Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza

This pizza happened during one of those Friday nights when I was craving something different from our usual pepperoni order but still wanted that familiar comfort food feeling. I had some ricotta left over from making lasagna and a jar of hot honey I'd been meaning to try, so I decided to experiment. The combination of creamy ricotta mixed with fresh basil, spicy pepperoni, and that sweet-heat drizzle of hot honey creates this incredible flavor experience that's both familiar and completely new. Each bite gives you salty, creamy, spicy, and sweet all at once, making it impossible to stop at just one slice.

My teenage nephew, who usually only eats plain cheese pizza, tried this and immediately declared it his new favorite. He kept asking about "that sweet spicy stuff" and wanted to know how to make it himself. Even my pizza-snob brother-in-law, who always complains about homemade pizza, admitted this was "actually really good" and asked for the recipe to try at his house.

What You Need

• Good pizza dough - I buy the fresh stuff from the deli counter because it stretches better and tastes way better than frozen
• Quality marinara sauce - This is your flavor foundation, so don't go with the cheapest jar on the shelf
• Real mozzarella cheese - I shred my own from a block because pre-shredded doesn't melt as nicely
• Whole milk ricotta - The creamy, mild flavor pairs perfectly with the basil and balances the spicy elements
• Hot honey - You can buy it or make your own by mixing honey with red pepper flakes

Pin it

Step-by-Step Instructions

Oven Preparation

Crank your oven up to 550 degrees or whatever the highest setting is - you want it screaming hot for the best crust. If you have a pizza stone or steel, put it in the oven while it preheats so it gets blazing hot too. This high heat is what creates that crispy, bubbly crust that makes homemade pizza actually taste professional.

Dough Stretching

Take your pizza dough out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to use it so it's easier to work with. Dust your work surface and the dough with flour, then gently stretch it into a 14-inch circle. Don't roll it with a rolling pin because that destroys all the air bubbles that make the crust light and airy. Leave the edges slightly thicker for that perfect crust.

Base Building

Spread your marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about an inch border around the edges for the crust. Don't go crazy with the sauce or you'll have a soggy mess instead of crispy pizza. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then arrange your pepperoni slices on top, making sure every slice will get some.

Ricotta Magic

In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with chopped fresh basil until it's well combined and looks creamy and herb-flecked. Drop small spoonfuls of this mixture all over the pizza, spacing them out so every slice gets some of that creamy goodness. Don't spread it smooth - those little dollops create beautiful pockets of flavor.

High-Heat Baking

Carefully transfer your pizza to the hot oven, either on the preheated stone or on a regular baking sheet if that's what you're using. Bake for about 10 minutes, rotating halfway through so it cooks evenly. You'll know it's done when the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden and the crust looks crispy and golden brown.

Finishing Touches

As soon as the pizza comes out of the oven, drizzle the hot honey all over the top in a decorative pattern. Scatter some fresh basil leaves over everything for color and freshness. The hot honey will warm slightly from the hot pizza, releasing all its aromatic goodness.

The first time I made this, I put the hot honey on before baking and it turned black and bitter, completely ruining the pizza. Now I always wait until it comes out of the oven. Also, I used to think more toppings meant better pizza, but restraint actually creates much better results with proper cooking and balanced flavors.

Perfect Pairings

This pizza is rich and flavorful enough to be the star of the meal, but a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. For drinks, a cold beer or crisp white wine works beautifully with the spicy-sweet flavors. If you're feeding kids, milk or lemonade helps cool down any heat from the honey, though most people find it more warm than actually spicy.

Creative Variations

Try adding some caramelized onions under the cheese for extra sweetness that plays beautifully with the hot honey. Prosciutto instead of pepperoni creates a more sophisticated flavor profile that's absolutely delicious. For extra heat lovers, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes before baking kicks things up nicely. I've also made this with goat cheese mixed with the ricotta for even more tangy creaminess.

Storage Solutions

This pizza is definitely best eaten right out of the oven while the cheese is still gooey and the crust is crispy. Leftovers can be reheated in a 400-degree oven for about 5 minutes to crisp the crust back up, though it's never quite as good as fresh. The hot honey can crystallize if stored too long, but a quick zap in the microwave makes it pourable again.

Pin it

Kitchen Secrets

• Preheat that stone or steel properly - At least 30 minutes at high heat for the crispiest crust possible
• Use parchment for easy transfer - Prevents sticking and makes getting the pizza in the oven much easier
• Let the dough come to room temperature - Cold dough tears and springs back when you try to stretch it

This hot honey pepperoni ricotta pizza has become our new Friday night tradition because it feels special enough for the weekend but easy enough to make after a long week. The combination of familiar pizza flavors with that unexpected sweet heat creates something that satisfies both adventurous eaters and traditionalists. Every time I make it, I'm amazed at how a few simple additions can transform ordinary pizza into something that feels restaurant-quality. It's proof that sometimes the best innovations come from just experimenting with what you have on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What is hot honey and where can I find it?

Hot honey is honey infused with chili peppers for a sweet-spicy kick. You can find it at most grocery stores, or make your own by warming honey with red pepper flakes.

→ Can I use store-bought pizza dough?

Absolutely! Store-bought dough works great for this recipe. You can find it in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores or ask your local pizzeria.

→ Do I need a pizza stone to make this?

No, but it helps! A pizza stone or steel gives you a crispier crust. If you don't have one, just use a regular baking sheet - the pizza will still be delicious.

→ Can I substitute the ricotta cheese?

You could use goat cheese or even cream cheese mixed with herbs, but ricotta gives the best creamy texture and mild flavor that complements the other toppings.

→ How do I prevent the bottom from getting soggy?

Use the highest oven temperature possible, don't overload with sauce, and if using a pizza stone, make sure it's fully preheated before adding the pizza.