10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Recipe | Fork in the Kitchen (2024)

Oh my goodness gracious, are you ready for this whipped ricotta recipe? The recipe of all appetizer recipes? The one that is super easy to make (we’re talking 10 minutes or less), is creamy, and loaded with bright flavors from fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a hint of sweet honey?!

10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Recipe | Fork in the Kitchen (1)

I know you know I love super easy appetizer and dip recipes, and I know you do, too. I mean, what’s better than snacking on small bites and using grilled bread to simply transfer all the creamy ricotta straight into your mouth?! Nothing.

Nothing is better, and today we’re making homemade whipped ricotta and it is going to be a showstopper at your next get-together. Your guests won’t be able to stop dipping and snacking, and neither will you…this vegetarian app is going to wow everyone!

How to Make Whipped Ricotta

If you’ve never made homemade whipped ricotta before, prepare for your world to be rocked. I first had whipped ricotta at Alma Café in Minneapolis, which is what inspired this recipe. It was so creamy, light, and full of flavor from the herbs and honey, I couldn’t get enough. I knew I needed to recreate it so I could have it whenever the craving struck (and trust me, it happens often, you’ve been warned).

Making whipped ricotta might sound like quite the task, however, it’s actually so easy. All you need is a mixer – either a stand or hand-held mixer, both work great. And that’s it. Really.

Start with fresh whole milk ricotta. The freshest you can get. And do not skimp on the fat content either. The more fresh and whole the ricotta is, the better it’s going to whip into a light and creamy dip.

I like to use Whole Foods’ house-made ricotta, which is sold in the cheese section. If you can’t find fresh homemade ricotta in the store, you can absolutely buy store-bought prepackaged ricotta, just make sure it is made with whole milk.

10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Recipe | Fork in the Kitchen (2)

If you really want to go above and beyond, you can also make homemade ricotta before whipping it. It’s super easy to do. I’ve used a variation of Ina Garten‘s recipe in the past.

Now that we’ve covered the ricotta piece, to whip the ricotta you simply add the whole milk ricotta to a small-medium mixing bowl, and, using your hand (or stand) mixer, whip the ricotta for approximately 2 minutes until it is smooth, light, and creamy. For this step, you can use either a whisk attachment from your hand mixer or the regular beaters.

Once it’s creamy, light, and airy, it’s ready to be topped!

Reader review

5 (119 ratings)

This spread is so delicious. It’s very easy to make and has complex flavors. Its perfect to serve with fruits and a baguette. – Amy

Read more reviews

Topping Whipped Ricotta

When it comes down to it, you can top whipped ricotta with just about whatever your taste buds desire. This recipe tops it with a magical mix of herbs and honey that is addictingly delicious and pairs seamlessly with the creamy whipped ricotta. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Recipe | Fork in the Kitchen (3)
  • Whole Milk Ricotta – we covered this in the paragraph above, but it’s important to mention again: fresh, whole milk ricotta.
  • Fresh Mint – there’s nothing quite like fresh mint. Its fresh, slightly sweet, refreshing flavor adds a brightness to this ricotta dip that’s unlike anything you’ve ever had! Especially when it’s paired with…
  • Fresh Parsley – with its clean, fresh flavor that’s a little bit peppery and earthy, it balances out the fresh herbs and honey beautifully.
  • Lemon Zest – this touch of acidity and bright citrus notes round out the topping flavors, which tend to be on the sweeter side.
    • Zest the lemon by using a Microplane or a fine grater. When zesting, be careful to not scrape off the white pith that is just below the zest’s surface, as it can have a bitter aftertaste to it. My favorite method is to rotate the lemon to zest in one hand and hold the Microplane steady in the other.
  • Olive Oil – use delicious, high-quality olive oil to let the flavor shine through. We’re just adding a little to balance out the topping, but it makes a difference!
  • Honey – high-quality honey makes a huge difference in this recipe because it is such a prominent part of the recipe. However, any honey really will do, just be sure it’s one you enjoy the taste of. The honey is mixed in with the fresh herbs and lemon, creating the most amazing herby topping for whipped ricotta.
  • Sea Salt Flakes – add texture and of course, a little saltiness to bring out all the flavors. If you don’t have sea salt flakes, a sprinkle of kosher salt will do, too.
10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Recipe | Fork in the Kitchen (4)

How to Serve Herbs and Honey Ricotta

The best part: EATING IT! Like I said before, if you’re serving this appetizer to guests, be sure to sneak a couple of bites before you present them with it because they’re going to devour it once they’ve had their first bites.

As you may have expected, it’s super easy to put the final dip together and serve it.

Spread the creamy whipped ricotta on a plate or in a small serving bowl. Then, top with the honey and herb mixture.

10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Recipe | Fork in the Kitchen (5)

What should I dip in Whipped Ricotta?

