Hot honey has taken over restaurant menus, TikTok feeds, and home kitchens with its spicy-sweet combo that somehow works on everything. If you’re wondering what all the buzz is about, get ready to spend the next week drizzling this golden goodness on breakfast, lunch, dinner, and yes, even your cocktails.
- Hot honey searches on Google and TikTok are up 54.9% year-over-year, cementing its place as one of the biggest food trends of 2025.
- According to Google Trends, the most searched recipe of 2025 was hot honey, proving this isn’t just a passing fad.
- Making hot honey at home takes less than 15 minutes with just three basic ingredients you probably already have.
Why Hot Honey Is Having Its Moment
This spicy-sweet condiment has been gaining traction over the past few years, and in 2025, it’s set to be one of the biggest flavor trends across the culinary world. The so-called “swicy” movement (sweet plus spicy) has captured our collective taste buds in a way that feels both new and nostalgic at the same time.
In fact, hot honey was one of the most-searched food items worldwide in 2025. Walk through any farmers market in New Whiteland, Indiana, and you’ll spot at least two vendors selling their own version. Fast food chains and major brands have jumped on board too, with partnerships and limited-edition products flooding the market.
According to research by Tastewise, interest in honey as a flavour grew by 27% in the past year, while ‘hot honey’ soared by over 50%, making it one of the fastest-rising culinary trends. What started as a pizza drizzle has turned into a kitchen staple that people are putting on absolutely everything.
Your Week-Long Hot Honey Challenge
Ready to get cooking? Here are seven completely different ways to use hot honey throughout your week.
Monday: Classic Hot Honey Pizza
Start the week right with the dish that started it all. A drizzle of hot honey over a slice of pepperoni pizza adds the perfect balance of sweet heat. Make your own dough or grab store-bought. Top with mozzarella, your favorite toppings, and save that hot honey drizzle for right after it comes out of the oven. The heat from the pizza warms the honey just enough to make it flow perfectly.
Tuesday: Roasted Vegetable Medley
Roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, or sweet potatoes shine when finished with a light hot honey glaze. Chop your vegetables, toss them with olive oil and salt, roast at 425°F until they’re caramelized, then drizzle generously with hot honey. The combination transforms these everyday sides into something you’ll actually crave.
Wednesday: Spicy-Sweet Cocktail Hour
Stir a spoonful into a whiskey sour, margarita, or even a simple hot toddy for a sweet-spicy twist. Hot honey works as a replacement for simple syrup in most cocktail recipes. Try it in an Old Fashioned or mix it with tequila and lime for a margarita that’ll make your regular version taste boring.
Thursday: Breakfast That Actually Excites You
Try it over avocado toast, drizzled on biscuits, or mixed into yogurt with granola for a spicy-sweet start to your day. Greek yogurt with fresh berries, crunchy granola, and a swirl of hot honey creates the perfect balance. Or slather it on warm buttermilk biscuits with butter for a breakfast that feels like a treat.
Friday: Hot Honey Fried Chicken
Crispy fried chicken and hot honey are a match made in heaven. Make your favorite fried chicken recipe (or grab some from your local spot) and drizzle liberally with hot honey while it’s still hot. The crispy coating soaks up just enough of that sweet heat to create pure magic.
Saturday: Charcuterie Board Upgrade
Pair hot honey with creamy cheeses like brie or sharp cheddar for a flavor explosion. Set up a board with various cheeses, cured meats, crackers, and fresh fruit. Put a small bowl of hot honey in the center and watch it disappear. It works especially well with salty prosciutto and soft, creamy cheeses.
Sunday: Dessert Surprise
Drizzle it over ice cream, brownies, cheesecakes and more. Vanilla ice cream gets an instant upgrade with a drizzle of hot honey and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The cold, creamy sweetness against the spicy honey creates an addictive contrast you won’t find in any store-bought flavor.
Making Your Own Hot Honey at Home
Store-bought versions like Mike’s Hot Honey are great, but making your own takes about five minutes and costs a fraction of the price. Heat a cup of honey in a small saucepan over low heat (never boil it). Add crushed red pepper flakes and let it infuse for 10-15 minutes. Stir in a splash of apple cider vinegar, let it cool, and you’re done.
You control the heat level by adjusting the amount of pepper flakes. Want it mild? Use one teaspoon. Feeling brave? Go for two tablespoons. Strain out the flakes for a smooth drizzle, or leave them in for extra visual appeal and heat.
Make It Your New Kitchen Essential
After a week of experimenting with hot honey, you’ll understand why it’s blown up everywhere. It’s that rare ingredient that works across every meal category. Breakfast gets more interesting. Lunch salads get a kick. Dinner vegetables suddenly taste exciting. And desserts gain a sophistication that makes people ask for your secret.
The beauty of hot honey is its simplicity. You’re not mastering complicated techniques or hunting down obscure ingredients. You’re just adding one condiment that happens to make everything taste better. Stock a jar in your pantry and you’ll find yourself reaching for it constantly, wondering how you ever cooked without it.
