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About This Recipe
If you’re looking for the ultimate party appetizer, this Hot Honey Pizza Dip checks every box. It’s cheesy, creamy, loaded with pizza flavor, and finished with a drizzle of sweet-and-spicy hot honey that takes it completely over the top. Think of it as your favorite pizza transformed into a warm, scoopable dip that’s guaranteed to disappear fast.
What makes this easy pizza dip recipe extra special is the blended cottage cheese. It adds a boost of protein while creating an incredibly creamy base that tastes indulgent without being overly heavy. Whether you’re serving it for game day, movie night, holidays, or a casual gathering with friends, this dip is always a hit.
For more healthy dip recipes, try my Cottage Cheese Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Healthy White Bean Dip, Healthy 7 Layer Dip, Peanut Butter Protein Fruit Dip, Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Toffee Dip, Healthy French Onion Dip with Caramelized Onions and Chives, Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip with Greek Yogurt, Easy Mexican Cauliflower Rice Dip, Jalapeno Popper Chicken Dip with Bacon and Pretzel Nuggets, or Rainbow Cowboy Caviar.
Why You’ll Love This Delicious Pizza Dip Recipe
- Full of flavor:Â This easy dip recipe is packed with pizza flavor in every cheesy, saucy bite.
- High in protein:Â Thanks to the blended cottage cheese + pepperoni.
- Easy to make:Â Made with simple ingredients and minimal prep.
- Crowd pleaser:Â Perfect for entertaining, feeding a crowd, or for your next gathering.
- Customizable:Â Make this recipe with your favorite pizza toppings.
- Cottage cheese: I like using 2% cottage cheese (Good Culture is my favorite!) to keep this lighter but still achieve the creaminess of the traditional dip. However, you can use full-fat cottage cheese or fat-free if you prefer.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese helps create the rich, creamy base. I like to let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30ish minutes before blending for the best consistency.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite marinara or pizza sauce. Choose one with great flavor since it adds a lot of the classic pizza taste.
- Cheese: I used shredded mozzarella cheese and a good-quality Parmesan cheese. I HIGHLY recommend buying a block of cheese and grating it yourself for the best taste! Pre-shredded will still work, but it may not melt quite as smoothly.
- Italian seasoning: Helps to give the pepperoni dip that classic pizzeria flavor. You can also substitute a combination of dried oregano, basil, and parsley.
- Pepperoni: I used the mini (25% less fat) pepperoni slices. You can also substitute regular size pepperonis, turkey pepperoni, or chicken.
- Hot honey: Store-bought or use my homemade hot honey recipe (SO good and easy to make!)
- Fresh basil: Optional for topping.
- For serving: Toasted sourdough, pita chips, bagel chips, crackers, veggies, tortilla chips, or mini naan
- Gluten-free: This pizza dip is gluten-free as written, but be sure to double-check your pepperoni, marinara, Italian seasoning, and hot honey labels to confirm. Serve with gluten-free crackers, tortilla chips, veggies, or gluten-free bread/naan as needed.
- Make it meaty: Add cooked Italian sausage, ground turkey, shredded chicken, or Canadian bacon for even more protein.
- Supreme pizza dip: Mix in sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and black olives.
- Extra spicy: Add red pepper flakes, sliced jalapeños, or use spicy pepperoni.
- Vegetarian: Skip the pepperoni and load up on vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, spinach, and olives.
- Cheese lovers: Add provolone, fontina, or extra mozzarella for an even cheesier dip.
- Low-carb: Serve with stripes of green bell peppers, cucumber slices, celery, or other fresh vegetables.
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Add the cottage cheese and cream cheese to a blender or food processor.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Spread the mixture into a small baking dish or skillet.
4. Then add a layer of marinara sauce.
5. Top with mozzarella, parmesan, Italian seasoning, and mini pepperoni.
6. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes if desired for extra golden cheese on top. Drizzle with hot honey and top with fresh basil, if desired, before serving.
Store leftover pizza dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, microwave individual portions until warmed through or place the baking dish in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes until hot and bubbly again.
I don’t recommend freezing this dip, as the dairy-based ingredients can separate and become grainy once thawed.
Helpful Tips
- Fresh cheese:Â Grate your own mozzarella and parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- Soften cream cheese:Â Let the cream cheese soften before blending to make everything mix more easily.
- Crispy topping:Â Broil for the last minute or two if you love golden, bubbly cheese.
- Drizzle at the end:Â Wait until after baking to drizzle the hot honey so the sweet-spicy flavor really stands out.
- Make it for a crowd: Double this cheesy dip for larger parties—it goes fast!
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble this easy pepperoni pizza dip up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if it’s coming straight from the refrigerator.
What is hot honey?
Hot honey is honey infused with chili peppers or chili flakes. It adds the perfect balance of sweetness and heat and pairs especially well with pizza flavors. Of course, you can use regular honey or skip altogether.
Can I use ricotta instead of cottage cheese?
You can, but the protein content will be lower. Cottage cheese blends into an incredibly smooth texture while adding extra protein, and I promise you won’t even taste it if you don’t like cottage cheese.
Can I make this pepperoni pizza dip recipe in the air fryer?
Yes, if your baking dish fits inside your air fryer. Cook at 350°F for about 10–12 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Can I use different pizza toppings?
Absolutely! Customize it with cooked sausage, bacon, mushrooms, green peppers, olives, onions, jalapeños, or any of your favorite toppings.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Hot Honey Pizza Dip
Ingredients
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese (220g)
- 6 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce (120g)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (112g)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (28g)
- 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 20 mini 25% less fat pepperoni slices (or sub chicken)
- 1 Tbsp. hot honey
- Fresh basil for topping, optional
- For serving: toasted sourdough, pita chips, crackers, veggies, tortilla chips, or mini naan
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Add the cottage cheese and cream cheese to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the mixture into a small baking dish or skillet. Top with marinara sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, Italian seasoning, and mini pepperoni.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes if desired for extra golden cheese on top.
- Drizzle with hot honey and top with fresh basil, if desired, before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
