If you’re searching for a bold, crowd-pleasing starter, look no further than Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip: The Ultimate Party Appetizer. This irresistible dip brings together gooey cheese, zesty pizza sauce, and pepperoni, all topped with a sweet-spicy drizzle of hot honey. It’s the kind of dish that has everyone scraping the bottom of the bowl and asking for the recipe, perfect for game nights, gatherings, or any time you want a seriously fun twist on classic pizza flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple, flavor-packed ingredients to make this dip shine. Each one plays a crucial role, from creating creamy layers to adding that delightful kick and classic pizza taste. Here’s what you’ll want to gather before getting started:
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese creates a rich, tangy base that makes every scoop luxuriously smooth.
- Pizza Sauce: Go for your favorite jarred or homemade sauce for that bright, tomatoey flavor.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully for those irresistible cheesy pulls everyone loves.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty depth and helps form a golden, bubbly top.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings the signature taste of pizza right into the dip.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Brings a subtle but noticeable heat that pairs perfectly with the hot honey.
- Mini Pepperoni Slices: These little rounds crisp up in the oven and add classic pizza flavor in every bite.
- Hot Honey: The sweet and spicy drizzle brings everything together with a unique twist.
- Fresh Basil or Parsley (optional): A sprinkle of green right before serving adds color and a fresh, herby finish.
- Crackers, Crostini, or Breadsticks: Your favorite dippers are essential for scooping up every last bit.
How to Make Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip: The Ultimate Party Appetizer
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a small, oven-safe baking dish—an 8-inch round or a similar-sized dish works great. Lightly grease if you like, just to make serving and cleanup easier.
Step 2: Layer the Cream Cheese
Take your softened cream cheese and spread it evenly in the bottom of your baking dish. This creamy foundation is the secret to that crave-worthy, scoopable texture.
Step 3: Add the Sauce and Seasonings
Spoon the pizza sauce over the cream cheese, gently spreading it to the edges. Sprinkle on the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, letting those flavors mingle with the sauce.
Step 4: Pile on the Cheese and Pepperoni
Scatter the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the sauce layer—don’t be shy! Top with mini pepperoni slices, arranging them so every bite delivers a pepperoni punch.
Step 5: Bake Until Bubbly
Transfer the dish to your preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is gloriously melted and bubbly, with little brown spots and crispy pepperoni on top.
Step 6: Finish with Hot Honey and Herbs
Right out of the oven, drizzle the hot honey all over while the dip is still warm. If you’d like, add a shower of fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately with your favorite dippers and watch it disappear!
How to Serve Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip: The Ultimate Party Appetizer
Garnishes
This dip absolutely shines with a finishing touch of hot honey, but don’t forget the fresh basil or parsley! These garnishes add brightness and a touch of elegance, making your Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip: The Ultimate Party Appetizer look as irresistible as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Pair your dip with an array of crunchy, dippable sides like crostini, breadsticks, crackers, or even fresh veggie sticks. These options not only scoop up the cheesy goodness, but also add contrast and variety to your party spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip: The Ultimate Party Appetizer in a skillet for a rustic look, or portion it into individual ramekins for personalized servings. You could even hollow out a round loaf of bread and bake the dip right inside for a show-stopping centerpiece!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Have leftovers? Simply cover your dish tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors meld and deepen, making it just as tasty (if not more!) the next day.
Freezing
Want to get ahead? Assemble the dip (without baking) and freeze it, tightly wrapped, for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the dip back in a 350°F oven until warmed through and bubbly, about 10 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, but the oven will help keep that cheesy top perfectly melty and delicious.
FAQs
Can I make Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip: The Ultimate Party Appetizer ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the dip a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to party, bake it straight from the fridge—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
What is hot honey, and where can I find it?
Hot honey is simply honey infused with chili peppers, offering a sweet-spicy kick. You’ll find it in most supermarkets, specialty food stores, or you can easily make your own at home.
Can I make this dip vegetarian?
Yes! Just skip the pepperoni or swap in a vegetarian pepperoni alternative. The dip is still loaded with all the cheesy, pizza-inspired flavors you love.
What are the best dippers for this pizza dip?
Crostini, breadsticks, crackers, pita chips, and even sliced veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers are all fantastic choices to scoop up every bit of the Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip: The Ultimate Party Appetizer.
How do I make it spicier?
If you’re craving extra heat, simply add more red pepper flakes, a drizzle of extra hot honey, or even layer in sliced pickled jalapeños before baking.
Final Thoughts
This Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip: The Ultimate Party Appetizer truly brings the wow-factor to any gathering, with its gooey cheese, punchy pepperoni, and signature drizzle of spicy-sweet hot honey. It’s one of those recipes you’ll want to make again and again—so gather your friends, fire up the oven, and get ready to watch this dip disappear!
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Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip: The Ultimate Party Appetizer Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Dip is the ultimate party appetizer, combining creamy layers of cream cheese and mozzarella with spicy pepperoni, tangy pizza sauce, and a sweet drizzle of hot honey. Perfect for game day or any gathering, it’s easy to prepare, baked to bubbly perfection, and best served warm with crackers, crostini, or breadsticks.
Ingredients
Base
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
Cheese & Seasoning
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Toppings
- 15–20 mini pepperoni slices
- 1 tablespoon hot honey (plus more for drizzling)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Serving
- Crackers, crostini, or breadsticks for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Base: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the softened cream cheese evenly across the bottom of a small oven-safe baking dish to create a smooth base layer for the dip.
- Add Sauce Layer: Spoon the pizza sauce evenly over the cream cheese layer, ensuring full coverage to blend flavors and moisture throughout the dip.
- Top with Cheese and Seasoning: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes uniformly over the sauce layer to infuse richness and subtly spicy notes.
- Add Pepperoni Slices: Arrange 15–20 mini pepperoni slices on top of the cheese layer, distributing them evenly to balance flavor in every bite.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden at the edges.
- Drizzle with Hot Honey: Remove from oven and while still warm, drizzle the dip with hot honey to add a delightful sweet-heat contrast.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately with crackers, crostini, or breadsticks for dipping.
Notes
- For extra heat, add sliced jalapeños or increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- You can prepare the dip ahead of time and refrigerate; bake for a few extra minutes when baking straight from the fridge.
- To make this dip gluten-free, serve with gluten-free crackers or breadsticks.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey drizzled to suit your preferred balance between sweet and spicy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of dip
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 440mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
