Hot Honey & Basil Pepperoni Pizza Dip Recipe
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.
- 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
Scale
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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking both the baguette slices and the dip layers.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
