Hot Honey Sauce Recipe

A honey stick dipped in a jar of hot honey.

4.79 from 38 votes

This Hot Honey Sauce is the recipe that sparked our love for all things sweet and spicy! Out of the 400+ recipes we have published, it's easily the most requested and universally loved in our family (even by the pickiest eaters!). It's packed with deep, smoky flavors that we've been pairing with crispy chicken, biscuits, fries, and so much more for years! With just 5 ingredients and 2 minutes to make, it's the sauce that inspired our entire collection of Hot Honey Recipes!

Prep Time2

Total Time2

Course: Appetizer, Condiment, Dipping Sauce

Cuisine: American

Servings: cup

Calories: 1388kcal

Author: Danielle

Ingredients

¼ cup butter melted
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper *see note
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Melt the butter in a bowl or small saucepan over low to medium heat. Once melted, add the honey and spices. Whisk well until the sauce is smooth and thoroughly combined.
¼ cup honey, ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, ¼ cup butter, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Time to use it! You will not see the magic of this sauce until you add it to something else, like fried chicken, cornbread, etc. Serve it warm, or see the notes for storage instructions if you want to use it later.

Notes

Tips and Tricks

To make measuring the honey less messy, spray the measuring cup with a tiny bit of oil or non-stick spray first. Now the honey should pour out easily!
It is normal for this sauce to thicken as it cools. If it is too thick to drizzle or brush on your food, just warm it in the microwave for 10-12 seconds at a time, stirring well in between, until it is smooth and a loose enough to use.

*Spice level: This sauce has a mild heat with the amount of cayenne listed. For a spicier sauce, simply add more cayenne pepper.

Storage instructions: Store the sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Before using it, bring it to room temperature or warm it gently in the microwave or on the stove until it is loose enough to drizzle or brush on your food.

Freezer instructions: You can store the finished sauce in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw it completely at room temperature for 2-3 hours, then warm it gently in the microwave or on the stove until it is loose enough to drizzle or brush on your food.

Nutrition