This spicy honey mustard is the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, sweet, and bold. It comes together in minutes with just a handful of ingredients, making it an easy go-to for dipping, drizzling, or spreading on your favorite snacks and sandwiches. With just the right amount of heat and sweetness, this homemade sauce is miles ahead of anything from a bottle.
This spicy honey mustard recipe is incredibly flexible and pairs well with more than just sandwiches. It makes a standout dipping sauce for crispy chicken tenders, sausage links, or even as a bold contrast to buttery sausage balls,. The smooth blend of Dijon, mayo, and honey creates a creamy base, while cayenne adds that signature kick. If you’re a fan of sauces that can double as dips or spreads, this sweet & spicy mustard is one you’ll want to keep in the fridge at all times. Use it as a glaze for roasted veggies, a spread for sliders, or a punchy drizzle over grain bowls—it’s surprisingly versatile in the best way.
If you can’t get enough of this mix, I’m sure you will love our honey mustard Crock Pot chicken recipe.
Why We Love This Sweet & Spicy Mustard
- It levels up the classic dip.
This isn’t your average honey mustard—it’s a bold twist that balances heat and sweetness in every bite. The rich flavor of honey paired with a dash of cayenne gives it a kick that sets it apart from the standard restaurant versions we’ve all tried. - It makes finger foods even better.
There’s just something irresistible about dipping crispy chicken tenders or golden fries into a creamy, sweet & spicy mustard sauce. It adds just the right punch and turns everyday snacks into something special. - It’s nostalgic—with a grown-up upgrade.
If you grew up loving honey mustard, this version takes that familiar favorite and gives it a spicy edge. One dip and you’ll see—it’s a sauce that brings back memories but feels fresh and new. - It’s fast, flavorful, and seriously addictive.
With just four simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep, this spicy honey mustard comes together faster than any store-bought version—and tastes so much better. The honey cuts through the saltiness of your favorite dishes, while the heat builds just enough to take things to the next level. It’s bold, balanced, and so easy, you’ll want to keep this recipe within arm’s reach at all times.
If you’re a fan of homemade sauces, check out our 3 ingredient BBQ sauce, spicy mango sauce, and roasted red pepper cream cheese dip.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Dijon mustard: the wine vinegar in this French condiment—gives this delicious sauce the perfect briney taste.
- Mayonnaise: provides the creaminess factor to let this sauce completely cover your favorite appetizer (think meatballs and chicken tenders).
- Honey: rich and thick; this gives our sauce the perfect consistency, and the sweetness in it balances with the tart mustard. If you don’t have honey, you can use agave nectar or maple syrup as a substitute.
- Ground cayenne pepper: this kick of heat is the perfect ingredient to mix with our sweet and savory ingredients. You can also use any other type of chili powder or freshly chopped chili peppers to add heat.
Recipe Variations
- Tangy garlic twist: Add 1 minced clove of garlic and a splash of apple cider vinegar to the base recipe for extra zing. The vinegar sharpens the flavor and enhances the heat, while the garlic brings a savory depth that pairs especially well with roasted pork or grilled veggies.
- Smoky paprika kick: Stir in ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika to add a subtle smokiness that complements the sweet heat of the mustard. This version is perfect for brushing over grilled chicken or mixing into a marinade with a bit of olive oil.
- Yellow mustard blend: Swap out half of the Dijon with classic yellow mustard for a brighter, more nostalgic flavor. This blend leans more toward traditional homemade honey mustard, but still has that bold spice from the cayenne.
- Savory and balanced: To mellow the sweetness and enhance the savory side, reduce the honey slightly and add a pinch of extra salt. It balances beautifully for those who like a punchier dip that still hits all the sweet, spicy, and tangy notes. Give it a good stir, and it’s ready to serve.
Equipment Used in this Recipe
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
How to Make Spicy Honey Mustard Recipe
This sauce is very easy to make! It just takes a few simple steps.
- Whisk together Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, honey, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl until it is perfectly smooth.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Warming your honey in the microwave for 5-10 seconds makes it easier to mix.
- Then, serve it with your favorite appetizers, finger foods, and chicken.
- If you want to have a larger portion, multiply the measurements according to your needs. Then, store the leftover sauce in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Serving Suggestions
Spicy honey mustard sauce is a versatile sauce that elevates a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches. Its bold flavor pairs beautifully with honey mustard chicken wraps, adding a tangy kick to their texture, or as a zesty salad dressing for leafy greens or pasta salads. This restaurant-style hot honey mustard sauce is delicious with chicken fingers. You can try it with this crunchy recipe for breaded chicken strips, learn how to cook chicken tenders in Instant Pot, or breaded chicken tender recipes.
Not to mention, this sweet hot mustard sauce is great for dipping your favorite fried foods like french fries, onion rings, and tater tots. For heartier options, use it as a dip for soft pretzels or veggies, a glaze for chicken wings and salmon, or even as a tangy topping for a hot dog. Adding a splash of lemon juice or your favorite hot sauce can create flavorful variations to suit your tastes. It’s also perfect for potato salad, where small adjustments to the balance of heat and sweetness make all the difference.
And, we love to serve cups of sweet and spicy mustard with balls of dough, or Bisquick sausage balls with cheese, pimento cheese ball recipe, or turkey sausage balls.
Recipe FAQs
The sauce is made with mayonnaise, which may contain eggs. For an egg-free recipe, use your preferred mayo made without eggs.
A generous pinch of cayenne pepper gives the sauce its signature kick of heat. Although this recipe would be considered a very mild level of spicy. For a spicy version, double the amount of cayenne pepper.
Spicy honey mustard is made with Dijon, plus mayo, honey, and cayenne. Jarred spicy mustard is not the same. It contains brown mustard seeds that are soaked in vinegar for a stronger flavor. While Dijon mustard is milder and tangy, with a hint of sweetness.
This mustard will stay good for 2-3 weeks stored in an airtight container right in the fridge.
More Condiments To Store In Your Pantry…
If you tried this spicy honey mustard recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Spicy Honey Mustard
Equipment
- medium bowl
- whisk
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Dijon mustard
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium bowl. Whisk until the sauce is smooth (1-2 minutes).
- Store leftover sauce in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Notes
- The honey is easier to mix if you warm it in a bowl of water or in the microwave oven prior to use.
- This recipe makes about 1 cup of dipping sauce.
- Warming your honey in the microwave for 5-10 seconds makes it easier to mix.
- Tangy Garlic Twist: Add 1 minced clove of garlic and a splash of apple cider vinegar to the base recipe for extra zing. The vinegar sharpens the flavor and enhances the heat, while the garlic brings a savory depth that pairs especially well with roasted pork or grilled veggies.
- Smoky Paprika Kick: Stir in ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika to add a subtle smokiness that complements the sweet heat of the mustard. This version is perfect for brushing over grilled chicken or mixing into a marinade with a bit of olive oil.
- Yellow Mustard Blend: Swap out half of the Dijon with classic yellow mustard for a brighter, more nostalgic flavor. This blend leans more toward traditional homemade honey mustard, but still has that bold spice from the cayenne.
- Savory & Balanced: To mellow the sweetness and enhance the savory side, reduce the honey slightly and add a pinch of extra salt. It balances beautifully for those who like a punchier dip that still hits all the sweet, spicy, and tangy notes. Give it a good stir, and it’s ready to serve.
- This mustard will stay good for 2-3 weeks stored in an airtight container right in the fridge.
- Store leftover sauce in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
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kushi says
This simple and delicious honey mustard recipe. Thanks for sharing.