Hot Honey Ricotta Pizza (Printable)

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

# 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)

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 475°F. Place pizza stone inside if available.
02 - On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll out pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Dust 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 blended.
04 - Evenly spread ricotta mixture over dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around edges.
05 - Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.
06 - Drizzle olive oil evenly across cheese layer.
07 - Transfer pizza to preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until crust is golden brown and cheese bubbles.
08 - While pizza bakes, combine honey and red wine vinegar in 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 and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sweet-heat drizzle cuts through rich cheese in a way that keeps you reaching for another slice.
  • It comes together fast enough for a weeknight but looks impressive enough for guests.
  • You can use store-bought dough and still end up with something that tastes homemade and memorable.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step after baking—cutting into molten cheese too soon turns every slice into a melted mess on the cutting board.
  • Warm the honey gently and remove it from heat as soon as it's fluid; boiling honey can turn it bitter and ruin the sweet-heat balance.
03 -
  • Let your dough come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before stretching—it'll relax and spread much easier without tearing.
  • Use a pastry brush to paint a thin layer of olive oil on the crust border before baking for an extra-golden, restaurant-quality finish.
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