Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza : A Pizza Recipe

If you’re ready to elevate your pizza night, this Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza is the flavor-packed, crowd-pleasing dish you’ve been searching for. With spicy pepperoni, creamy ricotta, and a bold drizzle of sweet hot honey, this pizza delivers the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy. It’s bold, unique, and totally irresistible.

Whether you’re planning a backyard dinner, looking for new pizza recipes homemade to try, or need fresh lake food ideas for your summer getaways, this pizza checks all the boxes. It’s also ideal for picnics, cookouts, or enjoying on a boat with friends—seriously, boat food never looked so good.

Save

What Makes This Honey Pizza So Irresistible? Sweet, Savory, and Spicy in Every Bite

The magic of this honey pizza lies in its harmony of flavors. The spicy, crispy edges of pepperoni meet the mellow creaminess of dolloped ricotta cheese. And then comes the unexpected—but oh-so-welcome—drizzle of hot honey, cutting through with just the right balance of sweetness and heat.

Why it’s winning hearts everywhere:

• Texture contrast: Chewy crust, creamy cheese, crispy meat
• Flavor explosion: Sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy in one bite
• Perfect for summer: Light yet satisfying, great for sharing
• Customizable: Change up toppings or sauce to suit your taste

This isn’t your average pepperoni slice. It’s a pizza oven recipe designed to impress.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Ricotta Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey Drizzle

This recipe yields one 12-inch pizza and serves 2–4 people.

For the Pizza Dough

• 1 ball pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Flour or cornmeal, for dusting

For the Toppings

• ½ cup tomato sauce or pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup whole milk ricotta cheese, dolloped
• 20–25 slices pepperoni
• 1–2 tablespoons hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
• Red pepper flakes, for extra heat (optional)

The hot honey is the star—don’t skip it! It ties all the flavors together in a way that’s unexpectedly delicious.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make This Pizza Recipe Homemade Style

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Dough

Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) or as hot as it will go. Place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to preheat for at least 30 minutes. Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch round.

Step 2: Assemble the Pizza

Spread tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly across the top. Arrange pepperoni slices over the cheese, then dollop ricotta evenly around the pizza in spoonfuls.

Step 3: Bake

Transfer the pizza to the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 8–12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and browned.

Step 4: Add Hot Honey and Garnish

Drizzle hot honey over the pizza right after it comes out of the oven. Add fresh basil and optional red pepper flakes. Slice and serve immediately.

Whether enjoyed warm out of the oven or cooled on the deck of a boat, this ricotta pizza is pure summer comfort.

Save

Best Pizza Dough Tips for Crispy, Chewy Perfection

To get that signature pizza oven recipe crust at home, follow these tips:

• Let dough rest at room temp for 30 minutes before stretching
• Use high-heat baking methods like a pizza stone or cast iron pan
• Don’t overload with sauce—too much moisture = soggy base
• Brush the crust with olive oil for a golden, crispy edge
• Use bread flour or “00” flour for optimal texture if making homemade dough

These small tweaks make a big difference when you want that pizzeria feel in your own kitchen.

Essential Kitchen Tools or Pizza Oven Recipes Prep Gear

Whether you’re making this at home or at the lake, having the right tools makes all the difference:

• Pizza stone or baking steel
• Pizza peel or parchment paper
• Rolling pin
• Baking sheet (as a backup)
• Kitchen torch (if crisping ricotta or pepperoni post-bake)

For the best results, prep the dough and toppings before heading out for any boat food or lakeside cooking setup.

Why This Pizza Is One of the Best Lake Food Ideas or Boat Food Dishes

This pizza is everything you want from a lake food idea:

• Portable and sliceable
• Minimal cleanup when baked ahead and packed for picnics
• Delicious warm or room temperature
• Easy to reheat on a grill or campfire pan
• A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages

Pack it in foil, bring it along on your boat, and enjoy the ultimate food idea for summer sunsets on the water.

Make It Ahead: Prep Tips for Summer Gatherings or Picnics

Hosting a summer bash or planning a day on the water? Try these prep tips:

• Par-bake the crust with sauce and cheese, then finish with toppings on site
• Make the hot honey ahead and store in a small squeeze bottle
• Pack ricotta separately to dollop fresh before serving
• Bake fully at home, slice, and wrap in foil for quick reheating or cold serving

It’s the ideal make-ahead pizza for casual meals with serious flavor.

Toppings and Variations to Customize Your Ricotta Pizza

Once you master this base, the topping possibilities are endless:

• Spicy twist: Add jalapeños or crushed red pepper
• Sweet contrast: Try pineapple or caramelized onions
• Veggie lovers: Add roasted red peppers or sautéed mushrooms
• Meat lovers: Swap pepperoni for prosciutto or spicy salami
• Gourmet touch: Drizzle with balsamic glaze instead of honey

This keeps your pizza recipes homemade game exciting week after week.

Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with This Hot Honey Pizza

Round out your meal with these fresh, summer-friendly ideas:

• Simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Cucumber tomato salad
• Fresh watermelon slices
• Sparkling water, lemonade, or fruit spritzers

Together, they make a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal for any warm-weather get-together.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Pizza Without Losing Flavor

Keep your leftovers just as delicious with these storage and reheating tips:

• Store slices in airtight containers or wrap in foil
• Reheat in a hot oven (400°F) for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness
• Use a skillet on medium heat to re-crisp the crust
• Avoid the microwave unless you don’t mind a softer texture
• Enjoy cold straight from the fridge—seriously, it’s that good!

This pizza is made for leftovers—but don’t be surprised if there are none.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pizza Recipes Homemade

Avoid these pitfalls to make your ricotta pizza shine:

• Too much sauce or cheese = soggy crust
• Using cold dough = tearing and uneven baking
• Skipping preheat time = pale, undercooked base
• Overbaking ricotta = dry, gritty texture
• Forgetting the honey – that final drizzle makes the dish!

With these tips, your homemade pizza will taste just like (or better than) takeout.

Save

FAQs About Hot Honey Pizza, Ricotta Cheese, and Outdoor-Friendly Food Ideas

Can I use homemade hot honey?
Yes! Mix honey with chili flakes and warm gently. Let steep, then strain or use as-is.

Is ricotta okay to bake with?
Yes—just dollop rather than spread, and don’t overbake to keep it creamy.

What crust is best for the grill or campfire?
Pre-baked crusts or flatbread work great for travel-friendly cooking.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough or cauliflower crust for a GF option.

Can this be served cold?
Absolutely. It’s surprisingly delicious chilled or at room temp—perfect for lakeside meals.

Conclusion & Call to Action: Try This Perfectly Balanced Pizza for Summer Fun

This Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza delivers everything you want in a summer meal: bold flavor, easy prep, and irresistible texture. Whether you’re enjoying it hot out of the oven, packing it up for a boat ride, or bringing it to your next lakeside BBQ, it’s the kind of dish that disappears in seconds.

Try it this week, and don’t forget to drizzle generously with hot honey. Share this recipe with your fellow pizza lovers and subscribe for more pizza recipes homemade, fresh summer food inspiration, and lake-ready dishes you’ll come back to all season long.

Print