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Hot Honey & Chili Crunch

Hot honey and chili crunch are the two condiments behind the 'swicy' (sweet and spicy) trend. This guide explains the difference, how to choose, and what to put them on.

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Hot honey and chili crunch are the two condiments behind the 'swicy' (sweet and spicy) trend. This guide explains the difference, how to choose, and what to put them on.

Hot honey vs. chili crunch

Hot honey is honey infused with chili peppers: sweet first, heat second. Mike's Hot Honey, created in Brooklyn, helped make it a popular pizza topping in the US.

Chili crunch, also called chili crisp, comes from Chinese cooking: oil infused with dried chilies and packed with crunchy bits such as fried garlic, shallots or soybeans. Lao Gan Ma's version has been a pantry staple for decades, and brands like Fly By Jing and Momofuku introduced new styles to US shelves. Mexican salsa macha is a close cousin, made with dried chiles, nuts and seeds in oil.

How to choose

  • Crunch or heat: chili crisp is mostly about texture and savory flavor; chili oil is smoother and often hotter per spoonful.
  • Numbing: some chili crisps include Sichuan peppercorn for a tingling, numbing sensation (mala).
  • Hot honey heat: most are gentle; 'extra hot' versions use hotter peppers.
  • Ingredients: check for peanuts, soy, sesame or MSG if you avoid them. Many chili crisps are vegan; honey products are not.

Brands and prices

Brands in this collection include Lao Gan Ma, Mike's Hot Honey, FLYBYJING, MAMA TEAV'S HOT GARLIC, TILLAMOOK COUNTRY SMOKER and S&B. Most products are priced between $19 and $53. You'll also find items labeled gluten-free, vegan, organic and non-GMO by their makers.

Popular picks

What to put them on

Hot honey is great on pizza, fried chicken, biscuits, roasted vegetables, cheese boards and cocktails. Chili crunch goes on eggs, noodles, dumplings, rice, avocado toast and, surprisingly, vanilla ice cream.

Honey is shelf-stable; if it crystallizes, warm the jar gently in hot water. Chili crisps keep best in a cool, dark cupboard or the fridge after opening, as the jar directs.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between chili crisp and chili oil?

Chili oil is mainly infused oil. Chili crisp has a large share of crunchy solids and is spooned rather than drizzled.

Does hot honey need refrigeration?

Plain hot honey doesn't, and refrigeration makes it crystallize faster. Follow the label for products with added ingredients.

Is chili crisp very spicy?

Most are medium, with a savory, aromatic flavor. Heat varies widely by brand.

What does 'swicy' mean?

Sweet and spicy: foods that combine the two, like hot honey on pizza.

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