Chef Jake Thompson - Comfort Food Specialist
👨‍🍳 Pizza Artisan

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Culinary Arts Graduate ⏰ 18+ Years Experience 🍽️ Italian Cuisine Expert

❤️ My Recipe Story

"This pizza was inspired by my travels through Brooklyn's best pizzerias, where I discovered the magical combination of hot honey and pepperoni. The creamy ricotta adds a luxurious contrast that elevates this from a simple pizza to an unforgettable experience."

Jake specializes in elevated comfort food that brings bold flavors to classic dishes. His pizza-making techniques combine traditional Italian methods with modern American flavor innovations.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Hot honey pepperoni ricotta pizza with golden crust, melted cheese, crispy pepperoni, and glistening hot honey drizzle garnished with fresh basil

The Perfect Sweet and Spicy Balance

The magic of this pizza lies in the contrast between creamy ricotta, spicy pepperoni, and the sweet-heat of hot honey. Each element plays a crucial role: the ricotta provides cooling richness, the pepperoni delivers savory spice, and the hot honey ties everything together with its addictive sweet-and-spicy glaze.

Temperature is critical for pizza perfection. A screaming hot oven (475°F or higher) creates the ideal environment for a crispy crust with a chewy interior while ensuring the cheese melts perfectly. The high heat also causes the pepperoni edges to curl and crisp, creating those signature pepperoni cups that hold pools of flavorful oil.

💡 Professional Tip

Let the dough come to room temperature for at least 20 minutes before stretching. Cold dough is difficult to work with and can tear easily. For extra flavor, brush the crust edges with garlic-infused olive oil before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! Store-bought dough works great for this recipe. Look for dough from your local pizzeria or grocery store's bakery section for the best quality. Just remember to let it come to room temperature.

Hot honey is honey infused with chili peppers or hot sauce, creating a sweet-spicy condiment. You can buy it pre-made (Mike's Hot Honey is popular) or make your own by heating honey with red pepper flakes.

Yes! While fresh mozzarella and ricotta create the best texture, you can substitute low-moisture mozzarella or add provolone. For the ricotta, mascarpone makes a luxurious alternative.

Not necessary, but highly recommended for the crispiest crust. A preheated baking sheet works well as an alternative. For best results with a baking sheet, turn it upside down and bake on the flat bottom.

Don't overload with sauce, preheat your oven and baking surface thoroughly, and bake at high heat. Also, drain excess moisture from fresh mozzarella by patting it dry before using.

Definitely! This pizza pairs well with caramelized onions, roasted garlic, jalapeños, or arugula added after baking. Keep toppings minimal to maintain the crispy crust.

Reheat in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes or in a skillet over medium heat with a lid for 5-7 minutes. This preserves the crispy crust better than microwaving. Drizzle with fresh hot honey before serving.

Yes! Heat 1/2 cup honey with 1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over low heat for 5 minutes. Let cool and strain. Adjust heat level to your preference.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Dough Won't Stretch

Problem: Pizza dough keeps springing back and won't stretch

Solution: Let dough rest longer at room temperature. If still resistant, let it relax for 10 minutes between stretching attempts. Never force it.

✅

Soggy Center

Problem: Crust edges are done but center is undercooked

Solution: Roll or stretch dough thinner in the center, use less sauce, and ensure your oven and baking surface are fully preheated to at least 475°F.

✅

Burnt Bottom

Problem: Bottom of pizza burns before toppings are done

Prevention: Move pizza to a higher oven rack, reduce temperature slightly, or place a second baking sheet below to act as a heat shield.

✅

Cheese Separation

Problem: Cheese becomes greasy and separates during baking

Recovery: Pat fresh mozzarella dry before using, don't overload with cheese, and ensure oven is hot enough. Low-moisture mozzarella has less separation.

