To spice up your pizza, hot honey is an exciting and delicious twist. Adding a drizzle of this sweet and spicy concoction can elevate any pizza, bringing a unique flavor that’s both satisfying and unexpected.
But what are the best pizza toppings to pair with hot honey to create a mouthwatering experience?
In this article, I’ll explore some creative and delicious topping ideas that pair perfectly with hot honey.
Whether you’re a fan of traditional flavors or looking to experiment with something new, these topping combinations will take your pizza night to the next level.
1. Pepperoni and Hot Honey
I love the combination of pepperoni pizza with hot honey. The spicy, salty pepperoni balances so well with the sweet heat of hot honey.
For a great pepperoni and hot honey pizza recipe, start with your favorite pizza dough. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
Sprinkle a thick layer of shredded fresh mozzarella cheese on top. For added flavor, mince some garlic and sprinkle it over the cheese.
Next, lay out a single layer of pepperoni slices. The pepperoni will get nice and crispy in the oven, adding a delightful crunch to the pizza.
Bake the pizza at a high temperature. This will melt the cheese and give you a crispy crust. I prefer to use a 500°F oven for the best results.
Once the pizza is done, let it cool for a minute. Then, drizzle hot honey over the top. The honey will melt slightly into the hot pizza, and create a perfect blend of spice and sweetness.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own hot honey. Simply heat some honey and add red pepper flakes. This adds a fresh, homemade touch to your pizza.
2. Bacon and Hot Honey
Bacon and hot honey is a combination I just can’t get enough of. The salty, crispy bacon with the sweet-spicy kick of hot honey creates a mouthwatering balance.
First, cook the bacon until it’s crispy. Chop it into small pieces. Crispy bacon is important to get that perfect crunch in every bite.
Spread pizza sauce on your homemade dough. Grate the Mozzarella cheese and make a generous layer. Then, sprinkle the bacon pieces evenly.
Bake the pizza at around 475-500°F until the cheese bubbles and the crust is golden. If you have a pizza stone, preheat it to help the crust bake evenly.
Once out of the oven, drizzle hot honey all over the pizza. This step is crucial. The hot honey adds that final touch of sweetness and heat.
This combination is perfect for those who love a mix of savory and spicy flavors.
3. Buffalo Chicken with Hot Honey
I love adding a spicy twist to classic pizza toppings, and Buffalo Chicken with Hot Honey is a perfect example.
How To Prepare?
First, cook the chicken in a skillet with salt and pepper until it’s golden and tender. Once the chicken is cool enough, shred or chop it.
Spread a thin layer of ranch dressing on your homemade pizza dough. Pile on the shredded chicken and top it with buffalo sauce.
For the cheese, sprinkle a mix of mozzarella and blue cheese. The combination of these cheeses adds a creamy and tangy flavor.
Bake the pizza at 500°F until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Once the pizza is out of the oven, drizzle a generous amount of hot honey over the top. This adds a sweet and spicy kick that takes the pizza to another level.
Adding a few celery pieces on top gives a fresh, crunchy contrast to the rich and spicy flavors.
4. Goat Cheese and Hot Honey
I love the combination of crumbly goat cheese and hot honey on pizza. The creamy and tangy flavor of goat cheese pairs perfectly with the sweet and spicy honey.
To start, I spread the pizza dough with a layer of tomato sauce. Then, I sprinkle on some mozzarella cheese before adding dollops of goat cheese. This ensures that every bite has a mix of flavors.
Next comes the hot honey drizzle. Just a light drizzle is enough to add that perfect touch of sweetness and heat. Trust me; it’s amazing how this small addition can elevate the entire pizza.
I often like to add some spicy pepperoni or spinach to this combination. You can also include other toppings like tomatoes and garlic to complement the goat cheese and hot honey.
Once all the toppings are on, I bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. When it’s done, another generous drizzle of hot honey right out of the oven makes this pizza irresistible.
5. Prosciutto and Arugula with Hot Honey
I love to make the pizza flavorful, and prosciutto and arugula with hot honey is a winning combination.
How To Make?
First, I crisp up the prosciutto in a pan for just 1-2 minutes. The salty, crispy texture adds so much to the pizza.
Next, I prepare the arugula. Its peppery bite balances the rich prosciutto and sweet honey perfectly.
