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Sweet and Spicy Foods You’ll Love!

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New and exciting flavor combinations are what makes experimenting in the kitchen so much fun! Here are over 20 sweet and spicy recipes, perfect for when you want a little heat with your sweet.   

bowl of sweet and spicy chicken; text overlay reads 23 sweet and spicy recipes

Most often you see sweet and salty combined or even sweet and sour, but I went searching for some great snacks and recipes that feature the marriage of SWEET and SPICY and now I have a list of delicious new foods to try!

Sweet and Spicy Breakfast Recipes

Honey Jalapeño Bacon
Honey Jalapeño Bacon Author: Nicole Burkholder 1 lb. of Bacon 1 cup of Brown Sugar 2-3 tsp. Honey (for drizzling) 1 Jalapeño, diced finely
Check out this recipe
Pepper Jelly
Beautiful in color & sweet with heat; this homemade hot pepper jelly recipe is perfect for entertaining when served on the top of cream cheese.
Check out this recipe
Pepper Jelly
Strawberry, basil and black pepper smoothie
This quick strawberry basil smoothie with a touch of black pepper is a perfect snack, a refreshing dessert or a pre-work out drink packed with protein and healthy ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Strawberry, basil and black pepper smoothie

Sweet and Spicy Snacks

Sweet and Spicy Nuts
With a sweet sugar coating and spices that leave a gentle lingering heat, these Sweet and Spicy Nuts are the perfect treat for snacking or gifting!
Check out this recipe
sweet and spicy nuts in a serving bowl
Baked Brie with Sweet Hot Pepper Jelly and Pear Appetizer
Indulge a little with this Baked Brie with Sweet Hot Pepper Jelly and Pear. Hot and sweet, creamy with a little crunch and a whole lot of deliciousness.
Check out this recipe
Baked Brie with Sweet Hot Pepper Jelly and Pear Appetizer
Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites have a Sriracha Teriyaki Glaze that gives them a delicious sweet heat. It’s a favorite baked party appetizer.
Check out this recipe
Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Something magical happens when you grill pineapple. It caramelizes all the natural sugars and adds a new depth of flavor to this refreshing salsa. Peppers and pineapple go together so well, and this salsa is perfect for carne asada or fish tacos, too!

Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Grilled Pineapple Salsa paired with Carne Asada and baked tortilla chips makes a perfect summer grilling meal.
Check out this recipe
Sweet and Spicy Orange Meatballs
Meatballs cooked in a creamy, sweet and spicy orange sauce.
Check out this recipe
Sweet and Spicy Orange Meatballs
Sweet and Spicy Sticky Chicken Fingers
Simply put... you have to try these sweet and spicy sticky chicken fingers. Now. Today!! You’ll love the sticky sauce with hints of sweetness and spice.
Check out this recipe
Sweet and Spicy Sticky Chicken Fingers

One year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house because most of the family was out of town for the holiday. I decided to do something a bit different for cranberries and tried this cranberry “salsa” served over cream cheese.

It was such a delicious appetizer and it looks so pretty on the plate! My fledgling photography skills didn’t do it justice. The heat from the jalapenos and tart cranberries are perfectly balanced with the cream cheese and salty crackers!

Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
Punch up the holiday table with this zesty Cranberry Salsa. The vibrant colors and flavors make it perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. 
Check out this recipe
cranberry salsa on a cracker
Sriracha Candied Bacon
Sriracha Candied Bacon: This is a super-simple twist on bacon that will hit all the right tastebuds. Slightly sweet and spicy, this is bacon at its best!
Check out this recipe
Sriracha Candied Bacon
Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Cheese Ball
This Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Cheese Ball is the perfect combination of sweet & spicy with its roasted, crunchy sriracha almonds, sweet dried apricots, and an added extra kick of heat from a little sriracha sauce.
Check out this recipe
Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Cheese Ball
Mango Salsa
Fresh and easy, this Mango Salsa is perfect for dipping or as a topping on fish and chicken!
Check out this recipe
The Best Pomegranate Guacamole
After years of tweaking, pomegranate guac has become one of my go to recipes. My friends are constantly asking me to bring it to any gathering! 
Check out this recipe
The Best Pomegranate Guacamole
Spicy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sneaky Sriracha Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are sure to be a hit!
Check out this recipe
Spicy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dark Chocolate Chipotle Cookies
Check out this recipe
seasoned greetings tabasco cookies

