Hot Honey & Basil Pepperoni Pizza Dip Recipe

Introduction

This Hot Honey & Basil Pepperoni Pizza Dip is a crowd-pleasing starter perfect for parties or cozy nights in. Creamy layers of seasoned cream cheese and tangy yogurt meet classic pizza sauce, melted cheese, and spicy-sweet pepperoni, all topped with fresh basil and a drizzle of hot honey. Serve it with toasted baguette slices for irresistible dipping.

Ingredients

• 1 French baguette, cut into ½ inch diagonal slices
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (for baguette)
• Salt for sprinkling
• 8 ounces plain cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (for cream cheese layer)
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano (for cream cheese layer)
• 1 cup (8 ounces) pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Italian cheese blend
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano (for cheese layer)
• 18-20 pepperoni slices
• 6 basil leaves, cut into ribbons
• Hot honey (such as Mike’s Hot Honey), for drizzling

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix olive oil or melted butter with garlic powder and salt. Brush both sides of the baguette slices with this mixture. Place slices on a large baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes until slightly golden around the edges. Keep the oven heat on.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, salt, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Mix until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: Grease a 9-inch skillet or an 8×8 inch baking pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on the bottom. Layer 1 cup of pizza sauce over the cream cheese, then sprinkle both the shredded mozzarella (or Italian blend) and grated Parmesan cheeses on top. Arrange pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese.
5. Step 5: Bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a golden finish, place under the broiler for 1–2 minutes—watch closely to prevent burning, especially the pepperoni.
6. Step 6: Remove from the oven, drizzle with hot honey, and sprinkle with basil ribbons. Serve warm with the toasted baguette slices for dipping. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use whole milk Greek yogurt for a richer, creamier layer or substitute with sour cream if preferred.
• Try pepperoni alternatives like spicy salami or turkey pepperoni for different flavor profiles.
• For extra heat, add red pepper flakes to the cream cheese mixture or drizzle more hot honey on top.
• Fresh basil can be swapped for fresh oregano or parsley if you want a different herbal note.
• If you don’t have a broiler, bake a few extra minutes until the cheese edges brown slightly.

Storage

Store any leftover dip covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350 degrees F until heated through and bubbly again, about 10–15 minutes. Toast fresh baguette slices before serving again for the best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dip up to assembling it and keep it refrigerated. Bake it fresh just before serving for the best flavor and texture.

What can I use if I don’t have hot honey?

If you don’t have hot honey, try drizzling a mix of honey and a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to get the sweet-spicy kick.

Hot Honey & Basil Pepperoni Pizza Dip Recipe

Print Recipe

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5 from 236 reviews

This Hot Honey & Basil Pepperoni Pizza Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring layers of creamy herbed cream cheese and Greek yogurt, tangy pizza sauce, melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and spicy pepperoni, all topped with fresh basil ribbons and a drizzle of sweet and spicy hot honey. Served warm with crispy baguette slices, this dip combines classic pizza flavors with an irresistible honey kick, perfect for parties or casual gatherings.

• Author: Lila
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 28 minutes
• Total Time: 43 minutes
• Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

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For the Baguette:

• 1 French baguette, cut into ½ inch diagonal slices
• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt for sprinkling

For the Cream Cheese & Yogurt Layer:

• 8 ounces plain cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

For the Sauce Layer:

• 1 cup (8 ounces) pizza sauce

For the Cheese Layer:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Italian cheese blend
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• 18–20 pepperoni slices

For Topping:

• 6 basil leaves, cut into ribbons
• Hot honey (such as Mike’s Hot Honey), to drizzle

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking both the baguette slices and the dip layers.
2. Prepare Baguette Slices: In a small bowl, combine olive oil or melted butter with garlic powder and salt. Brush both sides of each baguette slice with this mixture. Arrange the slices on a large baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until they are slightly golden around the edges. Keep the oven heated for the next steps.
3. Mix Cream Cheese & Yogurt Layer: In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, ½ teaspoon salt, garlic powder, and dried oregano until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
4. Assemble and Bake Dip: Grease a 9-inch skillet or an 8×8-inch baking pan. Spread the cream cheese and yogurt mixture evenly on the bottom. Layer the pizza sauce on top, followed by sprinkling both the shredded mozzarella (or Italian cheese blend) and grated Parmesan cheese evenly. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon dried oregano over the top, and arrange 18-20 pepperoni slices across the surface. Bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Broil for Finish: Place the dip under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching very closely until the cheese edges just begin to turn slightly golden. Be cautious as pepperoni slices can burn quickly.
6. Add Final Toppings and Serve: Remove the dip from the oven, drizzle it with hot honey to add a sweet and spicy kick, then scatter basil ribbons over the top. Serve immediately with the toasted baguette slices for dipping. Enjoy this flavorful appetizer with 6-8 people.

Notes

• Watch the dip carefully when broiling, as pepperoni can burn quickly.
• You can use olive oil or melted butter to brush the baguette slices depending on your preference.
• Mike’s Hot Honey or any preferred hot honey brand adds a perfect balance of sweetness and heat to the dip.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the pepperoni and consider adding roasted vegetables.
• Leftover dip can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated gently before serving.

Keywords: hot honey pizza dip, pepperoni dip, basil pizza dip, creamy pizza dip, appetizer recipe, party dip, baked dip, pizza flavors