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Fire Honey

Fire honey is a sweet and spicy condiment made by infusing honey with red pepper flakes, garlic, and rosemary. Ready in under 15 minutes, this versatile condiment works beautifully on cheese boards, pizza, fried chicken, desserts, and more. The perfect balance of heat and sweetness that keeps in your pantry for weeks.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings: 16 tablespoons
Course: Sauces and Condiments
Cuisine: American
Calories: 60
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 cup raw honey
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic very thinly sliced
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika optional

Equipment

  • Small saucepan
  • Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula
  • Glass jars with lids for storage
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Fine mesh strainer (optional)

Method
 

  1. Pour honey into a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Warm the honey until it becomes noticeably thinner and warm to the touch (around 120 to 130 degrees F).
  2. Once the honey is warm and thinned, sprinkle in the red pepper flakes. Start with 1/4 teaspoon if you prefer less heat, or use up to 1/2 teaspoon for more spice.
  3. Add the thinly sliced garlic cloves to the warm honey and stir continuously for about 2 minutes, until the garlic turns light golden and fragrant. Do not let it brown too much or it will become bitter.
  4. Drop the rosemary sprig into the saucepan and let everything bubble very gently for another 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the herbs to steep and release their oils into the honey.
  5. Stir in a pinch of sea salt and the smoked paprika if using. Give everything a final stir to combine all the flavors.
  6. Turn off the heat and let the mixture sit in the pan for about 1 minute to cool slightly and allow the flavors to meld together.
  7. Pour the fire honey into clean glass jars. You can strain out the garlic and rosemary for a cleaner product, or leave them in for visual appeal and ongoing flavor development.
  8. Let the jars cool completely to room temperature for about 30 minutes before capping them. Once sealed and cooled, the fire honey is ready to use and will keep at room temperature for several weeks.

Notes

Store fire honey in glass jars at room temperature for several weeks, in the refrigerator for up to 2 months, or freeze for up to 6 months. The flavors intensify over time as the ingredients continue to infuse. If the honey crystallizes, warm the jar in a bowl of hot water until it reaches the desired consistency. Use fire honey on pizza, cheese boards, fried chicken, ice cream, yogurt, roasted vegetables, or anywhere you want a sweet and spicy kick.