Hot honey pizza sauce is something I created during one of our cozy Friday pizza nights here in New Orleans. I had just a bit of hot honey left in the jar after testing a dressing, and instead of drizzling it over the top, I stirred it straight into my pizza sauce. The moment I took a bite, I knew we had something special—sweet, spicy, and rich with tomato depth. That was the night hot pizza sauce officially earned a permanent spot in my kitchen.
Growing up in St. Francisville, pizza wasn’t a weekly event, but when we made it, it was from scratch—crust, sauce, everything. I can still hear my grandmother say, “Make it with your hands and your heart.” That same spirit is what I put into this hot honey pizza sauce recipe. It’s not fancy, but it’s layered with flavor that lingers. The honey hits first, then the heat creeps in, making each bite more exciting than the last.
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Hot Honey Pizza Sauce – A Bold Twist on a Classic Favorite
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 1/2 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This hot honey pizza sauce blends sweet honey, tangy vinegar, and a touch of heat to give your homemade pizza an unforgettable flavor kick.
Ingredients
1 cup crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons hot honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt to taste
Instructions
1. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, hot honey, vinegar, chili flakes, oregano, and salt.
3. Simmer the sauce for 10–12 minutes until it thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
5. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before using on pizza.
6. Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
For extra heat, add a dash of cayenne or hot sauce.
Perfect for pepperoni, sausage, or veggie pizzas.
Use as a dipping sauce for pizza crusts or breadsticks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
I’ve made this sauce for everything from personal pan pizzas to big cast-iron skillet pies, and even as a dip for garlic knots. It starts with simple pantry staples—crushed tomatoes, garlic, herbs, a splash of vinegar—and then comes the magic: a swirl of hot honey that pulls it all together. It’s not just a topping—it becomes the soul of the pizza. This pizza sauce came after I made a spicy honey version for chicken that packed real heat. That one’s here Spicy Honey Sauce for Chicken, but this recipe was made for pizza night—sweet, spicy, and built for bubbling cheese.
In the steps below, I’ll show you exactly how to make hot honey pizza sauce from scratch. It’s quick, customizable, and far better than anything from a jar. If you’ve already fallen in love with my hot honey dressing, this is your next kitchen favorite. Sweet, spicy, and truly unforgettable—this hot honey pizza recipe is one you’ll turn to again and again.
Table of Contents
How to Make Hot Honey Sauce for Pizza
Pizza Hot Honey Sauce Ingredients
Hot honey pizza sauce blends just a few pantry staples into something unforgettable. I came up with this sauce while adjusting the base from my dipping version—less vinegar, a bit of tomato, and just enough heat to play off the cheese. It started from that same sweet-spicy backbone I use when making Hot Honey Dipping Sauce, but here, it’s tuned to bring out the best in a crisp, golden crust. These pizza pizza hot honey sauce ingredients are all about balance—spicy, sweet, and savory in every spoonful:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1½ tablespoons hot honey (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or chili powder
These simple ingredients create a bold and flavorful hot honey pizza that’s perfect for any homemade pizza night.
Step-by-Step to Make Hot Honey Pizza Sauce Recipe
To prepare the honey pizza sauce, start by heating olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté just until golden and aromatic. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, vinegar, salt, pepper, and oregano. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Add your hot honey and continue simmering the sauce for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should reduce slightly and develop a rich, tangy-sweet flavor with just the right kick. Taste and adjust honey or spice to your liking.
Let the hot honey sauce pizza cool before spreading it over your dough. It keeps in the fridge for a week in a sealed jar and tastes even better the next day.
From flatbreads to deep-dish, this hot honey pizza sauce gives every slice a bold, crave-worthy edge. It’s the flavor that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Creative Ways to Use Hot Honey Pizza Sauce
Sweet-Heat Pizza Sauce Beyond the Basics
Hot honey pizza sauce isn’t just for pepperoni pies—it’s a game-changer in dozens of dishes. The first time I made a calzone with this sauce as the base, it completely transformed the flavor. That sweet-spicy blend pairs beautifully with creamy cheeses, roasted vegetables, and crispy dough. Use it on flatbreads, calzones, or even pizza bagels for the kids—it adds something special to every bite.
I’ve also used hot honey pizza sauce as a base for pan-style pizzas with sausage, ricotta, and arugula. It’s a beautiful contrast of bold and fresh, and the heat builds just enough without overwhelming the dish.
