The Best Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey
Introduction
If you’re looking for a reason to forgo the takeout menu, this Best Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey is it: crave-worthy, crispy-edged pepperoni layered over molten cheese and golden, bubbly crust, all finished with an irresistible drizzle of spicy-sweet hot honey. It strikes the perfect harmony between classic comfort and bold new flavor, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for family nights, game days, or impressing friends.
Beyond incredible taste, this homemade pizza is approachable for any skill level, delivering that beloved pizzeria texture and flavor with minimal fuss and total customization.
What Sets This Pepperoni Pizza Apart
What makes this pizza shine is the dynamic combination of textures—from the crunchy crust to the gooey cheese—and the flavor pop of hot honey, which elevates each bite with a unique blend of sweet heat. The pepperoni cups up and crisps just right, capturing an enticing pool of spicy oil, while a straightforward dough ensures a crisp bottom and chewy center.
Customizable to your preferences, this pie is as fun to make as it is to eat.
How to Make the Dough and Assemble the Pizza
Start by making a basic pizza dough or picking up a high-quality store-bought alternative. To get that perfectly crisp bottom, roll your dough on a floured surface using a sturdy Bamboo Cutting Board Set for easy handling and transfer. If prepping vegetables—for a side or loading up your toppings—reach for the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for quick, uniform slices.
Once your dough is shaped, transfer it to a baking sheet lined with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. Spread sauce evenly, pile on cheese, and cover generously with pepperoni.
The Secret to Crispy Pepperoni and Gooey Cheese
Achieving bubbly, golden cheese and crispy pepperoni is all about high heat. Preheat your oven—and if you have one, a cast iron pizza pan—to the highest setting. If making pizza in a skillet, use the Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet for restaurant-quality crust at home.
Layering the pepperoni above the cheese helps the edges curl and crisp. Bake until the cheese bubbles and the bottom is deeply golden.
Serving and Drizzling with Hot Honey
While the pizza cools briefly, warm your hot honey just enough to loosen (if it’s thick). Drizzle generously over the whole pie. For a clean cut, use sharp KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears or a trusted pizza cutter. Each slice offers spicy, sweet, salty, and savory flavors that keep your guests coming back for more.
Pair with a simple green salad served from the Bentgo Salad Container for a balanced meal, or enjoy on its own for the ultimate homemade pizza experience.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields one large (12-inch) pizza, serving 3–4 hungry pizza lovers. Per slice, expect approximately 320–370 calories, depending on your cheese and pepperoni quantities. With the hot honey, this is one treat best saved for those nights when you really want to savor something special.
The Best Pepperoni Pizza with Hot Honey (Recap)
This pepperoni pizza is anything but ordinary: it’s easy to make, delivers bold, crowd-pleasing flavor, and gets an unforgettable upgrade from a simple drizzle of hot honey. Whether for a party or an indulgent night in, this is a pizza you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
2 cups bread flour (plus more for dusting)
1 teaspoon instant yeast
¾ cup lukewarm water
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup pizza sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1 ½ cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
25–30 slices good-quality pepperoni
3 tablespoons hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
Optional: chopped fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together bread flour, instant yeast, and salt. Add lukewarm water and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a floured bamboo cutting board for about 7–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Form the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to its highest temperature (475–500°F). Place a cast iron skillet or pizza stone inside while preheating if you prefer extra crispiness.
- Stretch or roll dough on a dusted surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or preheated surface.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly, sprinkle with cheese, and arrange pepperoni predictably so it covers the whole surface.
- Bake for 10–14 minutes, until pepperoni is crisped and cheese is bubbling and browned in spots.
- Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey. Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Slice using sharp kitchen shears or a rolling pizza cutter and serve hot.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1–2 hours for dough rise)
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes (including rise)
