The Honey Bear Pizza Recipe
If you love pizza and crave a playful twist on classic flavors, The Honey Bear Pizza is about to become your new obsession. This pizza brings together gooey mozzarella, smoky sausage, sweet hints of honey, and a beautifully crisp crust, all layered over a creamy white sauce. The combination is both comforting and surprising with every bite. Each element in The Honey Bear Pizza works in perfect harmony: the creamy and smoky, the savory and sweet, the chewy and crunchy. Get ready, because making this at home is much easier than you might think, and once you try it, you’ll want it on repeat for every pizza night (and then some!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about The Honey Bear Pizza is that it uses just a handful of simple, easy-to-find ingredients—but each one shines. From the rich sausage to the drizzle of honey, these essentials make every bite pop. Here’s what you’ll need, and why each one matters:
- Prepared Pizza Dough: Letting your dough come to room temperature is key for that irresistible chewy, bubbly crust.
- White Sauce: Creamy and garlicky, this sauce is the secret weapon for incredible depth of flavor—don’t skip it! (Find the recipe in the Wild Palms Pizza post.)
- Mozzarella, shredded: Traditional mozzarella gives that classic, melty stretch everyone loves.
- Smoked Mozzarella: Adds richness and a subtle smokiness that balances beautifully with the honey drizzle.
- Hot Italian Sausage: Use high-quality links, remove the casings, and brown them until perfectly crumbly and savory.
- Red Onion, sliced thin: Brings a gentle sweetness and bite, plus gorgeous color to the finished pizza.
- Raw Honey: The final drizzle after baking brings the unexpected magic—don’t be shy!
How to Make The Honey Bear Pizza
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by setting your oven to a toasty 450 degrees so it’s blazing hot and ready for that pizza transformation. Meanwhile, let your prepared pizza dough sit out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes (a full 45 minutes is even better). This little rest makes the dough super easy to work with and gives you that dreamy crust texture.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage
Remove the casings from your hot Italian sausage links, and toss the crumbled sausage into a skillet over medium-low heat. Sauté, breaking up the pieces, until everything is browned and wonderfully fragrant. Once done, drain off any excess fat and set the sausage aside. This step builds the savory base for The Honey Bear Pizza, so don’t rush it!
Step 3: White Sauce Magic
If you haven’t already, whip up a quick batch of the White Sauce (follow the recipe in the Wild Palms Pizza post). It’s so worth the minimal effort—this sauce coats every bite in savory, creamy goodness that plays off the honey’s sweetness perfectly.
Step 4: Prep Your Pan and Dough
Lightly coat a quarter sheet pan with olive oil and set it close to your workspace. On a generously floured surface, roll your dough out to roughly 9 by 13 inches, aiming for even thickness. Carefully transfer your dough to the prepared sheet pan, pressing gently into the corners for maximum coverage.
Step 5: Layer the Magic
Spread an even, thin layer of white sauce over the dough, making sure to leave a slight border for the crust. Next, sprinkle on a layer of mozzarella. Then comes the sausage, followed by more cheese. Scatter on some sliced red onion, add more cheese, and keep alternating: sausage, cheese, onion, cheese—there’s no wrong way, just make sure every bite will get a bit of everything!
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide your pan into the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for golden, blistered crust and cheese that’s gorgeously browned and bubbling. When you pull The Honey Bear Pizza out, you’ll probably have to resist diving in immediately—but trust me, you’ll want to finish it right!
Step 7: The Honey Finale
While the pizza is still piping hot, drizzle raw honey generously over the top. This is where The Honey Bear Pizza gets its name and its signature sweet-savory finish. Serve immediately—and prepare to wow everyone at the table!
