How to Make Honey Butter for Toasts and Baking

This delicious salted honey butter recipe is quick and easy to make with just 3 ingredients.

Honey butter is one of those simple spreads that elevates nearly everything it touches. Rich, creamy and lightly sweet with a hint of salt, this salted honey butter is made with only three ingredients and takes minutes to prepare. It’s versatile, easy to customize, and perfect for adding to breakfasts, breads, roasted vegetables, or grilled proteins.

If you haven’t started making honey butter at home yet, it’s time to give it a try. The base recipe is straightforward and forgiving, and once you have the basic technique down you can adapt it with herbs, spices, citrus, or heat to suit different dishes. Below you’ll find ingredient notes, variation ideas, suggested uses, and a clear, simple recipe to make a fluffy, spreadable honey butter at home.

Honey Butter Ingredients

Here are a few notes about the three basic ingredients for this homemade honey butter:

• Honey: Any variety will work. Clover, wildflower or orange blossom are all great options. Choose a honey you enjoy eating on its own for the best flavor.
• Butter: Use a good-quality butter if possible, because its flavor comes through. You can use salted or unsalted depending on preference; see the salt notes below for adjustments.
• Fine sea salt: A small amount of fine sea salt brightens the flavors. If you use unsalted butter, add 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt. If you use salted butter, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon.
• Optional: Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a light crunch and an attractive presentation.

How to Customize Your Honey Butter

This honey butter is a wonderful blank canvas. Here are some popular and delicious ways to customize a batch:

• Warm spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, or smoked paprika for a cozy or savory note.
• Fresh herbs: Stir in finely chopped chives, thyme, rosemary, basil, or mint for a savory twist that pairs well with roasted vegetables or grilled meats.
• Garlic or ginger: Finely grated garlic or ginger turns honey butter into a flavorful sauce for seafood or roasted vegetables.
• Citrus: A little lemon, lime or orange zest (or a touch of juice) brightens the spread and adds fresh complexity.
• Heat: Add cayenne, chili flakes, chipotle in adobo, or minced fresh chiles for a spicy-sweet finish.

Ways to Use Honey Butter

Honey butter is remarkably versatile. Here are some favorite uses:

• Spread: Slather on toast, warm biscuits, cornbread, muffins, pancakes, waffles or French toast.
• Drizzle: Melt and drizzle over popcorn, roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, or other roasted vegetables.
• Topping: Add a pat to baked potatoes, corn on the cob, grilled steak, or seared fish for a glossy, flavorful finish.
• Dipping sauce: Use melted honey butter as a dipping sauce for shrimp, crab, pretzels, or toasted bread.