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Hang on to your taste buds! This spicy pizza recipe brings the heat, the crunch, and all the ooey-gooey cheese you crave. With layers of chili crisp, hot honey, and crispy pepperoni, it’s the homemade spicy pizza you’ll actually want to brag about.
About this Spicy Pizza
This spicy pizza recipe brings the heat in all the right ways. Inspired by the internet’s chili crisp obsession and the trend of turning everyday meals into spicy flavor bombs, this cast-iron skillet pizza is a next-level version of your usual Friday night favorite. It balances creamy cheese, crisped pepperoni, and a tomato base amped up with red pepper flakes, all finished with spicy-sweet hot honey and chili crisp.
If you’ve never made skillet pizza, now’s your chance. A cast-iron skillet creates a crispy, golden crust, eliminating the need for a pizza stone. It’s incredibly simple and makes the bottom of the crust crispy while the toppings bubble to perfection under high heat.
This recipe is also flexible. Love spice? Add more chili crisp or a heavier drizzle of hot honey. Cooking for kids or someone with a low spice tolerance? You can dial the heat way down and still get amazing flavor. The whole thing comes together quickly and looks way fancier than it is.
After a lot of testing and tweaking, this is the spicy pizza I go back to again and again, because it’s bold, balanced, and always a crowd favorite.
Whether you’re throwing a casual dinner party or just treating yourself to something a little more special than delivery, this spicy skillet pizza is a total win.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cast iron skillet = crispy, golden crust every time
- Adjustable spice level for every heat preference
- Sweet, savory, spicy flavor combo hits all the right notes
- Minimal effort, maximum flavor
- Great for date night, parties, or solo pizza cravings
Ingredients for spicy skillet pizza
Pizza sauce. Use a simple, flavorful tomato base like this pizza sauce recipe. Stir in red pepper flakes to build that baseline of spice right into the sauce.
Crushed red pepper flakes. They help spice up the sauce and can be adjusted to taste. Start light if you’re unsure and add more once the sauce is mixed.
All-purpose flour. Helps prevent sticking when rolling out your dough. A light dusting on your surface keeps things manageable.
Pizza dough. Whether you go with store-bought or homemade, a reliable dough like this garlic agave crust gives structure and flavor. You want enough elasticity to stretch but enough strength to hold toppings.
Cornmeal. Crucial for a nonstick bottom and that signature texture. Scatter it into the skillet before adding the dough.
Olive oil. Brush it on top of the dough before adding toppings. It helps crisp the crust and adds a touch of richness.
Mozzarella cheese. Melts beautifully and holds everything together. Use freshly shredded for the best melt and flavor.
Shallot. Sliced thin, shallots add a bit of sweetness and depth that balances the spicy elements.
Pepperoni. Go heavy if you love a crisp, meaty top. You want full coverage, so every bite hits with spicy-salty flavor.
Chili crisp. Adds serious heat and umami. A little goes a long way, so start light unless you know you love spice.
Fresh basil. Brightens up all the rich, spicy flavors. Add it at the end so it doesn’t wilt.
Whipped ricotta, hot honey. The whipped ricotta adds a creamy, cooling element. The hot honey is a sweet-spicy finish that ties everything together. Both are optional but highly recommended!
this recipe’s must-haves
A 10-inch cast iron skillet is the tool that makes this skillet pizza shine. It creates that golden, crisp crust and can withstand super high heat.
You’ll also want a rolling pin for shaping your dough and a pizza cutter for slicing through that cheesy, crispy finish without a mess.
here’s how to make this spicy pizza
Bake
Preheat the oven to 550˚F, or 500˚F if that’s the highest your oven allows. Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven while it heats.
Stir
Combine the pizza sauce and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the spice level as needed.
Flour
Lightly flour a clean work surface. Shape the dough into a 12 to 14-inch circle, slightly larger than your skillet.
Remove
Take the hot skillet out of the oven carefully. Scatter cornmeal evenly across the bottom to prevent sticking.
Place
Lay the dough into the skillet, gently pressing it so it reaches up the sides. Be careful — the skillet will be extremely hot.
Brush
Use olive oil to coat the top of the dough before adding toppings. This helps the crust brown nicely.
Spread
Spoon the spicy sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edge.
Top
Add shredded mozzarella, then scatter shallots and layer on the pepperoni.
Bake
Return the skillet to the oven. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Finish
Remove from the oven. Top with chili crisp and fresh basil. If using, add whipped ricotta and drizzle with hot honey.
Slice
Slice up your spicy pizza and serve immediately while the cheese is molten!
Tips for Success
- Always preheat your skillet to get that crisp base.
- Shape your dough slightly larger than the skillet so it hugs the sides.
- Cornmeal is key to a nonstick, textured crust.
- Brush olive oil on the dough before toppings for extra flavor and crunch.
- Chili crisp is strong, so make sure to add it after baking to control the heat.
- For extra browning, broil the pizza for the last 1–2 minutes.
