The Official Hot Ones Sauces: The Ultimate Guide to Heat & Flavour
Discover the official Hot Ones sauces, ranked by heat and Scoville. From mild to insanely spicy, we break down our favourite sauces from the show, including Los Calientes & The Last Dab. Are you ready for the challenge?
🤤 What Are Hot Ones Sauces?
Hot Ones, is one of the most watched youtube series of all time, amassing over 14 million subscribers and counting. The show is a culinary gauntlet where celebrities take on an increasingly spicier hot wing challenge, all whilst trying to respond to thought providing questions from Sean Evans.
The show is a viral hit, people loved seeing there favourite celebrities somewhat against the ropes, while others made it out the other side without breaking sweat. This has lead to a cult following of spice lovers who want to experience the challenge for themselves.
Another reason for this cult following is the carefully curated lineup of hot sauces, which are designed to gradually increase in heat. Some of the sauces are official hot ones sauces, created just for the show with the remaining hot sauces made up from independant, small batch hot sauce makers across the planet.
During its run, Hot Ones has birthed some of the most infamous and and sought after hot sauce in with world, including the Los Calientes collections and the legendary Last Dab series.
Whether you’re looking to recreate the Hot Ones Challenge at home or get your diploma in hot sauce, this guide will take you through everything you need to know - including Scoville scale, where to buy them, and our recommendation for throwing your own hot ones themed party.
🌶 What Makes an Official Hot Ones Sauce?
Not every sauce on the show is an official Hot Ones sauce - as mentioned, the show shouts out the small- batch hot sauce hustlers. So, what qualifies as an official Hot Ones product?
Created for show - Official Hot Ones sauces are developed in partnership with hot sauce sommeliers like Heatonist, specifically for the show. These include, The Classic, Los Calientes and The Last Dab.
Has been in line up - every season features a curated selection of 10 sauces ranked by increasing heat - whilst some recur each season always reveal some new potions
Signature branding - Official Hot Ones sauces have distinct packaging and the iconic Hot ones logo and are only available through authorised sellers like ourselves 😉.
🌶 So Your Throwing a Hot Sauce party
Throwing your own hot sauce themed party, here is our pick of the best Hot Ones style hot sauces, in order of mildest to a slap in the face.
Throwing a hot sauce party is probably the most 2025 thing you can do right now.
Tips for first time challengers:
Eat before you start, line the stomach or prepare for the 4am stomach cramps.
Take your time - don’t rush to the next sauce, sit back embrace the chaos as capsicum sends vibrations across your eternal chakra.
Don’t be afraid to dab - start small, until you feel comfortable with getting repeatedly slapped in the face.
Embrace the burn
Drink milk, not water – Dairy helps neutralise capsaicin, while water only spreads it - feeling boujee? Get some sorbet, better yet a slab of Viennetta .
Avoid touching your eyes and your nether regions – Even a tiny bit of sauce can cause serious irritation.
Have a recovery plan – Ice cream, honey, and bread can help ease the burn.
Shop our official hot ones party selection and pick from 10 hot sauces all increasing in heat.
Our Hot Ones Selection
View all📜 Past Hot Ones Sauces: Iconic & Fan-Favourites
Throughout its run, several Hot Ones sauces have achieved legendary status among fans. Let's explore some of the most notorious and beloved sauces that have graced past seasons:
🔥 What is the Scoville Scale?
The Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale measures the spiciness of peppers and hot sauces by dilution testing. The higher the number, the hotter the sauce.
🔥 Los Calientes Series
Los Calientes Verde (36,000 SHU)
A tangy, smoky, and slightly sweet sauce made with , plus apricot, apple cider vinegar, and spices.
Seasons 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Los Calientes Rojo (49,000 SHU)
A spicier variation of the classic Los Calientes, featuring , blended with apricot and apple cider vinegar for a fruity yet smoky kick.
Seasons 10, 11, 12, 13
Los Calientes Barboca (49,000 SHU)
Inspired by traditional barbacoa flavors, this sauce combines with tomatillo and garlic for a rich, savory-sweet heat.
Seasons 13, 14, 15
🔥 The Last Dab Series (Insanely Hot!)
The Last Dab Apollo (2,500,000+ SHU)
The Hot Ones sauce, featuring the Apollo Pepper—a hybrid of the Carolina Reaper and Pepper X—bringing insane levels of heat with earthy undertones.
Seasons 13, 14, 15, 16
The Last Dab XXX (2,000,000+ SHU)
An even more extreme version of , using three different strains of Pepper X to push heat boundaries while delivering a bold, peppery flavor.
Seasons 10, 11, 12
The Last Dab Xperience (2,700,000+ SHU)
A unique blend featuring , making it one of the most complex and punishingly hot sauces in the lineup.
Seasons 16, 17
🥵 Cooking with Hot Ones Hot Sauces
🌮 Los Calientes Verde – Spicy Chicken Tacos
Why It Works: The tangy, smoky flavor of Los Calientes Verde pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, fresh lime, and cilantro.
How to Use:
- Marinate chicken breasts in Los Calientes Verde, lime juice, and garlic for 1 hour.
- Grill and slice thinly.
- Serve in soft corn tortillas with avocado, pickled onions, and crumbled queso fresco.
🍁 The Classic Chilli Maple – Glazed Salmon
Why It Works: The sweet and spicy mix of maple syrup and Fresno chilies makes an incredible glaze for salmon.
How to Use:
- Mix The Classic Chilli Maple with honey and soy sauce.
- Brush over salmon fillets and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes.
- Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes.
🌶️ The Last Dab Apollo – Fiery Chilli
Why It Works: The insane heat of the Apollo Pepper adds an extreme kick to chili while blending well with smoky and earthy spices.
How to Use:
- Brown minced beef with onions and garlic.
- Add tomato sauce, kidney beans, and ½ teaspoon of The Last Dab Apollo.
- Simmer for 45 minutes and serve with sour cream to cool the heat.
🔥 Los Calientes Rojo – Spicy Breakfast Scramble
Why It Works: This habanero and jalapeño sauce adds a smoky, medium heat to eggs.
How to Use:
- Scramble eggs with diced onions, peppers, and chorizo.
- Drizzle Los Calientes Rojo over the top.
- Serve with toasted sourdough or avocado toast.
🍗 Hot Ones Buffalo – Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Why It Works: This sauce delivers classic buffalo heat with a touch of sweetness.
How to Use:
- Toss fried chicken tenders in Hot Ones Buffalo Sauce.
- Assemble in a brioche bun with ranch dressing, shredded lettuce, and pickles.
- Serve with crispy fries on the side.
🔥 Pairing Guide by Heat Level
Mild (The Classic Chili Maple): Great for glazes, marinades, and dipping sauces.
Medium (Los Calientes Verde/Rojo): Adds a kick to tacos, eggs, and grilled meats.
Hot (Hot Ones Buffalo): Perfect for chicken sandwiches, wings, or dipping fries.
Extreme (The Last Dab Apollo): Best used sparingly in chili, soups, and extreme heat challenges.
🤔 FAQs About Hot Ones Sauces
Are Hot Ones sauces really that spicy?
Some are mild, but the upper-tier sauces are extreme.
How long do Hot Ones sauces last?
Most have a shelf life of 12-24 months, but refrigerate after opening.
Which sauce is the absolute hottest?
The Last Dab Xperience is the hottest sauce on Hot Ones. It's made with Pepper X, now officially the hottest pepper in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, averaging 2,693,000 Scoville units!