Hot Honey Pizza

Pizza is literally my favorite food and I can eat lots of it! This homemade pizza dough is the absolute easiest but the best part is the Garlic Herb Olive Oil pizza sauce and the final drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey. Inspired by my favorite restaurant in Bentonville, AR named Oven and Tap. They have the best wood fired pizza named “Sweet Joe” that is absolute perfection!! Their farm to table menu and atmosphere makes everyone feel right at home. I always recommend this location for friends and family when they visit Northwest Arkansas.

This recipe makes 2-3 pizzas depending on desired size

Ingredients

For the Pizza Dough:

• 1 cup + 2 Tbsp warm water
• 1 packet active yeast
• 1 Tbsp Agave (honey works as well)
• 3/4 tsp Himalayan salt
• 3/4 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 C whole wheat flour
• 1 C + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour

Olive Oil Pizza Sauce:

• 1/2 C olive oil
• 2 Tbsp fresh garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced
• Leaved of 1 fresh thyme sprig

Toppings:

• Shredded Mozzarella
• Pepperoni
• Italian sausage, cooked
• Mike’s Hot Honey

DIRECTIONS

1. Put the warm water, yeast, and agave in the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir gently to combine and let stand for 5 minutes. The yeast should become foamy or bubbly during this time.
2. Add salt, Italian seasoning, olive oil, whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour to the bowl. Mix on low speed using dough hook.
3. Knead the dough until a smooth ball forms and the dough springs back when you press it with your finger. This process typically takes about 8-10 minutes.
4. Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl (I used olive oil). To ensure the dough ball fully gets coated, turn the dough ball once. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for about 1 hour. It should double in size
5. While your pizza dough is rising, make your olive oil pizza sauce by combining all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mixing well. You can store you sauce in the fridge for up to two weeks!
6. If using Italian sausage, go ahead and brown your sausage as well. I like mine to be crumbles, so I just add to a small pan and crumble over medium high heat. You can also create tiny meatball size and cook that way as well. Your preference!

Now its time for fun!

1. Preheat oven to 500
2. Punch the pizza dough down to release any air and transfer it to a lightly floured work surface. Cut the dough into 2-3 different sections and create ball shapes. Let the dough rest for 5 -10 minutes.
3. Line your pizza pan with parchment paper and give it a quick spray. Using your hands, shape each ball of dough into your lined pizza pan.
4. Brush with your pizza sauce, making sure to spoon the herbs and parmesan out as well. Top with mozzarella, pepperoni, and Italian sausage. For extra yumminess, you can drizzle additional pizza sauce on top
5. Transfer pan to oven and bake for 15 minutes. Depending on thickness or type of pan used could depend on amount of cook time, so make sure to keep an eye on your pizza. Let pizza rest for a couple minutes, drizzle with Mike’s Hot Honey, and slice. Enjoy!

How to refrigerate unbaked pizza dough

After kneading the dough, you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before using. Just make sure to let the dough rest for about 2 hours before rolling it out.