Hot Honey Ricotta Pizza (Printer view)

Golden crust topped with ricotta, mozzarella, and a warm spicy honey drizzle with fresh basil.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough & Base

01 - 12 oz pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
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

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh basil leaves

# Directions:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The hot honey trick turns ordinary pizza into something people ask about for weeks.
  • Ricotta gives you this creamy, mild base that makes the sweet heat pop even more.
  • You can have this on the table in under an hour, even on a weeknight.
  • It feels fancy enough for guests but easy enough that you won't stress.
02 -
  • If your dough keeps shrinking back when you stretch it, let it rest covered for 10 minutes and it will relax.
  • Cold ricotta can make the pizza take longer to bake, so let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before spreading.
  • Don't drizzle the hot honey until after baking or it will burn and turn bitter in the oven.
03 -
  • Let your dough come to room temperature before stretching it, cold dough is stubborn and will tear.
  • Use a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal to slide the pizza onto the stone without burning your hands.
  • If you don't have red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar works just as well in the hot honey.
  • Taste your hot honey before drizzling and adjust the heat with more or fewer pepper flakes.
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