Sweet & Spicy Made Simple: Easy Vegan Hot Honey Recipe

Our house-made vegan hot honey first graced the menu in 2018 as the perfect finishing touch on the Sweet Pepper + Sausage pizza. After countless rounds of testing and tweaking, we perfected a recipe with just four primary ingredients: apple juice, brown rice syrup, chamomile tea, and chili flakes.

Since then, this sweet and spicy creation has become a favorite topping, adding a kick to pizzas like the Sweet Mary Jane and Sgt. Pepperoni. But why stop at pizza? This versatile hot honey is the ultimate flavor upgrade for salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, and so much more.

Chef’s Notes: Mastering the Hot Honey Magic

Here’s what makes our hot honey truly special:

• The Heat: We use Calabrian chilis in oil for their bold flavor, but red chili flakes work beautifully as a substitute if you don’t have Calabrian chilis on hand.

• The Sweetness: Reducing unfiltered apple juice brings out a deep, natural sweetness. Filtered juice works too, but unfiltered adds extra depth.

• The Texture: Brown rice syrup thickens the mixture, creating that signature honey-like consistency.

• The Secret Ingredient: Chamomile tea adds a subtle, aromatic flavor that elevates this hot honey beyond the ordinary.

Easy Vegan Hot Honey Recipe

Here’s how you can make your own batch of vegan hot honey at home:

Ingredients

• 1L unfiltered apple juice

• 4 chamomile tea bags (or 16 g loose chamomile tea)

• 1 cup brown rice syrup

• 1 cup Calabrian chilis in oil (or chili flakes)

Instructions

1. Heat It Up:

   If using an induction burner, set to 250-300°C. If using a gas stove, use medium-high heat.

2. Mix the Ingredients:
   Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized pot.

3. Simmer to Perfection:
   Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce it until it almost coats the back of a spoon—this will take about 1 hour.

4. Strain It Out:
   Once reduced, strain the mixture to remove solids.

5. Cool It Down:
   Let the strained mixture cool to room temperature. The final product should have a thick, honey-like consistency.

6. Store It Right:
   Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 7 days.

Endless Possibilities for Your Hot Honey

Now that you’ve mastered the art of making vegan hot honey, the possibilities are endless! Drizzle it over roasted veggies, mix it into salad dressings, glaze your favorite plant-based proteins, or simply slather it on toast.

This easy recipe brings bold, balanced flavors to every dish, proving once again that plant-based cooking can be just as exciting as it is sustainable.

Try it for yourself, and let us know how you’re using this game-changing condiment!