Sweet and Spicy Main Dishes

Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese sandwiches aren’t just spicy. They are creamy, sweet, spicy and just plain old AWESOME! The sweetness comes from apricot preserves (or even concord grape jelly) and cream cheese. I know it might sound weird, but trust me. TRY IT.

 

Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich perfectly combines sweet, spicy, savory, salty and creamy together!
Check out this recipe
grilled cheese sandwich on a white plate
Sweet and Spicy Chicken
Sweet and Spicy Chicken is made with a sauce that's the perfect mix of heat and sweet.
Check out this recipe
white bowl filled with white rice and sweet and spicy chicken topped with green onionsh
Sweet and Spicy Shrimp
Spice up Taco Tuesday with an easy Sweet and Spicy Shrimp sheet pan dinner that's ready in minutes!
Check out this recipe
sweet and spicy shrimp with tortillas, cabbage, lime wedges and corn salsa
Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers
Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers are a knock off version of the chicken crispers at Chili. They are spicy & sweet and perfect for dinner or a party.
Check out this recipe
Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers
Sweet and Spicy Smoked Sausage Skillet
This Sweet and Spicy Sausage Skillet comes together in less than 30 minutes and balances the sweetness of maple syrup with the heat of crushed red pepper
Check out this recipe
Sweet and Spicy Smoked Sausage Skillet
Spicy Jalapeno Mango Shrimp
Spicy Jalapeno Mango Shrimp. A healthy fast weeknight meal perfect for busy school nights.
Check out this recipe
Spicy Jalapeno Mango Shrimp
Sweet & Spicy Chicken Stir Fry
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Stir Fry is a blend of fresh vegetables, chicken and a delicious sweet and spicy sauce! Only takes 20 minutes to cook so is the perfect busy night meal!
Check out this recipe
Sweet & Spicy Chicken Stir Fry
Caribbean Citrus Habanero Chicken Skewers
Taste the Caribbean in these citrus habanero chicken skewers... marinated chicken, onions, peppers, and pineapple.. all grilled to smoky charred perfection!
Check out this recipe
Caribbean Citrus Habanero Chicken Skewers
Sriracha Brown Sugar Chicken
Sriracha Brown Sugar Chicken is a quick and easy sweet and spicy baked chicken dinner in under 30 minutes. Just five ingredients, no need to marinate!
Check out this recipe
Sriracha Brown Sugar Chicken

Here are some others ideas for combining spicy and sweet together:

  • Pineapples in spicy BBQ sauce- serve it with meatballs over rice
  • Thai style pineapple chicken fried rice (with red pepper flakes)
  • Jalapeno poppers with sweet jelly dipping sauce
  • Pulled pork sandwiches with sweet jalapeno BBQ sauce
  • Sloppy Joes with some heat (try cayenne powder or chipotle peppers)
  • Orange chicken with spicy sauce
  • Chocolate and chili 

Are you craving chipotle, sriracha or jalapeno yet? Did I miss anything that you think I should add to the list? 

sweet and spicy foods

Post updated 8/2022

Nicole Burkholder
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Comments

  5. Kathleen says

    My kids always dipped their fries in their milkshakes too. I’ve never understood it. You have some great recipe options here for sweet and spicy foods.

    Reply

  6. Katie Clark says

    I love chobani flips, but I had a hard time with these sweet and spicy ones. I think I’ll stick with the traditional ones, haha. But I normally do love a good sweet and spicy combination – you have some great ideas here!

    Reply

  7. westviamidwest says

    So many great recipe ideas! And I like the flavored chobani too! Going to look for that! 🙂

    Reply

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