We must, obviously, have something to shovel the dip into our mouths with. Of course, I’m fully in support of spoons, but there’s one other super tasty, deliciously crisp, and salty option that is actually the most *perfect* pairing for the dip.

Grilled Baguette Slices. Rub baguette slices with a little olive oil, grill them on a grill or use a grill pan, sprinkle with some salt, and serve ’em up! You can also easily make crostini in the oven for the same crunchy-salty bread combination.

The salt and crunch from the bread really are a match made in heaven with the creamy ricotta and herby, slightly sweet honey topping.

10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Recipe | Fork in the Kitchen (6)

Want to keep it gluten-free? Serve with gluten-free crackers, or use a gluten-free baguette (or bread) to toast up. It’s also delicious with fresh vegetables – crudités style.

If you’re looking to pair it with a cocktail for happy hour, this appetizer dip pairs beautifully with a light, crisp, citrusy white wine. A chilled rosé would also be excellent. Really, you can’t go wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I store whipped ricotta?

If you want to store just the whipped ricotta, place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 1-2 days. If you’ve already added the herb topping to the dip, store it in an airtight container and cover the top of the dip with plastic wrap, and place it in the fridge for no longer than 1 day. Please note that the herbs have a higher chance of spoiling once they’ve been added to the dip and then stored.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Even though this is an easy, 10-minute recipe if you need to prepare it ahead of time, start with the whipped ricotta. Prepare the whipped ricotta and place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I don’t recommend preparing the herbs until you’re ready to serve, so they stay as fresh as possible.

What herbs can I substitute?

Basil would be an excellent substitution for either the mint or the parsley (or an addition!). Because of the honey, you want to substitute an herb that has a sweet aspect and that will play off of those flavors. Fresh thyme would also work in place of the mint.

Can I double this recipe?

100% yes! The more whipped ricotta, the better!

When should I serve Whipped Ricotta?

There is no wrong answer here! Anytime you need a quick, easy, uber-flavorful appetizer is a perfect time to serve whipped ricotta! I find it goes over well at dinner parties as an appetizer while friends mingle, it’s great on game day or over the holidays as part of a snack spread before the big meal.

How else can I use whipped ricotta?

Not only does it make an excellent appetizer dip, but you can also use the whipped ricotta (either alone or with the herb mixture) on sandwiches, as a cheesy base for a naan flatbread pizza, or on a slice of sourdough toast for breakfast!

10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Recipe | Fork in the Kitchen (7)

More Creamy Dip Recipes to Love

  • Whipped Feta with Marinated Olives
  • Sun-Dried Tomato and Pesto Dip
  • Lazy Girl Tzatziki Sauce

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!

10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Recipe | Fork in the Kitchen (8)

5 (119 ratings)

Get the RecipeWhipped Ricotta with Herbs and Honey

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

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In just 10 minutes, creamy ricotta cheese is whipped to perfection and served with honey, lemon and fresh herbs for an ultra flavorful combination. Store-bought whole milk ricotta, or homemade whole milk ricotta work wonderfully! Serve as dip, spread, or easy crostini appetizer.

Ingredients

Equipment

Instructions

  • Place the ricotta in a small mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer with a whisk attachment or beaters, whisk ricotta for 2 minutes until it's smooth and creamy; you may still see tiny bumps of ricotta, this is ok. Place the whipped ricotta in a serving bowl or spread on a plate.

    1 cup whole milk ricotta

  • In a separate bowl, stir together the mint, parsley, lemon zest, olive oil, honey, and salt. Pour the herb and honey mixture on top of the whipped ricotta. Top with freshly ground black pepper as desired. Serve with grilled baguette slices, crackers, or vegetables.

    2 Tablespoon fresh mint, 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 3 teaspoons honey, Generous pinch of sea salt, Freshly ground black pepper

Grilled Baguette or Crostini

  • Grilled Baguette: to serve with grilled baguette slices, brush olive oil on each side of baguette slices, and place on a grill pan over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes on each side, until toasted. Sprinkle with salt and serve.

    1 Baguette

  • Crostini: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread the baguette slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil (don’t drench them, dry areas are ok), and turn them over, spreading them in the olive oil a bit to coat, and flipping to coat as well. Sprinkle the slices with salt and pepper. Toast in oven for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. Watch carefully so they don’t burn.

Calories: 33kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 12mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 72IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Appetizer

Author: Becca Mills

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!

By the Way…

This recipe is part of oureasy vegetarian appetizercollection. Check it out!

10-Minute Whipped Ricotta Recipe | Fork in the Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Is cream cheese just whipped ricotta? ›

Cream cheese: Cream cheese is made with milk and cream, while ricotta is made with just milk. The lower fat content makes the latter cheese slightly less creamy. However, cream cheese can still be substituted for ricotta.

