• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sweet Cayenne
  • ABOUT
    • Work With Me
  • RECIPES
    • All Recipes
    • RECIPES BY CATEGORY
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Desserts
    • Main Entree
    • Sides
    • Snacks
    • How-To Guides
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • NEWSLETTER
    • CONTACT
    • PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home > Recipes > Recipes

    Kale, Bacon, and Butternut Pizza with Hot Honey Drizzle

    Published: Jan 16, 2018 · Modified: May 1, 2020 by Whitney Reist · This post may contain affiliate links |

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    When is it NOT a good time for pizza? Never, if you ask me. It is the quintessential one-dish meal. All of the food groups can be present. This Kale, Bacon, and Butternut Pizza with Hot Honey Drizzle is my favorite version for the cold winter months!

    Siced kale bacon pizza.

     

    If pizza is in my menu forecast for the week, I get super jazzed. I can remember growing up as a kid, the BEST Fridays were the ones that involved pizza. It really didn't seem like the weekend unless I had some! I'd have to say that, next to ice cream, pizza is my ultimate favorite food. And while the authentic Italian Neapolitan-style reigns as king of all pies for me, I've got a special place in my heart for allllll the pizza types. Chicago-style, New York-style, frozen pizza, Dominoes, cafeteria lunch lady pizza, if you offer me a slice, I will more than likely eat it!

    Kale bacon pizza with hot drizzle honey.

    This version of pizza is baked on a super thin and crispy whole wheat crust. There is no rise-time involved, so it can be ready in 30 minutes if you are in hurry and need some pizza stat! I will have to say, whole wheat pizza crust is an acquired taste for some. It's quite dense (especially if made with 100% hard red wheat flour, like this one) and can be on the chewy side. BUT it is so hearty and filling. And this combo of winter greens, squash, and smokey bacon really stand up well against the whole grain crust.

    If you haven't had honey drizzled on a pizza - especially a spicy honey - then you haven't lived in my opinion. Spicy honey is the ultimate condiment to match the flavors of the rich, flavor-packed meats we tend to like on our pizza tops. The sticky-sweet flavor really brings everything together and makes for an ultra-satisfying meal! To get you started on the recipe, check out my video showing exactly how I cut a butternut squash:

    Video

    Close up of a slice of pizza.

    Butternut pizza sliced up.

    If you are in need of more pizza inspiration, I am your girl! You MUST check out this Sausage and Roasted Grape Pizza, this BLT Naan Pizza, How to Host a Make Your Own Pizza Party, Pizza Baked Gnocchi, and this Peach BBQ Chicken Pizza. And it would totally make my day if you leave a comment below letting me know you have tried one, or uploading a picture to Twitter or Instagram and tagging @sweetcayenne5. I'd love to be included in your pizza-making memory!

    Recipe

    Kale Bacon pizza

    Kale, Bacon, and Butternut Pizza with Hot Honey Drizzle

    This recipe for Kale, Bacon, and Butternut Pizza with Hot Honey Drizzle is a perfect way to enjoy pizza with fresh winter produce. It's baked on a whole wheat pizza crust and topped with a sweet and spicy drizzle!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetcayenne5 or tag #sweetcayenne!
    Print Pin
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 Slices

    Ingredients

    Hot honey drizzle:

    • ½ cup honey
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper more to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon fine salt

    Pizza dough:

    • 1 cup very warm water
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 ¼ teaspoons rapid rise yeast
    • 2 ½ - 2 ¾ cups of whole wheat flour
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 2 teaspoons salt

    Pizza:

    • 4 slices thick-cut center cut, uncured bacon, sliced into thin strips
    • ¾ cup butternut squash diced into ¼’’ pieces
    • 2 cups kale leaves torn into 1’’ pieces
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 14.5 ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes
    • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 4 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese

    Instructions

    Hot honey drizzle:

    • In a small nonreactive saucepan, combine all ingredients over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Honey will keep for up to 1 month.

    Pizza dough:

    • Preheat oven to 500????℉. If using, place a pizza stone in the lower ⅓ of the oven while it heats. Alternatively, you can use a baking sheet, but do not preheat it.
    • In a medium bowl, combine the water, honey, olive oil, and yeast. Stir to combine and let sit for 5 minutes. The mixture should start to foam a bit and look creamy.
    • Add 2 ½ cups of the flour, the Italian seasoning, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine until the mixture starts to form a ball. Turn the mixture out onto a well floured surface and knead with your hands for a minute or so until the ball becomes smooth. If the dough seems too wet, add the remaining ¼ cup of flour by kneading it into the dough.
    • Divide the dough in half. Place one in a freezer safe container and freeze for later. On a floured piece of parchment paper, use a rolling pin to roll out the dough as thinly as possible, or at least to a round the size of your pizza pan.