I spread the pizza dough and layer it with mozzarella cheese. I let it bake until golden brown and bubbly.
I top the pizza with prosciutto and a generous handful of fresh arugula.
Finally, I drizzle hot honey over the entire pizza. The honey adds a zest that ties all the flavors together.
6. Soppressata and Hot Honey
Soppressata is a type of Italian salami that has a rich, savory flavor. It pairs well with the spicy sweetness of hot honey. Soppressata and hot honey make a fantastic combo for a pizza topping.
To start, preheat your oven to a high temperature, ideally around 500°F. While the oven heats, you can prepare the dough by stretching it to fit your pizza pan.
After spreading your pizza sauce, add slices of soppressata evenly across the dough. Make sure to cover the entire pizza for a good balance.
Then, bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes, depending on the oven.
Once the pizza is ready, drizzle hot honey over the top. This adds a perfect touch of sweetness and a bit of heat to balance the salty soppressata.
Key Ingredients:
- Pizza dough
- Pizza sauce
- Soppressata slices
- Hot honey
This combination brings a delightful mix of flavors with each bite. Enjoy! If you want more details, you can check out a recipe from Sunday Table or Cabot Creamery.
7. Feta and Hot Honey Drizzle
I love to make homemade pizza pairing feta with hot honey. The salty, creamy texture of the feta matches perfectly with the sweet and spicy hot honey.
To start, pat the feta dry with paper towels. This helps it crisp up nicely in the oven.
Next, drizzle some olive oil over the feta to add a bit of richness.
Once the pizza is cooked and out of the oven, let it cool for a minute. Drizzle a generous amount of hot honey over the feta-covered pizza.
This combination is both unique and delicious. You can find more inspiration for hot honey and feta pairings at Jar Of Lemons’ Vegetarian Hot Honey Pizza.
8. Spicy Sausage with Hot Honey
When I tried spicy sausage with hot honey on my pizza, it became an instant favorite. This combination brings a balance of heat and sweetness that’s hard to beat.
Ingredients:
- Sausage meat
- Crushed fennel seeds
- Honey
- Hot sauce
- Tomato sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Pizza dough
First, let’s talk about the sausage.
- Brown the sausage meat in a pan with some crushed fennel seeds. The fennel adds a unique flavor that pairs perfectly with the sausage.
- Next, the hot honey brings everything together.
- Mix honey with Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce. If you like it extra spicy, just add more hot sauce. Drizzle this over the sausage after it’s cooked.
For the pizza base, keep it simple.
- Spread some tomato sauce, add mozzarella cheese, and then the spicy sausage.
- Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
- When the pizza is fresh out of the oven, drizzle the hot honey evenly.
- If you like, serve some extra hot honey on the side for dipping.
9. Mushroom and Hot Honey
If you’re a fan of mushrooms, you have to try adding them to your pizza with hot honey. The combination of earthy mushrooms and the sweet heat of hot honey is amazing.
- Start by roasting the mushrooms.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Toss the mushrooms with olive oil and a bit of salt.
- Roast for about 6 minutes, give them a quick toss, then roast for another 3 minutes.
Once the mushrooms are ready, spread your pizza crust with pizza sauce and add slices of mozzarella cheese.
Top with the roasted mushrooms and bake for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
After baking, drizzle hot honey over the pizza. The warm sweetness of the honey with the savory mushrooms creates an incredible flavor.
You can also add a little bit of arugula for a peppery kick.
For extra flavor, try different types of mushrooms like shiitake or portobello. This simple yet delicious combination is sure to be a hit!
10. Ricotta and Hot Honey
I love combining ricotta and hot honey on pizza. Ricotta cheese is creamy and mild, making it the perfect base for a sweet and spicy drizzle of hot honey.
- First, I spread a generous layer of ricotta over the pizza dough. This forms a smooth and flavorful foundation.
- Then, I add a mix of mozzarella and whatever other toppings I feel like that day, like prosciutto or pepperoni.
- Next, bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Once out of the oven, it’s time for the hot honey.
Drizzle hot honey evenly over the top. It gives the pizza a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
To make it extra special, I sometimes mix fresh basil into the ricotta before spreading it on the pizza. This adds a fresh, herbal note that pairs beautifully with the honey.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ricotta for the best flavor.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey based on your spice tolerance.
