BHA & BHT Free Classic Hot Honey
Sweet heat has never been this clean and simple. Store-bought hot honey often contains preservatives like BHA and BHT to extend shelf life, but this homemade version skips all of that — just pure honey, dried chiles, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt. The result is a glossy, fiery condiment that drizzles beautifully over pizza, fried chicken, cheese boards, or roasted vegetables. Gently warming the honey with whole chiles de arbol and red pepper flakes coaxes out deep, smoky heat without scorching the honey or losing any of its natural sweetness. The apple cider vinegar adds a subtle brightness that keeps the flavor balanced rather than one-note. Steeping the mixture off the heat lets you dial in exactly how spicy you want it — pull it early for a gentle warmth or let it sit the full 30 minutes for a serious kick. Straining everything into a clean jar gives you a smooth, shelf-stable drizzle you made entirely from ingredients you can trust.
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Learn more →Ingredients
16 servings
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 3 dried chiles de arbol, stems removed
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the honey, red pepper flakes, dried chiles de arbol, apple cider vinegar, and kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir to combine.
- 2
Heat, stirring occasionally, until the honey is fluid and just beginning to bubble at the edges, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes, watching closely so the honey does not boil or scorch.
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