How to Serve The Honey Bear Pizza
Garnishes
Add a flourish of fresh chopped parsley, a few red pepper flakes, or even a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to bring out the pizza’s flavors and color. The honey on top already makes The Honey Bear Pizza a stunner, but these little extras make every slice feel restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
Keep sides light and bright! A lemony arugula salad, roasted veggies, or a handful of olives pair beautifully. The creamy richness and sweet notes of The Honey Bear Pizza beg for something a little tangy or crisp alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the pizza into playful squares or long strips for passing around at parties. Or try making personal-sized versions for a build-your-own pizza night—let everyone drizzle their own honey! Setting out small bowls of extra toppings and honey lets people customize their perfect slice of The Honey Bear Pizza.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or stash them in an airtight container. The Honey Bear Pizza will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you plan ahead, you’ll have a fantastic grab-and-go lunch or midnight snack.
Freezing
The Honey Bear Pizza freezes beautifully! Place slices on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Pop them out as needed, and you’ll always have a treat ready when pizza cravings hit. Frozen slices can be kept for 1 to 2 months without losing their punchy flavors.
Reheating
The best way to revive your pizza is in the oven or toaster oven at 375 degrees for 7–10 minutes. This brings back the crust’s crispiness and warms up the honey, cheese, and sausage to gooey perfection. Avoid the microwave if you can—the oven method is so worth it!
FAQs
Can I use a different sausage for The Honey Bear Pizza?
Absolutely! Mild Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or even vegetarian alternatives like crumbled plant-based sausage are all fantastic. Just make sure you brown it well for that rich, savory bite that makes The Honey Bear Pizza special.
Do I have to use smoked mozzarella?
While smoked mozzarella adds a delicious, unique dimension, you can swap in regular mozzarella or even provolone if needed. The pizza will still be packed with creamy goodness, but the smoky note really does make The Honey Bear Pizza memorable.
What kind of honey is best for drizzling?
Choose a good-quality raw or local honey for the cleanest, brightest flavor. The sweetness plays so well with the spicy sausage and savory cheese, making The Honey Bear Pizza sing!
Can I make this on a pizza stone instead of a sheet pan?
Yes! A pizza stone will give you an even crispier base. Just make sure to preheat the stone thoroughly and use parchment paper for an easy transfer. The shape might be a bit rounder, but it’ll still be 100 percent The Honey Bear Pizza goodness.
Is there a vegan way to make The Honey Bear Pizza?
You bet. Use plant-based sausage, a creamy vegan white sauce, and your favorite vegan cheeses. Even the honey can be swapped for agave or maple syrup for a completely plant-based version of The Honey Bear Pizza that still hits all the right notes.
Final Thoughts
I can’t encourage you enough to try making The Honey Bear Pizza in your own kitchen—it’s a little indulgent, a little playful, and downright craveable. Once you taste the magic of sweet honey over smoky, cheesy pizza, there’s just no going back. Gather your friends, get creative with your toppings, and give The Honey Bear Pizza a try; it’s pizza night, reinvented!
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The Honey Bear Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 pizza
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the sweet and savory flavors of The Honey Bear Pizza. This unique pizza features a combination of hot Italian sausage, white sauce, two types of mozzarella, red onions, and a drizzle of raw honey for the perfect finishing touch.
Ingredients
Prepared Pizza Dough:
1 at room temperature
White Sauce:
1/4 – 1/2 cup (recipe in Wild Palms Pizza Post)
Mozzarella:
~1/2 cup, shredded
Smoked Mozzarella:
~1/2 cup
Hot Italian Sausage:
12-16 oz. (4-5 links), casings removed, browned and crumbled
Large Red Onion:
1/4, sliced into thin rounds
Raw Honey:
Drizzle to finish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Remove casings from sausage and brown over medium-low heat.
- Make the White Sauce.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface and place in the sheet pan.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Let dough sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, but 45 minutes is better.
Break apart with a wooden spatula to get small crumbles. Drain and set aside.
Lightly coat a quarter sheet pan with olive oil and set near your assembly station.
Spread white sauce, mozzarella, sausage, onion, and cheeses in layers.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: Approx. 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Honey Bear Pizza, Italian sausage pizza, unique pizza recipe
