This hot honey sauce is perfect for drizzling over a variety of dishes, including fried chicken, pizza, and roasted vegetables.
This hot honey sauce is both sweet and spicy. It requires only six ingredients: honey, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, melted butter, garlic powder, and kosher salt.
To make the sauce, you simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir until they are thoroughly mixed. The resulting sauce is then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
To use the sauce, you can either allow it to come to room temperature or warm it up in the microwave until it becomes loose.
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Why You'll Love this Hot Honey Sauce
- It has a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. The honey provides a sweet, rich taste that complements the heat of the cayenne pepper and smoked paprika.
- It's easy to make. With just six simple ingredients and a few minutes of stirring, you can create a delicious sauce that will add flavor and spice to a wide range of dishes.
- It's versatile. This hot honey sauce can be used as a dipping sauce, marinade, glaze, or condiment. It pairs well with a variety of foods, from chicken wings and pizza to roasted vegetables and grilled meats.
- It can be stored for up to two weeks. This makes it a convenient condiment to have on hand whenever you want to add some heat and sweetness to your meals.
Ingredients
Full recipe with measurements listed below.
The hot honey sauce recipe features a combination of six delicious ingredients that work together to create a sweet and spicy flavor.
- Honey: The recipe begins with honey, a natural sweetener derived from flower nectar.
- Cayenne Pepper: To give the sauce some heat, cayenne pepper is added.
- Smoked Paprika: The smoky flavor comes from smoked paprika, a spice made from dried and smoked red peppers.
- Butter: Butter is melted and added to the mixture, adding richness and depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is also included to provide a garlic flavor.
- Salt: Kosher salt is added to enhance the taste of the sauce.
All of these ingredients are combined in a bowl and stirred together until thoroughly mixed. The resulting hot honey sauce is a versatile condiment that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and used to add a sweet and spicy kick to a variety of dishes.
Substitutions
- Honey: Use maple syrup or agave nectar as a substitute for honey if you're looking for a vegan alternative.
- Cayenne pepper: If you don't have cayenne pepper, you could substitute it with another chili powder, such as chili flakes or chipotle powder. The amount you use may vary depending on the heat level of the substitute.
- Smoked paprika: If you don't have smoked paprika, use regular paprika or chili powder instead. However, this will change the flavor of the sauce.
- Butter: If you're looking for a dairy-free alternative, you could use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of butter. This will also affect the flavor of the sauce.
- Garlic powder: Use fresh garlic as a substitute for garlic powder. However, you may need to adjust the amount used to suit your taste. As a general rule of thumb, use ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder to replace one clove of fresh garlic.
- Kosher salt: Use any type of salt in place of kosher salt, but keep in mind that the texture and flavor may be different.
How to Make Hot Honey Sauce
Full recipe listed below.
Making hot honey sauce is a simple and straightforward process that involves just a few steps:
Gather your ingredients. You will need honey, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, melted butter, garlic powder, and kosher salt.
Combine the ingredients. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the honey, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, melted butter, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Mix well with a spoon or whisk until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Store the sauce. Pour the hot honey sauce into a glass jar with a lid or an airtight container. Store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Serve the sauce. To use the sauce, take it out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature or warm it gently in the microwave on half power until loose. Use the sauce as a dipping sauce, marinade, glaze, or condiment.
Making hot honey sauce is that simple, and with just a few ingredients and little time, you can create a flavorful sauce that will elevate the taste of any dish.
Variations
- Add lemon juice: Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice to give the sauce a tangy kick and brighten the flavors.
- Use different spices: Experiment with different spices such as cumin, chili powder, or even cinnamon to add more depth to the sauce.
- Adjust the heat level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper used in the recipe to your liking. For a milder sauce, use less cayenne pepper or substitute it with a milder chili powder.
- Add vinegar: A splash of apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar can help balance the sweetness of the honey and add a tangy flavor to the sauce.
