KANSAS CITY — Foodservice operators and manufacturers are embracing consumer interest in spicy foods and sweet and spicy pairings with hot honey offerings.

Hot honey sits at the forefront of the “swicy” trend, and the flavor is expected to build on its momentum as one of the top menu flavors next year, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2025 forecast.

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) developed a limited-time Nashville-style hot honey pizza using Mike’s Hot Honey extra hot condiment. The pizza features hand-battered chicken, “Ranchito” sauce, mozzarella cheese, cayenne seasoning, dill pickles and a drizzle of the hot sauce.

“We set out to give our guests an unexpected pizza collaboration,” said Paul Pszybylski, vice president of culinary innovation at CPK. “Since we love fusing flavors and cuisines together, we knew hot chicken and hot honey should come together.”

Local Hive, a Colorado-based honey supplier, debuted a hot honey product line. The condiments blend honey with an infusion of spicy peppers and are designed for applications like barbecue, fried chicken and pizza, according to the company. Varieties include original, made with jalapeño peppers, chipotle and sriracha.

“By taking our premium, always raw & unfiltered, 100% American honey and combining it with carefully selected peppers, we're bringing to market an irresistibly flavor-forward hot honey that can easily elevate even the simplest meal,” said Cale Nelson, chief commercial officer of Local Hive.

Kellanova collaborated with Mike’s Hot Honey to create a limited-edition Club’s Crackers variety. The lightly salted, buttery cracker contains zero artificial colors or flavors and zero grams of trans fat.

““We’re always eager to learn what our fans’ new flavor obsessions are so that we can create a fun and unique snacking experience,” said Carrie Foose, director of brand marketing for Kellanova Crackers. “Working with Mike’s Hot Honey to create this sweet and spicy new crisp for the ever-growing spicy snacker segment is an exciting first-of-its-kind innovation for Club Crisps.”