Hot Honey Ricotta Pizza (Printable)

Fluffy dough crisps to golden, layered with rich cheeses and finished with sweet-heat honey and 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 Make It:

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 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, prepare hot honey: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey and red wine vinegar. 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 creamy ricotta melts into pockets of richness that balance the sharp kick of hot honey perfectly.
  • It comes together faster than delivery and tastes like something from a wood-fired oven downtown.
  • You can adjust the heat level easily, making it friendly for kids or bold enough to impress spice lovers.
02 -
  • If your dough keeps shrinking back when you stretch it, let it rest for 10 minutes, the gluten needs time to relax.
  • Don't skip the cooling step after baking, cutting into molten cheese makes a mess and burns tongues every time.
  • Warm the honey gently, boiling it can make it bitter and ruin that silky drizzle.
03 -
  • Use a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal to slide the pizza onto the stone without awkward flipping or tearing.
  • If you don't have a pizza stone, preheat a heavy baking sheet upside down in the oven for similar results.
  • Make a double batch of hot honey and keep it in a jar, it's incredible on everything and lasts for weeks in the fridge.
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