Hot Honey Ricotta Pizza (Printable)

Golden crust with ricotta, mozzarella, and hot honey drizzle

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How-To Steps:

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 well until evenly 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, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey and red wine vinegar. Stir occasionally until warmed and blended, about 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 and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sweet honey cuts through rich cheese in a way that feels both surprising and completely right.
  • It comes together faster than ordering delivery, and your kitchen smells like a wood-fired dream.
  • You can make it fancy for guests or eat it straight from the pan on a Tuesday night.
  • Every bite delivers crunch, creaminess, heat, and that sticky-sweet finish all at once.
02 -
  • Let your dough come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before stretching, cold dough tears and shrinks back like rubber.
  • Don't skip the hot honey step, warming it makes it pourable and deepens the flavor in a way raw honey just can't match.
  • If your oven runs cool, crank it to 500°F or use the broiler for the last minute to get that perfect char.
03 -
  • Use a pizza stone if you have one, it mimics a brick oven and gives you that crispy, charred bottom that makes all the difference.
  • Drizzle the hot honey while the pizza is still warm so it melts into the cheese and seeps into every bite.
  • Don't overload the toppings, less is more here and it keeps the crust from getting soggy.
  • If you want extra heat, add a sprinkle of cayenne to the honey or scatter sliced Fresno chilis over the cheese before baking.
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