Make this creamy whipped ricotta dip in minutes. It is a simple, elegant appetizer perfect for entertaining, featuring a sweet and spicy hot honey topping and crunchy walnuts.
Author:sarahthompson
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:5 min
Total Time:15 min
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Appetizer
Method:No Bake
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese, drained
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon hot sauce (or to taste, for hot honey)
1/4 cup walnut halves, roughly chopped
Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish
Instructions
Drain the ricotta cheese in a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl for at least 15 minutes to remove excess liquid.
Toast the walnuts: Place the chopped walnuts in a small, dry skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the hot honey: In a small bowl, mix the honey and hot sauce until combined. Set aside.
Whip the ricotta: Place the drained ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper into a food processor. Process for 1 to 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, until the mixture is completely smooth, light, and fluffy.
Transfer the whipped ricotta dip to a shallow serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to create a slight well or swirl on the surface.
Drizzle the hot honey mixture evenly over the top of the dip.
Sprinkle the toasted walnuts and fresh thyme leaves over the dip. Add a final light drizzle of plain olive oil just before serving.
Serve immediately with crostini, crusty bread, or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Notes
For the best texture, use high-quality, whole milk ricotta cheese. If you do not have a food processor, you can use a hand mixer, but you may need to whip for a longer time to achieve the desired fluffiness.
If you prefer a milder flavor, use regular honey instead of hot honey, or omit the hot sauce entirely.
This dip is best served the day it is made for the lightest texture.