Hot Honey Ricotta Pizza (Printable)

Fluffy golden crust with creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and warm spicy honey drizzle finished with 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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 475°F. Place a pizza stone in the oven if available. 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.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended and consistent.
03 - Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
04 - Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using. Drizzle olive oil evenly over the cheese layer.
05 - Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbling.
06 - 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.
07 - Remove pizza from oven and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Generously drizzle hot honey over the pizza. Scatter fresh basil leaves on top.
08 - Slice and serve immediately while the crust remains crispy and cheese is warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sweet-spicy honey drizzle feels fancy but comes together in minutes while the pizza bakes.
  • Creamy ricotta mixed with sharp Parmesan creates a texture that's nothing like regular pizza and tastes restaurant-quality.
  • You can make it with store-bought dough and still have people asking for the recipe.
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the pizza rest for a few minutes after baking, or your carefully placed toppings will slide around when you try to slice it.
  • The hot honey is what makes this special, so warm it while the pizza bakes and don't drizzle it until the moment before serving, or it cools and becomes thick.
03 -
  • Store-bought dough is your secret weapon here; it lets you focus on the toppings and get dinner on the table without the fuss of making dough from scratch.
  • Tear your basil by hand instead of cutting it with a knife to avoid bruising the leaves and losing their bright flavor and appearance.
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