Description
Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza with a spicy kick. Perfect blend of savory pepperoni, creamy ricotta, and sweet hot honey. Comforting and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 cup (120ml) pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups (170g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 ounces (115g) pepperoni slices (preferably small-diameter, cup-style)
- 6 ounces (170g) whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup (30g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone or steel inside (if using). Place your rack in the upper third of the oven. Allow the oven to heat for at least 45 minutes. Meanwhile, let your pizza dough come to room temperature for easier stretching.
- Step 2: Prepare the Dough Sprinkle a pizza peel or the back of a baking sheet with cornmeal or flour. Gently stretch your dough to a 12-14 inch circle, working from the center outward and preserving a slightly thicker edge for the crust. Transfer to your prepared surface.
- Step 3: Add Base Layers Brush the dough with olive oil, focusing on the outer edge. Sprinkle the minced garlic evenly across the surface, then spread the pizza sauce in a thin layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. You want just enough sauce to add flavor without making the pizza soggy.
- Step 4: Apply First Cheese Layer Sprinkle about two-thirds of your mozzarella evenly over the sauce. This initial cheese layer acts as a barrier between the sauce and toppings, helping prevent a soggy center in your Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza.
- Step 5: Add Pepperoni and Ricotta Arrange pepperoni slices evenly across the pizza, slightly overlapping as they’ll shrink during baking. Using a teaspoon, place dollops of ricotta (about 1-2 teaspoons each) in spaces between pepperoni. Drizzle half of your hot honey over the toppings.
- Step 6: Finish with Remaining Cheese Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and all the Parmesan over the top. The Parmesan adds a savory depth that complements the sweetness of the hot honey perfectly.
- Step 7: Bake to Perfection Carefully slide your pizza onto the preheated stone or steel. Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through, until the crust is golden brown and the pepperoni begins to crisp at the edges.
- Step 8: Final Touches Remove your Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza from the oven and immediately drizzle with the remaining hot honey. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using, and garnish with torn basil leaves. Let rest for 2 minutes before slicing to allow the cheese to set slightly.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pizza)
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 35mg