It couldn’t be easier to make Vegan Hot Honey! It has the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, making it a great drizzle for everything from roasted veggies to pizza, or a flavorful addition to your favorite marinades and sauces.
Everyone’s drizzling hot honey on everything but no need to miss out!
Hot honey can be made vegan with one simple swap.
It comes together with just three simple ingredients: agave syrup, red chili flakes, and apple cider vinegar.
It's easy to make and can be adjusted to your preferred level of spice.
Drizzle it on avocado toast, your favorite breakfast sandwich, or try it over vegan whipped feta!
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Ingredients
Skip the store-bought hot honey and make this vegan version at home.
It’s made with agave syrup, red chili flakes, and apple cider vinegar plus a pinch of salt and cayenne pepper if you want an extra kick.
Agave Syrup: This is what we are using to replace honey. I recommend using light agave syrup as it has a more neutral flavor. Maple syrup works too, but it will have a bit more maple-flavor than we want (but will still be good!)
Red Chili Flakes: Brings the heat! The spice is very subtle so if you want more heat, add more and add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tang that balances out the sweetness of the agave and the heat from chili flakes.
See recipe card for quantities.
Helpful Equipment
This vegan hot honey recipe is very simple and doesn't require anything fancy.
You will need a small pot and a small mesh strainer.
How to Make This Recipe
Perfectly sweet, spicy, and totally delicious, this vegan hot honey is perfect for drizzling on all your favorite foods!
The full written recipe can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add the agave syrup and crushed red pepper flakes to a medium saucepan. Heat gently until it just begins to bubble around the edges, then immediately remove from the heat.
Step 2: Let it steep for at least 15 minutes, then strain out the pepper flakes. If you prefer a spicier hot honey, you can leave them in. Just keep in mind it will get hotter as it sits.
Step 3: Stir in the apple cider vinegar, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using).
Use however you desire and enjoy!
Note: If you want it super spicy, let the red chili flakes steep for a lot longer and add in an extra pinch of cayenne pepper.
Substitutions & Variations
Light Agave Syrup: While maple syrup is a solid substitute, I highly recommend using light agave syrup if you can find it. Dark agave and maple syrup add more distinct flavors, while light agave keeps things neutral and lets the chili shine.
Keep it mild, follow the recipe as written without cayenne pepper.
Make it spicier, let the red chili flakes steep for longer and add in an extra pinch of cayenne pepper.
Apple Cider Vinegar: White vinegar or lemon juice is a perfectly good substitute. It's not really for flavor, more so for balancing out the sweetness.
Flavor add-ins: Dried herbs, citrus zest, or garlic are fun twists. I wouldn’t recommend adding them to the whole batch. Instead, save the fun add-ins for individual servings.
Serving Ideas
Drizzle on avocado toast or a vegan breakfast sandwich.
Mix it into marinades or use it in sauces that require maple syrup or agave like this vegan stir fry sauce.
Serve it with vegan cheese as part of a charcuterie board or drizzled on top of vegan whipped feta (my favorite!)
Use as a dipping sauce with tofu nuggets or add to salad dressings.
Drizzle it over vegan pizza or over roasted veggies like carrots or Brussels sprouts.
Tips & Tricks
As soon as it starts to bubble around the edges, take it off the heat. The goal is to keep the agave smooth and pourable, not to thicken it. We just need a little heat to help draw out the spice from the chili flakes.
Storage
Store in a clean, airtight jar for up to 2 months. Always use a clean spoon to scoop it out to avoid introducing moisture or bacteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, honey isn’t considered vegan since it’s made by bees, and vegans avoid all animal-derived products. Luckily, agave syrup is a delicious and a perfect swap!
Use fewer chili flakes or strain them out sooner. I find it's perfectly sweet with mild hint of spice at around 15 minutes.
Drizzle it on pizza, roasted veggies, avocado toast, or use it in marinades or sauces. It's super versatile. Use it on everything!
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Recipe
Vegan Hot Honey
Ingredients
- 1 cup Agave Syrup
- 1 tablespoon Red Chili Flakes
- 2 teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- Pinch of Kosher Salt
- Pinch of Cayenne Pepper optional
Instructions
- Add the agave syrup and crushed red chili flakes to a medium saucepan. Heat gently until it just begins to bubble around the edges, then immediately remove from the heat.
- Let it steep for at least 15 minutes, then strain out the red chili flakes. If you prefer a spicier hot honey, you can leave them in. Just keep in mind it will get hotter as it sits.
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Once cooled, pour into a jar and refrigerate. Keeps well for up to 2 months.
Notes
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