Why is my whipped ricotta runny? ›

Runny ricotta can occur for a couple of reasons: 1) Your ricotta was already watery to begin with. If this is the case, I recommend straining the cheese over a cheesecloth before whipping it up. 2) You added too much liquid (either from the olive oil or heavy cream).

How to make store bought ricotta creamy? ›

Whipping ricotta in the food processor transforms it into an incredibly smooth, spreadable cheese—a blank canvas to be paired with any number of flavors and ingredients.

What does whipped ricotta taste like? ›

If I had to describe the taste and experience of eating this, it would be like a sweet and savory cloud! Fluff, creamy whipped ricotta on toast is absolute heaven for your taste buds! It's the most delicious brunch or snack you can ever make in literally under 15 minutes.

What is whipped ricotta made of? ›

The Ingredients
  1. Whole Milk Ricotta. For the creamiest, most delicious results, you definitely want to use whole milk ricotta. ...
  2. Olive Oil. High-quality olive oil adds richness and depth to the whipped ricotta. ...
  3. Lemon Zest. Ricotta and olive oil are both rich, so bright and zippy lemon zest balances the flavor. ...
  4. Fresh Herbs.
Jun 28, 2023

Can you substitute whipped cream cheese for regular cream cheese in a recipe? ›

THE BOTTOM LINE: In recipes for which cream cheese is cooked, we recommend sticking with the traditional block. In cases where it is not heated, the whipped product is acceptable provided you substitute by weight. TAKES THE CAKE: Block cream cheese makes luxuriously creamy, dense cheesecake.

Can you substitute whipped cream cheese for ricotta? ›

You can use cream cheese instead of ricotta in savory and sweet dishes. It is thicker and has a tangier flavor than ricotta, so be mindful of how that can affect the other ingredients in your recipe.

Can you substitute heavy whipping cream with ricotta cheese? ›

It's an ideal substitute for cream or whole milk in a cream sauce. George Carlberg, executive chef at Littleton Adventist Hospital, uses the ricotta sauce to turn chicken and pasta into a one-dish meal. In this recipe he uses ricotta, because “it gives the palate the feel of heavy cream but reduces the fat.”

How do you keep homemade whipped cream from getting runny? ›

To prevent a structural disaster and avoid a soupy, unstable mess, though, you can stabilize it by adding Instant ClearJel, cornstarch, or another dairy ingredient like mascarpone or crème fraîche. To keep whipped cream light and fluffy for longer, you can stabilize it.

What's the difference between whipped ricotta and regular ricotta? ›

Regular ricotta is a soft, grainy cheese with a slightly gritty texture, while whipped ricotta is made by blending regular ricotta with a small amount of cream or milk until it becomes smooth and airy. Whipped ricotta has a lighter, fluffier texture and a milder flavor compared to regular ricotta.

How do you make whipped ricotta not grainy? ›

While ricotta is already creamy, it has an almost grainy and slightly crumbly texture — this must be smoothed out. Incorporating full-fat dairy, like heavy cream, will add richness to the cheese and create a lusciously sleek texture. The second is to mix these elements with precision and speed.

How do you make store bought ricotta better? ›

You can also add garlic powder, black pepper, fresh basil, or shredded mozzarella cheese for an added boost of flavor. For desserts, there are so many delicious ways to flavor your ricotta.

Is whipped cottage cheese the same as ricotta? ›

Whipped cottage cheese has a milder flavor than ricotta cheese. Ricotta cheese has a light, slightly sweet flavor, while cottage cheese tends to be a little saltier. Can I use whipped cottage cheese instead of ricotta? Yes, you can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta in most dishes in a 1:1 ratio.

How to whip ricotta reddit? ›

First, make the whipped ricotta. In a small mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, olive oil, basil, lemon zest, honey, salt, and pepper. Use a hand mixer to whip the ricotta until light and airy, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Can you whip cottage cheese in a blender? ›

Yes! If you don't have a food processor you can use a high-speed blender to whip the cottage cheese. You might just have to scrape the sides down more often than if you use a food processor.

Is ricotta and cream cheese the same thing? ›

Why choose cream cheese? For starters, cream cheese and ricotta are made using similar processes. The primary difference is that making ricotta involves milk; making cream cheese calls for cream and milk. This slight ingredient difference sets it apart from ricotta in terms of its richer flavor and fattier profile.

Is soft cream cheese the same as whipped cream cheese? ›

Traditional cream cheese incorporates a cheese culture into the cream cheese, coagulating more proteins to create denser cream cheese. On the other hand, the whipped variety comes together with lactic acid.

Is Philadelphia cream cheese ricotta? ›

Ricotta cheese and Cream cheese are not related; these are like apples and oranges. Ricotta had been a by-product of cheese, for hundreds of years, original Ricotta is made mainly from whey the by-product of cheese making and tiny milk portion. And at present, there may be some brands made exclusively from milk.

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