This creamy Whipped Ricotta Dip with Honey makes an impressive appetizer or healthy snack. And, it couldn't be faster to make!
In this recipe, silky ricotta cheese gets topped with a drizzle of honey, fresh thyme, lemon zest, and pepper. The combination is ridiculously simple, but never fails to impress.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy: Just 5 minutes to make. No cooking needed.
- Crowd pleaser: This is a low-effort appetizer that always impresses guests. You'll be surprised how quickly it gets devoured!
- Make ahead friendly: You can make this whipped ricotta in advance. It's also great for meal prepping healthy weekday snacks.
Recipe video
Ingredients
This recipe calls for just 5 simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper):
- Ricotta: Choose a whole milk ricotta cheese for best results, rather than a part-skim ricotta. Ricotta is already a lower-fat cheese, so this will help the dish taste as creamy as possible.
- Olive Oil: Adding olive oil into the ricotta helps it whip up into the fluffiest dip. Ricotta is also a very mild tasting cheese, so olive oil infuses more savory flavor.
- Honey: Honey and ricotta is a classic pairing! In this recipe, you'll just need a good spoonful of runny honey to drizzle on top of the dip before serving.
- Thyme: Fresh thyme adds flavor and makes the dish look extra pretty. (If you have extra fresh thyme to use up, make Brothy Oven Baked White Beans or Air Fryer Butternut Squash).
Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.
How to make (step-by-step photos)
This whipped ricotta dip is super simple to make. It only takes 5 minutes. Here's how:
Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.
Love homemade dips? Check out these other easy dip recipes: Jalapeno Ranch Dip, Greek Yogurt Onion Dip with Crispy Shallots, and Creamy White Bean Dip.
Serving suggestions
You can serve this fluffy dip with just about anything. Here are some of our favourite "dippers":
- Warm bread: Brush slices of baguette or sourdough with olive oil, then bake in the oven until warm. We like to season the warm bread with salt and pepper for even more flavor!
- Pita chips: We're obsessed with these Air Fryer Pita Chips, but you could opt for store-bought. Pita chips are a great option if you don't want to worry about heating up bread right before serving.
- Fresh veggies: Crisp and colorful veggies—like cucumber, bell peppers, carrots, and celery—are delicious dipped in whipped ricotta! And, they're also a great choice for meal prepped snacks.
Frequently asked questions
Ricotta has a very mild, almost neutral flavor. On its own, ricotta isn't very salty, so its often used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Yes, you can still make this recipe without a food processor. You could instead use an electric mixer (and a bowl). See recipe notes for more details.
Yes, you can make this dish in advance. We prefer to whip the ricotta in advance (step 1). Then, garnish (step 2) right before serving.
But, you could prep and garnish the whole dish in advance. If you go this route, cover the bowl tightly and store in the fridge. Before serving, let the refrigerated dish sit out on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes so the honey isn't cold.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review below!
📖 Recipe
Whipped Ricotta Dip with Honey
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk recommended)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 to 3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- Lemon zest (from about ½ lemon, optional)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Whip ricotta: Add ricotta, olive oil, and salt to a food processor (see note 1). Whip until smooth and fluffy.
- Garnish: Spoon the whipped ricotta into a bowl. Drizzle with honey, and top with thyme, lemon zest (if using), and pepper. Serve with "dippers" of your choice (see note 2).
Notes
- Electric mixer alternative: If you don't have a food processor, you can whip the ricotta in a bowl with an electric mixer instead. If you go this route, do take the time to whip the ricotta until it's completely smooth and fluffy like the step-by-step photo. (It can take a bit longer than if using a food processor).
- Serving suggestions: This whipped ricotta dip is delicious served with warm bread, pita chips, crackers, and/or fresh veggies.
- Storage tips: Store whipped ricotta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
LABF😉😉 says
Quick Hit!
So easy, yet sooo good! I subbed hot honey and NEXT LEVEL! Lemon was spot on! Did not have thyme but excited to try! TIP: JMO but I felt veggies worked best as pitas somewhat shadowed the full flavor.
bri says
Yay, happy to hear you enjoyed this ricotta dip recipe. Great call with the hot honey, that would be so good! I'm going to have to try that next time:) Thanks for sharing and for taking the time to leave a review. Much appreciated!
jack says
the only dish I've ever made that impressed my wife. she says thank you.
bri says
Hi Jack - Haha, glad to be of service! Glad she enjoyed it. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review.
Karen says
Easy and delicious
bri says
So great to hear. Thanks Karen!
Katie says
I made this for a dinner party last night and it was a big hit! I'm not a very good cook so I was REALLY nervous about making something to bring. This recipe seemed easy enough...and it was! Everyone loved it. And they weren't just being nice because they kept asking for the recipe. Thank you for making me look good:)
bri says
Hi Katie! Yay, I'm thrilled to hear you made one of my recipes for your dinner party. And, even happier to hear it was a hit! Hope you had a great evening. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it!
Christiana K says
Delish! Really easy recipe and tasted good. Will make again.
bri says
Hi Christiana! So glad you enjoyed this whipped ricotta:) Really appreciate you taking the time to write in!
arabel says
gracias
bri says
Glad you enjoyed the recipe Arabel! Thanks for stopping by.
Megan says
Had this with some sourdough this morning for breakfast, absolutely perfect. I swapped the black pepper for a touch of cinnamon sugar and it was incredible! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe ♡
bri says
Hi Megan! Yum, sounds like the perfect breakfast. The cinnamon sugar sounds SO GOOD. Yum. Thank you for sharing!
Keysi says
Lovely dip. Adding the lemon zest really took it up a notch!
bri says
Happy to hear you enjoyed this ricotta dip, Keysi! Hope your new year is off to a great start. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!
Rhonda Whelan says
I first tried this dip at Vallozzi’s in Versailles, Ky and wanted to copy it! This recipe was perfection! So easy! So delicious! So wonderful! Try this one! You won’t be disappointed!
bri says
Hi Rhonda - So glad to hear you loved this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing. Wishing you a happy new year!
Charlotte N says
Lovely! Made this for Christmas Eve lunch and it was a hit! Happy holidays
bri says
Hi Charlotte! So glad to hear this whipped ricotta was a hit for your lunch. Happy holidays!
Julie says
This is delicious and couldn’t be simpler. Great recipe. The thyme leaves add a wonderful flavor.
bri says
Hi Julie! Yay, glad you enjoyed this Whipped Ricotta Dip! Thyme leaves are one of my favorite herbs, so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it too:)
Tim says
This recipe is banging! I was on "appetizer duty" and made this for friends. Wifey requested I make it for Thanksgiving. Thanks for making me look good
bri says
Hi Tim! So glad you (and your wife) enjoyed this recipe! Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving.
Margaret says
Delicious. I used my hand mixer. Served with baguette slices. So yummy.
bri says
Hi Margaret! Glad to hear the hand mixer worked out well. Thank you so much for sharing!
Trish M says
Fabulous! Will be making this for all our dinner parties from now on.
bri says
So glad you enjoyed it, Trish! Hope you have a great rest of your week!