Warm, cheesy, and just a little spicy, this pizza is bound to become a family favorite. The combination of crispy crust, creamy ricotta, and spicy pepperoni brings comfort to any meal. Adding hot honey and fresh basil gives it a lovely twist.
This recipe is simple and perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy homemade pizza without stress. You’ll find basic ingredients that are easy to work with, making this a cozy dish for gatherings or a quiet night in.
Why You Will Love This Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey Ricotta, Olives, and Basil
This pizza is not only delicious but also creative. The creamy ricotta pairs perfectly with the hot honey, giving a sweet and spicy kick. Using basic ingredients means you likely have most of them at home. Plus, it’s a fun dish to make with family or friends.
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey Ricotta, Olives, and Basil
Making pizza might seem tricky, but this recipe breaks it down into easy steps. You’ll start with the dough, then prepare the sauce, and finally, assemble your toppings. In no time, you’ll have a impressive pizza to enjoy fresh from the oven.
What You Need
- 2 ½ cups 00 flour – this fine Italian flour gives a light, chewy crust.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt – enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 cup warm water – helps activate the yeast faster.
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast – use fresh yeast for the best rise.
- 1 teaspoon honey – adds subtle sweetness and helps the dough brown beautifully.
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil – use good-quality oil for rich flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced) – fresh garlic makes the sauce more aromatic.
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste – adds deep tomato richness.
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes – go for a good brand for a naturally sweet taste.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano – for that classic pizza flavor.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – blends perfectly with oregano.
- ½ teaspoon sugar – balances the acidity.
- ½ teaspoon salt – adjust to taste.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder – layers more flavor.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder – rounds out the sauce.
- Fresh basil leaves – add at the end for freshness.
- 1 ½ cups fresh mozzarella (sliced) – melts perfectly and tastes creamy.
- 12–14 slices pepperoni – choose a spicy version for extra kick.
- ½ cup ricotta cheese – smooth and creamy pairs beautifully with hot honey.
- 6 Castelvetrano olives (halved) – buttery and not too salty.
- 2 tablespoons hot honey – drizzle just before serving.
- Crushed red pepper flakes – sprinkle for extra spice.
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese – grate fresh for the best taste.
- Fresh basil leaves – for garnish.
Step-by-Step
Mix the flour, salt, yeast, honey, and warm water until a dough forms. Knead until it’s smooth, then let it rise at room temperature for at least an hour. For the best flavor, refrigerate the dough for 24–48 hours before using. In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Simmer until thick and flavorful. Stir in fresh basil at the end.
Bring the dough to room temperature, then roll it into a 10–12 inch circle. Lightly flour your surface to prevent sticking. Spread the sauce evenly over the dough. Layer on mozzarella, pepperoni, ricotta dollops, olives, and Parmesan. Preheat your oven to 500°F (or pizza oven to 750–800°F) with a pizza stone inside. Bake until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling—about 10–12 minutes in a regular oven. Once baked, drizzle with hot honey, sprinkle red pepper flakes, and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Slice and enjoy hot.
How to Serve Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey Ricotta, Olives, and Basil
This pizza is perfect as a main dish for a casual dinner. Pair it with a simple salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. You could also serve it at gatherings—everyone loves pizza!
How to Store Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey Ricotta, Olives, and Basil
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze slices for about a month. To reheat, place slices in a warm oven until heated through.
Recipe Tips
- Use 00 flour for the best texture.
- Let your dough rise longer for a lighter crust.
- Always preheat your oven and pizza stone for a perfect bake.
- Experiment with different toppings, like veggies or other cheeses.
- Don’t skip the hot honey; it makes a big difference!
Variations & Swaps
- Swap mozzarella for provolone or goat cheese for a different flavor.
- Add veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- For a kid-friendly version, use mild pepperoni and skip the hot honey.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough and refrigerate it for 24–48 hours for better flavor.
Can I freeze the pizza?
Absolutely! Freeze individual slices for easy reheating later on.
What if I don’t have 00 flour?
You can use all-purpose flour, but the crust might be a bit thicker.
How do I make it less spicy?
Choose a mild pepperoni and skip the crushed red pepper flakes.
What can I serve with pizza?
A simple Caesar salad or some garlic knots pair deliciously with pizza!
Enjoy making this delightful pepperoni pizza, and feel free to share it with loved ones!
Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey Ricotta, Olives, and Basil
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2.5 cups 00 flour This fine Italian flour gives a light, chewy crust.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt Enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 cup warm water Helps activate the yeast faster.
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast Use fresh yeast for the best rise.
- 1 teaspoon honey Adds subtle sweetness and helps the dough brown beautifully.
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Use good-quality oil for rich flavor.
For the Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced) Fresh garlic makes the sauce more aromatic.
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste Adds deep tomato richness.
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes Go for a good brand for a naturally sweet taste.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano For that classic pizza flavor.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Blends perfectly with oregano.
- 0.5 teaspoon sugar Balances the acidity.
- 0.5 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste.
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder Layers more flavor.
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder Rounds out the sauce.
- Fresh basil leaves Add at the end for freshness.
For the Toppings
- 1.5 cups fresh mozzarella (sliced) Melts perfectly and tastes creamy.
- 12-14 slices pepperoni Choose a spicy version for extra kick.
- 0.5 cup ricotta cheese Smooth and creamy pairs beautifully with hot honey.
- 6 Castelvetrano olives (halved) Buttery and not too salty.
- 2 tablespoons hot honey Drizzle just before serving.
- Crushed red pepper flakes Sprinkle for extra spice.
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese Grate fresh for the best taste.
- Fresh basil leaves For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Mix the flour, salt, yeast, honey, and warm water until a dough forms. Knead until it’s smooth, then let it rise at room temperature for at least an hour.
- For the best flavor, refrigerate the dough for 24–48 hours before using.
Making the Sauce
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Simmer until thick and flavorful.
- Stir in fresh basil at the end.
Assembly and Baking
- Bring the dough to room temperature, then roll it into a 10–12 inch circle. Lightly flour your surface to prevent sticking.
- Spread the sauce evenly over the dough.
- Layer on mozzarella, pepperoni, ricotta dollops, olives, and Parmesan.
- Preheat your oven to 500°F (or pizza oven to 750–800°F) with a pizza stone inside.
- Bake until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling—about 10–12 minutes in a regular oven.
- Once baked, drizzle with hot honey, sprinkle red pepper flakes, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Slice and enjoy hot.
