Whipped Ricotta Hot Honey

A luscious, creamy ricotta dip swirled with sweet, spicy hot honey—perfect for spreading on crostini or serving with fresh veggies.

I first made this whipped ricotta dip for a summer gathering, and it quickly became everyone's favorite appetizer. The blend of cool ricotta and warm honey packs a memorable punch.

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 (sriracha or similar), to taste
• Red pepper flakes: ½ tsp
• Garlic: 1 small clove, finely grated
• Extra-virgin olive oil: 1 tbsp
• Lemon zest: ½ tsp
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper: To taste
• Crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables: To serve
• 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.

Blend the ricotta mixture:

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.

Serve and swirl:

Spoon the whipped ricotta into a shallow serving bowl. Using the back of a spoon, create a swirl pattern on the surface.

Drizzle hot honey:

Drizzle the warm hot honey generously over the ricotta, swirling it in for a marbled effect.

Garnish & serve:

Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately with crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables.

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Making this dip reminded me of my family's love for bold flavors at our weekend get-togethers. Each bite brought nods of approval and requests for the recipe.

Required Tools

Food processor or hand mixer, small saucepan, grater or microplane, serving bowl

Allergen Information

Contains dairy. If serving with bread or crackers, gluten may be present. Use gluten-free options if needed. Always check store-bought ingredients for allergens.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 180, Total Fat: 11 g, Carbohydrates: 15 g, Protein: 6 g

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This whipped ricotta dip with hot honey swirl will add instant wow to your appetizer spread. Serve chilled for best flavor and texture.

Recipe FAQ

→ How do I make the hot honey swirl?

Gently warm honey with hot sauce and red pepper flakes over low heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let it cool slightly before swirling over the ricotta.

→ Can I substitute the cream cheese or heavy cream?

Yes, for a lighter texture, Greek yogurt can replace cream cheese or heavy cream while maintaining creaminess.

→ What spices enhance the flavor?

Garlic, lemon zest, and freshly ground pepper provide brightness, while red pepper flakes add heat in the honey swirl.

→ How should I serve this whipped ricotta blend?

Serve it with crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or light snack.

→ Are there any allergen considerations?

This dish contains dairy. Use gluten-free crackers or veggies if avoiding gluten, and check all ingredients for allergens.