Description
This Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza with Ricotta combines the classic flavors of a crispy pepperoni pizza with creamy ricotta and a sweet-spicy hot honey drizzle. Baked to perfection with a golden crust and bubbling cheese, it offers a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and spicy notes, garnished with fresh basil for a fresh finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 ball of pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Pizza Toppings
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 20-25 slices of pepperoni
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Hot Honey Drizzle
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for pizza topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it inside the oven while it heats to ensure a crisp crust.
- Prepare the Hot Honey: In a small saucepan, gently heat the honey along with 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes to infuse the spice flavor. Remove from heat and let it rest while assembling the pizza.
- Shape the Dough: On a floured surface, stretch or roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch diameter circle. Transfer the dough carefully onto a baking sheet or a pizza peel lined with parchment paper for easy transfer.
- Add the Toppings: Brush the pizza dough lightly with olive oil to promote browning. Spread the pizza sauce evenly across the base, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese all over. Dot the surface with spoonfuls of ricotta cheese, place the pepperoni slices evenly, and season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Bake the Pizza: Bake the assembled pizza in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling with slight browning.
- Drizzle Hot Honey and Garnish: Immediately after baking, drizzle the warm spicy honey over the hot pizza. Finish by adding fresh basil leaves to add a fragrant and colorful touch.
- Serve: Slice the pizza into servings and enjoy it hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For an extra crispy crust, preheat a pizza stone and bake directly on it if possible.
- You can adjust the spiciness by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes in the hot honey and on the pizza.
- Use fresh mozzarella as an alternative to shredded mozzarella for a creamier texture.
- Let the hot honey sit and infuse longer for a stronger spicy sweetness.
- Leftover pizza can be reheated in a skillet or oven to retain crispness.
