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.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Only 5 minutes to make
- An easy but impressive appetizer
- Can be meal prepped for healthy weekday snacks
Ingredients
This recipe comes together with only a handful of simple ingredients:
- 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).
How to make (step-by-step photos)
This whipped ricotta dip is super simple to make. 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.
Recipe video
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.
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📖 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.
Madeline says
I've never been a huge fan of ricotta. But this has made me LOVE it. So fluffy!
bri says
Hi Madeline! Yay, so glad you enjoyed this ricotta recipe:) Thanks for sharing!
Tammy says
Fabulous! I made this for some girlfriends this evening and it was a hit! So simple too
bri says
Hi Tammy! So glad to hear your friends enjoyed this recipe:) Thanks for sharing!
Barr Elaine says
Savoury never, ever, ever includes honey. Not ever. Honey is beyond sweet
bri says
Hi Elaine! Personally, we love combining cheese with something sweet (like honey or jam). But, we totally respect that might not be to your taste:) If you do end up giving this recipe a try, let us know what you think! Or, if you're looking for a different creamy dip recipe without honey, our Greek Yogurt Onion Dip is also good for entertaining. Have a great weekend ahead!
Sandy says
Love the fresh thyme paired with the ricotta. It also truly takes just 5 minutes to make. Added to the rotation!
bri says
Yay, so glad you're enjoying this recipe Sandy!
Tom says
Four words. Get in my belly!
bri says
Hi Tom! Haha, sounds like the ricotta dip was a hit! Thanks so much for sharing
Helen says
Is it bad I make this twice a week?
bri says
Haha definitely not bad! In fact, I'd argue it's a great thing. Glad to hear you're enjoying this recipe Helen!
Natalie says
This is 100% my new go-to hosting appetizer. I am OBSESSED--to the point I had to feature it on my blog (and included my one tweak/recommendation to take it to the next level!):
bri says
Hi Natalie - Awh that's so sweet! Glad to hear it's your new go-to. Thank you for featuring our recipe!
Tom says
Fantastic. My friends loved this!
bri says
Hi Tom! So glad to hear this recipe was a hit with your friends. Thanks so much for sharing:)
Kathy says
This was delicious!! We also added some chopped basil…but I added the herbs into the food processor with the other ingredients…so herbs were spread throughout the whole dip…not just on top.
bri says
Hi Kathy! Yay, glad you enjoyed this dip! Great idea with adding the basil in. Thank you for sharing that modification with our readers!
Maryann Keller says
Made it for Mother’s Day. It was delicious and so simple to make. I toasted the ciabatta slices too!Will definitely make again.
bri says
Hi Maryann! So happy to hear you made this for Mother's Day. Glad you enjoyed it. Great call with toasted ciabatta slices - delish!
Rachelle B says
Yum! This was a hit last night. So easy to make!
bri says
So glad you enjoyed this recipe Rachelle! Thanks for taking the time to review!
Luke R says
Great recipe. I'm the first to admit that I'm not a great cook. But this was super easy to make. Wifey was impressed.
bri says
Hi Luke! Glad to hear you and your wife enjoyed the whipped ricotta. Thanks for taking the time to write in. Have a lovely weekend ahead!
Dianne says
three words. yum yum yum! great party food, it went so quickly
bri says
So happy to hear this recipe was a hit! Thanks for sharing Dianne
Janice says
I'd eat this every day and twice on Sunday if I could. Honestly, so simple to make and tastes incredible. Its creating some marital issues at home because my husband keeps stealing the leftovers!!
bri says
Hi Janice! Woohoo, glad you and your husband are enjoying this whipped ricotta dip. Thank you for taking the time to share!
Sarah says
Made this for a party last night and it was a hit!
bri says
Hi Sarah! Yay, so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for sharing