The Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza is the ultimate fusion of savory and sweet with a fiery kick that pizza lovers will crave again and again. Creamy dollops of ricotta melt into a bed of gooey mozzarella, while crispy pepperoni adds the perfect punch. The finishing drizzle of spicy hot honey ties it all together with an irresistible sweet heat.
Perfect for your next pizza night or to impress guests with a gourmet twist, this recipe combines simple ingredients in a bold, flavorful way. Whether you’re a fan of classic toppings or love experimenting, this pizza hits every note, crisp, creamy, spicy, and sweet, all on one unforgettable slice.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 ball pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
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1/2 cup pizza sauce
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1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
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20-25 slices of pepperoni
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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2 tablespoons hot honey (plus extra for drizzling)
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1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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Cornmeal or flour for dusting
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) and place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet inside to heat.
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Lightly flour a surface and stretch or roll out your pizza dough into a 12-inch round. Transfer to a piece of parchment paper dusted with cornmeal.
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Brush the dough with olive oil, then spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the base.
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Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
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Dot the surface with spoonful of ricotta cheese, spacing them out.
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Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly across the pizza.
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Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes over the top and season lightly with salt and black pepper.
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Transfer the pizza (on parchment) onto the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
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Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey.
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Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Kcal: 430 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
🔥 A Fiery Twist on a Classic Favorite: Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza
Pizza is more than just food, it’s a tradition, a comfort, and for many of us, an irresistible craving. From thin crust to deep dish, from classic Margherita to bold BBQ chicken, there’s a slice of pizza to suit every mood. But if you’re a fan of bold flavors, intriguing contrasts, and gourmet simplicity, then you’re going to fall hard for this Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza.
This isn’t your average pepperoni pizza. It starts with a golden, crispy crust, homemade or store-bought, that acts as a sturdy yet tender base for layer upon layer of flavor. What sets this pizza apart is its unique balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy elements, making each bite a little surprise for your taste buds. The saltiness of the pepperoni, the softness of fresh ricotta, the pull of mozzarella, and that final drizzle of hot honey come together in a flavor symphony that’s as satisfying as it is unexpected.
Let’s dig into what makes this pizza so special and why it deserves a place at your next pizza night.
🍯 What Is Hot Honey and Why Use It on Pizza?
Hot honey is a culinary trend that has taken off in recent years and for good reason. It’s essentially honey infused with chili peppers, giving it a spicy, sweet flavor that enhances everything from fried chicken to cheese boards. But on pizza? It’s pure magic.
The sweet heat of hot honey plays beautifully against the spicy, fatty edge of pepperoni. It cuts through the saltiness and adds depth. When drizzled over a just-out-of-the-oven pizza, hot honey melts slightly into the cheese and sauce, creating a glaze that balances all the other elements on the slice.
Plus, using hot honey on pizza introduces a layer of complexity that takes your dish from ordinary to gourmet. It’s that one surprising ingredient that will have your guests asking, “What is that? It’s amazing!”
🧀 Why Ricotta? The Creamy Contrast
Traditional pepperoni pizzas often rely solely on mozzarella, which is stretchy, melty, and mild in flavor. While mozzarella gives the pizza its signature pull, adding dollops of creamy ricotta brings a completely new texture and taste experience.
Ricotta is light, slightly sweet, and fluffy. When baked, it becomes even creamier and provides a cooling, luxurious contrast to the pepperoni’s spice and the honey’s heat. Think of it as the calm in the storm, soothing, but still richly flavorful.
This cheese pairing is also what gives this pizza a more elevated, artisan feel. It’s not fast food, it’s thoughtfully layered, restaurant-quality pizza you can make at home.
🍕 The Importance of Crust and Toppings
While the flavor combinations steal the show, texture is what truly makes or breaks a pizza. For this recipe, a medium-thin crust works best. You want enough sturdiness to hold up to the cheese and toppings, but not so much that it overwhelms them.
Make sure to preheat your oven thoroughly, ideally with a pizza stone or steel, so that you get a crisp bottom and slightly blistered crust. You can use store-bought dough if you’re short on time, but for the best results, a 24- to 48-hour cold-fermented dough will give you beautiful flavor and texture.
When it comes to toppings, less is more, especially when you’re working with bold flavors like hot honey and pepperoni. Layer strategically:
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Spread a light coating of pizza sauce
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Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly
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Dollop small amounts of ricotta, not too much
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Top with evenly spaced pepperoni
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Finish with crushed red pepper (if desired) before baking
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After baking, drizzle hot honey and scatter some torn fresh basil
🌿 Basil: A Fresh Finishing Touch
After all the richness and heat, you need a pop of freshness to round out the bite. Enter: basil. Torn basil leaves, added after baking, add an herbaceous, peppery brightness to this otherwise rich and indulgent pie.
It’s a small touch, but it adds a layer of aroma and complexity that makes this pizza taste as good as it looks. Plus, it gives a burst of color that instantly elevates the visual appeal.
👨🍳 Who Will Love This Pizza?
This pizza is made for:
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Spice Lovers – The crushed red pepper and hot honey bring the heat.
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Sweet & Savory Fans – If you love bacon with maple syrup or pineapple on pizza, you’ll adore this.
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Gourmet Home Cooks – The ricotta, basil, and honey create a sophisticated combo worthy of a chef’s kitchen.
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Adventurous Eaters – Tired of the usual pizza flavors? This one’s a game-changer.
And don’t worry if you’re not into too much heat. You can easily control the spice level by choosing a milder hot honey or using less chili flake.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
While this pizza is absolutely satisfying on its own, here are some side dish pairings that would round out the meal:
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Simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette – adds brightness and cuts richness
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Garlic parmesan breadsticks – because carbs on carbs is sometimes the best move
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Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts or broccoli – a great way to add greens to pizza night
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Chilled red wine or a citrusy IPA – the right beverage can elevate every bite
Whether it’s for a casual Friday night or an impressive gathering with friends, this pizza delivers big on both flavor and presentation.
🍴 Make It Your Own: Variations and Add-Ons
One of the best things about pizza is how customizable it is. Try any of these additions or swaps:
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Add sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions for extra umami
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Swap pepperoni for spicy soppressata for a more refined flavor
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Use whipped ricotta mixed with lemon zest for even more creaminess
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Try a balsamic glaze instead of hot honey for a sweet and tangy twist
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Add a few chili-infused oil drops post-bake for double the spice
Don’t be afraid to play around. The core elements, spice, creaminess, sweet heat, can take many forms.
📸 Sharing Is Part of the Fun
This pizza isn’t just delicious, it’s Instagram-worthy. Those bubbling cheese pockets, the glistening hot honey drizzle, the crisp edges of the pepperoni that curl into little cups, each slice is a masterpiece.
Whether you’re snapping pics for your blog, foodstagram, or just texting your friends, this is a recipe that’s as beautiful as it is mouthwatering. Add a few sprigs of basil, maybe a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and you’re ready for your close-up.
📝 Conclusion: Your New Pizza Night Staple
There’s something magical about the combination of sweet, spicy, creamy, and savory flavors, especially when they come together on a crispy, cheesy slice of pizza. This Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza is a flavor-packed twist on a classic that delivers comfort, surprise, and gourmet elegance all in one.
Whether you’re making it for a weeknight treat, serving it at a party, or experimenting with your favorite ingredients, this pizza offers endless opportunities for customization and flavor. It’s a recipe that invites creativity while remaining simple enough for even beginner cooks to pull off.
So next time you’re in the mood for pizza, skip the delivery and make something unforgettable in your own kitchen. One slice in, and you’ll never look at pepperoni pizza the same way again.