Hot Honey Ricotta Pizza (Printer-friendly)

Crispy dough meets creamy cheeses and a warm spicy honey drizzle for an unforgettable sweet-heat finish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough & Base

01 - 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, about 12 oz)
02 - Cornmeal, for dusting (optional)
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Cheese Layer

04 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
05 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Hot Honey

09 - 1/4 cup honey
10 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, adjust to heat preference)

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 475°F. Place a pizza stone in the oven if available.
02 - On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll out pizza dough to a 12-inch circle. Dust a baking sheet or pizza peel with cornmeal for easier transfer if using.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
04 - Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
05 - Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using.
06 - Drizzle olive oil evenly over the cheese layer.
07 - Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
08 - While pizza bakes, combine honey and red wine vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally until warmed and blended, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
09 - Remove pizza from oven and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes.
10 - Generously drizzle hot honey over the pizza. Scatter fresh basil leaves on top.
11 - Slice pizza with a pizza cutter and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The hot honey adds a sweet kick that turns every bite into something unexpected and addictive.
  • Ricotta gives the pizza a creamy richness that balances perfectly with bubbling mozzarella.
  • It comes together fast enough for a weeknight but feels special enough to serve guests.
  • You can customize the heat level easily by adjusting the red pepper flakes to your taste.
02 -
  • Do not skip preheating your oven fully, a lukewarm oven makes the crust soggy instead of crisp.
  • Let the pizza rest for a few minutes before slicing or the cheese will slide right off in a molten mess.
  • Warm the honey gently, if it gets too hot it can scorch and turn bitter.
03 -
  • Use a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal to slide the pizza onto the stone without sticking or tearing.
  • If your dough is too elastic and keeps shrinking back, cover it and let it rest for 10 minutes before stretching again.
  • Make a double batch of hot honey and keep it in a jar, it is incredible on so many things beyond pizza.
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