This Homemade Orange Hot Honey recipe shows you how to make orange spicy honey at home with honey, red pepper flakes, fresh orange, and vinegar. This easy DIY hot honey is sweet, bold, and perfect for chicken, pizza, and bowls.

Honey dipper dripping orange hot honey into a glass jar with visible citrus and chili infusion.

Homemade Orange Hot Honey (Sweet Heat Done Right)

If hot honey had a personality, this one would be confident, well-balanced, and absolutely not trying too hard.

I’ve tested more versions of homemade orange hot honey than I care to admit.. some too sweet, some aggressively spicy, some tasting like they were brewed in a Pinterest lab experiment. This one? This one knows exactly when to stop talking.

Now, the super spicy ones … those are my hubby jam!.. er…. honey ….. but me? I like just enough heat to say hello and not enough to scorch my tastebuds. And hot ORANGE honey? .. nope, can’t find that anywhere, which is why we are here whipping up it’s own recipe today!

This is one spicy orange honey that is bright from fresh orange zest, gently spicy from red pepper flakes, balanced with apple cider vinegar, and finished with a small splash of orange juice that quietly makes it better than the rest. This easy hot honey recipe is the one I keep around on purpose.. for hot honey for chicken bowls, pretzel bun sliders, roasted veggies, and those “just one more drizzle” situations.

What Is Hot Honey?

Hot honey is a sweet-and-spicy infused honey made by gently warming honey with chili flakes or peppers. This version adds orange zest and orange juice for a citrusy twist that pairs especially well with chicken, rice bowls, and savory dishes.

If you’ve ever wondered what the fuss is about with a citrus infused hot honey, this recipe shows you exactly why it’s a game-changer. And yes, it’s a seriously good sweet and spicy honey sauce that makes everything it touches taste elevated.

Top-down view of orange hot honey showing smooth texture after straining.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly balanced – Sweet, spicy, citrusy, and never cloying
Ridiculously easy – One pan, ten minutes, zero stress
Versatile – Use it on chicken, pizza, veggies, sliders, or biscuits
Customizable heat level – You control the spice, not the recipe
Meal-prep friendly – Keeps well and reheats beautifully

This is one of those “why didn’t I always make this?” recipes.

Choosing the Right Ingredients (and Why They Matter)

Honey
This is the base, so quality matters. A good, flavorful honey gives you depth instead of flat sweetness.

Orange zest
Adds brightness and aroma without watering anything down. Only zest the orange part.. white pith is bitter and unnecessary.

Orange juice
Just a small amount deepens the citrus flavor and makes the honey taste more rounded and intentional. Essential for your orange spicy honey experience.

Crushed red pepper flakes
Classic heat that infuses gently. Warmth, not punishment.

Apple cider vinegar
This is what keeps the honey from tasting one-note. It cuts sweetness and sharpens everything.

Salt
A pinch goes a long way. Salt makes the honey taste more like itself.

Orange hot honey simmering on the stove as citrus zest and chili flakes steep.

Zest vs. Peel

I always zest my oranges instead of peeling them. Why? Because I’ve learned the hard way that if I try to peel, I end up with a fruit-flavored horror show: bitter pith, sad little orange chunks, and a sticky countertop that judges me.

I recognize my limitations, embrace the zest, and let the orange shine without the drama. Plus, it makes me look like I know what I’m doing.. and honestly, isn’t that half the fun of cooking?

Step-by-Step Instructions (Stovetop Method)

Place a small saucepan over low heat.
Add:
- 16 oz honey
- Zest from 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pinch salt

Orange zest and red pepper flakes added to honey in a small saucepan before heating

Stir gently to combine.
Warm for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant. Do not boil.
Remove the pan from heat.
Stir in:
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- just under 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Let the honey cool slightly.
Strain out zest and pepper flakes if you want a smooth finish, or leave them in for a rustic look.

Straining orange hot honey through a fine mesh sieve to remove zest and pepper flakes

Transfer to a clean jar and store.

Heather’s Tip:
If you’re using this easy hot honey recipe for hot honey for chicken bowls, leave it unstrained. The flecks look intentional and taste amazing.

BIG DEAL Success Tip #1

Low heat is non-negotiable. Boiled honey tastes bitter and dull. Gentle warmth is the goal.

BIG DEAL Success Tip #2

Add orange juice and vinegar off the heat. This keeps the citrus bright and prevents the honey from tasting flat.

Tips & Tricks for the Best Hot Honey

Taste after cooling.. the heat mellows as it sits
For more spice, add another ½ TABLESPOON red pepper flakes
Too spicy? Warm in additional honey to dilute
Honey thickens slightly as it cools.. this is normal
A little goes a long way; drizzle, don’t flood
Works perfectly as a citrus infused hot honey drizzle over chicken, rice, or even pizza
Make extra.. it’s your new sweet and spicy honey sauce obsession
Amazingly easy homemade gift idea .. housewarming gift, holiday gift exchange, your nana’s birthday, celebrating the 3rd Thursday of the month… you name it, hot honey works!

Stirring orange hot honey mixture as it heats to blend citrus and spice

Storage & Freezing

Storage:
Store your homemade orange hot honey in a sealed jar at room temperature for up to 2 months. Refrigeration is optional but preserves citrus flavor.

Freezing:
Not necessary. Honey keeps well at room temperature.

Reheating:
If the honey thickens or crystallizes, warm gently in a saucepan or microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals.

Side view of homemade orange hot honey with honey dipper resting inside the jar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this spicy honey very hot?
Medium heat.. warm and noticeable but not overwhelming.

Can I make this less spicy?
Yes. Reduce red pepper flakes to 1 TABLESPOON.

Can I use lemon instead of orange?
Yes, but orange pairs better with honey for a bright orange honey flavor.

What is hot honey used for?
Hot honey is commonly used on chicken, pizza, biscuits, roasted vegetables, sliders, and rice bowls.

Can I gift this homemade hot honey?
Absolutely. Strain it for a clean look and store in a sealed jar.

Final Thoughts

This homemade orange hot honey is simple, bold, and quietly impressive. The citrus infused hot honey elevates everything it touches. Make a jar. Drizzle generously. Watch people ask questions.

xoxo,
Heather