- Use different sweeteners: Try using different types of sweeteners such as molasses, brown sugar, or maple syrup instead of honey to give the sauce a unique flavor.
- Add herbs: Chopped herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or cilantro can add freshness and aroma to the sauce.
What to serve with Hot Honey Sauce
Hot honey sauce is a versatile condiment for a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas on what to serve with hot honey sauce:
- Fried chicken: Hot honey sauce pairs well with crispy fried chicken. Drizzle it over the chicken or use it as a dipping sauce.
- Roasted vegetables: Glaze roasted vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, or sweet potatoes with hot honey sauce to add a sweet and spicy kick.
- Pizza: Hot honey sauce is a popular condiment for pizza. Drizzle it over the pizza or use it as a dipping sauce.
- Grilled meats: Use got honey sauce as a marinade or glaze for grilled meats such as chicken, pork, or beef.
- Sandwiches: Spread hot honey sauce on sandwiches to add a sweet and spicy flavor. It goes well with chicken sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, and even grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Appetizers: Serve hot honey sauce as a dipping sauce for appetizers such as chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, or onion rings.
These are just a few ideas on what to serve with hot honey sauce. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different dishes.
FAQ'S
How long does the hot honey sauce last in the refrigerator?
Store hot honey sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Can I use regular paprika instead of smoked paprika?
Yes, use regular paprika as a substitute for smoked paprika. However, it will change the flavor of the sauce.
Can I adjust the heat level of the sauce?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper used in the recipe to your liking. For a milder sauce, use less cayenne pepper or substitute it with a milder chili powder.
Can I use a different sweetener instead of honey?
Yes, you can use different types of sweeteners such as molasses, brown sugar, or maple syrup instead of honey to give the sauce a unique flavor.
Can I freeze the hot honey sauce?
I don't recommend to freeze the hot honey sauce as it may change the texture and consistency of the sauce. It's best to store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
What can I use the hot honey sauce for?
Use this hot honey sauce as a dipping sauce, marinade, glaze, or condiment. It's a versatile sauce that can add a sweet and spicy kick to a variety of dishes such as chicken, fish, vegetables, and even pizza.
Tips
- Use a good quality honey: The flavor of the sauce depends largely on the quality of the honey. Use a good quality honey that has a distinct and robust flavor.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly: Mix all the ingredients well to evenly distrubute the flavors throughout the sauce.
- Adjust the heat level to your preference: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper used in the recipe to your preference. Start with a small amount and add more if you prefer a spicier sauce.
- Store the sauce properly: Store the hot honey sauce in a glass jar with a lid or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Let the sauce come to room temperature before using: Let the sauce come to room temperature or warm it gently in the microwave on half power until loose before using.
- Experiment with different variations: Try different variations of the recipe by adding lemon juice, vinegar, herbs, or different spices to customize the sauce to your preference.
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Hot Honey Sauce
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey
- ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper plus more if desired
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the honey, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, melted butter, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Store the hot honey sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To use the sauce, allow it to come to room temperature or warm it gently in the microwave on half power until it becomes loose.
- Drizzle the hot honey sauce over your favorite dishes, such as fried chicken, pizza, or roasted vegetables, to add a sweet and spicy kick.
Notes
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- Use a good quality honey: The flavor of the sauce depends largely on the quality of the honey. Use a good quality honey that has a distinct and robust flavor.
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- Mix the ingredients thoroughly: Make sure all the ingredients are mixed well to ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
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- Adjust the heat level to your preference: The amount of cayenne pepper used in the recipe can be adjusted to your preference. Start with a small amount and add more if you prefer a spicier sauce.
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- Store the sauce properly: Store the hot honey sauce in a glass jar with a lid or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
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- Let the sauce come to room temperature before using: If the sauce has been refrigerated, let it come to room temperature or warm it gently in the microwave on half power until loose before using.
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- Experiment with different variations: Try different variations of the recipe by adding lemon juice, vinegar, herbs, or different spices to customize the sauce to your preference.
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