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Homemade hot honey rub seasoning stored in a glass jar, showing rich red-brown color and fine texture

Hot Honey Rub Recipe

This Hot Honey Rub is a bold sweet-and-spicy dry seasoning inspired by classic hot honey flavors. It’s perfect for chicken, BBQ ribs, pork chops, salmon, vegetables, and even air-fried snacks. The rub caramelizes beautifully during cooking, creating a crave-worthy sweet heat crust every time.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dry Rub, Seasoning
Cuisine: American
Calories: 35
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp chili flakes
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp chipotle powder (optional, for smoky heat)

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring spoons
  • Airtight spice jar or container

Method
 

  1. Measure Ingredients: Add all the ingredients to a medium mixing bowl.
    Hot honey rub ingredients including brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili flakes, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper measured and arranged on a kitchen counter
  2. Mix Thoroughly: Stir well until the sugar and spices are evenly combined and no clumps remain.
    Mixing hot honey rub spices in a bowl to create a sweet and spicy dry seasoning blend
  3. Taste & Adjust: Taste a pinch of the rub. Add more cayenne for heat or more brown sugar for sweetness.
    Homemade hot honey rub seasoning stored in a glass jar, showing rich red-brown color and fine texture
  4. Store or Use Immediately: Transfer the hot honey rub to an airtight container or use it right away on your favorite dishes.
    Applying hot honey rub seasoning to raw chicken wings before grilling or baking.

Notes

Homemade hot honey rub seasoning in a glass jar with chili flakes and honey, showing a rich sweet and spicy spice blend
Homemade hot honey rub ready to use on chicken, BBQ, vegetables, and more.

Hot Honey Rub

  • This hot honey rub is a dry seasoning, not a liquid sauce. For best results, apply it before cooking so the flavors can fully absorb and caramelize.
  • You can easily control the spice level. For a mild hot honey rub, reduce the cayenne and chili flakes. For extra heat, add more cayenne, chipotle powder, or a pinch of ghost pepper powder.
  • For better flavor adhesion, lightly coat meat or vegetables with olive oil or melted butter before applying the rub.
  • Let the rub sit on meat for 30–60 minutes before cooking. For smoking or grilling, overnight marination delivers deeper flavor.
  • This rub works exceptionally well on chicken wings, thighs, ribs, pork chops, salmon, shrimp, roasted vegetables, and air-fried foods.
  • When grilling or smoking, avoid extremely high direct heat at the start. The sugar in the rub should caramelize, not burn.
  • For restaurant-style results, finish cooked food with a drizzle of real hot honey or melted butter just before serving.
  • Store leftover hot honey rub in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Shake before each use to prevent clumping.
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