Hot Honey Pepperoni Crackers

Hot Honey Pepperoni Crackers are the perfect snack to bring to the party! With the irresistible combination of savory pepperoni and sweet honey all on a buttery cracker, they can't be beat. Add some heat from the crushed red pepper and these easy prep cracker appetizers are an instant favorite. You may need to double the batch so they don't disappear too fast!

Only four ingredients are needed to make these tasty cracker snacks and they are things you can always have on hand in your pantry. That means you can make these hot honey treats whenever the mood strikes! We love the spicy-sweet combination that makes these pepperoni crackers so popular.

Looking for another tasty appetizer to bring to the party? Try Bacon Crackers with Rosemary and Black Pepper next! And if you love pepperoni in all forms, try this Antipasto Chopped Salad with Air Fryer Pepperoni Chips!

Ingredients

I include ingredient notes here when I think they'll be helpful, including ways to source, any preparation tips, or why I've chosen a particular ingredient. Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and their quantities!

• Round Crackers - Use a classic like Ritz crackers for a round shape that fits the pepperoni slices perfectly.
• Pepperoni - Purchase any classic pepperoni slices to use in the recipe. Take advantage of pre-sliced pepperoni so that the slices are uniform and bake up evenly.
• Honey - A basic clover honey is best for this recipe, it lends a subtle sweetness that doesn't compete with the savory spice of the pepperoni.
• Crushed Red Pepper - Just like at your favorite pizzeria, adding crushed red pepper flakes brings the heat! Rub the red pepper between your fingers as you sprinkle it over the crackers to enhance the spice factor.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper.

Lay the crackers out flat on the parchment paper so that they are all facing up.

Top each cracker with a slice of pepperoni.

Bake the crackers for 10-12 minutes, until the pepperoni have crisped (they will shrink a bit). The crackers will also turn a golden brown.

Evenly drizzle the crackers with the honey as soon as they come out of the oven. This lets the honey soak onto the pepperoni and the crackers.

Top the honey with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes, being as generous as you see fit. You can add as little or as much red pepper as your tastebuds crave.

Transfer the crackers to a rack to cool and to let any excess honey drip off the sides of the crackers. Serve the crackers at room temperature.

Substitutions and Variations

• Swap Crackers - Use any flaky, crisp cracker that you like. We prefer the round shape, but a Club cracker or Townhouse cracker will work well, too. Water crackers do not produce good results,however. The pepperoni doesn't stay put on them after baking.
• Use Hot Honey - If you have a bottle of hot honey in your stash, use that! Bottled hot honey is infused with chiles and usually has a bit of vinegar added. It still compliments these pepperoni crackers well.
• Cayenne Pepper - If you don't have any crushed red pepper on hand, stir in about ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the honey before you drizzle it over the baked crackers.

Equipment

Here are the basic kitchen tools you'll need to make this recipe:

• Sheet Pans - I use sheet pans in two sizes, a quarter sheet pan (9" x 13") and a half sheet pan (13" x 18"), and they are so versatile in the kitchen. For this recipe, one half sheet pan is perfect for baking all the crackers at once. Buy a good quality set and you'll be using them for years. Mine have a very dark patina, so no judgement if yours look the same.
• Wire Racks - Use a wire rack that fits in the sheet pan so that the crackers can cool and any excess honey can drip off onto the parchment. This makes for easy clean up and the crackers crisp up as they cool.
• Parchment Paper -  Lining pans with parchment paper means your pepperoni crackers will slide right off of the pan. Even after you drizzle everything with honey, the parchment makes cleanup extra simple. Parchment paper can come in brown or white color, both will do the job. To keep the parchment paper in place, crumple it in a ball before pressing it flat into your pan.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these quick and easy appetizers with a crisp beer at happy hour, as snacks when you gather to watch sporting events, or at summer barbecues. Pepperoni crackers are versatile and disappear quickly when you are feeding a crowd!

Make This Recipe Kid Friendly

Feel free to make a few crackers without the extra crushed red pepper for any kids that want to try them out. You may be surprised at how much the kids enjoy the sweet and savory combination on a crisp cracker!

Storage

These pepperoni crackers are best served after cooling, but any extras can be stored for up to two days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Allow them to come to room temperature before enjoying any leftovers.

FAQ

Sweet and Savory Inspiration

Mixing sweet and savory notes in one recipe means your dishes will have a bold flavor! Try any of these recipes where fruits, maple syrup, and brown sugar are incorporated into savory recipes for some inspiration:

More Honey Recipes

Honey is a great ingredient to incorporate into sides, salads, and main dishes. Check out the recipes below for some tasty ways to add honey to your meals:

Try It and Share

I hope you try this Hot Honey Pepperoni Crackers recipe and enjoy it as much as we do. I want to see your results! Tag your photo with #planeatpostrepeat and mention me @planeatpostrepeat on Instagram or Facebook. I can give you a virtual high five and thank you for cooking one of my recipes! Comment below with any questions and please leave a review so others can find this recipe more easily.