This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.
Light and creamy, Whipped Ricotta Dip with honey and thyme is a quick and easy last minute appetizer that comes together in minutes.
Made with simple ingredients readily found at your grocery store and in your pantry, whipped ricotta dip is one of the easiest appetizer recipes there is. Because it’s light and fluffy, I like serving it alongside heavier appetizers for variety.
It's casual enough to serve as a quick happy hour appetizer or at your next backyard barbecue, but fancy enough to make for a special occasion or serve when you're entertaining during the holiday season.
Ingredients
- Ricotta cheese - Whole milk ricotta is a little thicker and works best, but part-skim ricotta cheese is ok too.
- Honey - Any honey will work in this recipe, including hot honey if you like things spicy.
- Thyme - Fresh only and leaves only! Be sure to take the time to strip the thyme leaves from the stems. This dip isn't cooked, so the stems don't break down or blend into the whipped ricotta.
- Lemon zest - Pick a fresh, very firm lemon for this recipe.
- Extra-virgin olive oil - Your favorite brand of olive oil will work perfectly in this recipe.
- Salt - Use your favorite table salt.
- French bread - Not a part of the dip itself, but optional and highly recommended for making crostini.
How to Make Whipped Ricotta Dip with Honey
In a food processor, combine ricotta cheese, honey, salt, thyme, lemon zest, and olive oil.
Process on high speed until mixture is well combined and whipped smooth.
Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to overnight) to allow the flavors to combine.
Serve ricotta dip on a small plate or in a shallow serving bowl with a drizzle of honey, drizzle of olive oil, and/or fresh thyme on top and homemade crostini on the side.
Make Homemade Crostini
Toasted baguette slices that are crispy on the outside and soft in the inside are the perfect thing to dip into this whipped ricotta with honey. Make homemade crostini quickly and easily with my simple crostini recipe.
Recipe Tips
- Love spicy? Drizzle hot honey on top of the whipped ricotta before serving and/or use hot honey in the dip itself.
- Don't have a food processor? Use a hand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment to whip the cheese mixture into a smooth texture.
- Short on time? You do not HAVE to let the dip sit for an hour after you make it. The flavors mingle together and develop more the longer you let it chill, but it’s still tasty straight out of the food processor.
- Want a thicker dip? Add 1 ounce of softened cream cheese to the food processor along with the ricotta cheese.
Make Ahead Whipped Ricotta Dip
You can make this recipe up to 3 days ahead of your party. Make the whipped ricotta dip and store that in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The day of the party, make the crostini (or grab some pita chips) and assemble the whipped ricotta on a plate.
How to Serve Whipped Ricotta with Honey
Place ricotta mixture on a small serving plate or shallow bowl. (I love using a pasta bowl.) Garnish with a drizzle of honey and fresh thyme on top of the dip. You could also add a few cracks of black pepper or a little flaky sea salt. Serve with toasted french baguette slices, pita chips, slices of fresh vegetables (try carrots, cucumber, celery and bell peppers), and/or your favorite crackers.
Looking for More Easy Appetizer Recipes?
I love providing a delicious appetizer (or two or three) when people are coming over. Try my bacon wrapped dates, caprese crostini, smoked salmon dip, whipped feta bruschetta with sun-dried tomatoes, or black bean mango salsa with homemade tortilla chips.
Drink Pairings for Whipped Ricotta Dip
A glass of dry white wine or tart, crisp cocktail goes well with this creamy dip. Shake up a Lavender Lemon Drop Martini, a Bee’s Knees gin cocktail, boozy Blueberry Vodka Lemonade, or some non-alcoholic Pomegranate Lemonade with this easy whipped ricotta dip.
Print the Recipe Card
PrintWhipped Ricotta Dip with Honey
Light and creamy, this Whipped Ricotta Dip recipe with honey and fresh thyme is a quick and easy last minute appetizer that comes together in minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 ounces 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1.5 Tbsp honey
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp fresh thyme (leaves only, no stems)
- 2 tsp fresh lemon zest
- 5 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 loaf french bread
Instructions
Thinly slice French bread into rounds. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Place under the broiler until the bread has browned. Remove from the oven. Flip the bread slices over. Drizzle with 2 more tablespoons of olive oil and place back under the broiler until the second side is toasted. Remove from the oven and set aside.
In a food processor, combine ricotta cheese, honey, salt, thyme, lemon zest, and remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Process on high speed until mixture is well combined and whipped smooth. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to combine.
Place ricotta mixture on a serving plate or bowl. Garnish with a drizzle of honey and fresh thyme. Serve with the toasted crostini slices, fresh veggies, and/or your favorite crackers.
Notes
For a thicker dip, add 1 ounce of room temperature cream cheese along with the ricotta cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 oz
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 4.4 g
- Sodium: 316.9 mg
- Fat: 5.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 5.3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 15.8 mg
Heather says
*salt to 1 tsp