✅

Pale Crust

Problem: Pizza crust doesn't brown properly

Prevention: Increase oven temperature, ensure proper preheating time (30+ minutes), brush crust with olive oil, and move pizza to lower oven rack for last few minutes.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Reduce hot honey drizzle or add more red pepper flakes for heat

Too Salty: Use less Parmesan, choose low-sodium pepperoni, or add fresh arugula for balance

Bland: Add more garlic, increase red pepper flakes, use high-quality pepperoni, or add fresh cracked black pepper

Pizza ingredients including dough, ricotta cheese, pepperoni slices, fresh mozzarella, hot honey jar, and fresh basil arranged on marble surface

Selecting Quality Pizza Ingredients

The foundation of outstanding pizza starts with quality dough. Whether you make your own or buy from a local pizzeria, look for dough made with bread flour for better gluten development and chew. Room temperature dough stretches more easily and produces better texture in the final crust.

Fresh mozzarella provides superior flavor and texture compared to pre-shredded cheese. Tear it into irregular pieces rather than slicing for better melt distribution. For the ricotta, whole milk varieties offer the creamiest texture and richest flavor that complements the spicy pepperoni and hot honey perfectly.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Pizza Dough: High-quality dough should feel smooth and elastic, not sticky. If making your own, a slow fermentation (24-72 hours in the fridge) develops incredible flavor.
  • Pepperoni Quality: Look for thick-cut, natural casing pepperoni from the deli counter. It cups beautifully when cooked and has superior flavor compared to pre-packaged varieties.
  • Hot Honey: Mike's Hot Honey is the gold standard, but any quality hot honey works. Make your own by infusing honey with red pepper flakes for a budget-friendly option.
Pizza baking in hot oven with bubbling cheese, crispy pepperoni edges curling up, and golden brown crust forming

Mastering the Baking Technique

The secret to pizzeria-quality crust at home is heat management. Preheat your oven and baking surface for at least 30 minutes at maximum temperature. This thermal mass is essential for achieving the rapid bottom crust cooking that creates the perfect crispy-chewy texture contrast.

The hot honey should be drizzled immediately when the pizza emerges from the oven. The residual heat helps the honey flow evenly across the surface while the warmth activates its aromatic compounds. This timing ensures the honey doesn't burn in the oven while maximizing its flavor impact.

The Hot Honey Finish

Drizzle hot honey in a spiral pattern from center to edges immediately after removing from oven. The heat helps it spread while the cooling pizza allows it to set slightly for the perfect glossy finish.

Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza

Prep 25 min
Cook 15 min
Serves 4 servings
Level Intermediate

📋 Ingredients

For the Pizza Base

  • 340g fresh mozzarella, torn
    Pat dry for best results
  • 225g whole milk ricotta cheese
    Adds creamy richness
  • 170g pepperoni slices
    Thick-cut works best
  • 60ml hot honey
    Sweet-spicy finishing drizzle
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    Adds aromatic depth
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
    Extra heat kick
  • Fresh basil leaves
    For fresh herb garnish
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
    Final umami boost

For the Toppings

  • 450g pizza dough, room temperature
    Store-bought or homemade
  • 240ml pizza sauce or marinara
    Not too thick or watery
  • 15ml olive oil
    For brushing crust
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
    Classic pizza herb
  • Semolina or cornmeal
    For dusting and preventing sticking
  • Sea salt to taste
    For finishing

Instructions

  1. Prepare Dough and Preheat

    Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) with pizza stone or baking sheet inside. Let pizza dough rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Dust work surface with flour.

  2. Shape the Pizza

    Stretch or roll dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Transfer to parchment paper dusted with semolina. Create a slightly raised edge for the crust.

  3. Add Toppings

    Spread pizza sauce evenly, leaving 1-inch border. Scatter torn mozzarella, then add dollops of ricotta (about 1 tablespoon each). Arrange pepperoni slices over cheese. Sprinkle with minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes.

  4. Bake the Pizza

    Slide pizza (on parchment) onto preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling. Edges should be deeply browned.

  5. Finish with Hot Honey

    Remove from oven and immediately drizzle hot honey generously over the entire pizza. Garnish with fresh basil, grated Parmesan, and a pinch of sea salt. Let cool for 2-3 minutes, slice and serve.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

Leftover pizza keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store in an airtight container and reheat in the oven or skillet for best texture. Add fresh hot honey after reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil to balance the rich, spicy-sweet flavors. Pair with cold beer or a light red wine like Chianti.

Variations

Try adding caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, or jalapeños for extra flavor. For a white pizza version, skip the red sauce and brush with garlic oil instead.