Description
This creamy, sweet-and-spicy ricotta dip topped with hot honey is the perfect last-minute appetizer. It’s elegant enough for dinner parties and quick enough for game day—ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese (room temperature)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (basil, thyme, or rosemary), chopped
- Flaky sea salt for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Use a hand mixer to whip until light and fluffy (1–2 minutes).
- Gently fold in garlic, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust to taste.
- Spoon mixture into a shallow bowl. Swirl the surface with the back of a spoon to create valleys for toppings.
- Drizzle hot honey and remaining olive oil on top. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and flaky sea salt. Serve with bread, crackers, or veggies.
Notes
To make ahead, prepare the whipped ricotta and store covered for up to 24 hours. Add garnishes just before serving. Homemade hot honey: warm ½ cup honey with 1–2 tsp red pepper flakes, let steep, and strain if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 8g