Save My neighbor knocked on my door one evening with a jar of hot honey she'd made, insisting I had to try it on something savory. I stared at that golden bottle for days before inspiration hit: what if I spread creamy ricotta and garlic on toasted bread and finished it with that sweet, spicy drizzle? Twenty minutes later, I understood why she'd been so excited. This dish became our instant tradition whenever she visits.
I made this for a casual dinner party last fall, and it became the thing people actually lingered over instead of just grabbing one slice. Someone asked if I'd catered it, which felt like the highest compliment my kitchen could receive. Now friends text asking if I'm making "the hot honey bread" before they even RSVP.
Ingredients
- French bread (1 loaf, about 12 inches): Look for a loaf with a crispy crust and airy crumb—it'll toast beautifully without becoming rock hard.
- Whole-milk ricotta cheese (1 cup): The fat content matters here; it's what makes the spread creamy and rich rather than chalky.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons, softened): Soft butter blends seamlessly and adds richness to the ricotta mixture without overpowering it.
- Garlic cloves (3, finely minced): Fresh minced garlic gives you control over the texture and intensity—pre-minced tends to taste metallic by comparison.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup): Freshly grated Parmesan melts into the ricotta and adds a subtle nuttiness that pre-grated versions simply can't match.
- Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): This brightens the savory spread with a hint of freshness and prevents the whole thing from feeling heavy.
- Kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon): Kosher salt dissolves cleanly and seasons more evenly than table salt.
- Freshly ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Grind it yourself right before mixing for a sharper, more vibrant flavor.
- Honey (1/4 cup): Quality honey makes a noticeable difference; raw or floral varieties add complexity.
- Red pepper flakes (1 teaspoon): Start with this amount and adjust upward if you like serious heat—the warmth develops as it infuses in the honey.
Instructions
- Heat your oven and prep the pan:
- Set your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so cleanup becomes nearly effortless. This temperature is hot enough to get that bread golden without burning the ricotta on top.
- Split and position your bread:
- Slice the French bread lengthwise and place both halves cut-side up on the prepared sheet. You want them lying flat so the toppings don't slide off during baking.
- Build the ricotta mixture:
- Combine ricotta, softened butter, minced garlic, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and mix until the texture is smooth and spreadable. The butter helps the ricotta come together into something almost silky.
- Spread generously:
- Divide the mixture evenly between both bread halves, spreading it all the way to the edges so every bite gets that creamy garlic flavor. Don't be shy—this is an appetizer that deserves abundance.
- Toast until golden:
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, watching for the edges to turn golden brown and the topping to lighten slightly. The bread should sound crispy when you tap it but the ricotta should stay creamy underneath.
- Infuse your honey while bread bakes:
- In a small saucepan, gently warm the honey with red pepper flakes over low heat for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. You're not trying to boil it—just let the heat coax those pepper flakes to release their warmth into the honey.
- Cool briefly and slice:
- Let the hot bread rest for about 2 minutes after coming out of the oven, then slice it into individual pieces. This resting moment lets everything set slightly so the pieces hold together better.
- Finish with hot honey and serve:
- Drizzle that warm honey generously across the slices and add a pinch of fresh parsley if you have it. Serve immediately while everything is still warm and the honey is still fluid.
Save There's a moment right when you pull this out of the oven where the kitchen fills with this incredible aroma of toasted bread, garlic, and caramelized butter. That's when you know you've made something worth sharing.
Why the Ricotta-Garlic Combination Works
Ricotta is often overlooked in American kitchens, but its mild, slightly sweet creaminess is exactly what you need to balance aggressive garlic. The butter acts as a glue, helping everything come together into something smooth rather than gritty. When you add Parmesan and fresh parsley, you've created a spread that feels fancy but tastes like comfort.
The Hot Honey Magic
Hot honey has become trendy for a reason—that combination of sweetness and heat creates a flavor memory that sticks with you. The warmth of the pepper flakes doesn't register as spicy heat on the back of your throat but rather as a warming sensation that enhances the sweet honey. Drizzling it on something savory creates this beautiful contrast that makes your brain want another bite.
Variations and Personal Touches
Once you understand the base recipe, it becomes a canvas for experimentation. I've added lemon zest for brightness, swapped in sourdough for extra tang, and even mixed crispy bacon into the ricotta mixture when I was feeling indulgent. The beauty of this dish is that it's flexible enough to adapt but strong enough that it works every time.
- Try adding a small pinch of lemon zest to the ricotta mixture for a subtle citrus brightness that cuts through the richness.
- Experiment with different breads like sourdough or ciabatta if you want more character and chew.
- Increase the red pepper flakes gradually if you want more heat, but remember that infusing means the spice develops as it sits.
Save This is the kind of appetizer that makes people feel cared for without requiring you to spend your entire evening in the kitchen. Serve it warm, watch people's faces light up, and accept the compliments gracefully.
Recipe Questions
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
Prepare the ricotta spread up to 24 hours in advance and store it refrigerated. The honey mixture can also be made ahead and gently reheated before serving. Assemble and bake just before eating for the best texture.
- → What type of bread works best?
French bread provides the ideal crispy-yet-chewy base, but sourdough, ciabatta, or Italian loaf work wonderfully too. Look for a sturdy artisan-style bread that can hold up to the creamy topping without getting soggy.
- → How spicy is the hot honey?
One teaspoon of red pepper flakes delivers mild to medium heat that balances beautifully with the honey's sweetness. Start with less if you're sensitive to spice, or increase to two teaspoons for those who love extra kick.
- → Can I use store-bought hot honey?
Absolutely! Making your own takes just minutes and lets you control the heat level, but brands like Mike's Hot Honey work perfectly if you want to save time or prefer a specific flavor profile.
- → How do I store leftovers?
While best served fresh, leftovers can be wrapped tightly in foil and stored at room temperature for up to 1 day. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to recrisp the bread before serving.
- → Can I add other toppings?
Try topping with fresh basil, crushed red pepper, or a sprinkle of lemon zest before baking. After the honey drizzle, add crumbled goat cheese, fresh arugula, or a balsamic glaze for extra layers of flavor.