And if you’re exploring sweet-savory combinations, try drizzling it over grilled pineapple-topped pizza. It might sound unusual, but the flavor is out of this world.
Dipping, Spreading, and Pairing Ideas
Beyond pizza, this sauce is also incredible as a dip for cheesy breadsticks or garlic knots. Serve it warm in a small bowl, and you’ll see people skip the ranch entirely. It also works as a sandwich spread—try it on a pressed panini with turkey, smoked provolone, and arugula.
For a beautiful appetizer, use it as a base on puff pastry rounds topped with goat cheese and caramelized onions. Just a teaspoon of hot honey sauce pizza brings every bite to life.
Hot honey pizza sauce is more than a topping—it’s a finishing touch that lifts everything from snacks to full meals.
How to Store and Customize Hot Honey Pizza Sauce
Adjust the Flavor to Fit Your Heat Level
Hot honey pizza sauce is incredibly easy to customize. If you’re cooking for kids or someone sensitive to spice, reduce the chili flakes or hot honey slightly. If you’re like me and love a little extra kick, add a few drops of your favorite hot sauce or a touch of cayenne.
You can also blend in fire-roasted tomatoes or caramelized onions for a richer base. I sometimes add a splash of fresh lime juice if I want a zippier, citrusy finish. It’s all about tweaking the balance of heat, sweetness, and acidity to match your mood.
For other spicy-sweet inspiration, my hot honey dressing is another one I love using for roasted veggies and grain bowls—it’s got that same beautiful balance, just in a pourable salad-ready form.
How to Store Hot Honey Sauce For Pizza
After cooking your honey pizza hot sauce, let it cool completely before transferring to a glass jar or airtight container. Stored in the fridge, it stays fresh and flavorful for up to a week.
Planning ahead? You can also freeze the sauce in ice cube trays, then store the cubes in freezer bags. Just pop out what you need, thaw, and heat before spreading it on dough or using it as a dip.
This hot honey pizza sauce is simple to make, easy to customize, and stores beautifully—making pizza nights that much easier and more flavorful, week after week.
FAQs About Hot Honey Pizza Sauce
How to make hot honey sauce for pizza?
To make hot honey sauce pizza, start by sautéing garlic in olive oil, then add crushed tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, spices, and hot honey. Simmer until slightly thickened. The key is balancing the sweetness of honey with enough spice to complement savory toppings.
What does hot honey do to pizza?
Hot honey adds a sweet and spicy contrast that enhances the savory flavors in pizza. When drizzled over toppings or used as a sauce base, it creates a bold, addictive flavor. Many pizzerias now offer hot honey pizza sauce as a premium upgrade because of its unique balance.
What is hot honey sauce made of?
Hot honey sauce is typically made with honey, chili flakes or hot sauce, vinegar, and sometimes spices like garlic or paprika. For hot honey pizza sauce, it’s blended with a tomato base to create a rich, zesty version that works perfectly on pizza.
What kind of hot honey is Pizza Hut using?
While Pizza Hut hasn’t publicly revealed the exact formula, their hot honey sauce is believed to be a sweet-spicy blend of honey, vinegar, and chili peppers. You can recreate something similar at home with this hot honey pizza sauce recipe—customized to your own taste.
conclusion
Hot honey pizza sauce isn’t just a trend—it’s a flavorful twist that can completely transform pizza night. From the first bite, it delivers that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory. Whether you’re drizzling it over a crispy flatbread, spooning it under cheese and pepperoni, or saving it as a dipping sauce for your crusts, it always adds something bold and memorable.
The best part? You can make it in under 20 minutes with simple ingredients and adjust it to match your family’s flavor preferences. It’s the kind of sauce that turns a homemade pizza into something special—and once you try it, you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again.
From our kitchen here in New Orleans to yours, this recipe is another favorite born from tradition and a love of bold flavor. I hope your family loves it as much as mine does.
And if you’re still hungry for more sweet heat, try my hot honey dressing—it’s a different take on the flavor combo that works wonders on salads, roasted veggies, and more.
Whether for weeknights or weekends, keep a jar of hot honey pizza sauce on hand—it’s the secret to unforgettable slices. Want more easy and delicious ideas from New Easy Recipe? Check out our full collection on Pinterest.
