If you are looking for an irresistibly flavorful crowd-pleaser, this Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe is about to become your new obsession. It perfectly combines creamy, cheesy layers with spicy sausage, crispy pepperoni, and a touch of sweet heat from hot honey, creating a dip that’s both comforting and exciting. Whether you’re hosting a game day, a casual get-together, or just craving something spectacularly delicious, this dip hits all the right notes with ease and style.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This dip is a brilliant example of how simple ingredients can come together to create extraordinary flavor and texture. Every component adds something unique—from creamy richness to spicy savory pops and a sweet finish.
- Sausage meat (½ cup): Use honey garlic, mild, or hot Italian sausage for that juicy, flavorful base—remove casing if using links.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces): Softened to room temperature for smooth mixing and creamy texture.
- Sour cream (½ cup): Adds tanginess and a velvety consistency; Greek yogurt works too.
- Parmesan cheese (â…“ cup + 4 tbsp grated): Provides a salty, nutty punch layered in the dip and as garnish.
- Dried oregano (½ tsp): Brings that classic Italian herb aroma without overpowering.
- Pizza sauce (1 cup): Choose your favorite marinara or pizza sauce to deliver that unmistakable tomato goodness.
- Mozzarella cheese (1 cup shredded): Melts beautifully and adds that gooey, dreamy appeal.
- Mini pepperoni (1 cup): Or quartered regular pepperoni for a spicy, crispy topping.
- Fresh basil leaves (4 leaves): Thinly sliced for a bright, herbal freshness as garnish.
- Hot honey: The secret finishing touch balancing heat with sweet that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
- Baguette (1 loaf): Cut diagonally into ½ inch slices to make perfect crostini for dipping.
- Butter (3 tablespoons): Melted with garlic to brush on the crostini, adding a golden, savory crunch.
- Garlic (1 clove): Minced for that aromatic punch in the garlic bread crostini.
How to Make Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Dishes
Start by preheating your oven to 375℉. Lightly grease your oven-safe baking dish or skillet so nothing sticks. If you’re making garlic bread crostini alongside, prep a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray it with cooking spray. This ensures everything will bake evenly and come out beautifully crisp.
Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter for Crostini
Combine melted butter with the minced garlic in a small bowl. Brush this fragrant mixture generously on both sides of your baguette slices. This little step will be key to getting your crostini perfectly golden and bursting with garlicky flavor, complementing the spicy dip masterfully.
Step 3: Cook the Sausage Meat to Perfection
Cook the sausage meat in a small pan over medium heat, breaking it up into small crumbles as it browns. Keep an eye out as it starts to get crispy without burning. Once done, drain any excess fat and set the meat aside to cool—this allows the sausage to infuse the dip with savory depth while balancing its grease.
Step 4: Create the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan, and dried oregano. Blend these ingredients until smooth and creamy, forming a luscious base layer that brings richness and a subtle herbaceous undertone to the dip.
Step 5: Assemble the Dip Layers
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish first—that creamy foundation will hold everything together. Next, layer the pizza sauce on top without stirring, so the layers remain distinct, offering bold tomato flavor with each bite.
Step 6: Add Cheese, Sausage, and Pepperoni Toppings
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the sauce layer, then scatter the cooked sausage crumbles and mini pepperoni on top. These toppings bring the signature pizza flavor and texture, with the pepperoni crisping up in the oven to add delightful crunch.
Step 7: Bake Until Bubbly and Crispy
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 6 to 8 minutes until the dip bubbles happily. Then remove the foil and bake an additional 1 to 2 minutes to crisp up those pepperoni edges perfectly. Meanwhile, pop your garlic crostini into the oven after the dip has been baking for 5 minutes, toasting them golden and fragrant for 4 to 5 minutes, flipping halfway.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve Hot
Once out of the oven, add a finishing touch of sliced fresh basil and a sprinkle of grated parmesan. Then drizzle your Hot Honey generously over the top—this step defines the magical sweet heat that makes the Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe unforgettable.
How to Serve Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil isn’t just beautiful to look at, it brightens the whole dish and cuts through the richness perfectly. Don’t shy away from extra parmesan or a final drizzle of hot honey right before serving—it elevates the flavors in the most delicious way.
Side Dishes
This dip pairs amazingly with crisp garlic crostini for scooping, but it’s also fantastic alongside fresh veggie sticks like celery or bell peppers if you want something light and crunchy. For a heartier spread, serve it with soft pretzels or toasted pita chips, inviting everyone to customize their dipping adventure.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the dip in a cast iron skillet or a rustic casserole dish straight from the oven for a warm, cozy vibe. You can also set up a pizza-themed party platter with the dip at the center surrounded by an assortment of breads, veggies, and even pickles for a fun variety of textures and flavors to explore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep nicely in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors even deepen as it rests, making reheated portions just as tasty and satisfying as fresh.
