Hot Honey Ricotta Pizza (Printable)

Fluffy dough crisps to golden, layered with rich cheeses and finished with warm honey and fresh basil.

# What You'll 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 combined.
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 using.
06 - Drizzle olive oil evenly over the cheese.
07 - Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake 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 and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between creamy cheese and spicy-sweet honey feels like a flavor revelation every single bite.
  • You can pull this together on a weeknight without any fancy ingredients or complicated steps.
  • It tastes like something from an upscale pizzeria but costs a fraction of the price.
  • The fluffy, golden crust and bubbly cheese make it as fun to look at as it is to eat.
02 -
  • Do not skip preheating the oven long enough, a truly hot oven is the secret to a crispy crust instead of a soggy one.
  • If your dough keeps shrinking back, it means the gluten is too tight, cover it and let it rest for 10 minutes before trying again.
  • Add the basil after baking, not before, or it will turn black and bitter in the high heat.
03 -
  • Brush the crust edges with olive oil and sprinkle them with sea salt before baking for an extra-special touch.
  • If you do not have a pizza stone, flip a baking sheet upside down and preheat it in the oven, it works almost as well.
  • Make a double batch of hot honey and keep it in your pantry, it is incredible on roasted vegetables, cornbread, and even morning toast.
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