Hot Honey Prosciutto Pizza

Crispy pizza crust topped with luscious ricotta, delicate prosciutto, and a drizzle of fiery-sweet honey creates an unforgettable flavor experience that transcends ordinary homemade pizza. This hot honey pizza combines sophisticated ingredients in perfect harmony, delivering restaurant-quality results from your own kitchen. The contrast between creamy cheese, salty cured meats, and the unexpected heat-infused sweetness creates a memorable meal that impresses both casual diners and culinary enthusiasts.

I discovered this magnificent combination during an ambitious weekend of pizza experimentation after acquiring my first pizza stone. The revelation occurred when a bottle of hot honey accidentally placed near my pizza station inspired a spontaneous drizzle over the finished pie. That happy accident transformed into our family's signature pizza, now requested for everything from casual Friday nights to special celebrations.

Perfect Components

• Pizza dough: Forms the essential foundation—whether homemade or quality store-bought, its texture significantly impacts the final result.
• Ricotta: Creates pockets of creamy richness that contrast beautifully with the crisp crust and provide cooling balance against spicy elements.
• Hot honey: Delivers the signature sweet heat that elevates this pizza beyond ordinary—its viscous texture clings perfectly to each slice while its complex flavor enlivens every bite.

Creation Method

Dough Preparation:

Bring your pizza dough to room temperature before beginning to ensure optimal elasticity during stretching. Dust your clean work surface with flour before placing the dough ball. Use your fingertips to press outward from the center creating a flat disk while maintaining a slightly thicker edge that will form the crust.

Sauce Application:

Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce across the flattened dough using the back of a spoon in a spiral motion. Leave a half-inch border around the edge completely sauce-free allowing the crust to rise properly during baking.

Cheese Placement:

Distribute shredded mozzarella evenly across the sauced surface creating the primary cheese layer. Add small dollops of ricotta spaced throughout the pizza rather than spreading it—these concentrated pockets create delightful textural and flavor variations in each bite.

Topping Arrangement:

Layer torn pieces of prosciutto and coppa across the cheese surface, allowing some areas to remain visible with just cheese. Add thin slivers of red onion which will soften and sweeten during baking.

Baking Technique:

Transfer your assembled pizza carefully to the preheated stone using quick, confident movements. Monitor closely during baking, watching for cheese to melt completely and crust to develop golden brown edges.

Finishing Elements:

Remove the hot pizza from the oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey in a zigzag pattern across the entire surface. The residual heat activates the honey's aromatic qualities while helping it distribute into delicate threads rather than heavy pools.

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My neighbor initially questioned combining spicy honey with pizza until she sampled a slice during an impromptu dinner gathering. Her skepticism transformed into enthusiasm with that first bite, particularly noting how the honey's sweetness perfectly complemented the salty prosciutto while its subtle heat built gradually without overwhelming.

Storage Suggestions

While best enjoyed fresh, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat slices in a cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat to restore crispness without drying out the toppings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ What is hot honey and can I make it myself?

Hot honey is honey infused with chili peppers, creating a sweet and spicy condiment. You can easily make it at home by warming 1 cup of honey with 2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over low heat for 10 minutes, then strain or leave the flakes in for more heat. Alternatively, you can add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to honey.

→ What can I substitute for coppa in this pizza recipe?

If you can't find coppa, you can substitute it with other thinly sliced cured meats like spicy salami, soppressata, calabrese, or even pepperoni. Each will provide a different flavor profile, but all work well with the hot honey and prosciutto combination.

→ Can I prepare this pizza without a pizza oven?

Absolutely! As mentioned in the notes, you can use a regular home oven with a pizza stone. Preheat your oven to 550°F (or as high as it will go) with the stone inside for at least 20 minutes. Bake for about 10 minutes total, rotating halfway through. A pizza steel also works wonderfully and conducts heat even better than stone.

→ How do I prevent my pizza from sticking to the peel?

To prevent sticking, use a generous amount of flour or cornmeal on your peel before placing the dough on it. Work quickly once the dough is on the peel, and give it a gentle shake occasionally to make sure it still moves freely. Don't let the dough sit on the peel for too long before transferring it to the oven.

→ What's the best way to reheat leftover pizza?

For the best texture when reheating this pizza, place it in a skillet over medium-low heat and cover with a lid for 2-3 minutes. This will crisp up the bottom while melting the cheese. Alternatively, reheat in a 350°F oven on a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet for 5-7 minutes. Avoid the microwave if possible as it will make the crust soggy.