Ingredients
Scale
- For the pizza dough:
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- For the pizza toppings:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni (ensure it’s Halal)
- 2–3 tablespoons hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
- A pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper
Ingredient Highlights
- Hot Honey: The hot honey is the star of this pizza. Made by infusing honey with chili peppers, it adds a sweet heat that complements the richness of the ricotta and mozzarella.
- Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta is a creamy, mild cheese that adds a velvety smoothness to the pizza and helps balance the heat from the honey and pepperoni.
- Pepperoni: This classic pizza topping brings a savory, slightly smoky flavor. Ensure that you use Halal-certified pepperoni to maintain the recipe’s authenticity.
- Mozzarella: The shredded mozzarella cheese provides the perfect melty, gooey texture that every pizza needs.
Instructions
Prepare the Pizza Dough:
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix together until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Let the Dough Rise: Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
Prepare the Pizza Sauce and Toppings:
- Make the Ricotta Mixture: While the dough is rising, in a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and a tablespoon of olive oil. Stir until smooth and season with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare the Hot Honey: If you’re making homemade hot honey, gently heat ½ cup of honey in a saucepan over low heat. Add 1-2 dried chili peppers or ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then strain out the peppers.
Assemble the Pizza:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven to heat up as well.
- Roll Out the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it in half (for two smaller pizzas) or leave it whole for a large pizza. Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it’s your desired thickness.
- Assemble the Pizza: Place the rolled-out dough onto a piece of parchment paper for easy transfer. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Top with shredded mozzarella and arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese.
- Bake the Pizza: Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
Add the Hot Honey:
- Drizzle the Hot Honey: As soon as the pizza comes out of the oven, drizzle it generously with hot honey. Add red pepper flakes if you like extra heat.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with fresh basil leaves for a burst of color and flavor. Slice the pizza into wedges and serve while hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 16g