Description
This Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza combines a perfectly crispy crust with melty mozzarella, creamy ricotta, and spicy-sweet hot honey drizzled over savory pepperoni slices. The optional fresh basil and red pepper flakes add a bright, spicy kick making it an irresistible, flavorful pizza perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 ball pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Toppings
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 20–25 slices pepperoni
Finishing Touches
- 1–2 tablespoons hot honey
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet placed inside to heat thoroughly for at least 30 minutes to ensure a crisp crust.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch round shape to create the base for your pizza.
- Apply Tomato Sauce: Spread ½ cup of tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges to form the crust.
- Add Mozzarella and Pepperoni: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the sauce, then arrange the 20–25 slices of pepperoni over the cheese for balanced flavor distribution.
- Dollop Ricotta: Scoop small dollops of ¼ cup whole milk ricotta cheese around the pizza to add creamy richness in every bite.
- Bake Pizza: Transfer the prepared pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet and bake for 8–12 minutes, or until the crust turns golden and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
- Drizzle Hot Honey and Garnish: Immediately after removing from the oven, drizzle 1–2 tablespoons of hot honey over the pizza. Add fresh basil leaves and red pepper flakes if desired to enhance flavor and add fresh, spicy notes.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the pizza into 8 pieces and serve hot to enjoy the perfect combination of spicy, sweet, cheesy, and savory elements.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, use a pizza stone and ensure it is preheated properly.
- You can adjust the amount of hot honey based on your preference for sweetness and heat.
- Fresh basil and red pepper flakes are optional but recommended for added flavor and aroma.
- If you don’t have whole milk ricotta, part-skim ricotta can be substituted, though whole milk yields a creamier texture.
- Allow the pizza dough to come to room temperature before rolling for easier handling.
