If you need a recipe to impress but don’t have a lot of time, this 4 ingredient hot honey butter is a great place to start! Compound butters sound like they would be complicated, but we promise, this recipe couldn’t be easier.
This butter is a compound butter – simply, a flavored butter. Flavored butter is such a simple luxury that is so easy to make, yet manages to amplify anything you eat! In fact, see how you can make a simple herb butter here.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Quick & Easy: Made with pantry staples, it comes together in just minutes.
- Flavor Explosion: Sweet honey meets fiery heat for the ultimate flavor combo.
- Versatile: Perfect for everything from cornbread to roasted vegetables.

We promised an easy recipe and what is easier than only 4 ingredients!?
What ingredients do you need for this recipe?
- Honey
- Hot sauce
- Red pepper flakes
- Butter
You can decide exactly how hot you’d like to make this butter by adjusting hot sauce and red pepper flakes. The amounts we use are right in the middle of the road; a perfect little kick, but nothing too outrageous!

You’ve probably heard of hot honey as it has really risen in popularity as of late. If you’ve never tried it, this is a great brand to start with, but did you know that you can also make it super simply!?
What is hot honey made of?
- All you need is two basic ingredients – check out our super simple recipe here. In this hot honey butter recipe, we also add hot sauce to amp up the flavor a bit! But, as we mentioned, adjust as you see fit.
Customizations
- Milder Heat: Use less hot sauce and skip or reduce the red pepper flakes for a gentler spice level.
- Extra Spicy: Add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne for bold heat.
- Citrus Brightness: Stir in a little lemon or orange zest for a fresh, bright twist.
- Savory Boost: Add minced garlic or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra savory depth.
- Sweet Swap: Use maple syrup instead of honey for a rich, cozy variation.
Tips for success
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is at room temperature to ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Customize the Heat: Add more or less hot sauce and red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
- Use Quality Honey: A good-quality honey will enhance the flavor of this butter.

How to make hot honey butter:
- Mix all ingredients.
- Cool in refrigerator for an hour before serving.
Serving Suggestions:
- Cornbread Heaven: Slather it on warm cornbread for a sweet and spicy kick.
- Elevate Veggies: Melt it over roasted or steamed vegetables for a burst of flavor.
- Grilled Favorites: Brush it onto grilled meats or seafood for an irresistible glaze.
- Breakfast Bliss: Spread it on biscuits, pancakes, or waffles for a morning treat.
- Bread Basket Star: Pair it with crusty bread or dinner rolls at your next gathering.
- Pretzels: This sweet and salty butter goes so well with pretzels.
This Hot Honey Butter is a must-try for any foodie who loves a little heat with their sweet. It’s simple, bold, and incredibly satisfying—sure to become a staple in your kitchen!
FAQs for hot honey butter
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! Whip it together and store in the fridge up to a week. Just bring to room temperature before serving so it spreads easily.
- How spicy is this recipe? The heat level is mild-medium as written, but you control the kick by adding more hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
- What if I don’t have hot sauce? You can use hot honey or even a splash of chili oil for heat. Both will change the flavor slightly but still pack punch.
- Is this good on sweet breakfast items? Absolutely – the sweet-spicy combo pairs beautifully with biscuits, waffles, and pancakes.
Here are some other easy entertaining recipes you might like:
Find all of my easy entertaining recipes here.

5 Ingredient Hot Honey Butter
Ingredients
- 6 teaspoons honey room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes adjust if you prefer it more spicy
- 2 sticks butter room temperature
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients. Allow to cool in refrigerator for an hour before serving.

- At a certain point, the butter will not take any more honey.










[…] We all need hot honey butter! […]