Whenever we pull this bubbling tray from the oven; Max is already waiting with the honey bottle in hand to add that final glossy drizzle. This Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza is our absolute favorite way to upgrade a standard Friday night because it perfectly balances salty pepperoni with a sweet; spicy finish. We love how the creamy dollops of ricotta melt into the spicy honey; making every single bite feel like a gourmet treat right in our own kitchen.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
- How To Make Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
- MAX’S REACTION
- What Pairs Well With Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
- Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Variations
- Equipment
- Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
- Top Tips for Best Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
- Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza FAQs
- A Recipe That Feels Like a Celebration
- Related
- Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
Why You Will Love This Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
You will adore this recipe because it combines the classic comfort of a pepperoni pie with a trendy; sophisticated flavor profile that satisfies both sweet and savory cravings. It is an incredibly reliable crowd-pleaser that uses simple store-bought or homemade dough to achieve a professional; restaurant-quality result every time.
How To Make Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
This recipe is a vibrant take on traditional Italian-American pizza; featuring a crisp crust topped with zesty tomato sauce; gooey mozzarella; and spicy pepperoni rounds. The real magic happens with the addition of creamy ricotta cheese dollops and a generous finishing drizzle of chili-infused honey. Originally popularized in artisan pizzerias; this "sweet and heat" combination has become a viral sensation for its bold; multi-layered taste experience.
Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough (homemade or store-bought) -
- ½ cup classic pizza sauce -
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese -
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni -
- ½ cup whole milk ricotta cheese -
- 3 tablespoons hot honey (chili-infused honey) -
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano -
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish -
- Red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat) -
Step by Step Method
- Prepare the dough base
- Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface until it reaches your desired thickness; then transfer it to a preheated baking stone or greased tray.
- Layer the classic toppings
- Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the dough; then cover generously with shredded mozzarella and a layer of spicy pepperoni.
- Add the creamy dollops
- Use a small spoon to drop dollops of fresh ricotta cheese evenly across the top of the pepperoni.
- Bake until golden
- Place the pizza in a 475°F oven for 10–12 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and slightly charred.
- The spicy honey finish
- Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey while still steaming; then garnish with fresh rosemary and oregano.
MAX’S REACTION
"Mom; the honey makes the pepperoni taste like spicy candy; it's the best pizza ever!"
What Pairs Well With Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
This bold pizza is best served with a crisp; fresh side like our Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad to cut through the richness of the cheeses. If you are hosting a larger gathering; it also pairs beautifully with a side of zesty Chicken Shawarma or our indulgent Shrimp Crab Melts for a full family feast.
Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Variations
Honey Ricotta Pizza
Skip the pepperoni entirely and use a base of white sauce with extra garlic and heavy dollops of honey-infused ricotta for a purely creamy; vegetarian treat.
Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Hut Style
Use a thick; pan-style crust with extra butter in the dough to mimic the iconic restaurant texture while adding your own artisan spicy honey finish.
Spicy Pizza with Hot Peppers
For those who love extreme heat; add sliced jalapeños or habaneros underneath the pepperoni layer before baking for a double dose of spice.
Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza reddit Inspired
Try the viral community favorite by adding a sprinkle of hot honey and red pepper flakes to a frozen pepperoni pizza for an instant; low-effort gourmet upgrade.
Equipment
- Pizza stone or large baking sheet
- Pizza cutter
- Small whisk (for mixing honey and chili if making your own)
- Mom Tip: Preheating your baking stone for at least 30 minutes ensures a perfectly crispy bottom crust that won't get soggy under the honey!
Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
Refrigeration and Reheating
Store leftover slices in an airtight container for up to three days; for the best texture; reheat in an air fryer or oven at 350°F to keep the crust crisp.
Make Ahead Dough
You can prepare your pizza dough up to 48 hours in advance; letting it slow-rise in the fridge actually develops a much deeper flavor.
Serving Temperature
Serve this pizza immediately while the hot honey is still fluid; if the honey thickens too much on a cold slice; just pop it back in the oven for a minute.
Top Tips for Best Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
To get that perfect restaurant-style finish; make sure your oven is as hot as it can safely go before sliding the pizza in. I always recommend using "cup and char" pepperoni because the little grease pools they form are the perfect landing spots for the hot honey drizzle. If you can't find store-bought hot honey; you can easily make your own by gently warming regular honey with a teaspoon of red pepper flakes and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Finally; Max suggests adding the fresh rosemary only after baking to keep the herbs bright and fragrant rather than burnt.
Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza FAQs
Can I use a different cheese besides ricotta?
Yes; fresh mozzarella pearls or even small dollops of goat cheese provide a similar creamy contrast to the spice.
How many Hot honey pepperoni pizza calories are in a slice?
A standard large slice typically contains between 350 and 400 calories; depending on the amount of honey and pepperoni used.
Is this pizza too spicy for kids?
The honey actually mellows the heat; but you can always drizzle the spicy honey on only half the pizza for the adults.
A Recipe That Feels Like a Celebration
We hope this sweet and spicy pie brings as much fun to your kitchen as it does to ours! If you are looking for more crowd-pleasing mains; you simply must try our flavorful Chicken Shawarma; the indulgent Shrimp Crab Melts; or our refreshing Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad for the perfect movie night spread.
Share your Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza! Tag us @HannahCooking with #HotHoneyPepperoniPizza; we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!
⭐️ Rate this Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!
Related
Looking for other recipes like Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza? Try these:
- Strawberry Shortcake Fluff Salad15 Minutes
- Italian Grinder Salad15 Minutes
- Hawaiian Roll French Toast20 Minutes
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies40 Minutes
Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
Equipment
- 1 pizza stone (For crispy crust)
- 1 Pizza Cutter (For even slices)
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough - room temperature
- ½ cup pizza sauce - zesty tomato base
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese - shredded
- ½ cup pepperoni slices - cup and char style
- ½ cup ricotta cheese - whole milk
- 3 tablespoons hot honey - chili-infused
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 475°F and roll out the dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Spread pizza sauce over the dough and top with shredded mozzarella and pepperoni rounds.
- Drop small spoonfuls of ricotta cheese across the surface to create creamy pockets of flavor.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheeses are bubbling and slightly charred.
- Drizzle with hot honey and garnish with fresh herbs immediately before slicing and serving.
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