Whipped ricotta dip is a savory cheese dip made with fresh ricotta blended into a light and creamy consistency, topped with sweet honey, fragrant herbs and bright lemon zest. Serve this rich ricotta dip with veggies, crackers or crusty bread for an easy 5 minute appetizer everyone will love.
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Why Should You Make This Recipe
I’ve recently become a huge fan of simple and delicious sweet dessert dip recipes. My Pecan Pie Dip, Chocolate Chip Dip, Pumpkin Dip, Apple Dip, Cool Whip Fruit Dip, S’mores Dip and Oreo Dip are of my favorites on the blog. This whipped ricotta dip recipe is another fun and easy dip I know you’ll love!
- It’s quick, easy and fun to make. This whipped dip takes about 5 minutes to make. Just mix together some simple ingredients and serve with your favorite crunchy, salty dippers such as bread, crackers or veggies.
- Perfect for entertaining: What I love most about this whipped cheese dip is how easy it is to throw together at the last minute. Not only is this light and creamy ricotta dip easy to make, it is such a crowd pleaser and easy to customize to you and your guests tastes.
Ingredients
This ricotta dip is made from a handful of simple basic pantry ingredients. Here’s what you need.
Gather ricotta cheese, olive oil, salt, honey, fresh herbs and black pepper.
Substitutions
This simple whipped cheese dip is meant to be quick and easy, but sometimes you may not have everything on hand. If you need them, here are my recommended substitutions for this recipe.
- Ricotta Cheese: There isn’t an exact match for the texture and rich flavor of ricotta cheese. However, in a pinch use an equal amount of fresh, in the brine feta. Omit the salt if you end up using feta as this cheese is already pretty salty.
- Olive Oil: Choose a good quality olive oil you like.
- Honey: This is optional for topping, but does enhance the flavor of ricotta really well.
- Fresh Herbs: The herbs used in this recipe are thyme and fresh mint. If you like, use other herbs such as rosemary or parsley.
- Lemon Zest: This is optional for topping. Feel free to omit.
How To Make
Learn how to make whipped ricotta dip in a few easy steps.
- Strain the ricotta. Place a cheese cloth or a 3 - 4 paper towels on the bottom of a mesh strainer. Scoop the cheese onto the cheese cloth or paper towels. Cover the cheese with excess cheese cloth or 1 - 2 paper towels. Add something like pie weights or a small bowl with rice on top of the cheese. This will gently release the excess water. Allow the cheese to strain for about 1 hour or up to overnight.
- Place the strained ricotta cheese into a food processor along with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Process the ricotta cheese for 30 - 60 seconds or until smooth and fluffy. If needed, scrape the sides and bottom of the food processor and continue to blend until smooth.
3. Transfer the creamy ricotta cheese dip into a serving bowl. Top the dip with honey, fresh herbs and lemon zest. Serve with fresh veggies, crackers, pretzels or crusty bread.
How To Serve and Store
- Serve: This creamy ricotta dip with honey is best served with fresh veggies, crackers, pretzels or crusty bread.
- Store: This creamy cheese dip stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 - 4 days. If not serving this creamy dip right away, transfer it to the fridge until it’s time to serve. Wait to top the dip until right before serving.
M’s Expert Tips
- Choose the right kind of cheese. Fresh ricotta can be watery. Choose a brand that you like. Go for whole milk ricotta over a reduced fat kind.
- Drain the ricotta cheese. Make sure to strain the cheese to remove any excess water. This will enure the dip is light and creamy rather than runny.
- Chill the dip. For a thicker dip, cover and transfer the dip to the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. If storing in the fridge for longer, make sure to pull the dip to sit out at room temperature for about 20 - 30 minutes to soften the dip enough to make scooping easier. For a “thinner” dip, enjoy right after mixing the ingredients together. Top the dip right before serving.
- Have fun with the toppings and dippers. Add anything you like to the top of the dip once it has been made. I love a adding fresh herbs, lemon zest and honey. Chopped nuts like pistachios or even pomegranate seeds would also be delicious. Choose savory crunchy things to dip into the ricotta cheese. Things like crackers, fresh veggies and toasted bread is perfect.
FAQs
This creamy ricotta dip with honey is best served with fresh veggies, crackers, pretzels or crusty bread.
This dip has a cheese base and should be stored in the fridge. With proper storage in the fridge, this creamy dip can last up to 3 - 4 days.
Ricotta dip can be frozen, but keep in mind that the overall texture will change due to freezing and thawing. The overall texture will be more watery and even grainy. For those reasons I don’t recommend freezing this dip.
Instead of using a food processor, use an electric mixer. Make sure to take the time to whip the ricotta until smooth. This will take a bit longer than a food processor.
More Savory Recipes to Try
If you try this Whipped Ricotta Dip recipe please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Doing so helps other readers decide if this is a great recipe to bake. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using @olivesnthyme so I can see what you’re baking!
Whipped Ricotta Dip Recipe
Equipment
- 1 food processor
Ingredients
Whipped Ricotta Dip
- 16 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Toppings
- 1 - 2 tablespoons (15 - 30 ml) honey Plain or Hot
- 2 - 3 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Strain the ricotta. Place a cheese cloth or a 3 - 4 paper towels on the bottom of a mesh strainer. Scoop the cheese onto the cheese cloth or paper towels. Cover the cheese with excess cheese cloth or 1 - 2 paper towels. Add something like pie weights or a small bowl with rice on top of the cheese. This will gently release the excess water. Allow the cheese to strain for about 1 hour or up to overnight. This step is optional, but does ensure the smoothest, fluffiest and creamiest ricotta dip.16 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
- Place the strained ricotta cheese into a food processor along with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Process the ricotta cheese for 30 - 60 seconds or until smooth and fluffy. If needed, scrape the sides and bottom of the food processor and continue to blend until smooth.1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil , ½ teaspoon salt
- Transfer the creamy ricotta cheese dip into a serving bowl. Top the dip with honey, fresh herbs and lemon zest. Serve with fresh veggies, crackers, pretzels or crusty bread.1 - 2 tablespoons (15 - 30 ml) honey , 2 - 3 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme, 1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint , ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
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