What to Put Hot Honey On: 12 Ways to Use It
THE SHORT ANSWER
Hot honey pairs best with anything that likes a sweet-salty-spicy hit: fried chicken, pizza, sharp and creamy cheeses, roast vegetables, and warm bread or biscuits.
Drizzle it on at the end rather than cooking it in, so the flavour stays bright.
Hot honey — honey infused with chilli — is one of the most versatile things in the pantry. Ours is Australian honey with a habanero-led chilli blend for a slow, sweet burn. Here is where to put it.
The classics
- Fried chicken — the original and best. Drizzle over hot, crispy chicken, or chicken and waffles.
- Pizza — especially pepperoni, margherita or anything with hot salami; a zig-zag over the top just before serving.
- Cheese — brie, goat's cheese, blue and sharp cheddar all love it. A must on a cheese board.
- Warm bread & biscuits — over hot buttered toast, cornbread, scones or a fresh baguette.
Savoury pairings worth trying
- Roast vegetables — carrots, pumpkin, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower caramelise beautifully with a drizzle.
- Halloumi & fried cheese — sweet heat against salty, squeaky cheese.
- A glaze for meat — brush over ham, pork, salmon or chicken in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Bacon — on its own, or in a sandwich.
Sweet & unexpected
- Ice cream — vanilla especially; sweet, cold and gently spicy.
- Yoghurt & granola — a quick breakfast upgrade.
- Fresh fruit — drizzled over peaches, figs or a fruit platter.
- Cocktails — a small spoon in a whiskey sour or margarita adds warmth.
How to use hot honey
A few tips to get the most from it:
- Add it last. Hot honey is best drizzled on at the end — cooking it hard can dull the chilli and darken the honey.
- Warm it if it is thick. Honey naturally thickens in the cold; stand the bottle in warm water for a minute to loosen it.
- Start small. A little goes a long way — you can always add more.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What goes with hot honey?
Fried chicken, pizza, cheese, warm bread, roast vegetables and even ice cream — anything that suits a sweet-salty-spicy hit.
Can you cook with hot honey?
Yes, but it is best added near the end — as a glaze in the last few minutes, or drizzled on after — so the chilli and honey flavours stay bright.
Does hot honey go on pizza?
Absolutely — it is a classic. Drizzle it over pepperoni, margherita or hot-salami pizza just before serving.
Is hot honey very spicy?
It is more sweet than hot — a gentle, building warmth from the chilli rather than an aggressive burn, balanced by the honey.