Think honey can only be used as a sweetener for beverages? This roundup of easy recipes with honey from dietitians and food bloggers shines a spotlight on the many uses for this sweet and sticky stuff! From baking to salad dressings and savory marinades here are some of the best ways to cook with this sweetener.
If you love honey as much as I do, you know that honey is the perfect ingredient for a variety of sweet and savory dishes, and isn’t just meant for sweetening tea or spreading on toast. Honey is a staple in my kitchen, and I love it drizzled on everything from oats, to ice cream, to pancakes, as a glaze when roasting or grilling chicken or fish, or used as a sweetener while baking cookies, muffins, and breads. It is also the perfect finishing touch to any cheese or charcuterie board!
With so many different types of honey, it adds its own unique flavor notes and sweetness to any dish. I also think honey does a great job of bridging together any sweet or savory ingredient. Honey can add a silky smooth texture to any sauce or marinade and helps give meat or fish that caramelized taste.
Not only is honey a delicious sweetener, it is also buzzing with health benefits (see what I did there?). Raw honey is believed to have anti-inflammatory effects and is also a good source of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. If stored properly, honey will never go bad and can stay in your pantry for a very long time! The best way to keep honey is in a tightly sealed jar or container, and in a cool dark place away from sunlight and any heat-producing appliances.
Street Smart Nutrition Tip: If you notice your honey is crystallizing or hardening, don’t throw it out! It’s still good and has a simple solution. Just run warm or hot water into a mixing bowl. Set your sealed jar or bottle of honey in there and it will soften as it heats up, and before long you’ll be able to squeeze or drizzle it no problem. You can also microwave in short increments of 10 seconds (just be sure the bottle or jar is microwave-safe first)
Easy Recipes with Honey (Sweet & Savory)
So many of my talented colleagues have blogs where they come up with incredible and delicious recipes. Since I am always looking for new flavor combos and ways to incorporate honey into my cooking, I rounded up a list of my favorite recipes from my fellow dietitians that proved there really are so many ways honey can be used for any meal of the day! Check out the links below to see the full recipes.
Breakfast Recipes to Start Your Day
Like I said, I love drizzling honey on my favorite breakfast dishes like oats, waffles, and yogurt. Honey can also work as the perfect sweetener in your favorite muffin recipes since its silky texture helps keep baked goods nice and moist. If you are looking for new breakfast inspiration, these are for you!
Pomegranate and Honey Yogurt Bowl from the The Domestic Dietitian
Pomegranate and Honey Yogurt Bowl Brynn McDowell, RD, of the Domestic Dietitian
Honey Oat Pumpkin Muffins from Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN of Kelly Jones Nutrition
Honey Nut Granola from Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, CD, FAND of The Healthy Epicurean
Honey-Orange Glazed Figs Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, founder of Nutrition Starring You
Honey-Sweetened Snacks & Desserts
Honey is great for baking because it absorbs water or moisture from the air, helping to keep your baked goods fresh and moist for longer. Also, honey adds that nice warm, golden color. If you are looking to bake but find yourself without sugar, or are just looking to try a different sweetener, honey can actually be substituted equal parts for sugar. These next snacks and desserts are sweetened with honey- check ’em out, and who knows? You might find a new favorite!
Granola Bars from Haute and Healthy Living
Salted Honey Sesame Almonds from Judy Barbe, RD of LiveBest
Granola Bars from Elysia Cartlidge, RD of Haute and Healthy Living
No Bake Energy Bites from Kristi Ruth RD, LDN of Carrots and Cookies
Banana Bread from Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN of Kelly Jones Nutrition
Savory Honey Main Dishes
Honey can add a punch of flavor to any dish, and helps give meat and fish that crispy coating. Feel like you are in a dinner rut? Try one of these main dishes featuring the perfect balance of sweet and savory!
Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs from Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken from Jodi Danen, RDN of Create Kids Club
Taiwanese Summer Squash Fava Bean Cold Noodles from Cindy Chou, RDN of Healthy Feels and The Sound of Cooking
Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs from Katie Webster of Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Hot Honey Chicken from Cara Harbstreet, MS, RD, LD of Street Smart Nutrition
Seafood Dishes with Honey
One of my favorite things about seafood dishes is that they can be so quick and easy to make. Honey pairs so well with the light flavors of fish adding a sweet richness. If you are looking to take your next seafood dinner to the level, try any one of these recipes!
Grilled Asian Shrimp Sliders with Sesame Ginger Slaw from Jenny Shea Rawn MS, MPH, RD
Honey Garlic Butter Salmon from Jenny Shea Rawn MS, MPH, RD of JennySheaRawn.com
Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Sheet Pan from Sarah Schlichter, RD of Bucket List Tummy
Grilled Asian Shrimp Sliders with Sesame Ginger Slaw from Jenny Shea Rawn MS, MPH, RD of JennySheaRawn.com
Salad Dressings for Your Salads That Don’t Suck
Are you looking to take your salad game to the next level? Salads don’t have to be boring, and honey is the perfect addition to any dressing to achieve that savory-meets-sweet taste.
Summer Chicken Salad with Strawberries and Honey Lime Salad Dressing from Bucket List Tummy
Berry Chicken Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing from Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, CD, FAND of The Healthy Epicurean
Watermelon Salad with Feta, Mint & Hot Honey from Leanne Ray, MS, RDN of Healthyish Appetite
Summer Chicken Salad with Strawberries and Honey Lime Salad Dressing from Sarah Schlichter, RD of Bucket List Tummy
Side Dishes Featuring Honey
In my opinion, honey roasted anything tastes amazing. If you need some inspiration for other ways to make your veggie side dishes taste great, try cooking them with honey. You may be surprised to see how beautifully caramelized and flavorful they become after roasting.
Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts from Healthyish Appetite
Roasted Turnips and Pears with Rosemary Honey Butter from Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD of It’s a Veg World After All
Asparagus Ribbon Spring Salad from Cindy Chou, RDN of Healthy Feels and The Sound of Cooking
Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts from Leanne Ray, MS, RDN of Healthyish Appetite
Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots from Brittany Poulson, MDA, RDN, CD, CDCES from Your Choice Nutrition
And we can’t forget about cocktails! Check out my recipe for this honey lavender simple syrup which is perfect for any sweetened cocktail or latte!
Special thanks and author credit to Kristen Nicolai for her support with the planning and execution of this post.
Questions & Reviews
Wow! Thank you for sharing these healthy recipes with honey. Indeed, honeys have a lot of benefits, especially to our health. That’s why I really love having one in my home. I also find a brand that sells the best creamed honey, you can check their website at https://wendellestate.ca/ to know more about them. You’ll surely won’t regret it!