Freezing
You can freeze this dip by placing it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results. Just note that fresh basil and crostini are best added fresh after thawing.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 350℉ until warm and bubbly—about 10 to 15 minutes—or microwave in short bursts, stirring midway to keep the cheese melted and smooth. Add a fresh drizzle of hot honey before serving to bring back that signature brightness.
FAQs
Can I use turkey sausage instead of regular sausage?
Absolutely! Turkey sausage works well and gives a lighter flavor without sacrificing the essential savory punch. Just cook it thoroughly before adding to the dip.
Is there a vegetarian alternative to this dip?
You can skip the sausage and pepperoni and add sautéed mushrooms or a medley of roasted veggies to maintain that hearty texture and flavor. Use vegetarian pepperoni if you want to keep the pizza vibe intact.
What is the best type of hot honey to use?
Choose high-quality hot honey from your local store or online, or even make your own by infusing honey with chili flakes at home. The key is balancing sweetness with a gentle, lingering heat.
Can I prepare this dip without the crostini?
Definitely! While crostini add a wonderful crunch and garlic flavor, you can serve the dip with crackers, tortilla chips, or fresh vegetables—anything sturdy enough to scoop up the gooey goodness.
How spicy is this dip really?
The spice level mainly depends on the type of sausage and hot honey you use. Mild sausage and a small drizzle of hot honey yield a gentle kick, while hot Italian sausage and generous honey leaves you with a tantalizing fiery finish.
Final Thoughts
Give this Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe a try and watch it disappear in no time. It’s one of those dishes that feels like an instant celebration every time, with bold flavors and irresistible textures that bring people together. Whether for game day, parties, or a cozy night in, this dip is guaranteed to become a beloved staple in your recipe box.
Print
Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A deliciously indulgent Hot Honey Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Dip featuring layers of creamy cheese, savory sausage, spicy mini pepperoni, and pizza sauce, baked to bubbly perfection. Served warm with crispy garlic butter crostini baguette slices and drizzled with sweet-hot honey for the perfect balance of flavors, this dip is ideal for parties or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Meat
- ½ cup sausage meat (honey garlic, mild or hot Italian, or 2 sausages with casing removed)
- 1 cup mini pepperoni (or regular size cut into quarters)
Dairy & Cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature, 1 brick, 250 grams)
- ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup mozzarella (shredded)
- 4 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated, for garnish)
Other
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 4 leaves fresh basil (sliced, for garnish)
- 1 baguette (cut into ½ inch thick slices, cut diagonally on an angle)
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- Hot honey (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375℉ (190℃). Grease an oven-safe baking dish or skillet with cooking spray. For the garlic bread crostini, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray it with cooking spray.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted 3 tablespoons of butter with the minced garlic. Brush both sides of the baguette slices generously with the garlic butter mixture. Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet and set aside.
- Cook Sausage: In a small frying pan over medium heat, cook the sausage meat, crumbling with a spoon until it is just starting to get crispy. Drain excess fat and set the cooked sausage aside to cool.
- Mix Cheese Layer: In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, and dried oregano. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Layer Cheese Mixture: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into the greased baking dish, creating the base layer of the dip.
- Add Pizza Sauce Layer: Carefully spread the pizza sauce over the cream cheese layer evenly without mixing the two layers together.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top of the pizza sauce. Scatter the cooked sausage crumbles and the mini pepperoni pieces evenly over the cheese.
- Bake Dip Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes or until the dip starts to bubble.
- Toast Crostini: After placing the dip in the oven, put the prepared baking sheet with garlic bread slices into the oven. Bake the crostini for 4-5 minutes, flipping each slice halfway through baking until they are golden brown and slightly toasted.
- Finish Baking Dip: Remove the foil from the dip and bake for another 1-2 minutes to crisp up the pepperoni on top.
- Final Touches: Remove both the dip and crostini from the oven. Optionally, garnish the dip with thinly sliced fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor and presentation.
- Serve: Drizzle hot honey generously over the top of the dip. Serve the warm dip immediately alongside the warm garlic bread crostini for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
- Sausage options can range from honey garlic to mild or hot Italian for different flavor profiles.
- Cream cheese should be at room temperature to mix smoothly.
- Using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream will add a slight tang but is a healthy substitute.
- Be careful not to mix the pizza sauce into the cream cheese layer to keep clear, distinct layers.
- Cutting regular sized pepperoni into quarters is a good alternative if mini pepperoni is unavailable.
- Use hot honey for a sweet-spicy kick, or substitute with honey if you prefer less heat.
- Garlic butter crostini can be made ahead and reheated before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven for best texture.