    Pizza assembly:

    • Place a skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon strips, and fry until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Remove all but 1 teaspoon of the bacon grease from the skillet. Return the skillet to medium heat, and add the butternut squash. Saute until tender enough to easily pierce with a fork, about 8 minutes. Add the kale and smoked paprika, saute an additional 2 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
    • Open the can of whole tomatoes into a medium bowl. Use clean hands to crush the tomatoes into the juice with your fingers. Stir in the salt and pepper.
    • Use a spoon to place a thin layer of tomato mixture onto the prepare pizza dough. Tear off small chunks of mozzarella and distribute over the sauce. Evenly distribute the bacon, butternut squash, and kale over the pizza. Transfer the pizza on the sheet of parchment to your pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
    • Slice the pizza as desired and drizzle the hot honey over the top. Serve immediately.
    Serving: 1Slice | Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 11.9g | Fat: 10.4g | Saturated Fat: 3.4g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 1044mg | Potassium: 343mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3.9g | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mg

    Don't miss these recipes!

    • A wire rack with a sheet of parchment paper on top and cinnamon biscuits.
      Bojangles Copycat Cinnamon Biscuits with Vanilla Icing
    • A white bowl filled with pizza pasta salad garnished with fresh basil leaves.
      Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
    • A pink bowl on a cutting board filled with sweet potato lentil curry and rice.
      Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Coconut and Spinach
    • A St. Patrick's day themed snack board with corned beef, sauerkraut, soda bread, and other charcuterie items.
      St. Patrick's Day Grazing Board

    Want more?

    Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get exclusive content (like menus, cooking downloads, and more!), blog recaps, and a chance to connect or be featured!

    Affiliate Disclosure

    Many of the links in my posts are affiliate links, which means I can get a small commission for any click or purchases made through the links. I am also an Amazon Associate and I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello there!

    I'm Whitney, the chef, photographer, dietitian, and blogger-extraordinaire behind Sweet Cayenne. Welcome to my online kitchen!

    About Whitney & Sweet Cayenne

    What's In Season

    • A pink bowl on a cutting board filled with sweet potato lentil curry and rice.
      Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Coconut and Spinach
    • A cinnamon roll on a white rimmed plate.
      Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls
    • A cinnamon apple cake with two slices cut out on a piece of parchment paper with a navy blue background.
      15+ Healthy Apple Recipes
    • Bell Pepper Nachos
    • An up-close shot of a white bowl of Southern-style pasta e Fagioli.
      Southern-Style Pasta e Fagioli
    • Two Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders on a blue ceramic plate with a baking dish of sliders and blue napkin in the background.
      Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders

    Free cookbook and menu planners!

    Subscribe to my weekly newsletter & receive a free e-cookbook of my 25 best recipes along with menu planning sheets!

    Cozy Cooking:

    A pink bowl on a cutting board filled with sweet potato lentil curry and rice.

    Sweet Potato Lentil Curry with Coconut and Spinach

    An overhead shot of a white soup ramekin filled with ribolita soup and topped with crusty bread on black background.

    Instant Pot + Slow Cooker Ribolita (Italian Bread Soup)

    A gray plate of red beans and rice with a gingham dish towel and a glass of water on the side.

    Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

    An overhead shot of a white bowl filled with turkey and drop biscuit dumplings.

    Turkey and Drop Biscuit Dumplings (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

    A white bowl of soup filled with posole verde and garnished with avocado and cilantro.

    Instant Pot Chicken Posole Verde

    An overhead shot of a wicker charger with parchment paper and Mango Mojo Chicken Tacos with a side of mojo sauce and avocado ranch on the side.

    Mango Mojo Chicken Tacos

    Travel Here Next:

    • The product wall of skincare items at Lemon Laine Oil Bar in Nashville, TN.
      Nashville Finds: Lemon Laine Oil Bar
    • A girl standing on a beach in Positano, Italy.
      Positano, Italy: Budget-Friendly Travel Guide
    • A photo of Civita di Bagnoregio in Italy
      The Best Tuscan Road Trip Itinerary + Tips on Driving in Italy
    • A traveling foodie's guide to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy - including what to taste in Parma, Modena, and Bologna! European travel guide and itinerary.
      A Foodie's Guide to Emilia-Romagna, Italy

    Cooking Guides

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Photography Services

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 SweetCayenne

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required