar for a sweet-smoky kick.
- Mix with butter and dunk pizza crusts or bread - yes, it's a legit dipping sauce.
- Drizzle over a cheese and charcuterie board - especially good with goat cheese, brie or aged cheddar.
- Make our Hot Honey Sourdough Focaccia.
- Spoon into a hot toddy to soothe the soul (and sinuses).
- Stir into iced tea or lemonade for a sneaky twist of spice.
- Pair it with roasted veg - try it on squash, sweet potatoes or roasted carrots and parsnips.
- Swirl into Greek yoghurt with a pinch of salt for a sweet-and-savoury snack.
- Add to your next burger or breakfast sandwich - hello, spicy honey bacon.
Hot Honey Recipe With Smoked Paprika
Equipment
- Small Saucepan
Ingredients
- 100 g (¼ cups) clear honey
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar
Instructions
- Place honey, chilli flakes, smoked paprika and salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir and bring the honey to a boil.
- As soon as it boils, take it off the heat and stir in the vinegar.
- Set the honey aside for at least 1 hour to allow the flavours to infuse.
- You may strain the honey or leave the chilli flakes in it. Use it immediately or transfer it to an airtight container.
Nutrition
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