Hot Honey in Smoothies and Bowls: Adding a Spicy Kick

Hot honey adds sweetness and chili heat to a fruit smoothie. Try it with pineapple and ginger, peanut butter and banana, mango and yogurt, or cacao. A thicker blend can become a smoothie bowl with fruit, granola or seeds on top.

Recipe note: No kitchen-testing record accompanies these original suggestions. Serving yields and nutrient totals are not documented; adjust texture and heat to your preference.

Choose a base and add hot honey

Bananas give a creamy base. Mango and pineapple bring tropical flavors, while berries add tartness. Spinach or kale can join the blend. Choose almond milk, coconut water or plain water for the liquid; yogurt, avocado or nut butter can make it thicker.

Start with a teaspoon of hot honey in a general blend, then taste before adding more. The four recipes below give their own starting amounts. Extra hot honey adds sweetness as well as heat; products differ in chili strength. Chia seeds, flax seeds, nut butter and protein powder are optional additions; their presence alone does not establish a complete meal.

Honey contributes added sugar, as explained in the FDA’s added-sugars guidance. Choose hot honey for its flavor, without assuming that it is healthier than another sweetener or will boost metabolism or alertness.

Prepare fresh and frozen ingredients

Wash your hands and use clean utensils and a clean blender. Rinse fresh fruit, ginger and greens under running water before cutting or peeling; do not use soap. Produce labeled prewashed or ready-to-eat can be used without further washing. Keep produce away from raw-meat utensils and surfaces. See the FDA’s produce preparation guidance.

Use frozen fruit or greens suitable for eating without cooking and follow the package directions. A product labeled with required cooking instructions should not go straight into a raw smoothie. FDA guidance on ready-to-cook foods explains why freezing does not reliably kill harmful bacteria. Rinsing and blending do not sterilize ingredients.

Follow storage labels for yogurt, milk and other ingredients. Keep perishable ingredients and prepared mixtures at 40°F or below and serve promptly. Discard perishable mixtures left unrefrigerated for more than two hours, or one hour above 90°F, following USDA food-holding guidance. These limits do not establish a refrigerated shelf life for the recipes.

Blend a smoothie

1. Follow your blender manufacturer’s ingredient-loading instructions. Gather your chosen fruit, greens, liquid and any yogurt, avocado or nut butter. Have the hot honey and any optional seeds or protein powder ready.
2. Blend the base ingredients on high until smooth. Add a little more liquid if the mixture is too thick for the texture you want.
3. Blend in a teaspoon of hot honey. Taste, then add more if you want more sweetness or heat. Use the specific amounts below when following one of the four recipes.

Make a smoothie bowl

1. Choose banana, mango or avocado for the base, with optional spinach or kale. Have almond milk, coconut water or yogurt, hot honey and toppings ready. Yogurt, avocado or nut butter can thicken the base.
2. Blend the fruit, greens, liquid and thickener until smooth. Use less liquid for a spoonable texture, adding a little only if needed.
3. Blend in a teaspoon of hot honey, then taste and adjust.
4. Pour into a bowl. Add granola, fresh fruit, nuts, seeds or coconut flakes; an extra drizzle of hot honey is optional.

Adjust the flavor

Start with a little hot honey so you can judge the heat. Banana, avocado and yogurt offer a creamy base; pineapple and mango give a more pronounced fruit flavor. Cinnamon or ginger can add another spice note. Taste between additions.

Pineapple Ginger Zing

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple chunks - for natural sweetness and tropical flavor
• 1 small piece of fresh ginger (about 1 inch), peeled and grated - adds a spicy zing
• 1 banana - for creaminess and additional sweetness
• 1 handful of spinach leaves
• 1 cup coconut water or almond milk - to achieve the desired consistency
• 1-2 teaspoons hot honey - adjust based on your spice preference
• Ice cubes (optional) - for a chilled smoothie

Instructions

1. Add the pineapple chunks, grated ginger, banana, spinach and coconut water or almond milk to the blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth. For a thicker, colder smoothie, add the optional ice and blend again.
3. Blend in 1-2 teaspoons of hot honey. Taste and add more if you prefer more heat or sweetness.
4. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.

For a bowl, use a little less coconut water or almond milk and top with granola and coconut flakes.

Sweet & Spicy Peanut Butter Banana

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas - for natural sweetness and creaminess
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter - adds richness and protein
• 1 cup almond milk or your choice of milk - to achieve the desired consistency
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1-2 teaspoons hot honey - adjust based on your spice preference
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) - for added warmth and flavor
• Ice cubes (optional) - for a chilled smoothie

Instructions

1. Add the ripe bananas, peanut butter, almond milk, chia seeds and cinnamon, if using, to the blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth. Add the optional ice and blend again if you want a thicker, colder mixture.
3. Blend in 1-2 teaspoons of hot honey. Taste and add more to suit your preference.
4. Serve immediately in a glass or bowl. Optional toppings are sliced banana, a drizzle of hot honey or granola.

A splash of cold-brew coffee is an optional variation. For a bowl, use a little less almond milk and top with granola and shaved chocolate.

Spicy Mango Banana Blast

Ingredients

• 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced - for natural sweetness and tropical flavor
• 1 ripe banana - for creaminess and additional sweetness
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt - adds protein and a creamy texture
• 1 cup coconut water or almond milk - to achieve the desired consistency
• 1-2 teaspoons hot honey - adjust based on your spice preference
• Ice cubes (optional) - for a chilled smoothie

Instructions

1. Add the diced mango, banana, Greek yogurt and coconut water or almond milk to the blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth. Add the optional ice and blend again if you want a thicker, colder mixture.
3. Blend in 1-2 teaspoons of hot honey. Taste and add more to suit your preference.
4. Pour into a glass and serve immediately. Fresh mint leaves are an optional garnish.

For a bowl, use a little less coconut water or almond milk and top with granola, shaved coconut and kiwi slices.

Cacao Chili Delight

Have any optional chili powder, cacao nibs and bowl toppings ready before blending. Their amounts are not specified in the original recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cacao powder - for a rich chocolate flavor
• 1 ripe banana - for creaminess and natural sweetness
• 1 cup almond milk or your choice of milk - to achieve the desired consistency
• 1 tablespoon hot honey - adjust based on your spice preference
• 1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter - for added creaminess and protein
• Ice cubes (optional) - for a chilled smoothie

Instructions

1. Add the cacao powder, banana, almond milk, hot honey and almond or peanut butter to the blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth. Add the optional ice and blend again if you want a thicker, colder mixture.
3. Taste. Extra hot honey or chili powder is optional; blend again after any addition.
4. Pour into a glass and serve immediately. Cacao nibs or a sprinkle of chili powder are optional toppings; no quantity is specified for either.

For a bowl, use a little less almond milk and top with banana slices, blueberries, pepitas and hemp seeds.

More breakfast and drink ideas

Read Hot Honey in Coffee and Tea: A New Way to Sweeten Your Cup or Spice Up Your Breakfast: 5 Delicious Hot Honey Toast Recipes.