Hot Honey Ricotta Pizza (Printable Version)

Crispy golden crust with creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and a warm spicy honey drizzle topped with fresh basil.

# What You Need:

→ Dough & Base

01 - 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, approximately 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:

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. If using, dust a baking sheet or pizza peel with cornmeal for easier transfer.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well incorporated.
04 - Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
05 - Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.
06 - Drizzle olive oil evenly over the cheese layer.
07 - Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes 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 and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between creamy cheese and that spicy honey drizzle is the kind of flavor surprise that makes you go back for another slice even when youre full.
  • It comes together fast enough for a weeknight but feels special enough that guests always ask for the recipe.
  • You can play with the heat level and toppings, so it never gets boring.
02 -
  • Dont skip seasoning the ricotta, I made that mistake once and the whole pizza tasted bland under all that cheese.
  • Warm the honey gently, if it gets too hot it can become bitter and lose that silky texture you want.
  • Let the pizza rest a minute or two before slicing, it makes cutting cleaner and gives the cheese a chance to set just slightly.
03 -
  • Use a pizza stone if you have one, the intense bottom heat makes all the difference for a crispy, bakery-style crust.
  • Make extra hot honey and keep it in a jar, youll want to drizzle it on fried chicken, roasted vegetables, and even cornbread.
  • If your oven runs cool, crank it up to 500°F and watch closely, you want that crust to puff and char just a little.
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