Save 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 for a last-minute get-together and everyone loved how the hot honey swirled through the rich ricotta made each bite irresistible. It quickly became my go-to appetizer for family parties and game nights.
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
- 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: for serving
- Fresh herbs (chives, basil, or thyme), chopped: optional
Instructions
- Prepare 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 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.
- Serve ricotta:
- Spoon the whipped ricotta into a shallow serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to create a swirl pattern on the surface.
- Add honey swirl:
- 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 This dip is now a staple for our family gatherings, and my kids love helping create the swirling honey effect before serving to guests.
Required Tools
You'll need a food processor or hand mixer, small saucepan, grater or microplane, and a serving bowl for this recipe.
Allergen Information
This dip contains dairy, and if served with bread or crackers, may contain gluten. Use gluten-free options if needed and always double-check store-bought ingredients for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides about 180 calories with 11 g total fat, 15 g carbohydrates, and 6 g protein.
Save This whipped ricotta dip with hot honey swirl is guaranteed to impress guests and add a gourmet touch to any gathering.
Recipe Questions
- → What type of cheese is best for the creamy base?
Whole-milk ricotta paired with softened cream cheese creates a smooth, rich base with a balanced texture.
- → How do you prepare the hot honey swirl?
Gently warm honey with hot sauce and red pepper flakes over low heat for a few minutes, then drizzle over the whipped ricotta for a spicy-sweet marbled effect.
- → Can this be made vegan or dairy-free?
Substituting cream cheese and ricotta with plant-based alternatives could work, but texture and flavor may vary from the original.
- → What are good serving suggestions for this dish?
It pairs beautifully with crostini, crackers, and fresh vegetables like cucumber or carrots for a refreshing bite.
- → How can I adjust the heat level of the honey swirl?
Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to gently increase or decrease the spiciness according to personal preference.