Save A luscious, creamy ricotta dip swirled with sweet, spicy hot honey, perfect for spreading on crostini or serving with fresh veggies.
This dip became my go-to for gatherings when I needed something effortless yet impressive. The hot honey swirl never fails to surprise and delight guests.
Ingredients
- Whole-milk ricotta cheese: 1 ½ cups (375 g)
- Cream cheese: 2 oz (60 g), softened
- Heavy cream: ¼ cup (60 ml)
- Honey: ⅓ cup (80 ml)
- Hot sauce: 1–2 tsp, to taste (sriracha or similar)
- Red pepper flakes: ½ tsp
- Garlic clove: 1 small, finely grated
- Extra-virgin olive oil: 1 tbsp
- Lemon zest: ½ tsp
- Salt and black pepper: To taste
- To serve: Crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables
- Fresh herbs: Chives, basil, or thyme, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the hot honey:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Warm gently for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Make the whipped ricotta:
- In a food processor or with a hand mixer, blend ricotta, cream cheese, heavy cream, garlic, olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Assemble the dip:
- Spoon the whipped ricotta into a shallow serving bowl. Using the back of a spoon, create a swirl pattern on the surface.
- Add hot honey:
- Drizzle the warm hot honey generously over the ricotta, swirling it in for a marbled effect.
- Garnish and serve:
- Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately with crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
Save My family requests this dip for Sunday brunches, and we love experimenting with different herbs and dippers each time.
Notes
For a lighter dip, substitute Greek yogurt for cream cheese or heavy cream. Adjust spice level to your taste and try adding roasted nuts or smoked paprika for extra flavor.
Required Tools
Food processor or hand mixer, small saucepan, grater or microplane, serving bowl.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 180, Total Fat 11 g, Carbohydrates 15 g, Protein 6 g.
Save Enjoy this delicious whipped ricotta dip as a starter or centerpiece. The hot honey swirl brings the wow factor to every bite.
Kitchen Guide
- → How do I make the hot honey swirl?
Gently warm honey with hot sauce and red pepper flakes over low heat for a few minutes without boiling, then drizzle over the whipped ricotta for a marbled effect.
- → Can I adjust the spiciness of the dip?
Yes, vary the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to suit your preferred heat level.
- → What can I use instead of cream cheese for a lighter texture?
Greek yogurt can be substituted for cream cheese or heavy cream to lighten the blend while keeping creaminess.
- → Which dippers pair well with this dish?
Crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables work beautifully as accompaniments, offering balanced textures to the creamy blend.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, then stir gently before serving.