- If you’re sensitive to spice, start light with the chili crisp and build up. If you live for heat, try layering hot sauce or extra red pepper flakes into the sauce and on top for a real spicy pizza kick.
spicy pizza variations
You can swap out the pepperoni for spicy Italian sausage to make a spicy sausage pizza if you’re looking for a different kind of heat. It brings a richer, meatier flavor that pairs well with the chili crisp and hot honey.
For a veggie-friendly version, skip the meat entirely and pile on mushrooms, bell peppers, or even roasted zucchini. These vegetables add texture and balance without sacrificing flavor.
Mixing mozzarella with fontina or provolone gives the cheese a gooier melt and a more complex flavor. It’s an easy way to elevate the overall richness of the pizza.
If you need a gluten-free option, use a pizza dough that’s specifically made for high-heat baking. This ensures the crust still crisps up nicely in the cast iron skillet.
More pizza recipes to try: pesto greens pizza I grilled burrata pizza I salsa verde chorizo pizza I four cheese pizza dip
faqs
How can I adjust the heat for kids or those with sensitive palates?
Skip the crushed red pepper flakes and chili crisp. You can use plain tomato sauce and opt for whipped ricotta to cool down each bite.
Do I need a cast iron skillet?
Yes, for the best results. A heavy pizza pan could work, but it won’t deliver the same crispy texture on the bottom.
Which chili crisp is best?
Go for a variety that has garlic and onion for extra depth. Some brands are much spicier than others, so check the label and adjust to your preference.
can I make this spicy pizza vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just skip the pepperoni and go heavy on umami-rich toppings like mushrooms, caramelized onions, or even roasted eggplant.
How do I make it extra spicy?
Try adding a few sliced pickled jalapeños before baking, or a drizzle of hot sauce when serving.
Need more pizza recipes? Check out my pizza & flatbread page for more inspiration.
what to serve with this spicy pizza
A crisp green salad is a great way to balance out the richness of this spicy pizza. The cool crunch contrasts nicely with the heat, and this homemade Caesar dressing adds bold, savory flavor to every bite.
Garlic bread is always a crowd-pleaser alongside pizza. You can go with toasted garlic bread for a quick option or opt for sourdough garlic toast if you want something a little heartier.
Roasted vegetables make an easy, flavorful side. Something like this spicy-sweet broccolini holds its own next to the bold flavors of the pizza.
And if you’re going all in on comfort food, fries are a fun, indulgent addition. They bring that extra salty, crispy element that works perfectly with the spicy toppings.
more of our favorite spicy recipes
Keep the heat going with this ultra-comforting spicy lasagna dip, a bowl of hearty slow cooker spicy taco chili, or a refreshing spicy mango margarita to cool you down with a kick.
Finally, if you make this spicy pizza recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.
Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
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Spicy Pepperoni Skillet Pizza
equipment
- Pizza Cutter
ingredients
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 pound store-bought or homemade pizza dough
- 2 teaspoons cornmeal helps prevent sticking
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 shallot thinly sliced
- 1 to 1 ½ cups sliced pepperoni
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons chili crisp
- ⅓ cup fresh basil
- Optional toppings: whipped ricotta hot honey
instructions
- Preheat the oven to 550˚F (287˚C), or 500˚F/260˚C if your oven doesn’t go that high. Place a cast iron skillet in the oven as it preheats.
- In a small bowl, stir together pizza sauce and crushed red pepper flakes. Taste and add more red pepper flakes if desired – you can make the sauce as spicy as you’d like!
- On a clean lightly-floured work surface, flatten the dough into a circle. You can roll it or stretch it out into a 12 to 14 inch circle, depending on the size of your skillet. I used a 10-inch cast iron skillet and shaped my dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Carefully remove skillet from the oven. Scatter cornmeal evenly to cover the bottom of the pan. Place the dough in the preheated skillet, pushing the edge of the dough up the sides of the pan. Be very careful not to burn your fingers!
- Brush the top of the dough with olive oil.
- Add tomato sauce, spreading it in an even layer on top of the dough, leaving a small border around the edge for the crust. Top with mozzarella cheese.
- Scatter shallots and pepperoni on top.
- Place the skilet bake in the oven for 13 to 15 minutes, until golden brown on the edges and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven. Top with chili crisp and fresh basil. Add dollops of whipped ricotta, if using. Drizzle with hot honey, if desired. Slice and serve.
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notes
- Cool to room temp, then wrap slices in foil and store in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge
- Reheat in the oven at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes on a sheet pan or in the microwave in 30-second bursts until warmed through
- Freeze individual slices on a baking sheet until firm. Wrap them in a layer of plastic wrap, then foil, and store in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for 1 to 2 months. Reheat from frozen on a baking sheet at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
nutrition
about meghan
Meghan Yager is the recipe developer, food photographer, and creative force behind Cake ‘n Knife, where everyday moments are celebrated with bold, flavor-forward recipes. From cozy cocktails to bold appetizers and indulgent desserts, her approachable style brings people together around food worth sharing. Meghan’s work has been featured by Good Housekeeping, Oprah Daily, Today, Woman’s Day, and The Huffington Post. She lives in Denver, where she brings big flavor and a little sass to every bite.
