Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza: 3 Bold & Cheesy Secrets

If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen hot honey everything—from fried chicken to avocado toast. But let me tell you, nothing hits quite like Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza. This is the kind of pie that makes you pause mid-bite and say, “Okay, we’re making this again next week.”

It’s spicy, it’s sweet, it’s cheesy in all the right ways—and best of all, it’s ridiculously easy to pull together. Whether you’re feeding the family on a Friday night or treating yourself after a long week, this recipe is a total game-changer.

And don’t worry—you don’t need a fancy wood-fired oven or professional chef skills. Just your regular oven, a little patience, and maybe a glass of wine while the dough does its thing.

Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza

  • Sweet heat perfection: The drizzle of hot honey ties everything together—pepperoni’s saltiness, mozzarella’s gooey goodness, and ricotta’s creamy dollops.
  • Restaurant-quality, without the price tag: Forget spending $20+ at your local pizza joint. You can whip this up at home in under 30 minutes.
  • Crowd-pleaser: Kids love the cheesy pepperoni base, adults love the bold hot honey kick. Win-win.
  • Flexible: Use store-bought dough for a shortcut, or impress everyone with your homemade version.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe makes one 12-inch pizza (feeds 2–4, depending on your self-control ).

For the Pizza Dough

  • 1 ball pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
  • Flour or cornmeal, for dusting

For the Toppings

  • ½ cup tomato sauce or pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup whole milk ricotta cheese, dolloped
  • 20–25 slices pepperoni
  • 1–2 tablespoons hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes, for extra heat (optional)

Pro tip: The hot honey is the star—don’t skip it! It ties all the flavors together in a way that’s unexpectedly addictive.

How to Make Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Dough

Preheat your oven to 500°F (or as hot as it will go). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to preheat for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch round.

Step 2: Assemble the Pizza

Spread tomato sauce over the dough, leaving about a ½-inch border. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly across the top. Arrange pepperoni slices generously (this is not the time to be stingy!). Then, dollop ricotta in spoonfuls around the pizza.

Step 3: Bake

Carefully transfer your pizza to the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake for 8–12 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and browned.

Step 4: Add Hot Honey and Garnish

Drizzle hot honey over the pizza as soon as it comes out of the oven—it’ll seep into all those cheesy nooks and crannies. Add fresh basil and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like extra spice. Slice, serve, and prepare for applause.

Best Pizza Dough Tips for Crispy, Chewy Perfection

Want that classic pizzeria-style crust at home? Here are my go-to tricks:

  • Let dough rest at room temp for 30 minutes before stretching—it’ll be way easier to handle.
  • Bake at high heat with a pizza stone or cast iron pan for that crisp, chewy bite.
  • Don’t overload with sauce—too much moisture = soggy bottom (and no one wants that).
  • Brush the crust with olive oil for a golden, crispy edge.
  • If making dough from scratch, use bread flour or “00” flour for the best texture.

Personal Note

The first time I made this pizza, I wasn’t sure my kids would be into the hot honey. Spoiler alert: they loved it (and even asked for extra drizzle). Honestly, this recipe has become our Friday night ritual. It feels a little fancy but is still simple enough to throw together after a long workweek.

Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza with crispy pepperoni, creamy ricotta, and fresh basil on a golden crust.
Slices of Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza topped with gooey cheese, spicy pepperoni, and fresh basil for the ultimate flavor combo.

FAQs About Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza

Can I substitute the ricotta?

Yes! If ricotta isn’t your favorite, try goat cheese for tang or mascarpone for an extra creamy finish.

What’s the best hot honey brand?

You can grab Mike’s Hot Honey at most grocery stores, but if you want to DIY, just stir chili flakes into warmed honey. Easy peasy.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back that crispy magic.

Can I make this on the grill?

Absolutely! Grilled pizza adds a smoky twist that pairs beautifully with hot honey’s sweetness. Just make sure your grill grates are well-oiled.

Your Next Pizza Night Sorted

This Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza is proof that a little drizzle can make all the difference. Sweet, spicy, cheesy, and oh-so satisfying—it’s the kind of recipe that’ll have you skipping delivery and reaching for your rolling pin instead.

So next Friday night, when the couch is calling and Netflix is queued up, let this pizza be your dinner date. Trust me—you’ll fall in love at first bite.

More Recipes You’ll Love

If this Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza had your taste buds dancing, you’ll definitely want to try these other crave-worthy recipes:

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Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza with crispy pepperoni, creamy ricotta, and fresh basil on a golden crust.

Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza


  • Author: Mounia
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 1 (12-inch pizza), serves 2–4 1x

Description

This Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza is the ultimate sweet-meets-spicy comfort food. Crispy pepperoni, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and a drizzle of hot honey make this homemade pizza bold, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible. Perfect for Friday nights, family dinners, or whenever you’re craving restaurant-style pizza at home.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Pizza Dough

  • 1 ball pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)

  • Flour or cornmeal, for dusting

For the Toppings

  • ½ cup tomato sauce or pizza sauce

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • ¼ cup whole milk ricotta cheese, dolloped

  • 2025 slices pepperoni

  • 12 tablespoons hot honey (store-bought or homemade)

  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

  • Red pepper flakes, for extra heat (optional)


Instructions

  1. Prep the oven and dough: Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C) or as hot as it will go. Place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to preheat for at least 30 minutes. Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch round.

  2. Assemble the pizza: Spread sauce over dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly. Layer pepperoni slices, then dollop ricotta in spoonfuls around the pizza.

  3. Bake: Transfer pizza to the hot stone or sheet. Bake 8–12 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.

  4. Finish with hot honey: Drizzle hot honey immediately after baking. Garnish with fresh basil and optional red pepper flakes. Slice and serve hot.

Notes

Let the dough rest at room temp for 30 minutes before stretching for best texture.
For extra crisp, brush the crust with olive oil before baking.
If you can’t find hot honey, make your own by stirring red pepper flakes into warm honey.
Works great on the grill for a smoky twist!

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish / Pizza
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (¼ pizza)
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 820 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg