Hot Honey Garlic Bread Pizza

This garlic bread pizza with hot honey transforms ordinary garlic bread into an irresistible meal that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy. The combination of melty mozzarella, creamy ricotta, and that drizzle of hot honey creates something truly magical that everyone will love.

I first made this recipe when I needed a quick dinner solution that would please both my pizza-loving partner and my garlic bread-obsessed friend. Now it's requested at nearly every gathering I host. The hot honey drizzle was a last-minute addition that ended up being the star of the show.

Ingredients

• Store bought garlic bread loaf: Saves time while still delivering amazing flavor. Choose a high quality one from the bakery section for best results.
• Mozzarella cheese: Provides that classic stretchy pizza texture. Use freshly shredded rather than pre-packaged for better melting.
• Ricotta cheese: Adds a creamy layer that balances the spice of the hot honey. Full fat gives the richest result.
• Olive oil: Creates the base for the garlic herb spread. Use extra virgin for more flavor.
• Fresh minced garlic: Infuses the bread with aromatic flavor. Always use fresh rather than jarred for best taste.
• Red pepper flakes: Bring a spicy kick that complements the sweet honey. Adjust based on your heat preference.
• Dried oregano: Adds that classic Italian pizza flavor. Crush it between your fingers before adding to release more flavor.
• Hot honey: Delivers the signature sweet heat finish. You can buy it or easily make your own by infusing honey with chilies.
• Fresh basil leaves: Brighten the rich flavors with their aromatic quality. Add after baking to preserve their color and flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the garlic bread:

Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake the garlic bread just until it begins to toast but remains soft inside about 5 to 7 minutes. This creates the perfect base that will hold all your toppings without becoming too crispy.

Create the garlic herb oil:

Mix olive oil with minced garlic red pepper flakes oregano salt and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. This flavorful oil will infuse the bread with aromatics and spice creating a perfect foundation for the cheeses.

Layer the base flavors:

Spread the garlic herb oil mixture evenly across the entire surface of the partially baked garlic bread making sure to cover all areas. This ensures every bite has that delicious garlic flavor.

Add the cheese layers:

First crumble and spread the ricotta cheese in an even layer across the entire bread. The ricotta creates a creamy base that helps bind everything together. Then generously sprinkle mozzarella over the ricotta making sure to cover completely for that perfect cheese pull.

Bake to golden perfection:

Return the loaded garlic bread to the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes watching closely near the end. You want the cheese to be completely melted bubbly and just beginning to show golden spots on top.

Finish with hot honey magic:

While the pizza is still hot drizzle the hot honey generously across the entire surface. The heat from the pizza will help the honey spread slightly creating pockets of sweet heat in every bite.

Garnish and serve:

Allow the pizza to cool for just a minute then add fresh basil leaves and a light dusting of grated Parmesan cheese. Cut into slices and serve while still warm for the best cheese pull experience.

Save

My absolute favorite part of this recipe is watching peoples faces when they first taste the combination of spicy garlic and sweet honey. My niece who normally picks toppings off everything actually asked for seconds and now requests this whenever she visits. The contrasting flavors create something truly special that everyone seems to love.

Make It Your Own

This garlic bread pizza is incredibly versatile and welcomes customization. Try adding pepperoni slices prosciutto or cooked Italian sausage for a meatier version. Vegetable lovers can add thinly sliced bell peppers mushrooms or artichoke hearts before the final baking. For an extra flavor dimension add caramelized onions or roasted garlic cloves beneath the cheese layer. Just remember not to overload the bread with too many wet ingredients or your base might become soggy.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover garlic bread pizza will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. For best results reheat in a 350°F oven for about 7 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melty again. I don't recommend microwaving as it makes the bread soggy. If you want to make this ahead you can prepare everything up to the baking stage then refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

The Hot Honey Secret

The hot honey is truly what makes this recipe special. While store bought options work perfectly you can easily make your own by warming 1/4 cup of honey with 1 sliced red chili pepper in a small saucepan over low heat for about 10 minutes. Let it cool completely before using. The intensity of heat will develop over time so make it a day ahead for even better flavor. For a milder version remove the seeds from the chili before infusing or use fewer pepper flakes.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make my own hot honey for this dish?

Absolutely! To make homemade hot honey, simply warm 1 cup of honey in a small saucepan over low heat, add 1-2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference), and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, let it steep for another 10 minutes, then strain if desired. Store in a jar at room temperature for up to a month.

→ What sides pair well with Hot Honey Garlic Bread Pizza?

This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness. A side of marinara sauce for dipping adds another layer of flavor. For a more substantial meal, serve alongside roasted vegetables or a light soup.

→ Can I add other toppings to this dish?

Definitely! This is a versatile base that works well with many additions. Try thinly sliced pepperoni, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or fresh arugula added after baking. For meat lovers, cooked Italian sausage or prosciutto makes excellent additions.

→ How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crisp. Avoid microwaving if possible as it can make the bread soggy. Add a fresh drizzle of hot honey after reheating.

→ Is there a way to make this dish vegetarian or vegan?

This dish is already vegetarian. For a vegan version, use vegan garlic bread and substitute the cheese with dairy-free alternatives like vegan mozzarella and a cashew-based ricotta. Honey can be replaced with agave syrup mixed with hot sauce or red pepper flakes for that sweet-heat balance.

→ What's the best type of bread to use as a base?

While store-bought frozen garlic bread works perfectly, you can also use a fresh Italian or French baguette sliced lengthwise. Ciabatta makes an excellent base too, as its airy structure allows the garlic oil to penetrate while maintaining a crispy exterior. For a more substantial version, use a thick focaccia as your base.