Spicy Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey Recipe
This Spicy Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey is a creamy, flavorful appetizer that combines smooth ricotta cheese whipped to perfection with a sweet and spicy honey drizzle. Perfect for serving with crostini, pita chips, or fresh vegetable slices, this elegant dip brings a sophisticated twist to any appetizer spread with its balance of mild creaminess and fiery heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6 as an appetizer 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper
- Optional: fresh herbs (thyme, basil, or chives)
- Optional: lemon zest for garnish
Hot Honey Drizzle
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce or chili oil
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
To Serve
- Crostini, pita chips, or sliced baguette
- Sweet peppers or cucumber slices
Instructions
- Whip the Ricotta: Add ricotta cheese, olive oil, salt, and garlic powder to a food processor. Blend for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If you don’t have a food processor, you can whisk vigorously by hand or use a hand mixer to achieve a similar fluffy texture.
- Make the Hot Honey: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce or chili oil, and chili flakes. Warm gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until just warm and the flavors are infused, taking care not to boil the honey.
- Plate the Dip: Transfer the whipped ricotta to a shallow serving dish. Use the back of a spoon to create attractive swirls on the surface, giving it a rustic and inviting look.
- Garnish and Serve: Drizzle the warm spicy honey over the ricotta. Top with freshly cracked pepper, optional lemon zest, and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately alongside crostini, pita chips, or fresh vegetable slices such as sweet peppers or cucumber for dipping.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes and hot sauce to your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme, basil, or chives for added freshness and flavor.
- If you want a smoother ricotta texture, use a food processor or hand mixer rather than just whisking by hand.
- This dip can be prepared ahead of time; keep the ricotta mixture and hot honey separate and combine just before serving.
- Try pairing with a variety of dipping options such as crudités, crackers, or naan bread for versatility.
Keywords: ricotta dip, spicy dip, hot honey, appetizer recipe, easy dip, party food, Italian appetizer, crostini dip