Health Benefits of Hot Honey on Pizza
Hot honey not only adds a unique flavor to your pizza, but it also brings several health benefits due to its composition and ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional value and specific health benefits.
Nutritional Value of Hot Honey
Hot honey generally combines the natural sweetness of honey with a spicy kick from chili peppers.
Here are a few key points about its nutritional value:
- Calories: Hot honey is relatively low in calories, making it a light topping option.
- Antioxidants: Honey is known for its high antioxidant content, which can help fight free radicals in the body.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Contains small amounts of vitamin B, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
These nutrients can offer a slight boost to your daily nutrient intake, especially the antioxidants that are known to support overall health.
Hot Honey Health Benefits
Hot honey includes capsaicin from chili peppers, which can have various health benefits.
Here are some specific benefits:
- Boosts Metabolism: Capsaicin in chili peppers is known to boost metabolism, aiding in weight management.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: Both honey and chili peppers have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Soothes Throats: The soothing quality of honey combined with the clearing effect of spice can benefit sore throats.
Adding hot honey to your pizza can, therefore, be a delicious way to enjoy these health perks. From metabolism boosts to anti-inflammatory benefits, it can make your pizza not just tasty but also a bit healthier.
Pairing Hot Honey with Different Pizza Toppings
Hot honey can add a delightful mix of sweetness and heat to pizza, enriching both meat-focused and veggie pizzas. It’s all about striking the right balance to make each bite memorable.
Meat Lovers Choices
For meat lovers, the combination of hot honey with bold, savory meats is outstanding. Pepperoni is a classic that gets a delightful twist with a drizzle of hot honey, balancing its spicy kick.
Italian sausage also pairs beautifully, especially when the honey enhances the sausage’s herbs and spices.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon bits offer a smoky flavor that contrasts well with the sweetness of hot honey.
- Sopressata: This Italian dry salami, with its robust flavors, becomes even more pronounced with hot honey. Spicy Sopressata Pizza is a perfect choice if you’re looking for something unique.
- Chicken: Grilled or roasted chicken pairs well, particularly with BBQ sauce and a hot honey drizzle for a mix of tangy and sweet.
Pro Tip: Add hot honey after baking to avoid burning and to keep flavors vibrant.
Veggie Pizza Transformations
Vegetarian options also shine with hot honey, making them more exciting and flavorful.
- Bell Peppers: Their natural sweetness gets a boost, making each bite enjoyable.
- Mushrooms: Hot honey adds a sweet contrast to the earthy flavor of mushrooms, intensifying the overall taste.
- Arugula: Freshly baked pizza topped with arugula and drizzled with hot honey creates a mix of peppery and sweet notes that’s refreshing.
- Goat Cheese: The creamy, tangy nature of goat cheese gets enhanced with a bit of hot honey, creating a gourmet feel.
Pro Tip: Experiment with adding fruit toppings like figs or pineapple alongside hot honey for even more exciting flavor combinations.
Tips for Customizing Your Pizza with Hot Honey
There are a few tips I always keep in mind when making a pizza with hot honey.
First, choose your sauces wisely. Tomato sauce pairs well with hot honey, enhancing both sweet and spicy flavors. For a twist, try a barbecue sauce or a simple olive oil base.
Next, I recommend mixing cheeses for a balanced flavor. Mozzarella melts well and provides a creamy texture. But I like to add sharp cheeses like Parmesan or a bit of goat cheese for a stronger taste.
For the crust, pre-bake it slightly before adding toppings. This ensures a crispy bottom and avoids a soggy pizza.
I always drizzle hot honey right after baking. This keeps the honey vibrant and prevents it from getting lost in the bake.
Here’s a quick list of my favorite toppings to pair with hot honey:
- Bacon: adds a smoky flavor
- Pepperoni: classic heat
- Goat Cheese: creamy and tangy
- Red Onions: sweet and crisp
- Arugula: fresh and peppery
For the final touch, consider a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Basil or oregano can really bring out the flavors.
Lastly, always taste as you go. A bit of hot honey can go a long way. Start with a drizzle and add more to suit your taste.
Jesmin Bithi, the co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a culinary maestro who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the platform. Jesmin’s journey in the food world started in her home kitchen, experimenting with different recipes and flavors. Her passion for cooking soon transcended the boundaries of her kitchen, leading her to become a professional chef.
